Even though demand currently exceeds supply, selling real estate is still a big task. With our smart tools, you can sell your house or flat yourself or at least take care of individual tasks. We have broken down the selling process step by step and explain what is important, where you can find more information and how you can sell your property more easily with Houzy.
Residential property prices have risen massively in most regions since the turn of the millennium. With our independent property valuation, you can find out approximately how much your house or flat is worth today and how the market value has changed over the past five years. The hedonic estimate is based on the actual sales prices of comparable houses or flats in the same region and is a solid basis for your price negotiations. However, the market value estimate may differ from the sales price, which (as in any market) depends on supply and demand.
Once you have estimated the value of the property, you can follow the development of the value in your Houzy Cockpit. We will also inform you of any important changes every three months.
In the article "Hedonic estimation: See how we rate the market value of properties" you can learn more about our property valuation method.
Houzy smart tools and services for market value and value development
Even if demand has been significantly higher than supply for many years, you should think about the sales price and the sales period. Our demand calculator analyses the market, obtains the number of potential buyers looking for similar properties based on the sales price and estimates the time of sale. Supply and demand play an important role here: the higher the price, the longer the sale will take because fewer potential buyers can afford the house or flat.
Houzy's smart tools for the demand and sales period
Nine out of ten properties in Switzerland are advertised on the Internet. Our intelligent property search aggregates 90 per cent of all sales advertisements on the major real estate platforms and enriches them with valuable additional information such as an estimate of the market value or the energy efficiency class. This allows you to compare your house or flat with similar properties and at the same time develop a feel for the regional real estate market. In addition, you learn from the property advertisements that you might be particularly interested in how you could advertise your property in order to increase the chances of sale and the sales price.
You can customise your property search with filters and save your search. We will then follow the market and inform you as soon as new properties are advertised.
In the article "Online property search: how to find your dream home" you can find out more about our intelligent property search.
Houzy's smart tools for market analysis and property comparison
Think carefully about which renovations are worth doing before the sale and which ones you would prefer to leave to the buyer. On the one hand, renovation costs rarely pay off compared to the possible additional income, and on the other hand, the sale can fail because of this. This is the case if, for example, you renovate the bathroom but the potential buyer prefers a rain shower rather than a bathtub. Smaller renovations make more sense (see "How to maximise the sales price"). With our renovation calculator, you can estimate renovation costs, plan measures and get offers from regional experts who have been tested by us.
If you own a block of flats, the renovation calculator also shows the renovation costs of the common components and the cost recovery through the renovation fund.
In the article "Lifespan: how long do components, devices and installations last?" you can find out when you should expect your first refurbishment or renewal.
Houzy's smart tools for renovation needs and costs
Of course, you can sell your house or flat without an realtor if you know something about real estate, are familiar with contracts, tax issues or changes of ownership and have enough time. Otherwise, you should hire a realtor. The investment usually pays off because he or she takes care of many things and, thanks to his or her many years of sales experience, will probably get you a higher sales price than you. Most realtors charge a sales commission of plus/minus 2 per cent of the sales price, while there are also real estate agents who charge a fixed price as a fee.
In your Houzy Cockpit, you can contact the realtors in your region under "Finance" and "Valuation" or receive a non-binding sales consultation from our advisors.
In the article "Selling a house: sell it yourself or hire a realtor?" you will learn what it takes to sell a house and why a realtor is a good idea.
Houzy smart tools and services for real estate sales
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First impressions also count in real estate. With professional sales documentation, you will not only sell the house or flat faster, but often at a higher price. The documentation includes, among other things, maps of the municipality, city or region, plans and floor plans, descriptions of buildings, photographs, extracts from the land register, insurance policies and an evaluation of the property. The buyer must submit these documents to his bank with the loan application - so make financing (and the decision) easier for him with comprehensive sales documentation.
You can find an overview of all the documents that at least form part of your sales documentation in our article "Selling a house: selling it yourself or hiring an estate agent?" .
You can increase demand and thus the sales price if you do the necessary renovation work before putting the property out to bid. A dripping tap reduces the price more than the repair would have cost and leads to negative conclusions about the overall condition of the house or flat. That is why it is worth putting your property in good shape and having it photographed by a professional. If necessary, it makes sense to have the house or flat decorated by interior designers to promote sales (home staging) for photographs and visits.
With our sales price optimisation you can simulate individual measures, estimate their influence on the sales price and compare costs with possible additional revenue.
In the article "Selling your house: how to maximise the sale price" we have collected the most important tips and tricks on how to get more money for your house or flat.
Houzy smart tools to maximise sales price
More and more properties are being sold online. So advertise your house or flat on one of the well-known internet platforms. Use the images and texts in the sales documentation and upload the documentation as a PDF. Post your online advertisement on social media, e.g. Facebook or LinkedIn, and forward the link to acquaintances, friends and colleagues via e-mail or WhatsApp. Talk to everyone, privately and at work, perhaps post the ad on the notice board or publish it on the intranet.
Our property search aggregates ads from all the major platforms in Switzerland. This increases the reach even further.
Present your house or flat in the best light. Clean all rooms and spaces, including the basement and laundry room or attic, or have them cleaned. Tidy up, mow the lawn, trim hedges, replace broken light bulbs and oil squeaky door hinges. Even if a lot of money is at stake, small things that cost only a few francs can influence the decision to buy. Think about the arguments in favour of the item and adapt them. For the family with children, the playground in front of the garden seating area is a plus, for the couple seeking peace and quiet and without children, a minus. If you are afraid of reacting emotionally to criticism towards the house or flat, you should instruct a realtor to sell it. This is especially useful when negotiations become concrete and potential buyers try to push down the price. The realtor negotiates without emotion and is not as attached to your house as you are, he or she just wants to sell it.
Houzy smart tools and services for visits and negotiations
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The sales contract regulates trade. This can be very complex, which is why a notary usually draws up a draft contract with at least these points:
In most cases, the buyer and seller agree that the sales price will only be transferred after the contract has been signed by both parties, authenticated and registered in the land register. Therefore, the buyer has to prove his ability and willingness to pay. For example, with an irrevocable guarantee from his bank.
Houzy smart tools for the sales contract
At the time of the transfer of ownership, you pay real estate gains tax and in most cantons you split the notary's fee, land registry fees and transfer tax with the buyer. Real estate gains tax depends on net profit, holding period and location. Since a lot of money is at stake, it might be worth talking now at the latest to an estate agent who knows the cantonal tax laws and how you can optimise your tax burden.
In the article "Real estate gains tax: what sellers and buyers need to know" you can find out more about property gains tax and its tax consequences.
