Swissroc Mountain Properties - New collaborators

In a particularly tense context where prime real estate prices are reaching record levels, two new experts in mountain real estate joined Swissroc Properties in November 2022. Meet Nicol Kindness and Olivier Carpentier Alting, both fully dedicated to their clients in Verbier and all over the Swiss Alps. The two brokers tell us more about their career, their added value and their approach to the property market.

1- Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

Olivier: I’m Olivier Carpentier Alting. I’m Dutch and I studied International Business at the European Business School in London and Madrid (EBSL). I’ve always lived between Verbier and the Netherlands so both places are home to me. I settled down here full time a little bit more than three years ago. I have always loved the mountains, and the many outdoor activities offered in the area.

Nicol: My name is Nicol Kindness. I'm Scottish and I've been living in Verbier for the last 15 years. I came here for the first time in 1998 and fell in love with this place. I'm married, I have two kids and I live in the valley below the resort. I had an addiction to skiing and mountain activities. I’m a people person, and I even created a podcast about people with extraordinary stories.

2 - Have you always been a broker?

Olivier: No, I’ve had a totally different life before. I've been a manager in the oil and gas industry. I’ve managed incredible projects worth over USD 300 million revenue. These contracts ranged from simple towage contracts to highly complex emergency response operations. One of the most famous industry examples of these kinds of operations would be the Costa Concordia 10 years ago. After 6 years travelling intensively around the globe, I moved to Verbier in 2020. I started renovating properties and dove further into the exciting business of real estate.

Nicol: In my previous life, I was in sales in the oil and gas industry, a broker in finance and a ski school owner/instructor in Verbier. A long time ago, I was a British army officer: but real estate is way more dangerous! I've always been interested in real estate, but as a side business. I've spent years building a strong network that I can count on today.

3- What made you want to join Swissroc?

Olivier: Switzerland is a small world, so I had heard of Swissroc before. I knew that it was a great company. A friend told me about an opportunity they were offering, so I met the team for interviews. Swissroc Properties is a young and dynamic company, where innovation is encouraged and actions are more valued than talking. I’m very happy to work in a company of this size and with a good reputation.

Nicol: I was a stay-at-home dad but I was considering getting back into work. An opportunity came up from a friend of mine who recommended me to Swissroc Properties. I met the team, found them welcoming and very professional. I was impressed by how far they've come in such a short amount of time. I like their motivation and positive attitude.

4- What are the current mandates you are most proud of (if you can talk about it?)

Olivier: I’m proud of every mandate, from the small studio to the largest luxury chalet. My goal is to provide the best service possible to buyers and sellers, no matter what the budget is.

Nicol: I'd love to give more details about the fantastic mandates I have right now, but not until we can go live with the projects. I strongly respect the privacy of my clients and partners.

5- What is the added value you bring to clients?

Olivier: I want to be here for our clients and guide them through the administrative and legal hassles that come with buying or selling a property in Switzerland. Moreover, I speak five languages fluently and can support clients from all over the world if they want to invest in a property in Verbier or other popular resorts in the Alps.

Nicol: I'm very discreet and I respect my clients, I like to think that I am a man of my word. I have strong values and I do business accordingly. My previous work experiences taught me the importance of integrity, honesty and the ability to deal with people from all walks of life. Skills that I can apply to my career as a real estate broker. Besides, I speak English and French, and I have a strong connection to the Verbier community. I've taken part in the local activities for more than 15 years now, with a solid network that allows me to find the best properties for people looking to invest in Verbier.

6- What types of clients do you work with, and what is your scope of work?

Olivier: I will undertake my best endeavours to work with any client. Anybody who wants to invest in properties or projects in Verbier, Gstaad, Crans-Montana and other resorts in the Swiss Alps.

Nicol: I work with any client who wants to invest in or sell a property in Verbier or the Swiss Alps. So basically, people that are looking for their primary or secondary home, as well as those looking to retire in this vibrant and popular ski resort. I also do business with investors that are developing large commercial properties. Verbier offers a very dynamic life, attracting many types of clients.

7- How would you describe the current real estate brokerage market in Swiss resorts?

Olivier: The current market is overstressed. There are more buyers than sellers and prime objects are sold before they even come to market and often even above the asking price. With the current global economic situation combined with a rise in interest rates, we do see a slight increase in the number of properties coming to market in the last few months.

Nicol: One word : strong. Verbier is the 3rd highest-priced market in the Alps with average prices reaching CHF 28’000/sqm. This is largely due to the boom in demand. Since the pandemic, priorities have changed. People want freedom and the ability to escape cities when they want to, they are looking for a better living environment. Right now, it’s a sellers’ market, and prices reflect this: investors should budget accordingly.

8- The rise in mortgage rates has had a big impact on the Swiss real estate market. How has this affected your mandates?

Olivier: Despite the rise in prices, Verbier has seen a large volume of sales this year, due to increased global demand. However, we see fewer properties on the market than before the pandemic. Currently, there are a lot more buyers than sellers. A continuing rise in interest rates will likely cause more properties to come on the market.

Nicol: So far, Verbier remains very desirable. It's an insulated market. People who buy a property in this area can afford it. We are not talking about speculation. I haven’t seen the rise in mortgage rates have an impact - yet. However, international sellers might want to take advantage of currency exchange rates and buyers can look at the stable market in the Swiss Alps compared to the rest of the world.

9- What trends do you see for 2023 in real estate?

Olivier: The fragility of property values and rising interest rates will be part of the global trends for 2023. Where many housing markets saw a 30% growth or more during the pandemic, a reversal has begun. Cracks emerged in all markets where the cost of mortgage debt has risen sharply. Pressure spread through other markets as well as central banks stepped up to fight against inflation. The headwinds facing the global economy are substantial and a more severe market slowdown could have occurred under similar circumstances. However several factors have put a floor under pricing, including tight supply, the search for income from investors, and demand sparked by currency swings.

Prime property markets seem to be protected and the market still offers a lot of interesting investment opportunities. In my opinion, buying a property in Verbier or other similar resorts in 2023 will remain very profitable in the long run.

Nicol: The market is a cycle, it goes up and down inevitably. We've been through an incredible acceleration in the last 3 years. However, even if house prices fall in many countries, the trends in Verbier should remain strong in 2023 : I'm eager to see what happens after the winter season. Historical trends show it’s a good investment. Buyers are looking to move to tangible assets in safe havens in the current geopolitical climate.

Contact Olivier or Nicol to sell or to find your dream home in the Swiss Alps.

By phone at the Swissroc Properties head office: +41 22 552 30 12 or by email: properties@swissroc.com.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

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