Five questions that investors should ask but possibly don’t

Making any kind of property investment is quite a significant financial commitment, so it’s important for investors to ask a few key questions – which isn’t to say that they always do....

Five questions that investors should ask but possibly don’t

Making any kind of property investment is quite a significant financial commitment, so it’s important for investors to ask a few key questions – which isn’t to say that they always do!

Take a look at some of our top questions investors should ask, but probably don’t:

1)      Where is the property market right now?

The property market is an incredible volatile thing and varies wildly from country to country. It’s important to know before you buy how much you can expect your investment to appreciate or depreciate, and a little background on how that country’s housing market has behaved in the past.

2)      What’s happening in the area?

There are more local factors that can affect the value of your property – in the context of a ski chalet, there might be development work going on in the resort that you’re looking at which could add value to your property and make it a valuable investment as well as a fun one. Take a look at what’s planned for the future in your favourite resorts, to see where the up and coming areas are.

3)      Are there any potential structural problems?

It’s vital to ensure that you know the building inside out, and that’s not something that a lay person can do. Make sure you have a full building survey carried out before you sign on the dotted line and find yourself saddled with a property that’s more of a liability than an advantage. This is not done as standard in France, as in the UK, but a structural survey can be arranged and does offer that extra piece of mind.

4)      Does it have year-round appeal?

Your priority is likely to be somewhere that’s got great skiing options, but try to take into consideration its other assets. Some ski chalet holiday homes are rented out to tourists who want to experience the mountains in summer outside of the ski season, helping owners to pay the mortgage!

5)      Where would you like to visit regularly?

Although it’s important to answer the sensible questions, there’s no point in having a holiday home that you don’t want to visit, if the purchase is a mixture of lifestyle and investment for you. Do you want to have a short drive to the airport, do you want somewhere peaceful or somewhere with nightlife ? Where would suit the growing needs of your family ? What offers the best exit strategy, should you want to sell quickly. All important questions to consider.

If you are undecided about any of these questions, please feel free to speak to any of our team, who are all knowledgeable and experienced in all the resorts in which we sell, throughout the French and Swiss Alps.

If you’re thinking of buying a chalet or apartment in any of the other Alpine resorts we sell in, please do get in touch to lets discuss what we can offer you.

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