Released on = August 31, 2007, 1:09 pm

Press Release Author = Jimwatson

Industry = Real Estate

Press Release Summary = Those looking to invest in property in Switzerland may be
interested to hear that its best ski resorts are outstripping the property market as
a whole when it comes to price growth, an expert on the industry with Investors in
Property has said.

Press Release Body = Those looking to invest in property in Switzerland may be
interested to hear that its best ski resorts are outstripping the property market as
a whole when it comes to price growth, an expert on the industry with Investors in
Property has said.

Simon Malster, a spokesperson for the firm, said: \"In the last three or fours years
the better ski resorts have outperformed by a long way the general market, so the
prices in the hotspots have increased more rapidly than they would in towns in the
valley.\"

This, as it happens, is no mean feat, because the market as a whole is attracting a
lot of foreign investment. Earlier this month Reuters reported that wealthy overseas
buyers are pouring into Swiss towns, fuelling a property boom to an extent which is
causing serious concern in some quarters. The mayor of the town of Kuesnacht told
the news agency: \"The price of apartments is rising fast. You can\'t create more
space so it\'s getting harder to find affordable places.\"

So if the mountains are outperforming the valleys below, it\'s not because the
valleys are struggling. Despite the poor winter and its lack of snow, mountain
resorts remain popular. Indeed, those which are higher up and thus more reliable
when it comes to the white fluffy stuff are at an advantage in this respect.

One high place which is doing well, Mr Malster stated, is Canton Valais, which has
\"the highest concentration of mountains over 4,000 metres in all of the Alps. That
is also one of the big driving forces at the moment.\"

There are certainly bargains to be had up here, he pointed out, not least in some of
the less-heralded resorts: \"If it is what we call one of the emerging resorts which
is somewhere that is not a household name, then you find that they can buy a chalet
at a very reasonable price and that is what they tend to go for,\" Mr Malster stated.


But its not just skiing and snowboarding that bring in the buyers. Perhaps prompted
by the mild winter, the resorts are diversifying. Just as Scottish ski resorts are
adding mountain bike circuits (Glen Shee being the latest, following in the
footsteps of the Nevis Range with its world championship course), so the Alpine
areas are adding activities such as hiking and mountain biking for the warmer
months.

This was pointed out in a recent Observer article, which noted the increasing
popularity of property in the Swiss Alps for use outside the winter. Tessa Chaffey,
manager of Swiss operations for Pure International, told the paper that villages
like Grimentz, with its population of just over 400, were ideal for the \"back to
nature\" feel.

Be that as it may, there is no doubt that the major ski resorts are also getting a
piece of the summer action, not just out-of-the-way villages. Terry Brine of Ski
Invest stated earlier this month that the year-round attractiveness is what the
resorts are aiming for, adding that this should help prices rise there: \"They want
an all season experience. These top resorts are developing that year round
experience and new properties there should show a good return,\" he said.

Thus the advice is clear: In Switzerland, look for the high-altitude, up-and-coming
resorts with a commitment to developing a year round appeal. For here will be the
coolest bargains in an increasingly hot market.


Web Site = http://ski.assetz.co.uk/

Contact Details = Assetz House, Newby Road, Stockport, Cheshire, SK7 5DA, 0845 400
7000, linkexchangeseo@gmail.com