Land and Real Estate Purchase Agreements: What to Watch Out For
ResourcesguideConstruction and Real Estate LawLand and Real Estate Purchase Agreements: What to ...
Construction and Real Estate Law 
6 min. Lesedauer
04. September 2025Selling a house is not something to be taken lightly, as it involves numerous and sometimes complicated steps. Therefore, it is crucial for anyone looking to sell their property to educate themselves on the various financial and legal aspects and the various necessary steps. This article will explain everything you need to consider to ensure the sale of your house is as successful as possible.
Estimation of the value of the property
The first step for anyone wanting to sell their home is to have an appraisal performed. This allows the owner to determine the overall value of the property, which depends on its size, location, and typical construction features. Furthermore, this appraisal reflects the real estate market conditions in a geographic area.
A fair valuation of your home based on market prices is key to a successful sale. This significantly increases your chances of a quick closing. Therefore, it is important to contact real estate professionals to conduct an appraisal of your property. The appraisal of your home’s value can therefore be entrusted to either an architect, a licensed real estate appraiser, or a licensed real estate agent.
If the set price is not balanced (but over- or undervalued), this will negatively impact the sale. If the price set for sale is higher than the property’s actual value, it is usually difficult to find someone willing to buy it. Conversely, if the set selling price is below the actual value of the property, this is of course disadvantageous for the owner, as he or she loses money in this transaction.
Costs associated with selling your home
Selling a property always involves costs, not only for the buyer, but also for the seller. First of all, there are the notary fees. A notary is essential for drawing up the promise of sale, certifying it, and registering it in the land register.
The rate is usually degressive, meaning that the fee increases as the purchase price increases. The higher the property price, the lower the percentage of fees (e.g., average rates for a purchase agreement: 0.14% for a property valued at CHF 20,000,000, approximately 0.5% for a property valued between CHF 800,000 and CHF 1,000,000, and 0.7% for a property valued under CHF 200,000; for a mortgage: approximately 0.25% for a mortgage note valued at over CHF 5,000,000 and 0.5% for a mortgage note valued up to CHF 200,000). Notary fees are usually split equally between the parties. These fees also vary from canton to canton.
Before you list your home for sale, it is also extremely important to find out what taxes you may be subject to and how much they are. If you make a profit between the original purchase price of your home and the current selling price, this profit is subject to capital gains tax. This tax varies by canton and must be paid in one lump sum no later than one month after the sale (except in exceptional cases where payment of the tax can be deferred). The amount of this tax depends on the profit realized on the sale and the length of time the person has owned the property. The tax is degressive. For example, in the canton of Geneva, the tax rate would be 50% for less than two years of ownership, 40% for two to four years, and 30% for four to six years. The seller may also be required to pay capital gains tax.
In addition to taxes, the person selling the home may also have to pay real estate agent commissions if they have hired a real estate agent to sell the property. The commission is usually set at a certain percentage of the sale proceeds (usually between 3% and 5%, depending on the value of the property). Additional fees may also apply if a prepayment penalty is due for the early repayment of a mortgage loan.
Documents required to sell your home
Numerous documents are required for a property sale. You must present these to your real estate agent at the beginning of the sales process. They help determine a fair and attractive selling price and are helpful for potential buyers to learn all the details related to the property.
At a minimum, these include the following documents: a recent extract from the land registry (including easement deeds), the land registry map, a building insurance policy, and an estimate of imputed taxes. A list of renovations and investments made (with or without invoices) is also usually required, as well as a list of operating costs (utility bills) and heating costs for the past three years.
In addition to these documents, other personal documents may also be requested on a case-by-case basis. These may include the previous purchase agreement, the mortgage agreement, if one exists, the detailed survey (according to SIA Standard 416), or the equity distribution, plans, and any co-ownership documents. In addition, photos are always required to list the property for sale, and it is recommended to hire a professional photographer for this purpose.
The most important points in the purchase contract
The purchase agreement is, of course, one of the key elements in the sale of a home. It must be drawn up by a notary public and is only valid once signed by both parties. The purchase agreement must contain certain mandatory points, as well as those freely agreed upon by the parties.
The mandatory information in the contract includes: the identity of both parties, the subject matter of the purchase (description of the property by cadastral number, land area, etc.), the price, land charges, easements, the date of transfer of the property, the terms of payment of taxes and duties, the terms of payment for the property, the documents and insurances included in the contract, and the consequences of non-compliance with the contract.
The best time to sell
The process of selling a house typically takes three to six months, but can take considerably longer. A property can be listed for sale at any time, but there are times when it’s more favorable than others.
Ideally, you should try to sell your house when property prices are high to secure a higher profit. The higher the demand, the more you’ll benefit. In Switzerland, demand is generally highest in spring and summer, although competition is fiercer during these times. These seasons are also best for adding value to your property, as the sun exposure is better and the house generally looks more attractive if it has a thriving garden.
More tips on how to make your property stand out when selling
To be as successful as possible when selling your home, you should take the time to present your property in the best possible light. This includes ensuring the house is clean and, if necessary, giving it a thorough cleaning. Maintaining the appearance of your garden usually increases the value of the property. Don’t hesitate to hire a professional photographer to take the photos necessary for the sale, as these have a major impact on the number of potential buyers.
Finally, during viewings, make sure you de-personalize the house and keep the rooms tidy. Don’t hesitate to make minor renovations to update your home and increase its curb appeal.
This is how legal advice works today – simple, secure, transparent
You can find the right lawyer here for free without any time-consuming research.
- Submit request
- Compare offers
- Start cooperation
- Compare costs
FAQ: Successfully selling your house
The first step is to estimate the value of the property. This should be done by a real estate professional.
If the asking price of a home is higher than its actual value, it can delay or even make the sale impossible. Leaving a property on the market for too long creates doubt and reduces the opportunity for negotiation.
A sale inevitably involves costs. These primarily include notary fees and capital gains tax, or real estate transfer tax, as well as broker’s commissions and the costs of early termination of any mortgage.
The most important points of the contract are the description of the property, the selling price, the payment of taxes and the consequences of non-compliance with the contract.
Ideally, you sell your property when demand is high. This allows you to achieve a higher profit. In Switzerland, demand is generally highest in spring and summer.
To help you sell faster, you can make small renovations and improvements to your home to increase its curb appeal. Also, make sure the house is always clean and tidy and have a professional take photos.
Typically, the process of selling a home takes between three and six months. However, this varies depending on market demand and the characteristics of the property.
