Hello all,
We are thinking of buying a chalet/hut in TI or GR to keep and renovate as we go and as finances allow, with the plan to keep it for the long haul - initially as a regular family weekend retreat and possibly, later on, retirement home (perhaps quite some years from now as we are in our 30’s). Possibly one that needs complete remodelling so that we can do it to our tastes without having to tear down or remove things that are still useable or within their lifetime. We will be able to purchase one without any finance, and without any restrictions since my husband is Swiss, but would probably have to do the complete renovation in phases since labour costs etc in Switzerland are so high.
Has anyone done this before? I would love to hear even just your thoughts whether or not you have undertaken such a project.
A search revealed two threads with some good information:
https://www.englishforum.ch/housing-…ld-chalet.html
https://www.englishforum.ch/housing-…-renovate.html
In addition to the answers that have been given there, I wonder:
- are there any immediate tax benefits if we just bought one to keep (for now) and then renovate in, say 1 or 2 years?
- how difficult is it to insulate the walls of those Verzasca Valley-/Ticinese-type stone houses whilst preserving the inside aesthetic? what sort of heating is ideal - presumably wood pallet?
- in terms of contractors doing the actual renovation, are we limited to Swiss ones or can we also engage one from northern Italy?
- is a wood-burning stove hard to use? i dislike electric stoves
- is the value of such a property in these rural locations likely to remain stagnant if it remains unrenovated? I don’t suppose they will decline much in value?
Thank you.
As mentioned in the linked threads, your first 'due diligence' task would be to understand what zone - or zones - the property lies in. This will be a key factor in determining what you can, and cannot, do to the property.
Typically a Maiensass is not found in a Bauzone. But some holiday chalets might be. A mountain property is different from an agricutural property. And doG help you if the Wasseramt is involved. Although all may be 'auf dem Land', very different rules may apply in each zone.
One cannot generalize, you'll need to speak to each agency involved in the specific properties you are interested in. Some agencies will be local, many are cantonal.
Also be aware that differing local interpretations and attitudes towards enforcement could mean that different decisions can be made for seeminglly similar properties.
Two pieces of advice:
It often makes things easier if the Swiss partner takes the lead in discussions with Officialdom.
Take nothing at face value. Especially nothing said by the seller or agent. Anything you are told about the property's potential for development needs to be independently verified - and then you need to verify if the person giving you information actually has the authority to do so.
There be dragons.
Wishing you all the best with the project!
If you are thinking of somewhere in Ticino as a weekend retreat, you need to consider the traffic scenario from Zurich if you intend to drive.
As for buying a "rustico" in Ticino, some are so remote access is only by foot. Personally I would look for something which is already renovated or perhaps needs some updating rather than a complete reno job. If you really want a project, you will need an architect who has experience with this type of renovation.
A rustico usually has a fireplace or two to heat the rooms. Also, a generator for electricty.
Although we are not far from the Italian border, it is almost impossible to get tradespeople from Italy to work here. It is too much hassle for them.
I looked at buying a Chalet in my side of Switzerland. An hour and 30 minutes away from Geneva in Valais. No running water or sewage system - there was going to be a lot of work to do. I was very excited, my wife, not so much.
She is the one who eventually convinced me against it - her main argument (and a very fair one): You will be commuting every week to a construction site for two to three years. Spending your weekend away from work into essentially a new job, Do you want that life? We have young kids also, I value spending time with them.
She had a point - unless you are willing to delegate everything, but then forget about cost savings and save yourself the trouble by just buying something already done up.
That's my very short lived experience. If the place you are looking at is not too far from your house, why not?