New Build Advice

March 8, 2010

We currently have 34 plots of land for sale in the Haute Savoie. Thanks to this we are recieving lots of questions about how to go about a new build project. Normally my answer is to speak to one of our experienced agents, most of whom have been involoved with new build projects in France for some time.

I have decided to do some research into the whole subject and write a 7 part blog following a current new build near Morzine. It helps that this is being undertaken by Alew Lewis (the Marketing Man). Alex and his Father-in-Law (Steve Norris, the MD) have been going through the process meticulously, leaving a well documented paper trail to help with the research.

If you want to keep abreast of the build process then I suggest registering your details with us via the little form on the right of this page. I intend to have part 1 and 2 written by the end of this week.

Part 1. Choosing your land, what to look for, the questions to ask. Making an offer, the first contract.

Part 2. Asking for planning permission

Part 3. Getting the constructions quotes.

Part 4. The build, from digging the first hole to the finished concrete structure.

Part 5. Adding the wooden frame, walls, roof, windows and doors – Hors d’eau – hors d’air.

Part 6. Finishing the inside, electrics, heating, kitchens etc….

Part 7. Landscaping and obtaining the Certificat de Conformité.

I have some examples of plots below:

The most expensive we have is:

Land Medon, 521, 850 euros, Combloux near Megeve

http://www.alpine-property.com/index.php?page=prop_1_medon&lang=en&hist=page_searchXtyp_4Xlang_en

to our cheapest

Land La Chapelle, 80,000 euros, Sixt fer a Cheval

http://www.alpine-property.com/index.php?page=prop_1_lachapelleland&lang=en&hist=page_searchXtyp_4Xlang_en

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Posted by Gareth

The indebtedness of the Communes

January 22, 2010

Here are some interesting statistics that were published in the Dauphine Liberé this week. They refer to the amount of money the Commune (translates as Council) owes divided by the number of people who pay taxes in the Commune.

I have selected some of the more popular Communes for comparison. I don’t suppose you should make a property purchase decision on the basis of these figures, they just give you an idea of who owes the most! I’ve no idea what happens should a Commune in France goes bust.

Les Gets looks to be on shaky ground, it is an “average” sized ski resort and owes a lot. I know that in the last few years they have built and underground car park, a reservoir to supply water to the town and they have upgraded their sewage system too.

On a similar subject the Dauphine Liberé ran a story on the amount of ski lift investment in the Haute Savoie over the last year.  Full story via the link below.

http://www.ledauphine.com/avec-six-nouveaux-apparei-@/index.jspz?article=249867&chaine=23

More property related stats from the following link.

http://www.budget.gouv.fr/

Commune Euros per Inhabitant
Les Gets 25,279
Chatel 10,698
Les Contamines-Montjoie 7,127
Morzine 6,806
Megeve 6,657
La Clusaz 6,490
Morillon 5,942
Chamonix 5,186
Le Grand-Bornand 5,076
Combloux 5,063
Samoens 4,700
Araches-la-Frasse 4,619
Manigod 3,663
Evian-les-Bains 3,603
St Jean de Sixt 3,581
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains 2,426
Montriond 1,926
Le Biot 1,755
Essert Romand 1,742
Les Houches 1,731
Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval 1,690
Passy 1,506
La Chapelle-d’Abondance 1,478
Annecy-le-Vieux 1,445
St Jean d’Aulps 1,311
Vallorcine 1,051
Taninges 847
Servoz 780
Annecy 483
La Baume 3
Average in France 890

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Posted by Gareth

Recent Ads featuring Alpine Property in the National Press.

March 30, 2009

Historically Alpine Property’s portal to the outside world has been via the World Web Web. We have been happy advertising our chalets, apartments, renovations and land for sale on “the web”. Generally people find us via a Google search using terms such as “buy”, “for sale”, “chalet“, “Apartment“, “land” and linking them  with one of the towns we have properties in, these include – Chamonix, Argentiere, Vallorcine, Les Houches, Megeve, St Gervais, Combloux, Sallanches, Le Grand-Bornand, La Clusaz, Samoens, Sixt-fer-a-Cheval, Taninges, Les Carroz, Araches, Les Gets, Morzine, Montriond, St Jean d’Aulps, Chatel and Abondance to name a few!

Recently we have been working with, Winkworth, a UK based Estate Agent who has been doing PR and Marketing of our properties. I have listed here some of our successes.

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Posted by Gareth

Golf in the Haute Savoie

February 25, 2009

JC Skiera is very keen on a number of sports, one of which is golf! Here is his review of the golfing opportunites around our region (the Haute Savoie) of the Alps.

Chamonix : an interesting and very playable course set in stunning scenery. Not that posh in comparison to some of the others but expensive green fees in peak season (July – August), circa 65 euros, cheaper the rest of the time. I am a member so I’m a bit biased. Really nice restaurant and friendly staff.

Megève : definitely posh but less interesting as a golf course, the greens are often in poor condition. High green fees.

Annecy : two courses around the lake : Talloires : expensive in high season, a short but hilly mountain-type course kept in excellent condition, especially the greens (which are notoriously small). Giez : longer and more playable “parkland” course, worth a visit, friendly atmosphere and decent pro-shop (a rarity).

Evian Masters : splendid championship course with fantastic practice facilities but very expensive in Summer. Best time to play is just after they’ve had the Ladies Masters.

Esery (near Bonneville along the M40 motorway) : really nice and fairly challenging parkland course, super fast and very big greens, superb club house, shop and restaurant. Absolutely worth a try.

Divonne : haven’t tried this one but my mate who is a scratch golfer says it is better than Evian.

Bossey (at the foot of the Saleve mountain near the Swiss border) : very challenging course, Jean Van de Velde is a regular!

Aix Les Bains, 30 minutes from Annecy, old parkland course with character and in good condition. Playable throughout the year.

The 2 others are Flaine and Les Gets, useful if you are staying nearby but not really comparable to the others.

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Posted by Gareth

Alpine Property Team Ski

January 31, 2009

The Alpine Property Team, from left to right.

Claudia, Lee, Jo, JC, Emma, Richard, Steve, Valerie, Alex, Gareth, Denis

This photo was taken on January 29th 2009 at the top lift at La Clusaz (Col de Barme 2477m). We try and get together every winter/summer as a team for a social ski or walk. This is the first time we have managed to get all 11 in one photo!

Further details of who we are and what we do:

Claudia Buttet, joint founder of Alpine Property, sales agent, Vallée d’Aulps including Les Gets and Chatel

Lee Massey, sales agent, Morzine

Jo Davison, first contact, it’s Jo you will probably “meet” first when you email Alpine Property.

JC Skiera, sales agent, Chamonix, Megeve and oversees the Aravis and La Clusaz.

Emma Casanova, sales agent in the Aravis, Emma also runs her own chalet management business.

Richard Owens, sales agent, Les Carroz/Flaine, Richard also runs his own chalet business.

Steve Norris, Managing Director and joint founder.

Valerié Maes, sales agent working with Denis in Samoens.

Alex Lewis, marketing man.

Gareth Jefferies, first contact, database admin, PR liaison.

Denis Barbier, sales agent and developer working from Samoens. A proper “local boy” and mountain professional.

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Posted by Gareth