Each Friday we introduce you to a useful team of local experts and this week is no different. Joanna, Susan and Caroline at Geranium Immobilier are three of the most experienced local property agents around. Between them they’ve sold a stack of local property and they look after listings to suit all budgets. Here they tell us how the property market is changing across the local area, and how you can get involved…
“Here at Geranium we focus on two key areas. Firstly we ensure that we have an extensive portfolio of quality chalets, apartments, farms and land for sale in the Portes du Soleil (Morzine, Alps) area. Secondly, we concentrate on providing first class levels of service and leading edge technology to make sure that whether you are buying or selling property in the Morzine or the Alps area, we help you achieve your aims as quickly and painlessly as possible.”
“We are a wholly owned, independent, fully insured estate agency. Owner Joanna MacGovern has a degree in French and Business studies and spent a year at a French business school in Paris, she then worked in the international corporate world for 13 years living in Hong Kong, the Philippines and London, so she understands the pressures of juggling a high pressured working day with finding and buying that dream Alpine property.”
“Currently we have 50 properties for sale in the local area, which is slightly fewer than usual after so many sold during the winter season. Usually we have around 60 properties for sale in across Morzine, Les Gets and the Vallee d’Aulps.”
“The market is incredibly buoyant at the moment, particularly with the strong exchange rate in GB/Euro, and properties are selling fast. The winter 14/15 season was very busy for us with a higher than average volume of sales as a result, and we are seeing both French and English buyers in the market for a ski property in the Alps.”
“When comparing the property buying process in the UK and France, there are differences which need to be understood. The process is fairly structured in France and there is more of a commitment to the sale than in the UK, as once an offer is made and the initial compromis contract signed, there is no gazumping in France, and both buyers and sellers can start planning for completion providing finance is secured.”
Three hot properties from Geranium Immobilier:
Detatched Farmhouse in Le Biot, €995,000
7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, habitable space of 306m2, landscaped plot of 2409m2, sauna and double garage, 100m2 barn with planning permission. “This large character farmhouse nestled in the mountains in landscaped gardens alongside a babbling brook giving it the name ‘Le Chant du Nant’. It has been renovated to an exceptionally high standard with no expense spared offering 306m² of habitable surface over 3 levels.”
2 / 3 Bedroom Apartment in Morzine, €320,000
2 / 3 bedrooms and close to Morzine centre, the apartment was renovated in 2013. Outside terrace and garden, sold furnished. Annual management charges are €120. “The apartment has a locker room and comes with a private terrace/garden with views to the side to the Pleney ski slopes. The ski bus stop is 50m across the road. The apartment comprises an open plan lounge/ TV area with a modern fitted kitchen and a large central breakfast/dining bar, 3 bedrooms, a stylish bathroom, separate WC, a small locker for storage.”
Detached Chalet in St Jean d’Aulps, €325,000
Detached chalet with 106m2 habitable surface, 4580m2 of land. 10 minutes from ski lifrs and amenities, double garage. “Set away from the hustle and bustle but only a 5 minute drive to the ski slopes of St Jean d’Aulps and 10 mins to the village, the chalet is elevated with nice views and is laid out as 2 separate apartments. Ideal for mountain lovers who want to be a bit away from it all in nature yet not too far from conveniences and the ski slopes. Work required, would need reconfiguring to suit a family due to lack of bedrooms.”
You can view Geranium Immobiliere’s complete property portfolio on their website – www.geranium74.com
