Househunters reach their peak thanks to former banker

Beat Hartmann has teamed up with Mick Singleton to form Hartmann Singleton, a property consultancy for UK residents looking to buy in Switzerland.

Mr Hartmann, who lives in Thirlby, near Thirsk, said: "I have always believed Switzerland has more to offer than a bit of skiing."

There is a widely accepted practice on mainland Europe of sellers providing cash incentives to agencies for recommending their properties.

Mr Hartmann said: "Not everybody is doing it, but about 30 to 40 per cent of the people we contacted were willing to give us a kickback.

"You cannot be an independent advisor if you are selling the product that makes you the most money.

"We are not in the business of taking on a house and selling it to the next customer. This is about finding a client the right property.

"We decided to be totally transparent, so anything paid to us goes back to the client as a rebate from our commission."

Born in Zurich, he moved to the region after marrying, Sophy, who is from Castle Eden, County Durham.

They set up home in Thirlby and Mr Hartmann took a City job, commuting to London every week for two years.

"I always said that, if I had a child, I would be there to hear them say 'daddy' for the first time," he said.

"That was the main reason I quit London."

The couple's son, Oliver, now four, will soon start school and Mr Hartmann is keen to get back into business.

Property prices and tight regulations on building have traditionally priced all but the most well-to-do out of the Swiss market.

But laws governing house size have been relaxed and, while property prices in the UK and most of mainland Europe have risen dramatically, those in Switzerland have remained fairly static.

"The property market in Switzerland has been remarkably stable," said Mr Hartmann.

"The net result is that today, property in Switzerland represents excellent value for money."

For details, go to www.hartmannsingle ton.com