immo!nvest – Die Plattform für Standorte und Immobilien

Tag: Zweitwohnung

  • Price increase for holiday flats in the Alps

    Price increase for holiday flats in the Alps

    Prices for holiday flats in the Alpine tourist region were 4 per cent higher in the first quarter of 2024 than in the same quarter of the previous year, UBS reports in a press release on its “Alpine Property Focus 2024″ study. With prices of at least CHF 21,500 per square metre for a second home in the high-end segment, Verbier has replaced the previous leader Engadin/St. Moritz GR. There, holiday flats in the high-end segment are available from CHF 21,200 per square metre. Zermatt VS completes the trio of the most expensive destinations with prices per square metre starting at CHF 19,900.

    The experts at the Zurich-based major bank attribute the price increase to a generally high demand for holidays in mountain destinations. Fully booked hotels at peak times increase the willingness to pay for a holiday home. The price level is also being supported by the strong demand for property and weak new construction activity.

    However, property experts expect prices for second homes to stagnate this year. “At present, there is much to suggest that the current price boom will not continue,” says Maciej Skoczek, property economist at UBS CIO GWM and lead author of the study, in the press release. “The economic downturn will dampen demand for second homes. Prospective buyers are likely to scrutinise the asking prices more critically.” In the medium term, UBS believes that demand will be supported by the affluent members of the baby boomer generation and from abroad.

  • Mountain cantons insist on imputed rental value

    Mountain cantons insist on imputed rental value

    The intergovernmental conference of the mountain cantons of Uri, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Glarus, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Graubünden, Ticino and Valais (RKGK) is against the Federal Council’s plan to abolish imputed rental value for second homes as well. It would result in a loss of income of around CHF 200 million a year, explains the RKGK in a press release. On the other hand, the RKGK has no objections to the planned abolition of the imputed rental value for main apartments.

    The mountain cantons have already been hit by the Second Home Act of decisive economic effects, writes the RKGK. In contrast to the Federal Council, the mountain cantons see further need for action here. Specifically, provisions are to be changed, “the application of which leads to objectively negative results or leaves insufficient scope for innovative solutions”.

    The RKGK is also calling for improvements to the message passed by the Federal Council on electricity supply with renewable energies. Among other things, the mountain cantons want to have extended the current maximum water rate. With electricity prices rising as a result of climate policy, the electricity companies are still “in a position to pay today’s water rates without any problems,” argues the RKGK.

    Furthermore, the RKGK criticizes the approach to the Postal Organization Act: Here the Federal Council has pushed ahead with a message without waiting for the results of an expert commission it has set up itself. However, the responsible commission in the Council of States has postponed its deliberations until the results have been presented. “Against this background, it cannot be tolerated in any way if Swiss Post continues to dismantle its services in the run-up to the political discussion,” says the RKGK.

  • Federal government is satisfied with the law on second homes

    Federal government is satisfied with the law on second homes

    The population accepted the second home initiative in 2012. This means that no additional holiday apartments or houses may be built in municipalities with more than 20 percent second homes. The Federal Council has now carried out an impact analysis of the Second Homes Act. He comes to the conclusion that the law does not need to be adjusted.

    In its communication, however, the Federal Council emphasizes that it is still too early to conclusively assess the Second Homes Act. For example, there would still be transition effects. Certain construction projects were approved before the law came into force. Overall, the land consumption for newly built second homes in all affected municipalities decreased by around a third from 2013 to 2018 compared to 2007 to 2012. However, the law on second homes did not result in zero growth.

    The federal government does not see any need for reform in the Second Homes Act. However, he sees a need for action in terms of enforcement, the knowledge base and the key terms of the accommodation industry. For example, the tasks and competencies of the cantons are to be specified. In 2025, the federal government will re-examine the effects of the law.

    In a media release, the Intergovernmental Conference of the Mountain Cantons is disappointed with the Federal Council's decision. It is known that the law on second homes is "largely complex in terms of content and not optimally formulated". This leads to problems in the execution. Accordingly, according to the mountain cantons, the law could be improved. You now want to work towards adjustments in parliament. They also emphasize that the impact analysis was carried out two years later than the law provides. If it had already gone that way, the findings from the corona pandemic should have been incorporated.