A German Property Investment in Ruhpolding

An investment in German property may not have been considered by UK real estate investors until recently. The German property hotspot of Ruhpolding is a lovely, charming village set against the Bavarian Alps. With local traditions and a wonderful display of nature, it’s no surprise that this quaint place is renowned for its wellness wonders.

Beauty Spot

Ruhpolding is located in the south of the Chiemgau region in Upper Bavaria, Germany, only 40kms from Salzburg and 140kms from Munich.

Home to about 6,500 permanent residents, this quaint and charming Alpine village is very popular as a tourist destination, especially for Germans. This is mainly due to its great location being accessible from all parts of the country due to the efficient local train and road networks.

Ruhpolding plays host to the annual Biathlon and World Cup in Nordic Combination held in January, which is intensely popular with winter sports fans. The Biathlon alone attracts more than 80,000 visitors to the village each winter.

More than Skin Deep

Due to its setting in the Bavarian Alps, Ruhpolding is an ideal location for the nature lover. There are hundreds of trails for the walker or cyclist that will take them into many areas of memorable and outstanding scenic beauty.
Enthusiasts of art and culture can learn about Ruhpolding’s rich history during a visit to the Heritage Museum, which is located in a former hunting lodge, or gaze in awe at the Baroque parish church of St. George with its 12th-century Romanesque Madonna.

A traditional village, Ruhpolding annually hosts its popular “Rauhnachts Market,” between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The gathering is an opportunity for local craftsmen and farmers to present their products and produce.

The village’s narrow streets are sprinkled with bakeries, sports shops and cosy restaurants. Sloping upwards from the village are the Chiemgau Alps, displaying a snowy backdrop in the winter and a landscape of lush leafage when the weather warms.

In the summer the area sees a surge of tourists for Alpine pursuits, such as hill walking, mountain biking and trekking.

But Ruhpolding offers more than just treks and hikes, as the area also has its own 18-hole golf course, ski slopes - the village is also only 15 minutes drive from one of Germany’s best known ski resorts, the Winklmoosalm - and the Vita Alpina Wellness Centre.

Fit Facilities

Since 1948, Ruhpolding has been a famous spa and tourist resort. The ‘Vita Alpina’ combines fun-filled and health-enhancing elements into a fantastic recreational attraction for anyone who loves to be in or around the water.

The resort offers a wealth of relaxing and health inducing facilities. There’s foot-bathing in water with salt from the Dead Sea and the ultimate in relaxation in a steam bath or sauna.

The inimitable ‘Wave’ is an integral part of the Vita Alpina, which has now been expanded to include its very own ‘Primal Ocean,’ a large open-air pool filled with warm salt water. This true treat for body and soul has water jets, bubbling waters, neck showers, geysers and bubble seats.

Healthy Investment Options

Ruhpolding – with its close proximity to Munich - should appeal to lifestyle investors who are looking for long-term capital growth. However, there is also a strong rental market in the area, thanks to the annual Biathlon and World Cup in Nordic Combination as well as all the summer activities.

Just eight minutes walk outside the centre of the village and a stone’s throw from the nearest ski slopes is the second phase of Apartments Ruhpolding. A low rise, three-storey complex, the second phase has 9 of its 14 units left.

The development offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments and all of the units are also sold with a balcony or terrace, one underground car parking space and substantial storage space, suitable for skis or bicycles.

All unit completions are expected from the second quarter of next year and prices range from €118,635 to €258,000.

Dan Johnson, Managing Director, comments: “Foreigners can buy without restriction in Germany and financing is also possible but should not be expected to cover more than 60%-70% of the purchase price. About 58% of Germans live in rented accommodation, which is one of the highest proportions in the world.”

TheMoveChannel.com, the leading international property portal, announces a number of new Bavaria property developments or properties for sale, including:

· Zaisering ( 2 bed apartment, £135,000, garage parking and parking space)
· Small Bavarian castle (6 bed, £2,627,280, close to golf course, built 1900)

News submitted by Jon Moore, The Move Channel