6 steps to selling a property in Switzerland

In this article, you will find the six key steps involved in selling a property in Switzerland, as well as the specific Swiss requirements.

Key points to bear in mind when selling a property on the Swiss market

Before you start selling your property, it is a good idea to bear in mind the specific characteristics of the Swiss property market.

The property market in Switzerland

The Swiss property market is very similar to those of its neighbouring countries, such as France. However, it stands out above all for the particularly high prices of its properties. In fact, prices per square metre in French-speaking Switzerland are on average 50% higher than in France.

These Swiss property prices should be considered in relation to the local cost of living and salary levels. They vary significantly depending on the canton and town in question. Geneva and Zurich, in particular, are cities where the cost of living is considerably higher than elsewhere (Bern, for example).

Another interesting feature of the Swiss property market is that homeowners are in the minority. Only 34% of Swiss people own their main residence (compared with over 50% of French people who own their homes). This means there are fewer properties on the Swiss market. And, as we know, what is rare is all the more valuable.

Can you sell your property to a foreign national?

If you are selling a property in Switzerland, there is a good chance that you will be contacted by foreign nationals. This is something to bear in mind, as the conditions for purchasing property in Switzerland are more complex for this group of buyers.

Selling to a Swiss resident

If the prospective buyer resides in Switzerland and is a national of a member state of the European Union (EU) or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), they have the same rights as a Swiss citizen when it comes to purchasing property.
However, if the buyer is a national of another country, the property purchase process is much more complex.

The buyer must therefore meet three criteria:

1. Hold a valid residence permit;
2. Living in the property in question (in other words, the prospective buyer must be your current tenant);
3. Make the property their main residence (if they wish to use it as a second home, they must first apply to the cantonal authorities).

Selling to a non-resident buyer in Switzerland

For foreign nationals residing outside Switzerland, the conditions for purchasing property are even more stringent. If you wish to sell your property to such a buyer, check carefully that they have all the necessary authorisations (with your canton’s land registry).
Exception: if you are selling a property for commercial purposes (office, workshop, etc.), please note that no authorisation is required for the prospective buyer!

The 6 steps to selling a property in Switzerland

Now that you’ve got a clear understanding of the specifics of the Swiss property market, you can move on to selling your property by following these 6 steps (in order)!

Step 1: Estimate the right selling price for your property

Valuing a property in Switzerland depends just as much on your knowledge (of property prices in your canton) as it does on luck (in finding the right buyer at the price you wish to sell for). After all, no valuation method is foolproof.
To predict as accurately as possible the maximum amount that buyers will be willing to pay for your house or flat, don’t hesitate to cross-check your information. Property listing websites, online valuation tools, or even property professionals in Switzerland can all be useful in helping you with your valuation.

Step 2: Create your property listing

To find a buyer, the market first needs to be made aware that your property is up for sale. The best way to do this is to place a property advertisement on specialist websites in your local area, as well as with estate agents.

Taking photos of your property, making a video and writing a compelling advertisement requires specific skills. If you don’t have these skills, we recommend seeking help from professionals in the field. You should then consider signing a sales agreement (ideally an exclusive contract) with the estate agent of your choice.

Step 3: Showing your property

Any property purchase involves a viewing. To maximise your chances of making a good first impression, we recommend scheduling your viewings at times of day when there is the most natural light (depending on the season).

It is essential to highlight your property’s strengths. But you should also make sure to reassure visitors about any potential flaws in the property. Ideally, you should turn these into selling points. Here too, if you are not confident in this area, seek the help of a property professional.

Step 4: Manage purchase offers

The viewings are going well and you’re receiving offers. Congratulations! But be careful not to rush into anything. In property, it’s important not to confuse responsiveness with haste. Take the time to carefully consider the offers you receive.

Negotiate any offer that you feel is too low in order to reach the fairest price (for both the buyer and yourself). At this stage, don’t waste your time on buyers who don’t have the necessary financing.

Step 5: Sign the preliminary sale agreement

Have you accepted an offer to buy? It is now time to sign the preliminary sales agreement. This legal document commits you to the sale and sets out the conditions precedent to the future sales contract (such as securing a mortgage).

At this stage, make sure you have gathered all the documents required for the sale of your house or flat. In Switzerland, these official documents range from the cadastral map to a tax assessment. Contact your canton’s land registry to obtain them.

Step 6: Sign the sale contract at the solicitor’s office

The visit to the solicitor is the final stage of a property sale in Switzerland. It is the signing of the legally binding deed of sale that formalises the transaction. The title to the property then changes hands!

This is also when the buyer pays the purchase price (as well as the notary fees). You are then ready to move on to the next stage of your life.

You now know the six steps involved in selling a property in Switzerland. By taking into account the specific characteristics of the Swiss market (particularly in your canton), you can maximise your chances of a smooth sale.

If your potential buyers are expats or foreign nationals, you will need to convert their currencies into Swiss francs in order to negotiate effectively. We have the solution you need: as a specialist in currency exchange in Switzerland, b-sharpe offers you its reliable and secure currency converter!