New property trends at the heart of Les Aravis

Radia Amar - 03 March 2014

The Massif des Aravis is comprised of four resorts including La Clusaz, a mecca for fans of freeriding which cultivates a high-end art of living, and Saint-Jean-de Sixt, offering a blend of casualness, a family atmosphere and Savoyard authenticity. An overview...

A resort enjoying international renown, La Clusaz, 28 km east of Annecy, is well-known for its sports-oriented tourism which is constantly being developed. The commune has many residences built in the 1970’s and 1980’s, together with chalets accounting for 30 % of the accommodation. “We now sell more chalets than apartments, the trend has been reversed,” explains Patrick Thevenet, director of the long-established Athérac agency, the first to move into the commune in 1958. “Depending on their condition and location, the apartments available are proposed from 5,300 to 7,300 € per sq. metre. Chalets offered on the resale market are pegged at around 1.2 million euros. New ones offering luxury appointments, like those in Le Hameau de la Morraz, sell for 2.5 million euros. These prestigious properties benefit from living space of 250 m2, luxuriously fitted and equipped,” emphasizes this expert who has introduced new services designed to boost the local market. “For these chalets, we propose two purchasing formulas : one a classic acquisition, the second taking the form of para-hotelry, which enables the new owner to propose his chalet for rent with hotel services such as conciergerie, kitchen and maintenance staff…” The advantage offered by this formula ? Recovery of VAT. An undeniable tax benefit in the case of such an important investment. Faced with an ageing array of rental accommodation, Patrick Thevenet also offers owners of properties with high potential - that’s to say, sizable living space and a sought-after location - complete turnkey renovation bearing the Loca-Prestige label. Under the supervision of an interior architect, the apartments selected are refurbished as new. Clad with high-quality materials and appealing contemporary appointments, properties which looked obsolete just yesterday are transformed into high-end accommodation. As a result, their rents and occupancy rates immediately show significant improvement.

Based in the village of Thônes since 2007, the Luxalpes Immobilier agency opened by François-Xavier Loyer specializes in properties between the lakes and mountains, especially on communes proposing an active life-style in all four seasons. “This sector is comprised of several village markets with attractive prices,” says this agent who focuses on Le Grand-Bornand, Manigod and particularly Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, an authentic resort which is currently very fashionable. “It embodies the ideal resort for those in search of a life-style combining family activities, a friendly and authentic atmosphere,” explains François-Xavier Loyer. Also being affordable, the commune is increasingly popular among a clientele of active buyers and young retirees who decide to acquire year-round homes there. “Here, the shops are open all year round and the commune is only 25 km from Annecy and 45 km from Geneva.” Family chalets built in the purest style of Savoy cost around 550,000 €. Due to the village’s success, a scarcity of properties has begun to make itself felt over the past six months, in spite of the appearance of a few new developments such as Eden, a residence on three floors built in Savoyard style with timber facades. One needs a budget of slightly over 230,000 € to treat oneself here to a 1-bedroom apartment of 50 m2 with a terrace.