Housing investors are turning their attention to holiday apartments in Lapland - returns can be as high as over 15 %. Small, compact apartments in the immediate vicinity of the slopes are now in particularly high demand, and developers are building new properties at a fast pace.
The photo shows Jussi Pirhonen, Managing Director of KotiSome LKV.
The photo is free for media publication. Photo by MURU Productions
KotiSome LKV: Demand in Lapland is strong and new investments are being built at a fast pace. Traditional rental housing is lagging behind
Finnish housing investors are investing more and faster in holiday apartments in Lapland, as traditional rental apartments in growth centres are no longer generating the expected returns.
- The most sought-after properties are small, compact apartments right next to the slopes," says Jussi Pirhonen, Managing Director of KotiSome LKV, which sells holiday apartments in Levi and Ylläs.
According to Pirhonen, quality holiday apartments sell quickly:
- Investors get a significantly better return than in traditional rental housing.
KotiSome LKV sells holiday apartments near the Levi, Ylläs, Pyhä and Salla mountains.
The photo is free for media publication. Photo by PolarHouse
KotiSome LKV: Growing interest is explained not only by high rental income and occupancy rates, but also by growing tourism
- Share of foreigners of all overnight stays in accommodation establishments rose to over 60 % last year, reinforcing Lapland's position as an international destination. Domestic demand fluctuates, but international tourists bring long-term security to the property investor," says Pirhonen.
According to Pirhonen, buyers are contacting him almost daily, also from abroad: - Now, if ever, it is worth taking advantage of the opportunity to invest in new productive holiday homes in Levi and Ylläs. In addition to the high expected rental income, the value of holiday homes is also expected to rise as tourism increases and demand outstrips supply, no matter how much construction takes place.
Operator Valkea Homes: return on capital employed well above the market average
- Efficient operations with high occupancy rates and tax benefits make the investment an attractive alternative to traditional rental housing, says Eero Aronen, Chief Operating Officer, Valkea Homes.
Benchmarking
| Type of investment | Average annual return | Things to note |
| Traditional rental housing | 3-5 % | Occupancy rates vary, management and tenant management take time. |
| Lapland holiday apartment (new, near the slopes) | 10-15 % | Tax benefits, VAT rebates and efficient maintenance make it a profitable investment; with debt leverage, the return can be higher. |
| Lapland holiday apartment 50 % on the debt side (new, near the slopes) | 15-20 % | The return on equity can reach up to 20 % with debt leverage. |
White Homes is the operator of holiday resorts in Lapland, including Pyhä, Levi and Ylläs. The offer includes compact holiday apartments as well as traditional holiday cottages.
- The estimated return on equity (ROE) for the new apartments is 15-20 % and return on investment (ROI) 10 %. With leverage, the returns can increase further. If you compare this to the return on a traditional rental property, there is a significant difference," Aronen continues.
VeroSatama: VAT rebate further increases the profitability of investment
VAT rebates are possible on new properties, further increasing the profitability of the investment:
- VAT on the construction costs of a holiday home may be refunded if the home is used for accommodation activities equivalent to hotel accommodation and subject to VAT at a rate of 14 %. If, on the other hand, the landlord rents the dwelling to an accommodation provider, he can apply for VAT on the rental of the property at the applicable rate of 25.5 %. This possibility can significantly increase returns for the housing investor," says Hanna Rantala, Managing Director, VeroSatama.
- Refunds are possible up to a 10-year review period. If the dwelling was originally built or acquired for other purposes, but is later used for taxable accommodation, a refund can be obtained for the remaining period of the review period," Rantala continues.
PolarHouse: 200 new apartments to be built in the Lapland market in the next few years
PolarHousen Managing Director Sameli Lähdesmäki says that more than 200 new products will be launched on the market.
apartments in the coming years. The photo is free for media publication.
Photo by PolarHouse/Susanna Chazalmartin
PolarHouse, a specialist in the construction of detached houses, villas and cottages designed for year-round use, has tapped into the same trend. Currently, PolarHouse properties for sale and upcoming sales are located in Levi, Ylläs, Pyhä, Ruka and Salla.
- Growing demand is also reflected in the pace of developers: new high-quality holiday apartments are being built all the time, with more than 200 new apartments coming on the market in the next few years, says Sameli Lähdesmäki, Managing Director, PolarHouse.
Further information and interview requests:
Jussi Pirhonen
KotiSome LKVManaging Director, Deputy Attorney at Law, LKV
Telephone: 040 092 3905
Email: jussi@kotisome.fi
www.kotisome.fi
Eero Aronen
White Homes
Director of Operations
Email: info@valkeahomes.fi
Telephone: 045 274 6363
www.valkeahomes.fi
www.campedmund.fi
Sameli Lähdesmäki
PolarHouse
Managing Director
Email: sameli.lahdesmaki@polarhouse.com
Telephone: 040 730 9750
www.polarhouse.com
Hanna Rantala
VeroSatama
Managing Director
Email: hanna.rantala@verosatama.fi
Telephone: 040 776 9855
www.verosatama.fi
About the publisher
Published on
HomeSome LKV
KotiSome LKV is a real estate agency specialising in holiday homes, with its head office in Levi, Kittilä. KotiSome LKV is the first real estate agency in Finland to receive a sustainability certificate. It also has its own responsibility programme, including the LakiTurva concept for all clients.
Read more:
https://www.talouselama.fi/uutiset/a/659cf915-e1cc-4388-99a5-94196ae9caa9
