The Bauges mountains cover
the eastern region of the
French Alps and run from
Annecy, in Haute-Savoie,
down to Chambéry in Savoie.
There are 14 major peaks in
the mountain range, some of
them (such as Semnoz) given
global exposure as they host
summit finishes in the Tour
de France.
Max Ashton lives and works in
the Massif des Bauges, close to
Annecy. He has seen a softening in
demand since our market comment
in winter 2021:
"For the Bauges the market demand
has dropped significantly over the
summer. It's not just us, looking at
the other agencies' properties, it's
clear that houses are taking longer to
sell. We've moved to a buyers market
with price negotiations becoming
the norm.
The reasons are clear, the Taux
d'usure set by Banque de France is
restricting mortgages. This comes
on the back of the pandemic, and
war in Ukraine. Some buyers are not
thinking of moving until the situation
calms down and are anticipating a
downward price adjustment. Only
time will tell if this will happen.
Of course, offers are still coming
in, and well priced property is still
selling - this is a popular area for
both domestic and overseas buyers.
Although enquiries have dropped,
they are more serious and buyers
have finance in place.
CROSS BORDERS - THE MASSIF DES BAUGES
We have moved to a buyers market
with negotiations becoming the norm.
12 Leggett International Real Estate
There are plans with the 14 communes
in the Bauges (orchestrated by
Grand Chambéry which is the local
authority controlling the area) to
increase population density by
15% over the next 10 years, due
to a forecast increase in demand
for housing. My commune of
Lescheraines recently had a public
consultation to get opinion on a new
estate of 32 properties. Also another
local commune, Aillon le Jeune, has
made it clear that on building land
they will favour multiple dwelling
construction over single with a large
garden".
"