Get your questions answered by an independent expert

Yes. Bestag has offices in Zurich, Bern, and Préverenges (VD) and can be reached via regional phone numbers covering St. Gallen, Lucerne, Basel, Bern, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Geneva, Vaud, Valais, and Chur. The website is available in German, French, and English.

Yes. The fundamental problem is that all owners listed in the land register have a right of veto. One person wants a quick sale, another wants to keep the property in the family, and a third thinks the price is too low. This leads to stalemates and disputes—sometimes lasting for years. Bestag provides a neutral foundation for this: our five valuations create clarity regarding the actual market value. No heir can claim the house is worth significantly more or less when five independent sources point in a similar direction. The book also recommends the right of first refusal model: the property is offered on the market, and any family member can acquire it by matching the highest third-party bid. In practice, not a single family member has exercised this right of first refusal in all these years. Without a discount on the market value, it simply isn't worth it for most people.

Yes, both. If you are unhappy with your current agent, you can terminate a brokerage contract at any time in accordance with Article 404 of the Swiss Code of Obligations. You are never permanently tied to an agent, regardless of what the contract states. If your property is already "burned"—meaning it has been listed on a portal for too long and may have undergone price reductions—the book clearly advises taking the property off the market temporarily, pausing marketing efforts, and then starting fresh with a new, reputable agent and a realistic asking price. This is exactly where Bestag comes in: Bestag finds the right new agent for your property and uses our bonus-malus system to ensure that the starting price is set realistically this time.

The valuation is the first step in the Bestag process. You begin with a free online valuation at bestag.ch. The detailed valuation, which uses five different sources, is part of our comprehensive package. During a consultation with Bestag, you can clarify whether you are simply looking for an initial estimate or if you would like to proceed with the full sales process.

No. Bestag is not a real estate agency and does not sell properties. Bestag is an independent intermediary between you, the seller, and the best real estate agents in your region. Our role is best compared to that of a recruitment agency: Bestag finds the most suitable agent for your property from the entire Swiss market of around 7,000 active agents. We identify the three most successful agents for your specific property, organize valuations from five different sources, and draft a brokerage agreement that protects your interests. You then decide for yourself which of the three agents you wish to hire. Bestag continues to support you throughout the entire sales process, acting as an independent oversight body.

The algorithm is agnostic—it evaluates agents based on performance, not company size. If a large chain agency in your area achieves the best results for your property type, it will be recommended. The same applies to a local one-person office if their sales performance is superior. What matters are the 15 criteria, not the name.

Bestag specializes in property sellers. Our entire model—from agent selection and valuation to our bonus-malus system—is designed to ensure sellers achieve the highest possible price. Bestag does not offer this model for buyers.

Selling your property yourself can make sense, but only under very specific conditions. Specifically: you are selling a condominium in a development where several identical units have recently been sold, and you know the exact price per square meter achieved. In all other cases—single-family homes, unique properties, or locations with few comparable transactions—you simply lack the market knowledge as a private individual to set the right price. If you set it too high, your property will "burn out." If you set it too low, you will give away six-figure sums without even realizing it. Even after deducting the commission, almost all sellers fare better with a professional real estate agent than they do on their own. Even if you are selling yourself, you can use the Bestag valuation to at least get a well-founded estimate of your property's market value.