Luxury chalets still in demand

  02.02.2021 Local News

No problem with sales. That is the tenor of local real estate agencies working in the high-priced segment. Things are even better than in previous years. Despite, or maybe rather because of covid, there is still a demand for beautiful living space in the countryside with generous space that can serve as a retreat and, if possible, also as a home office.

But the beautiful landscape alone is not the only reason. According to the local estate agents, buyers appreciate the outstanding infrastructure in the Gstaad region: the good schools, the culture, the gastronomy. The corona situation has accelerated purchase decisions that had been simmering for some time.

Mixed picture for rentals
However, the consequences of the pandemic on the rental of holiday homes and flats have been drastic – in both directions. According to some real estate agencies, enquiries had been normal to slightly restrained until the beginning of December because of the uncertainty about the skiing areas. Then, however, cancellations began to pour in: the first cancellations came with the restriction of restaurant opening hours to 7pm, and more with the definitive closure of restaurants. Depending on the real estate agency, the losses in rentals ranged from “slight” to “50 per cent less.” Others, on the other hand, were able to record up to 50 per cent more lettings. In these cases, it was mainly guests who had reservations about staying in a hotel.

Quiet end of the winter season
For the rest of the winter season, most real estate businesses are expecting the situation to remain quiet.

BASED ON AVS/SONJA WOLF


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