BUYERS OF FRENCH ALPINE SKI PROPERTIES BENEFIT FROM NEW PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN

MGM GROUP AND A PLACE IN FRANCE

Buyers of ski properties in the French Alps now have a wider choice in the way they identify and acquire their properties.

The news follows the announcement that the region’s biggest developer has signed an exclusive agreement to work in partnership with the UK’s leading specialist in the off-plan sale of properties in France.

The London office of the French MGM Group has forged the link with Portsmouth-based A Place in France in a bid to capitalise on both firms’ achievements in the UK market – despite the recession – and to prepare for the expected upturn in sales enquiries.

The benefits of the arrangements for both firms are complementary. For A Place in France, which already sells properties off-plan in regions across France, access to the French Alpine market completes the portfolio of locations it has been building since the company was established 21 years ago.

For MGM, the link increases the company’s exposure to the UK market and, for the first time in its 46-year history, means that buyers can choose whether to buy direct from the developer or through an agency offering independent advice.

Commenting on the new arrangement, the founder and managing partner of A Place in France, Patricia Fevrier, said: “Our association with MGM is a significant development for our business. We were keen to link with a company which not only offers ski properties, second homes and investment opportunities in the French Alps, but one which also has a reputation for high quality design and construction as well as a guaranteed long-term future underlined by a substantial land bank with planning permissions in place. MGM meets all our criteria.

“This partnership makes eminent sense for the ultimate benefit of our clienteles. Our businesses are two key players in the French property market, bringing their joint savoir faire to the table.”

Says Richard Deans, sales consultant based in MGM’s UK office which opened in London’s Regent Street in 2000: “Traditionally the UK office has sold around a quarter of the 400 homes on 40 developments sold annually by the MGM Group. Although these figures dipped during the recession, demand has held up and MGM has surpassed its sales target for this year without having to reduce prices by more than five to ten per cent.

“Enquiries about property in the French Alps have risen steadily in the past three months which usually are the quietest time of year for French Alpine development companies like MGM. Now we expect them to rise even higher as a result of our partnership with A place in France.”

Currently MGM has more than 100 properties available for sale under the leaseback scheme in ten mountain resorts. The developer also offers around 280 properties for outright sale in 14 sought-after mountain locations and around Lake Annecy.

Initially A Place in France will be marketing developments planned by MGM in 15 mountain locations, including the ski resorts of Chamonix, Les Arcs, Les Houches and Les Menuires. Others are in the ski centre ‘hub’ of Bourg St Maurice and the traditional villages of Samoens and Les Carroz d’Araches. The firm also will promote MGM schemes in the historic town of Annecy and on sites around its lake.