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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.

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.

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.

A discreet sale without a public listing can be important for certain sellers—such as in cases of divorce, high-profile owners, or in small communities where neighbors should not be informed. While the Bestag model is based on public marketing via portals, experienced agents maintain lists of interested buyers and can also place properties discreetly. Whether this makes sense for your property is best discussed directly with Bestag, as a discreet sale reduces the number of potential buyers and can therefore lower the achievable price. This is a conscious trade-off.

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.

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.

There are four classic scenarios—inheritance, divorce, starting a family, and downsizing—and in each, the book analyzes the tax and financial consequences of renting versus selling. The core message: rental income must be taxed as earnings. On top of that, there are management costs, maintenance reserves, and the risks associated with climate protection regulations. Capital gains tax on a sale, by contrast, is often more favorable—and can even be waived entirely if the proceeds are reinvested in a primary residence. Bestag can advise you during this initial consultation and help you make your decision based on facts rather than gut feeling.

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.