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    Buying a small chalet: what should I watch out for?
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    Buying a small chalet: what should I watch out for?


    I’m considering buying a small chalet . I never bought a property before, let alone a 1950s chalet! The listing describes its condition as "Good" and the photos also look promising, but I’m still concerned about potential suprise costs, like maintenance, energy…

    What should I look out for during the viewing, and what key questions should I ask the seller or agent (especially regarding energy use )?

    Is it a good idea to hire a independent property appraisal expert to evaluate the condition? If so, how does the process work in Switzerland, and what would it typically cost for a 100m² chalet?

    Any tips are appreciated!.
    ——————
    Update:
    I have just received the 360 tour of the chalet. https://tour.giraffe360.com/chaletbigenthal . Thank you for sharing your thought about it.

    Buying a small chalet: what should I watch out for?
    byu/Superb-Throat5527 inSwitzerland



    Posted by Superb-Throat5527

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    11 Comments

    1. Carbonaraficionada on

      Proximity to cows or pastures. While it’s common to have pasture land near chalets, you might find the flies drive you nuts because there can be a lot in summer.

    4. gitty7456 on

      The cost of a 100m2 independent chalet?

      Between 4 mio and 400k CHF… Gstaad and S.M. could cost quite a lot more than some side valleys in GR or TI…

    5. feudal_ferret on

      – Asbestos.
      – Ask for construction plans. Make sure all past modifications are legal.
      – check zoning restrictions and if its listed / under Heimatschutz.
      – check for environmental dangers (flooding, avalanches).
      – check for who is responsible for winter service on access roads.
      – water, sewage, electricity, phone lines – all up to date?
      – check the heating system, including how to get fuel (picture yourself hauling wood or a tanker driving up a narrow road)
      – bring a Bausachverständiger with you to the viewing and give him full reign to ask questions

      ..and then, at some point you’ll have to trust your gut instinct.

    6. Honest-Ad1299 on

      Are you on a budget or money is not an issue? If you were to overhaul a 100m2 you will need to pay at least CHF400,000

    7. le_wein on

      I had to remove the asbestos from the service toilet in the apartment, the space was extremely small and it costed 21000 chf, if you have asbestos in a building like that you are in serious renovation expenses and it is required by law to remove it before you update any construction if asbestos was found.

    8. InitiativeExcellent on

      Electrics

      Ask when the last periodic control was and if you can see the report. Sicherheitsnachweis or short SiNa is the document to ask for.

      They have to do one to sell the house, if the last is older then 5years.

      Even then, there is a lot of dangerous stuff they can install in 5years. We talk about: “By every statistic that thing should have burned down years ago” level of sh*t they can pull.

      Source: My aunt bought a house. Pre-owner somehow weaseled himself out of providing one. Took a lot of work and money to fix up everything back to code.

      I honestly wonder up to today how that house didn’t end up as a big fire headline years before.

      Pre owner was a tinkerer with motivation to start new projects for 100 and the talent and motorics of a toddler to do them.

    9. lurk779 on

      If the chalet has old-style (resistive) electric heating, be sure that you’re fine with the running costs.

    11. why-so-serious6 on

      I took the 360 tour. The chalet looks like it is in good condition. There where renovations done in the past.
      Ex. The bathroom looks newer. The Windows are in good condition.
      The electric isn’t the newest, but it has a newer FI-schutz. I doubt there is much asbestos in the building.
      The only thing is, there is no central heating system, only the one oil heater wich heats the whole building from one point. It could get a little cold in the kitchen and the bathroom.

      There has to be some renovation to be done in the next years, but nothing immediately.

      Here you can check the amtliche vermessung and the öreb-auszug, which shows you the exposition of nature ( naturgefahrenkarte):
      http://www.geoportal.ch/ktbe/map/40?y=2614238.62&x=1201978.92&scale200&rotation=0