The COVID crisis has affected all fields of business in France and around the world, and the real estate market is no exception. In 2020 and 2021, the market had to adapt. Consumer trends and services have also evolved.
“On the lake and mountain market in Savoie / Haute-Savoie / Mont-Blanc, we have observed a decrease in demand from foreign clients, but an increase in overall demand.” - David Prétot, CEO of the BARNES Mont-Blanc Group.
In Megève, for example, the number of requests doubled compared to 2020, and the annual spring slowdown happened later than in previous years.
Russian, British and American clients may have been unable to come to our destinations this year, but we received many requests from French clients (and those nearby in Switzerland and Belgium) who were looking for a primary or semi-primary residence, a secondary residence or investment opportunities.
After being stuck in the city, many residents were looking for a change. Parisians and residents of Lyon, Geneva and Belgium wanted to get away from the big city, while still being able to return quickly if needed.
Our Mont-Blanc destinations are perfect candidates: Annecy is 40 minutes from Geneva, 1 hour from Lyon and 3 hours from Paris on the TGV; the Swiss capital is equidistant from Chamonix and Megève, only an hour’s drive, as well as the gorgeous ski resorts in the Aravis Range such as Le Grand Bornand, Manigod and La Clusaz. This way, it is easy to live by the lake or in the mountains while staying close to major metropolitan centres.
We have observed high demand from French HNWI and UHNWI clients for luxury properties around Lake Annecy and Lake Bourget, who prefer a better quality of life on the water and in the mountains to life in the big city.
As teleworking has become the norm, couples with children have been able to make Chamonix or Megève their primary or semi-primary residence. We have also noted a sharp increase in French demand in all of our BARNES Mont-Blanc sectors, as well as a transformation in international demand.
“Our teams stand at the ready. We are at your service to help you achieve your real estate goals. We have new tools to better meet your needs and guarantee you a personalised experience.” – David Prétot, CEO of the BARNES Mont-Blanc Group.
In order to respond to our clients’ evolving needs, our agencies and teams have developed new tools and new ways of working.
We switched to remote work in March 2020, allowing us to continue to provide our services following the first lockdown. These tools are now used at our 6 BARNES Mont-Blanc agencies, helping us maintain solid consultant-client relationships.
Our salespeople can now sign orders and documents remotely, using electronic signatures. Our consultants can estimate properties by video conference and are fully available to receive clients either remotely or at the office by appointment, strictly following sanitary precautions.
In this tense market with reduced supply in our destinations, and in order to guarantee our clients success in their real estate goals, BARNES Mont-Blanc decided to develop a series of tools for buyers to help them find the perfect property. We are publishing our properties more on web portals (Luxury Estate, Belles Demeures, Propriétés Le Figaro, Green Acres, James Edition, etc.) and social media (Instagram and Facebook links), providing wider visibility and reaching a different audience than with traditional print media.
You can visit the properties that interest you through a system of virtual guided tours with one of our experts, just as if you were there. Searching is easier and your project takes shape under the best possible conditions.
“We can now provide all services like usual, while adapting to your needs.” – David Prétot, CEO of the BARNES Mont-Blanc Group.
Your real estate projects are moving forward, even during these uncertain times. Properties are still a safe-haven asset for investors. Through real estate you can get away, enjoy a change of scenery or a new way of life, and reflect on what your goals are for life after COVID.
“The beginning of this year is an opportunity to take a step back and focus on your plans to get away. Why not leave the buzz of the big city behind and come live by the water or up in the fresh mountain air?” – David Prétot, CEO of the BARNES Mont-Blanc Group.
Bring your project to life with BARNES Mont-Blanc.
Trust our teams, experts in their sectors, to assist you in buying your luxury property in Annecy and on the lake, the Aix-les-Bains / Chambéry region, Chamonix, French Geneva, the Aravis Range, Megève, the Saint-Gervais area or Pays-de-Gex. Contact your BARNES Mont-Blanc agencies or visit barnes-montblanc.com to see all of our properties for sale.
