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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.

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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.

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Condominium ownership explained in brief

Your own four walls at last! Would you like to buy an apartment or have you already bought your own apartment? We explain the principles of condominium ownership and show you what you should pay particular attention to as a buyer or owner.

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Calculating the income value of real estate

The income value is used to value real estate based on its expected long-term return. Learn how the calculation works, which factors are decisive, and where the limitations of this method lie.

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What costs are incurred when selling property?

Selling a house or an apartment involves costs—even if you sell the property without the support of a real estate agent. This is because certain expenses, such as notary fees or the real estate transfer tax, must always be taken into account. However, there is no nationwide regulation in Switzerland: the amount of fees and taxes varies greatly from canton to canton. You can find out which costs are incurred when selling a home and how high they are below.

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Selling your property on your own: the important stuff

Why do people decide to sell their property privately? For most people, the cost factor is quite obviously the issue - if there is no broker's commission, then the profit is theoretically higher. However, since selling real estate is not something you do very often in your life, vendors definitely need to plan well. It’s important to have a solid sales strategy and also to avoid certain pitfalls resulting in subsequent costs or even cancellations.

Contact

Contact your personal advisor

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Engel & Völkers Switzerland

Poststrasse 26

6300 Zug | Switzerland

Tel: +41 41 500 06 06