Property sales: Tips and checklist

Before the sale

When people sell property, they do this for various reasons. Sometimes the property is an inheritance, and sometimes a person wishes to change his or her living situation. No matter why the sale of real estate is on the agenda for you personally, it is important at the beginning to put yourself in the shoes of the potential buyer. Why is this an important step? If you wish, define the target group in this way. Is it a house that a large family would be interested in? Is your property a holiday home in a popular location? Or are you selling an urban house ideal for combining work and home? Who are your potentially interested buyers, and what do they value?

And in this way, you reach a decision that will crucially determine and influence such issues as

• pricing

• marketing

• preparation

These questions will also help you to plan and coordinate the sale perfectly:

• When is the best time to sell?

• Would an investment in refurbishment or renovation be worthwhile?

• Are cosmetic repairs a good idea?

• Should the property be sold furnished or unfurnished?

• Will the sale be followed by the purchase of another property?

• What would a purchaser find interesting about my property?

• What weaknesses exist and how can these be mitigated?

• What is the tax situation? Will the sale be taxed? (Note: depending on the canton, there are different regulations. You should request information about this from your tax adviser.)

• Who will arrange the house for photos and who will take them?

• Who will prepare visually pleasing and easily legible documents (photos, floor plan)?

You see – preparation to sell the property is the foundation for a successful sale.

And this also includes knowing your property very well. From the floor plan to the evidence of updating to energy efficiency: Interested buyers will ask you many questions. And when questions are asked, you need to be ready with answers. It is also true that the purchase of a property is an important and significant matter for purchasers, for whom trust forms the basis of all further decisions.

Property sales checklist: Necessary documents

The list is a guide for your planning. Errors and changes are reserved.

Documents needed for the sale of property

• Abstract of title

• Private legal agreements, building regulations and zoning plan

• Land register map

• External property estimate

• Calculation of net living space

• Building plans such as floor plans, facades – on a 1:100 scale

• Construction permit, building specification, building permit

• Sales documentation

• Building insurance certificate from an insurance company

• Safety verification covering low-tension installation

• Cantonal Building Energy ID and other building information

• If applicable, Refurbishment proof

• Community plan

• Metre reading

• Financing information

• Interior and exterior photos

• Current official estimate

• Energy certificate

• Draught purchase agreement

Documents needed for condominium property sale

• Formation and formation plans

• Use and administration order from the condominium association

• Condominium formation contract

• For condominium under land lease: Ancillary cost statements including proven land lease interest

• Minutes of the most recent meeting of condominium owners

• Residential area of the total property

Get an overview before you start: Property value, marketing, coordination, costs

Also included in advance planning are considerations regarding the current property value, marketing and coordination.

Be serious when determining property value

To feel confident about selling, you need the reassurance of knowing and understanding your property value and current market prices. Property values are dependent on many factors including site, condition and more.

Our tip: Speak to your Engel & Völkers Experts and have us provide a non-binding estimate of your property’s value.

For an initial impression of your property’s value, we recommend our free online real estate valuation.

Be clever in your marketing

The more people become interested in your property, the more likely will be a prompt sale at the target price.

On the basis of your research of potential buyers, you should also direct your marketing to various outlets. And this is of course regardless of whether you sell the property on your own or through an estate agent. With an estate agency, you need to ensure that this is a prominent company with an outstanding network: future purchasers will also welcome working with a serious or even well-known contact partner.

Coordination and costs

All sorts of organisational and administrative tasks arise when property is sold. Before the actual sale, calmly review the individual points:

• Who will coordinate the viewings?

• Who will administer the viewings?

• Who should be present when the purchase is negotiated?

• What exactly are the payment terms?

• Who will draw up the purchase contract and how does the purchase process work?

• Who will provide you with advice on taxes and legal questions such as liability?

• What additional costs and tasks will you incur (brokerage commission, marketing and advertising costs, etc.)?