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Older, unrenovated houses with large gardens attract property developers looking to demolish the existing structure and replace it with a new build. These buyers first need to obtain a building permit, a process that can take months or even years. Consequently, they prefer forward purchases, where a portion of the sale price is held in an escrow account. This requires specific expertise on the part of the real estate agent. Bestag’s algorithm takes portfolio fit into account—if agents in your area have successfully completed such transactions, they will be recommended to you.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.