Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, CF Immobilier was founded by Bertrand Coigny and has been located in Chalet Victoria in Rougemont since 1994. Under Martin’s leadership, the company has grown from two to nine employees and has trained six apprentices. CF Immobilier’s experience in handling properties covers a wide area that stretches from Rossinière to Lauenen. Last year, the company opened an office in Gruyère.

GstaadLife: What has changed over the past ten years in the regional marketplace?
Louis Martin: During the past two to five years, there has been a scarcity of properties for sale. There is simply more demand than supply - a trend which began in 1996. 15 years ago when there was less demand and more availability, prices were lower. Today, more people appreciate our region and tend to come increasingly during the summer.

Above: with land limited and prices rising in Gstaad, could Rougemont be a neighborhood of the future
for property development?

GstaadLife: Are chalet prices rising or falling right now?
Louis Martin (pictured left): There are two markets: Firstly, rare objects such as beautiful old chalets and large apartments for which people are willing to pay high prices. Then there are the middle of the market properties which do not tend towards the same price progression owing to their size and location. It’s all about location. For example, a studio in Saanen will not be subject to the same upward price trend as a house on the Oberbort.

GL: What are the next up-and-coming neighborhoods? Where would you build a house right now?
LM: For us, Rougemont is a favorite, which of course is understandable because we are based here. As well, Rougemont has been classified as one of the most beautiful and authentic villages in Switzerland. Another area to watch is Château-d’Oex which is becoming very popular with families because of all the activities on offer, including ten-pin bowling, a pool and an ice-rink. It’s also less expensive.

GL: Does the construction of mega-chalets have an impact on the local residential market?
LM: No, this is a different product. Sometimes our clients have difficulty understanding that these chalets are an exception to the rule - hence their high media profile.

GL: What distinguishes CF Immobilier from all the other agencies?
LM: We try to personalize our service and satisfy our clients, many of whom have become personal friends. We are members of LuxuryRealEstate.com, a global network of more than 1,000 luxury real estate brokerages, providing access to over 50,000 multi-million dollar homes around the world. There are eight brokerages in Switzerland which belong to the association. CF Immobilier also founded AlpSwitzerland, a company which now has agencies in Gryon-Villars, Nendaz, Verbier, Crans-Montana, and Gruyère.

GL: What are the advantages of selling through a real estate agent as opposed to trying to sell privately?
LM: Negotiating a price with friends or acquaintances can be difficult. Friendship has its limitations.

GL: What are the relative merits of renting before buying?
LM: With today’s rising market, it’s better to buy. The merits of renting first would be valid if someone was totally new to the region.

GL: How do you actively promote your properties while maintaining the standards of discretion that are so important to our community?
LM: Not all our properties are advertised online, but most of them are. Certain clients want discretion, and sometimes we might only show pictures of the view from their property. Information concerning properties will be sent out once we know the name of the person inquiring.

GL: How easy is it now for foreign nationals to buy property in Saanenland and Pays d’Enhaut? What are the restrictions? How will the imminent abolition of the Lex Koller law affect these restrictions?
LM: Currently there is no delay in canton Bern, but in canton Vaud, there is a six-month waiting period. At the moment, the Lex Koller law dictates that there be a quota of second homes, specifically 180 in canton Vaud. The repeal of Lex Koller would erase these quotas and would allow foreigners to buy residential property in Switzerland without being subject to the complicated authorization procedure. Under the new rules, it would be largely immaterial whether vacation homes are in the hands of foreigners or Swiss. The Swiss federal government has asked each canton to implement its own measures in light of the impending abolition of Lex Koller legislation.

GL: What nationalities do you see buying chalets here?
LM: It’s very varied. We see a lot of English nationals buying second homes in and around Château-d’Oex. This is mainly the result of strongly-targeted media marketing, although Château-d’Oex does have a longstanding anglophile tradition. We also see a lot of Europeans buying in the area.

GL: Do any particular nationalities have an advantage?
LM: The same rules apply for all nationalities when talking about secondary residences.

GL: How do I start if I’m new to the region and am considering putting down some roots; what should I do?
LM: First you would have to choose a neighborhood. Then, you would have to decide whether you want an apartment or an individual chalet. Many people like the low maintenance aspect of an apartment.

GL: What should I do if I see a green field, and I want to build my house on it?
LM: Outside of the village zones, it is very difficult to find a green field that is not reserved for the cows.

GL: If I have SFr 1 million to spend on a home, where can I find one?
LM: In Château-d’Oex!

For additional information about buying and renting property in Saanenland and Pays d-Enhaut, visit the CF Immobilier website.

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