What is the best season to sell your house in Switzerland?

Advantages of selling your house in spring

Spring is often considered the most favorable period to sell a property. Several factors explain this trend.

More pleasant weather conditions: In spring, temperatures become milder and the days get longer. Buyers can better enjoy outdoor spaces during visits, which increases interest in apartments with balconies and houses with gardens. Natural light is also more present, which makes rooms brighter and enhances the property.

Renewal and optimism: After the New Year, buyers often want novelty and are more motivated to start new projects, such as buying a house or an apartment. This positive dynamic can facilitate the sale of your property in spring.

End of the school year: Families prefer to move before the start of school so as not to disrupt their children’s school year. This period is therefore particularly favorable for selling a property located near schools.

Selling at higher prices: In spring, housing demand is generally higher. This increase in demand can drive prices up, which often allows you to sell your property at a more advantageous rate.

Disadvantage:

More competition: the number of buyers remains stable, but several owners also choose to sell their property. Competition is therefore stronger, which can lengthen the selling time.

Advantages of selling in summer

Less competition: There are fewer properties for sale during this period, which allows your property to stand out more.

Before school starts: Some families are still looking to finalize their purchase before school resumes, which can speed up the purchase decision.

Disadvantage:

Smaller market: many people are travelling or on vacation during summer, which reduces the number of buyers who are truly active on the market at that time.

Advantages of selling a house in autumn

Pleasant climate: Still mild temperatures and good light in the evening make visits more pleasant. The outdoors also benefit from beautiful autumn scenery.

Before winter: Buyers often want to find a home before the cold arrives. After the holidays, searches gradually pick up again.

Little competition: This period attracts fewer sellers, which reduces competition and can make it easier to highlight your property.

Disadvantages:

Smaller market: some people postpone their buying project to the following year, which slightly reduces demand.

Variable weather: Rain and shorter days can make visits less attractive, especially for properties without good natural light.

Advantages of selling a house in winter

End-of-year holidays: Preparations and vacations slow down real estate activity. However, some buyers (especially investors or those wishing to start a project at the beginning of the year) take advantage of this calmer period to buy.

New projects: Around the holidays and New Year, many people reflect on their goals and may develop the desire to buy a property, which can create a slight renewed interest.

Seasonal properties: Some homes, such as chalets near the mountains, sell particularly well in winter thanks to their warm atmosphere and location.

Disadvantages:

Quiet period: winter is often the calmest season, as many people are busy with work at the end of the year and with holiday preparations.

Less favorable weather: Cold, snow or rain make visits less appealing, especially for properties with outdoor spaces that are not well highlighted during this period.

Other factors that can influence the sale

Here are several aspects to consider in order to determine the best time to sell a property in Switzerland.

1. Real estate market

Demand remains higher than supply, especially in urban areas, which allows properties to be sold at profitable prices. When mortgage rates are low, buying becomes more accessible and the market becomes more active. Currently, the Swiss National Bank has reduced interest rates, which allows for more favorable loans and stimulates demand. Since rates should remain moderate, this may be a good period to consider selling.

2. Real estate gains tax

When selling, you often realize a profit that is subject to the real estate gains tax. The amount depends on the gain, the canton, and the duration of ownership.
Example: for a house bought in Zurich in March 2005 for CHF 1,000,000 and sold in February 2025 for CHF 1,600,000, the gain of CHF 600,000 leads to a tax of CHF 121,582.
If the sale takes place in April 2025, the tax is CHF 6,882 less. In some cases, waiting a few weeks can therefore be fiscally advantageous.

3. Maximizing the selling price

If you wait, you can use this time to improve your property: small repairs, energy improvements, etc. These actions can increase the final price. Actions to increase the property’s value:

• professional photos

• garden and terrace highlighted

• fresh wall paint

• ceilings and door frames

• floor repairs

• sanding and varnishing of parquet

• professional home staging

4. Personal situation

The right moment also depends on your situation: divorce, change of housing and/or too high costs. The best moment may simply be the one when you really need it.

Conclusion

Spring is often the season when selling prices are the highest. Houses with gardens or swimming pools generally sell better in spring and summer, while chalets in resorts often find buyers more easily in autumn or winter.

To optimize your sale:

Property preparation: make sure the property is in perfect condition.

Realistic evaluation: set a price adapted to the local market, season, location and renovations made.

Effective marketing: use professional photos and a clear and complete description of your property.

Sources

houzy.ch - Article 

estimation-bien-immobilier.ch - Article 

neho.ch - Article 

l3-properties.ch - Article