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Buyer Guide

Co-ownership: buying or owning a property jointly

Sole ownership, joint ownership, co-ownership – when buying a property, there are different forms of home ownership. Co-ownership in particular is widespread in Switzerland. Whether you’re siblings, a married couple or business partners, it’s important to be aware of the differences, pros and cons.

  • 3 min read
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Can I buy residential property in Switzerland as a foreigner?

Regardless of nationality, moving into their own four walls is a big dream for many people. However, under the Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad ("Lex Koller"), Swiss lawmakers make a distinction between Swiss and foreign property buyers. This is intended to prevent the "alienation of domestic land". To this end, the legislator makes the acquisition of property or building land subject to authorisation in certain cases.

  • 2 min read
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Brokerage commission for property sales

If you wish sell your property, you have many options. You can sell the property yourself – to do this, most vendors place listings in the appropriate online real estate portals. This is extremely economical as well as practical since these websites are specifically visited by prospective buyers searching for properties. As a vendor, you must of course take care to provide as much important information as possible since prospective purchasers can filter their searches according to various criteria. We have put together additional tips for you in this informational chart on the subject of selling property on your own.

  • 3 min read
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House for Bitcoin: Do cryptocurrencies have the potential to revolutionise the real estate industry?

Anyone who invested CHF 1,000 in Bitcoin five years ago can easily buy a nice flat with that money today. This is also being realised: Bitcoin millionaires are increasingly investing their money in property. But how does Bitcoin actually work and how is the hype surrounding the digital currency affecting the property market?

  • 3 min read
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The world’s top 5 most exclusive ski resorts

Engel & Völkers presents the five most exclusive ski resorts worldwide in its latest Ski Ranking.* The highest prices for ski properties are currently found in the Rocky Mountains in the US state of Colorado: Aspen leads the ranking list as the highest priced resort, followed by neighbouring Vail. Third place is shared by St. Moritz and Gstaad in Switzerland, making them the most exclusive ski regions in the Alps. Kitzbühel in Austria and Whistler in British Columbia, Canada, also rank in the Top 5. “Premium properties in ski regions are among the most sought-after second homes, as well as the most desirable investment properties. They make excellent long-term investment opportunities, especially when the financial markets are volatile, as an effective hedge against inflation – as well as providing a retreat throughout the ski season and beyond,” says Florian Hofer, Managing Director of Engel & Völkers Kitzbühel.

  • 3 min read
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More resources for buyers

Seller Guide

The current development of property prices in Zurich

Overall economic development in Switzerland is comparatively robust despite the ongoing global geopolitical tensions and the economic challenges in some countries and industries. This makes it all the more interesting to look at property prices in Zurich and the expected development of the property market in the region.

  • 2 min read
The current development of property prices in Zurich

Real estate gains tax

This tax is determined from the difference between a property’s purchase price and its sale price. Has the property currently being sold increased in value over time? If so, the real estate gains tax goes up correspondingly. However, the vendor may be able to claim investments or expenses here in order to reduce the tax burden.

  • 4 min read
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Calculating living space correctly

Anyone looking to sell their house or apartment is obliged to specify the exact area of the living space in the advertisement. But which areas actually count as living space, and how do you calculate that area accurately? Our property experts have put the most important information together for you here.

  • 3 min read
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Inheritance law in Switzerland: What is there to consider to when inheriting property?

With the help of the Swiss Civil Code, inheritance law in Switzerland governs succession, provided that the deceased has not left a will. The so-called parentelic system of succession determines which heirs are the main heirs to the inheritance and how large their share of the estate is. Especially with large hereditary communities, it is advisable to write a will in time. If property such as a house, land or an owner-occupied flat is in the estate, a will prevents disputes among the heirs. In addition, you distribute your inheritance to the heirs who appreciate your estate.

  • 3 min read
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Security for your home - how to protect yourself properly!

The purchasing of a property is a wide-ranging matter - in the decision phase, prospective buyers concern themselves with the purchase price negotiations, the contract design, the financing, the conversion and the move. Time and again, however, it is clear that the security aspects are not being given sufficient attention.

  • 4 min read
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Heating renovation in existing properties - what you need to know

The renovation and updating of the heating has become a key issue, especially for existing properties, and should always be given top priority when buying a property. In addition to personal values surrounding environmental protection, future political requirements to replace fossil heat generation in residential buildings should also not be underestimated.

  • 3 min read
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Calculation of the energy index

The energy index serves as a measure of the energy consumption, which results from the interaction of the properties of the building shell, the selected eating system, other building services installations, the local climate, the mode of operation and the user behaviour. In order to be able to calculate the energy index, the reference value for energy reference area must be determined. The energy reference area is the sum of all areas, for which the use of heating is necessary. This usually includes all common rooms (living, dining, kitchen, sleeping, wet rooms and hobby rooms), but also stairwells and corridors. Unheated rooms such as laundry rooms, heating and technical rooms, garages and cellars are not included in the energy reference area.

  • 6 min read
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More resources for buyers

Real Estate Agent Guide

Brokerage commission for property sales

If you wish sell your property, you have many options. You can sell the property yourself – to do this, most vendors place listings in the appropriate online real estate portals. This is extremely economical as well as practical since these websites are specifically visited by prospective buyers searching for properties. As a vendor, you must of course take care to provide as much important information as possible since prospective purchasers can filter their searches according to various criteria. We have put together additional tips for you in this informational chart on the subject of selling property on your own.

  • 3 min read
Brokerage commission for property sales

Overview of the latest lifestyle articles

The canton of Zug - Switzerland's tax haven

Zug is a canton in German-speaking Switzerland and is part of the greater Central Switzerland region (Central Switzerland) and the Zurich metropolitan region. Zug is one of the smallest cantons in Switzerland, but with a population of 126,837 (31 December 2018) and 500 inhabitants per square kilometer, it has a high population density by Swiss standards.

  • 5 min read
The canton of Zug - Switzerland's tax haven

Real Estate Guide

Rights and obligations in condominium ownership

The acquisition and holding of a condominium are linked to numerous rights and obligations. The most important regulations and decrees concerning condominium ownership are the following:

  • 2 min read
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Guide Insurance - Comprehensive insurance coverage for private residential property

Safety is one of the most important housing needs because there is always the possibility of something going wrong and causing damage where you live and spend a lot of time. Questions about appropriate insurance solutions are therefore very diverse and individual, sometimes also requiring intensive consultation. For this reason, dealing with the topic of timely insurance for one’s own home is indispensable.

  • 5 min read
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Assembly of the owners and management of the condominium

The community of co-owners meets at least once a year at the assembly, where they are informed about community matters and make resolutions. Motions may be brought before the assembly, subject to the observance of regulatory deadlines. In order to guarantee that the assembly proceed smoothly, it is worth sending the condominium owners a corresponding agenda list in advance and, if necessary, to attach appropriate offers for upcoming work.

  • 1 min read
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What needs to be taken into account when purchasing a condominium?

There are a number of important points to consider when purchasing a condominium. It is vital that not only an excerpt from the land register be available for inspection, or a cadastral plan, for the housing unit intended to be purchased, but also for the main land plot on which this housing unit is located.

  • 2 min read
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Property - related taxes Advisor

Property ownership can result in a variety of taxes. These are generally determined by the location of the property – namely, in the canton where the property is located. This means that one person owning property in various cantons may be liable to pay taxes to different cantons. In such cases, different cantonal taxation systems come into effect, with the result that the taxation of property can easily become a rather complicated issue.

  • 5 min read
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Contact

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6300 Zug | Switzerland

Tel: +41 41 500 06 06