The five steps to selling your property in Switzerland
Perhaps you need a space for a nursery, to downsize in later years or you're leaving the country altogether - whatever the reason, selling property in Switzerland is a task that many expats are faced with at some point or another.
Cosmos Values is specialised in helping expats buy and sell property in Switzerland, and they are here to guide you through the five steps they take to get their clients a successful sale.
1. Analyse the market and assess the value
No one knows the market better than experienced, local property advisors. Cosmos Values is able to use their intimate knowledge of property sales to accurately assess the value of your property.
With rapid changes in the market, especially in cities such as Zurich, it’s important to have a property advisor with their finger on the pulse. Knowing how to price a property is essential. It’s not only that over-priced properties won’t attract buyers, but also that under-priced properties also attract less attention as people are suspicious and expect hidden faults and expenses.
Pricing it correctly doesn't just mean that it sells, but that it can actually sell for more than an overpriced property due to the increased interest and competition from many potential buyers.
2. Get your paperwork and finances in order
Selling a house isn’t simply a case of meeting with a buyer and walking away with a briefcase of cash. Cosmos Values can provide advice and assistance on everything that needs doing to prepare for a sale, from calculating any potential capital gains tax from the sale to arranging notaries and drafting agreements.
There are always extra fees associated with selling a property, including surveyor’s costs, deed registration fees, legal fees and notary fees. Cosmos Values helps to make sure you know exactly how much it’s going to cost to sell your house.
If any paperwork has been lost or you’re unsure what documents you need to have in order to be able to sell, they can help make sure everything is as it should be. If you still have a paper mortgage certificate, they can also help in getting that transferred to a digital land register entry.
3. Devise a marketing strategy
Next up is getting your house out there. Comsos Values works with all the major property platforms, so your house can be seen by the largest possible number of people. However, they also know what to say about a house, so the right people pay attention.
Rather than having dozens of incompatible viewers taking up time and resources, they can make sure the right people for your property are the ones who see it.
Full brochures are created for each property, to show it off in its best light, and they take charge of organising and hosting the viewings.
4. Negotiate with prospective buyers
Once the offers start coming in, there’s no need to simply accept the top offer right away. Each offer will come with different conditions, drawbacks or incentives, such as having to wait for financing or a flexible move date.
Cosmos Values takes on dealing with the buyers and uses their expertise to get the best deal for you. With Switzerland experiencing the most acute housing shortage in Europe right now, there’s always room to negotiate with buyers.
5. Closing the deal
Once an offer has been accepted, it’s time to get the lawyers and notaries involved. Cosmos Values arranges all of this, helps draft the purchase contracts, and makes sure that you understand them, whichever language they need to be officiated in. Their in-house legal expertise offers a significant advantage for you.
After that, they make sure all the property ownership papers are transferred to the new owner. If you’re moving within Switzerland, they can also help you find your next dream home and arrange any insurance that you might need.
Your partner in property sales
If you’re ready to start selling your property in Switzerland, contact Cosmos Values today. Their expert team is ready to work with you through the whole process, taking the pressure off you and ensuring you get the outcome you desire.