Finding an estate agent in Switzerland
Elizabeth Bagwell, Saturday, 16 November 2013
This article is part of a series of 10 articles about buying property in Switzerland. The other articles in the series cover the following topics:
Entry into almost every profession in Switzerland requires a course of study and a qualification. Estate agents, property managers and property valuers will usually have undertaken a course of study and a nationally accredited examination.
What estate agents do
In Switzerland, sales contracts must be drawn up by a notary, who must also witness the signing. This means that estate agents' roles are reduced. Estate agents are typically hired by and working for the seller. They will:
Estate agent's costs
This is often the only or main cost incurred by the seller, however it can be significant. The fees charged by estate agents are not set by the state, which means they can vary enormously and are open to negotiation.
Estate agents typically charge a percentage of the final sale price as their commission. This is usually around 3-5% but may be higher for luxury properties or niche properties, such as chalets in ski resorts. Some agents charge an up front fee to cover advertising costs, or bill for advertising separately. VAT applies at 8%, so be sure you understand whether this is included. Properties can often take a year or more to sell, so don't expect a discount if the property hasn't sold after one or two months.
Choosing an estate agent
A professional qualification is not a guarantee of honesty, but it is an indication that the agent has been trained and educated. Most estate agencies are small, working only in a very limited region, so studying listings for the area you're interested in is often a good way to find an agent. You can also find an agent through the various professional associations. These are typically divided into German, French and Italian speaking regions.
(SVIT)
(USPI) (in French only). Active only in the Swiss Romand area. Visit regional sites for list of local members.
This article is part of a series of 10 articles about buying property in Switzerland. The other articles in the series cover the following topics:
Entry into almost every profession in Switzerland requires a course of study and a qualification. Estate agents, property managers and property valuers will usually have undertaken a course of study and a nationally accredited examination.
What estate agents do
In Switzerland, sales contracts must be drawn up by a notary, who must also witness the signing. This means that estate agents' roles are reduced. Estate agents are typically hired by and working for the seller. They will:
- Find prospective buyers
- Show prospective buyers around a property
- Negotiate the sale price
- Act as a liaison and manage expectations
- Search for properties beyond their catalogue
- Find specialist or rare properties
- Provide advice and support for the buyer
Estate agent's costs
This is often the only or main cost incurred by the seller, however it can be significant. The fees charged by estate agents are not set by the state, which means they can vary enormously and are open to negotiation.
Estate agents typically charge a percentage of the final sale price as their commission. This is usually around 3-5% but may be higher for luxury properties or niche properties, such as chalets in ski resorts. Some agents charge an up front fee to cover advertising costs, or bill for advertising separately. VAT applies at 8%, so be sure you understand whether this is included. Properties can often take a year or more to sell, so don't expect a discount if the property hasn't sold after one or two months.
Choosing an estate agent
A professional qualification is not a guarantee of honesty, but it is an indication that the agent has been trained and educated. Most estate agencies are small, working only in a very limited region, so studying listings for the area you're interested in is often a good way to find an agent. You can also find an agent through the various professional associations. These are typically divided into German, French and Italian speaking regions.
(SVIT)
(USPI) (in French only). Active only in the Swiss Romand area. Visit regional sites for list of local members.
All types of property for sale in Switzerland by private sellers and estate agents. Find a your house or apartment near Zermatt, Davos, Ticino or near Geneva, Bern or the Valais
Find out how the buying process works in our step-by-step guide to buying property in Switzerland. Each country has its unique foibles, and this pretty
Alpine country is no exception. Each of the 26 cantons has its own traditions and requirements. We've distilled the essence of the process to give you
a
clear guide to buying property in Switzerland.
More articles