Buying a house in Switzerland

What do you need to bear in mind when buying a house?

Buying a house is a huge decision with far-reaching emotional, financial and legal consequences. It is crucial to carefully examine all the details, especially when buying an existing property. Here are some aspects to consider:

• Technical condition: the roof, facade, windows, heating and energy efficiency should be professionally assessed.
• Legal aspects: Checking the land register and the Swiss cadastre of public-law restrictions on landownership (PLR Cadastre) can reveal important information about easements, building restrictions or contamination

These factors will have a significant impact on the usability and long-term value of your property, so they should be clarified at an early stage.

Owning your own home means quality of life and the freedom to design your living space, but it also comes with responsibilities. When you own the entirety of the building you live in, you alone are responsible for maintaining it and investing in it, which is not the case when you own a condominium property. However, when you own the building, you don’t have to get approval from other owners to make changes. This gives you maximum independence. You can change anything from the garden to the energy efficiency of your home.

Why buying a house is worth it

A house offers you:

• Freedom to design and use your home as you wish
• Freedom from the need to get approval from other owners
• Potential for long-term value appreciation
• Privacy and personal space

A house of your own lets you build your own vision: create your ideal garden, build an extension, install solar panels…the possibilities are endless. However, it’s important to remember that you will need to take responsibility for maintaining and managing it yourself.