Is there a perfect time to sell your family home or condo? You can sell a convertible easier, faster and probably for a higher price in the spring or summer than in the winter when the roads are icy or snowy. Perhaps there is a similar pattern for property sales.
With our property search you will get a better feel for the market and seasonal fluctuations. Set up a search and monitor the property market.
In spring, a particularly large number of properties come onto the market. In this season, houses with well-maintained gardens and apartments with large balconies or terraces are particularly sought after. Outside, all the flowers and plants are in bloom, and inside, thanks to plenty of daylight, the rooms seem brighter and friendlier than in the dark winter months. Usually, families are looking for a new home in this period, hoping to find one before the school year starts after the summer vacations. Demand is high in the spring - but other homeowners who are willing to sell also know that. In our webinar "Sell your house or wait and see", Dominik Matter, partner at Fahrländer Partner, confirms that properties can often be sold at higher prices in spring. The data clearly supports this.
With our demand check you can simulate how demand, your sales opportunities and sales duration change when you increase or decrease the sales price.
In summer it is calmer, because many people go on vacation and travel. Especially families with children. Although it is quieter, this month offers great opportunities for sales. On the one hand, there is less competition on the property market, and on the other hand, prospective buyers who have stayed at home have more time to look for properties and visit them. It is best to schedule viewings in the late afternoon or early evening. Then it is no longer so hot and the evening sun creates a special atmosphere inside and outside.
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Also the autumn is not so busy. Only a few families are looking for a new house because their children have just started school or have started a new class. Nevertheless, this season is a good time for property sales. There are fewer prospective buyers, but they are more motivated because they want to find a new home before winter sets in. There is also less competition. It is best to arrange viewings during the day, for example on the weekend, so that you can present your house or apartment in the most beautiful autumn light.
Winter is the most quiet season, because many people have more work to do at the end of the year and the festive season is coming up. But over Christmas and New Year, the desire for more space at home, an extra room for the home office, a garden or a shorter commute matures in many people. That's why demand is likely to pick up slowly after the new year and intensify as the days get longer. Schedule viewings in the evening hours and create a homely atmosphere, for example, with a fireplace or candles in the living room. According to Dominik Matter's statements in our webinar "Sell your house or wait and see", sales prices in the last quarter of a year are usually lower than in the other three quarters.
According to data from Fahrländer Partner, the highest sales prices are generally recorded in spring. However, as it is often the case: There is no rule without exception. A house with a garden and swimming pool, for example, may sell more easily and quickly in spring or summer. On the other hand, the chances of selling a chalet in a ski resort are probably higher in autumn or winter.
In the guide «House Sale in 10 Steps with Houzy's Smart Tools» we have listed all the steps of the selling process. In the article «Selling a house: Sell it yourself or hire a realtor?» we explain why it is worth hiring a realtor in 9 out of 10 cases.
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Since the turn of the millennium, property prices in Switzerland have risen sharply. It is likely that the value of your house or apartment has risen sharply. At the end of 2022, supply has increased somewhat and demand has decreased somewhat. Nevertheless, demand still exceeds supply. This is why many property experts expect property prices to remain stable or rise slightly. This is also confirmed by Dominik Matter in our webinar "Sell your house or wait and see": Fahrländer Partner expects property prices in Switzerland to remain stable in the medium term, i.e. 2024 and possibly 2025, and then rise again. But the high price momentum of recent years is likely to weaken. If you're thinking about selling your home because, for example, your children have moved out and you'd rather live in a smaller apartment that's less work, now is probably a good time to think about it and talk to a realtor.
In «Property Market: How are Property Prices Developing in Switzerland?» you will learn, among other things, why you need a little more patience now if you want to sell your house.
In 2022, the Swiss National Bank raised its key interest rate in three steps from minus 0.75 to plus 1 percent. With these rate hikes, it is trying to combat inflation without choking off the economy. Because inflation in December, at 2.8 percent, was still above the target corridor of 0 to 2 percent, experts expect further interest rate hikes. In 2022, hypotheke.ch's interest rate index has risen from 1.09 to 2.67 percent. In 2023, mortgage rates will continue to rise, but not as much. If you can no longer afford or no longer want to pay the higher housing costs (mortgage interest, ancillary costs and maintenance as well as amortization), now is the time to think about selling. Especially if you need to extend your mortgage soon.
In «Mortgages: Interest Rate Development Until the End of 2023» you can read, among other things, about the consequences of the interest rate increases for homeowners and how to protect yourself against rising interest rates.
The longer you own your house or apartment, the less property gains tax you generally have to pay.
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When you sell your house or apartment, you most likely make a profit. This will be taxed. The amount of the real estate gains tax depends on the net profit, the location and the holding period. Except for Basel-Land and Obwalden, all cantons grant a discount, depending on the holding period. As a rule, the longer the holding period, the greater the discount. For example, if you bought a house in the canton of Zurich in March 2003 for 1 million Swiss francs and sell it in February 2023 for 1.6 million Swiss francs, the 600,000 Swiss franc gain on the property will be taxed at 121,582 Swiss francs. If you sell the house in April 2023, it will cost you 6,882 Swiss francs, or almost 1.2 percent less. So it may be worth your while to wait a little before selling.
With our real estate gains tax calculator you can simulate the tax for different selling prices and selling times and thus define the ideal selling time.
In «Real Estate Gains Tax: What Sellers and Buyers Should Know» we explain, among other things, how the real estate gains tax is calculated and how you can defer it.
If you wait a few months to save a few thousand Swiss francs in real estate gains tax, you can use the time wisely. With small repairs, energetic renovation measures or a professional presentation you can optimize the selling price before you put your house or apartment out to tender. Possible sales-promoting and price-increasing measures are:
Wit our calculator you can simulate the influence of different measures on the sales price and decide which measures are worthwhile and pay off for you.
In «Selling a House: How to Maximise the Selling Price?» we reveal to you how to improve your sales opportunities and increase the sales price with simple and small measures.
