Tag Archives: Lake Como

Spruce up your holiday home on Lake Como

Spring is the right time to spruce up your holiday home on Lake Como

Lake Como is looking beautiful in the spring sunlight and the lake is getting busy as more visitors arrive, so now is the ideal time to spruce up your holiday home and make sure it is in a perfect condition for you and your family and friends, or for any paying guests you may have if you rent your home.

LAKE COMO CONCEPTS suggests that your checklist should include:

  • Make sure the property is fully aired and cleaned, especially if it has been empty and closed for months;
  • Flush all toilets and check drains are working;
  • Open all shutters, test that they work and make sure any insects have not built nests in the warm protected space between the shutters and the windows;
  • Jet wash any patios and terraces so they look at their best;
  • Re-varnish any wooden garden furniture;
  • Check gutters haven’t become full of leaves;
  • Make sure the tv and satellite are working correctly;
  • Check also the alarm, phone line and wi-fi connection;
  • Should you have a pool or a lift it is advisable to have then checked annually;
  • Have the boiler serviced, possibly consider installing a remote connection to control from a distance;

Test the air-conditioning units and lights in each room.

If you follow all these little steps you will be able to enjoy a stress-free home over the summer. If you do find any problems that need repairing from small to large, LAKE COMO CONCEPTS can assist with putting you in touch with reputable tradesmen in the Lake Como area to resolve,

AND SO YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR SUMMER ON THE LAKE!

#lakecomo   #propertyforsale

LAKE COMO – EXCELLENT SKIING WITHIN EASY REACH OF YOUR PROPERTY

Buying real estate on Lake Como is sometimes seem as a property investment for use in the Summer months but really nothing could be further from the truth. From its strategic central location, Lake Como makes a great base for exploring some fantastic ski resorts in the Italian and Swiss Alps.

Under an hour from Lake Como Closest to Lake Como, is Mount Sighignola in Lanzo d’Intelvi, at 1320 metres above sea level and just 20 minutes by car above Argegno. A day’s skiing only costs €20 at weekends and €15 on a week day and the area is great for beginners or children with a short baby slope and then a medium difficulty slope. With only 4km of pistes it is great if you are just starting and looking to try skiing near home. Fantastic views can be enjoyed from the top over Lake Lugano, and the area is known as the “Balcony of Italy”. Otherwise just north of Lecco, on the Lecco branch of Lake Como is Piani di Bobbio at 1700m, a larger ski area offering 35km of downhill skiing. The majority of the pistes are suitable for beginners but there is also challenging black runs if you take the Chiavello chairlift and descend Mount Orscellara. Whilst for cross country skiers there is a 5km ring also used for Italian and international races. Just 20 minutes by car from Lecco and under an hour from Como, and a day’s skipass is €32 at weekends or €26 during the week.

Under two hours from Lake Como Under two hours from Lake Como are some excellent Italian resorts – Bormio with its World Cup run and 50 km of pistes, suitable for all levels and reaching to over 3000m, Aprica again with 50 km of runs and the convenience of the beginners’ slopes right in the town, Chiesa Valmalenco, 35 km of pistes, Madesimo, 50 km of pistes. The choice is really vast and not limited to these more well known ski areas, where you will find excellent skiing, and can enjoy mouth-watering local food and wine at the numerous baitas dotted around. Skipasses around €35 to €40. Changing direction and going north from Como, a Swiss resort that is returning to popularity is Andermatt at the foot of the San Gotthard tunnel, and reachable by car in 1 hour 40 minutes. Famous in the 1960’s and with scenes in Goldfinger, the James Bond film, it has recently seen heavy investment in 5 star hotels and luxury boutiques. It has 125 km of runs to suit all levels and reaches to 3000m

Under two hours, 30 minutes from Lake Como If you wish to travel that little bit further there are some of the most famous ski resorts in the world within a few hours’ drive. Going into Switzerland there is St Moritz, about 2 hours 30 minutes from Como. There are 350 km of runs taking the three main ski areas into account; Corviglia, Corvatsch and the Diavolezza. Having hosted 4 World Cups and 2 Winter Olympics, St Moritz is gearing up for the next World Cup in 2017. Remember, it is Swizerland and a day’s skiing will set you back about €75. Staying in Italy, then try the duty free area of Livigno, with 115 km of downhill runs on both sides of a wide valley. Lifts are linked and a day’s skiing will cost €44 but is well worth it and you can always save with duty free purchases, at least petrol! Known as Piccolo Tibet as it is very cold and may be best avoided in the extremes of January! These are just a taste of the resorts comfortably accessible from Como for the day. If you are going for a weekend there are vast areas to explore – the Dolomites, the Via Lattea with Sestriere at its heart…………there are no limits!

Yet another luxury hotel on the eastern side of Lake Como……………

Ok, first there was Casta Diva, the boutique 5 star hotel in Blevio and that started the steady influx of luxury hotels that are springing up on the eastern shores of Lake Como.

Next to open we think we be the new boutique hotel of Oleg Boiko, once again in Blevio, just minutes from Como city centre and boasting a wonderful lake front. Villa Belgiojoso was bought by the Russian magnate for a reported €15 million and over the past 3 years has been lovingly and tastefully restored to create a real ‘wow’ boutique hotel.

Slightly further along the lake and on the waterfront,  at the ex – Villa Flora in Torno, building is presently underway on the new 5 star hotel right next door to Villa Berlusconi!

And not to be outdone, up in Brunate the once magnificent Grand Hotel Milano is having a complete renovation to restore it to its once opulent 5 star fame.

So if by any chance, you are not sure where to stay on Lake Como – very soon you will be even more spoilt for choice as great efforts are being made for completion for EXPO 2015!

#casta diva  #EXPO 2015 #Torno #Blevio

Sales up in Cernobbio and Moltrasio on Lake Como

Last week ‘La Provincia di Como’ revealed that in 2013 Cernobbio and Moltrasio were the clear winners for year on year number of sales with a colossal 30 % increase. The area of Tremezzina came in with a very healthy 10 % increase and the eastern shore showed its growing popularity with Blevio, Torno and Faggeto reporting a respectable 3% increase in volume of sales. These figures are particularly strong taken in comparison with the average for the whole Como Province of 13% decrease in volume of sales.

The statistics were compiled by Borsino Immobiliare / FIMAA Como and indicate that much investment has been in the lower basin of Lake Como. This was our perception but it is always good to see market statistics support this!

The report continued to say that most agents saw 2014 as a year of consolidation with the real recovery coming in 2015. Value wise – new builds and ecological properties have been holding their prices across the Province, although there has been a decline in value of 1960/70s apartments.

So what does the future hold? We are always asked by buyers which areas will perform well in the next few years and interestingly we have been saying for some time that the eastern shore is relatively undiscovered and has some wonderful villas for discerning clients. Therefore, we think that the eastern shore through to Faggeto Lario will show an increase again this year, especially with the new 5 star resorts set to join Casta Diva.  Whilst Cernobbio through to Laglio will always be a safe strong bet.

Our recommendation – The fantastic Liberty villa pictured above in Cernobbio, untouched for many years and containing original features. At a realistic price of €980,000 this has great investment potential or could be made into a lovely family home with the addition of a pool. Contact us if you would like to know more at www.lakecomoconcepts.com