La Roche-sur-Foron and Reignier Esery, leafy and lively

Popular among people working across the border, Reignier-Esery and La Roche-sur-Foron offer privileged natural settings and dynamic infrastructures appreciated by families.

Conveniently located in Upper Savoy on the Geneva, Annecy, Chamonix axis, La Roche-sur-Foron is appreciated by local families for its medieval charm, lively shops and the quality of its schools, from kindergarten to secondary level.

This central location, between Annecy and Geneva, appeals to clients mainly working across the border, drawn by smooth-flowing motorways and a lifestyle of higher quality, thanks to a predominantly rural environment. Not forgetting the CEVA, a cross-border RER project for Greater Geneva scheduled for 2019, which will pass through La Roche-sur-Foron and Saint-Pierre, becoming an additional advantage for rental investors. “Since the start of 2018, the number of transactions has remained stable as compared to last year,” explains Valérie Montessuit, sales manageress with Montagne Immobilier, an agency based in La Roche-sur-Foron for over 30 years, covering the entire Pays Rochois and, since the recent acquisition of an agency in Bonneville, the Vallée de l’Arve, for property and rental management, as well as real-estate transactions. “Prices of old houses have risen slightly, given a market in which demand largely outstrips supply. One can expect to pay from 3,000 to 3,500 € per sq.m, though properties offering rare appointments or locations in prized residential areas can attain 4,500 € per sq.m, like one contemporary house of 140 m² on the hillside of Etaux, on offer at 630,000 €. The same observation holds true for building plots, with demand much higher than supply, resulting in an average price of about 200 € per sq.m. The market for old apartments is holding steady, though the average price per sq.m has slipped from 2,900 to 2,700 €. They are in fact competing with the strong progression of new developments, selling on average from 3,800 to 4,000 € per sq.m. Our agencies currently offer a good number of new high-quality developments, eligible for the Pinel scheme.”

Surrounded by mountains, Reignier-Esery with its authentic Savoyard village centre offers all the infrastructures necessary for a pleasant family life, as well as numerous sports activities. A prestigious 18-hole golf-course has helped build its reputation. In just a decade, this commune at the gateway to Geneva and 7 km from Annemasse has seen a significant rise in its population. As witnessed by numerous new developments which have appeared over the past few years.

”Mostly working across the border, our clients are looking for permanent family homes, either houses or apartments, as long as they have 3 or 4 bedrooms,” says Isabelle Bonovitch of the Bano Immo agency, based in Reignier Esery since the year 2000. Close to Geneva, Reignier Esery has a classier property market and therefore posts higher prices than La Roche-sur-Foron. “Most often, our clients target houses priced from 350,000 to 400,000 €. In Reignier-Esery, properties of quality are, however, pegged at higher levels, like one detached villa built in 2004. With five bedrooms, a fitted kitchen, dining-room, lounge, and a basement converted into a 2-bedroomed apartment, this property in 1,500 m2 of quiet, fenced and wooded grounds is up for sale at 630,000 €.”