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And that is precisely when achieving the best possible sale price becomes so important. In Switzerland, many homeowners only amortize their second mortgage, which often means that properties still carry significant debt when they are sold. You are left with only the difference between the sale price and the mortgage. With a sale price of 1.22 million instead of 1 million—assuming a mortgage of 720,000—that is the difference between 500,000 and 280,000 francs in freely available equity. Small differences in the sale price create huge fluctuations in what you actually take home.

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.

Bestag is particularly valuable in divorce cases. The typical problem: in a divorce, the partner who wants to keep the property has an interest in a low market value to minimize the equalization payment, while the other wants a high market value. Both parties hire "their own" experts, who then provide estimates that suit their respective clients. The difference is often a six-figure sum. Bestag solves this problem: five independent valuations—two hedonic models plus three broker estimates—provide a reliable range that both parties can rely on. Neither side has to rely on a single "favorable" appraisal. There is also a solution involving a right of first refusal: the property is offered on the market, and whoever wants to keep it can take it over at the highest third-party bid. For the first time since the separation began, both parties have a common interest: the highest possible price.

A good real estate agent handles price negotiations on your behalf, meaning you have no direct contact with the buyer and cannot be pressured. The agent must always consult with you and cannot make decisions independently, ensuring you remain in control. What makes the Bestag model unique is that our bonus-malus system gives the agent a genuine financial incentive to negotiate hard for you. Every additional franc they secure above the estimated value increases their commission. Furthermore, Bestag remains involved as a supervisory body. If the agent suddenly claims the price needs to be lowered, you can check with Bestag to verify whether that is accurate or if the agent is simply looking for a quick sale.

Bestag continuously tracks all listings for houses and condominiums across Swiss real estate portals. From this data, we build a profile for every agent. Our algorithm evaluates 15 criteria, including: How quickly does an agent sell their properties? How often do they have to lower prices? How do their price-per-square-meter figures compare to the local average? How often does an agent fail to sell a property, only for it to reappear shortly after with a different agent? We also factor in "portfolio fit": agents who have successfully marketed properties similar to yours—in terms of type, location, and price range—are prioritized. The result: Bestag doesn't just suggest any agent; we recommend the three who have proven to achieve the best results for your specific property type in your region.

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.

Both. Bestag guides you through the evaluation and selection process. Once you have chosen an agent, they become your operational partner for marketing and negotiations. However, Bestag remains in the background as a supervisory body—meaning you have two points of contact who keep each other in check.

Yes. The detailed hedonic valuations take around 40 data points into account, including condition, standard of finish, and level of maintenance. A house with a backlog of maintenance is valued lower than a comparable renovated property. Furthermore, local real estate agents know the market: they know what kind of discount buyers expect for unrenovated properties and whether there are any project developers interested in the land.