Handbook for Investors. Business location in Switzerland.
Handbook for Investors. Business location in Switzerland.
Handbook for Investors. Business location in Switzerland.
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7. Real estate.<br />
Although <strong>Switzerland</strong> has many different types of real estate<br />
available <strong>for</strong> commercial purposes, there is a shortage of<br />
residential real estate, especially <strong>in</strong> city centers, much like <strong>in</strong><br />
other <strong>in</strong>ternational cities. People look<strong>in</strong>g <strong>for</strong> suitable properties<br />
to rent or buy will f<strong>in</strong>d the Internet and newspapers very<br />
useful. Even <strong>in</strong>dividuals resident <strong>in</strong> <strong>for</strong>eign countries can<br />
purchase commercial real estate <strong>in</strong> <strong>Switzerland</strong> without prior<br />
authorization. When it comes to residential property, however,<br />
they are subject to certa<strong>in</strong> restrictions.<br />
7.1 Look<strong>in</strong>g <strong>for</strong> the right property.<br />
7.1.1 Residential and commercial properties<br />
The Internet and newspapers are the most important sources of<br />
<strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mation when you are search<strong>in</strong>g <strong>for</strong> a suitable property. Local<br />
acqua<strong>in</strong>tances can also be a big help. The range of real estate on<br />
offer <strong>in</strong>cludes apartments, s<strong>in</strong>gle-family and multi-family residences,<br />
offices and commercial properties, and even park<strong>in</strong>g lots and<br />
garages – to rent or buy.<br />
Another good source of <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mation are the websites of real estate<br />
fiduciary agencies. You can f<strong>in</strong>d them through real estate search<br />
portals or via the website of the SVIT Real Estate Association<br />
(www.svit.ch), <strong>for</strong> example. Municipalities’ websites are also useful:<br />
Many of them now <strong>in</strong>clude <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mation about future build<strong>in</strong>g projects,<br />
<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g both rental properties and properties <strong>for</strong> sale.<br />
The cantonal economic development agencies support <strong>in</strong>vestors<br />
<strong>in</strong> all adm<strong>in</strong>istrative matters and offer assistance <strong>in</strong> f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g<br />
construction sites or other real estate.<br />
Fig. 24: Onl<strong>in</strong>e sources of <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mation on real estate<br />
www.alle-immobilien.ch Search eng<strong>in</strong>e <strong>for</strong> real estate on<br />
the market.<br />
Languages: German, English,<br />
French, Italian<br />
www.comparis.ch/immobilien Real estate website with price<br />
comparison function.<br />
Languages: German, English,<br />
French, Italian<br />
immo.search.ch<br />
Real estate website with a great<br />
deal of additional <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mation.<br />
Languages: German, French<br />
www.swiss<strong>in</strong>fo.ch<br />
List of real estate market l<strong>in</strong>ks.<br />
L<strong>in</strong>k: Services/Swissl<strong>in</strong>ks Languages: German, English,<br />
French, Italian, Portuguese,<br />
Russian, Ch<strong>in</strong>ese, Japanese<br />
www.mieterverband.ch List of l<strong>in</strong>ks with comments.<br />
Search <strong>for</strong>: Wohnungssuche Languages: German only<br />
www.homegate.ch<br />
Real estate portal.<br />
www.immoscout24.ch Languages: German, English,<br />
French, Italian<br />
58 <strong>Handbook</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Investors</strong> 2010
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