Purchasing the ski property of your dreams can be a daunting task.
But it does not have to be. With over 20 years of real estate experience, SnowOnly is perfectly positioned to help and guide you on your ski home buying journey. We can assist with finding the property for you, securing a mortgage, managing currency exchange and completing legal processes.
Buying a ski property: a 4 step process
When you think of buying a ski home, your mind might whir to scrolling through endless properties, signing foreign contracts, turning pounds into euros – and it might feel list a list that grows and grows. However, it can be broken down into four key steps: searching for a property, this entails finding a reputable agent or developer; financing; securing exchange rates; and the legal process of buying, including signing at the notaire.
SnowOnly can assist with each step by connecting you with relevant experts.
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to delve into each step in greater detail, breaking even major step into their consecutive parts. For now, here is a general outline of what to expect from the four key steps of buying a ski property.
Step one: Searching for a property
For most, the hunt for the perfect property begins with an online search. Fortunately, we have the largest global selection of ski properties.
You can browse by country, resort, budget, property type (apartment, chalet) and must haves (furnished, mountain view). Listening to your preferences, we can introduce you to estate agents and developers who are most likely to have properties that suit your desires.
Step two: Financing your French ski home
It is possible to get a mortgage as an overseas buyer. Having the right one can be key to unlocking the door to your French ski home. Our trusted finance partners have access to 65 banks, and they can find the best mortgage terms to suit your needs. Navigating French banks may feel very different from what you are used to, but we can guide you through the process, from your initial consultation to completion.
Step three: Secure your purchase with Smart Currency Exchange
Currencies fluctuate all the time and can move against you. In the time between you picking a property and completing on it, fluctuating exchange rates could mean that you have to fork out thousands more for your property or abandon your plans entirely.
Our trusted partners at Smart Currency Exchange can help you to safeguard against this. In a free consultation, they can assess your appetite with risk and discuss your options with you.
One way to manage currency risk is through a forward contract, which enables you to lock in an exchange rate for a set period of time. Consequently, exchange rates can (and will) fluctuate, but how much you will pay for your property will stay the same.
Step four: navigating legal processes with notaires
One of the major differences between buying in the UK and France is the role of the notarie in the legal buying process. The notaire acts as a neutral legal expert that oversees property transactions in France.
To assist you with this potentially confusing process, we can connect you with legal experts to ensure a safe and secure property purchase. The last thing you want is to sign a legal contract that you do not fully understand. Our contacts provide clear communication in English and are happy to explain the ins and outs of the legal process. They will also ensure that the property purchase is completely legally compliant, and that due diligence is carried out.
Next time, we will be delving deeper into step one: searching for a property. With tips and insights on how to narrow down to the right home for you.
Want to get started right away? Download our comprehensive buyer's guide for an overview of the entire purchase process. As your dedicated ski property specialists, we'll show you exactly where expert guidance is needed and connect you with the right professionals to ensure a seamless purchase journey.
