How much is my house or my apartment worth? What amount could I obtain from the sale of my property in Switzerland? Whether it is to know the real value of your assets or to prepare the resale of your home, it is necessary to calculate its current value:
- Swiss valuation methods rely on proven approaches that combine market data and the characteristics of the property.
- The location and the condition of the dwelling remain the two main drivers of market value.
- Using a real estate expert guarantees a reliable valuation of your property in Switzerland that is recognised by banks.
Why should you have your property valued?
First of all, having your property assessed allows you to obtain a clear view of its current market value. Although this process mainly concerns sellers, it may also interest owners. Indeed, you may want to know the market value of your home in order to:
- renegotiate a mortgage,
- divide an inheritance, prepare a donation,
- insure your assets at their proper value.
We sometimes tend to overestimate or underestimate a property: by carrying out an objective valuation, we avoid blocking a sale for months or losing part of its actual value. In Switzerland, where regional disparities are strong between cantons and even between municipalities, a rigorous valuation represents a guarantee of transparency and professionalism.
What are the property valuation methods in Switzerland?
Several approaches coexist to determine the value of a property. Their reliability depends on the type of property, the quality of available data and the purpose pursued (sale, financing, inheritance, etc.).
The hedonic method
This method, today the most widespread in Switzerland, is based on comparison with recent transactions of similar properties in the same geographical area.
Thanks to professional software, thousands of data points (surface area, number of rooms, year of construction, sale prices, etc.) are analysed to position the value of the property in relation to its neighbours.
- Its advantages: it is fast, objective and faithfully reflects real market conditions.
- Its limitations: it is less suited to atypical properties, prestige properties or properties located in municipalities where few comparable sales are available.
The intrinsic value method
Here, the value of the property is calculated by adding the price of the land and current construction costs, then deducting the obsolescence or depreciation of the building. In other words:
- Land value + construction costs – depreciation.
- Its advantages: this method is particularly relevant for new buildings, unique constructions or insurance-related valuations.
- Its limitations: unfortunately, it does not take into account the evolution of the local market nor the pressure of demand, two major factors in the real price of a property.
The income value method
Finally, this method applies mainly to income-producing buildings and commercial properties. It makes it possible to evaluate the potential profitability of the property by relating net rental income to a capitalisation rate:
- (Net annual rental income) / (Capitalisation rate).
- Its advantages: the income value method offers an economic perspective on the property, which will interest investors more than private buyers.
- Its limitations: its interpretation depends strongly on the choice of the yield rate, which varies according to risk, location and real estate conditions.
What criteria determine the market value of a property?
The chosen valuation method must always be considered in relation to tangible criteria that directly influence the final value of the property.
Location: the golden rule of real estate
The location remains the first factor of value. At the macro level, the canton and the municipality play a key role: local tax rates, economic attractiveness, demographic dynamics and proximity to major roads influence prices.
At the micro level, the neighbourhood, exposure, view, noise levels or proximity to public transport and shops can change the value by several tens of thousands of francs.
The intrinsic characteristics of the property
Of course, the structural elements of a home determine a large part of the price:
- Year of construction and overall condition of the building.
- Living area, number of rooms and overall volume.
- Quality of finishes: equipped kitchen, bathrooms, insulation, materials.
- Energy performance and type of heating.
De facto, a recently renovated property or one with good energy performance benefits from a better valuation in the current Swiss market, which is increasingly attentive to operating costs and sustainability.
Layouts and annexes
Furthermore, outdoor spaces (balcony, terrace, garden) or additional facilities (garage, parking space, swimming pool, wine cellar) can make all the difference between two similar properties. Their weight in the valuation depends on the rarity of such features in the area.
Who should value my property?
While online tools can provide a first indication, only a professional appraisal allows for a valuation recognised by banks and reliable for a transaction.
Online property valuation
Valuation simulators generally use the hedonic method. By entering a few details (surface area, number of rooms, location), they deliver an indicative price range.
- Advantages: the process is fast, free and offers a first benchmark.
- Limitations: these estimates do not take into account the specificities of the property, possible defects, renovations or the quality of the view.
Good to know: this approach may be suitable to obtain a rough idea, but it does not replace an in-depth valuation by a professional!
Valuation by a real estate professional
Valuation by a sector professional (broker, certified real estate expert) is based on a detailed analysis of the property and its environment.
To begin with, your expert examines the plans, cadastral documents, renovations carried out, and conducts an on-site visit. He then cross-checks several methods (hedonic, intrinsic, income) to arrive at a coherent target value.
Finally, the expert report provided can be used in the context of a sale, inheritance, mortgage or bank negotiation.
Would you like to have your property assessed by trustworthy professionals?
dreamo.ch offers you the best brokers to estimate and sell your property with complete peace of mind. Thanks to our artificial intelligence tool "AI Broker", we use advanced data to connect you with several brokers renowned for their expertise in the market segment corresponding to your property.