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S U B S C R I B E
WRS stories about real estate
Residents not buying into eco-neighborhood
Wednesday, 19 August, 2009
They call it Metamorphosis. The new eco-neighbourhood proposed by Lausanne’s municipal authorities would comprise 100 hectares, 2,000 homes, 2 billion francs. The goal is to make a dense—and thus more energy efficient—zone in which all social classes would mix in a greener environment. But many residents are not sold on the dream. On the contrary, they fear an oversized monster that will turn into a synthetic ghetto for the well-to-do. They hope to convince the people of Lausanne to vote against the project in just over a month. Lucas Chambers reports:
Wednesday, 19 August, 2009
They call it Metamorphosis. The new eco-neighbourhood proposed by Lausanne’s municipal authorities would comprise 100 hectares, 2,000 homes, 2 billion francs. The goal is to make a dense—and thus more energy efficient—zone in which all social classes would mix in a greener environment. But many residents are not sold on the dream. On the contrary, they fear an oversized monster that will turn into a synthetic ghetto for the well-to-do. They hope to convince the people of Lausanne to vote against the project in just over a month. Lucas Chambers reports:
Investors look to Swiss housing for security
Thursday, 23 July, 2009
Zurich’s housing market isn’t just surviving in this tough economic climate, it’s thriving, says the Cantonal Bank of Zurich. Switzerland’s biggest city saw housing prices increase by 4 percent in the last quarter of 2008—and it’s a trend that’s spreading across the country, according to data. So what’s causing this uptick just as much of the world has been slammed by a tanking housing market? It seems some individual and institutional investors are buying Swiss property instead of investing in financial markets, hoping the recession ends in 2010 and that the Swiss market remains stable. WRS reporter Alex Helmick talked to the Cantonal Bank of Zurich’s real estate expert Marco Salvi about the future of housing in Switzerland.
Thursday, 23 July, 2009
Zurich’s housing market isn’t just surviving in this tough economic climate, it’s thriving, says the Cantonal Bank of Zurich. Switzerland’s biggest city saw housing prices increase by 4 percent in the last quarter of 2008—and it’s a trend that’s spreading across the country, according to data. So what’s causing this uptick just as much of the world has been slammed by a tanking housing market? It seems some individual and institutional investors are buying Swiss property instead of investing in financial markets, hoping the recession ends in 2010 and that the Swiss market remains stable. WRS reporter Alex Helmick talked to the Cantonal Bank of Zurich’s real estate expert Marco Salvi about the future of housing in Switzerland.
Do lower mortgages mean lower rents?
Wednesday, 3 June, 2009
The mortgage rate in Switzerland, used to determine the country’s rents, has dropped. The move should spell good news for tenants across the country, as those whose rent was set based on the previous rate should be entited to a reduction. The new rate of 3.25 percent comes into effect today, after a drop of 0.25 percent was announced yesterday. Michele Mischler spoke to Cipriano Alvarez, head of the Law Department at the Federal Housing Office to find out what the changes mean.
Wednesday, 3 June, 2009
The mortgage rate in Switzerland, used to determine the country’s rents, has dropped. The move should spell good news for tenants across the country, as those whose rent was set based on the previous rate should be entited to a reduction. The new rate of 3.25 percent comes into effect today, after a drop of 0.25 percent was announced yesterday. Michele Mischler spoke to Cipriano Alvarez, head of the Law Department at the Federal Housing Office to find out what the changes mean.
Property tax laws up for review
Monday, 18 May, 2009
There’s good news for confused homeowners in Switzerland. The current complicated system of taxing houses is under review from the government. Currently properties are taxed based on a hypothetical amount of rent you could get from your house on the free market, from which you can deduct mortgage interest and other expenses. A proposal to end the tax, but also the deductions, is to go before parliament, and the government has indicated it is willing to accept the motion. Conor Lennon spoke to Patrick Zadrazil from the Swiss Property Owners Association, and began by asking him just the current system works.
Monday, 18 May, 2009
There’s good news for confused homeowners in Switzerland. The current complicated system of taxing houses is under review from the government. Currently properties are taxed based on a hypothetical amount of rent you could get from your house on the free market, from which you can deduct mortgage interest and other expenses. A proposal to end the tax, but also the deductions, is to go before parliament, and the government has indicated it is willing to accept the motion. Conor Lennon spoke to Patrick Zadrazil from the Swiss Property Owners Association, and began by asking him just the current system works.
Swiss city rents continue to climb
Tuesday, 21 April, 2009
Despite the ongoing economic slump, rental prices in Swiss cities such as Zurich and Geneva continue to climb according to new figures, with an increase of around 5% recorded around Lake Geneva and 8% in the Zurich area. Conor Lennon spoke to Fredy Hasenmaile from Credit Suisse’s real-estate department to find out why.
Tuesday, 21 April, 2009
Despite the ongoing economic slump, rental prices in Swiss cities such as Zurich and Geneva continue to climb according to new figures, with an increase of around 5% recorded around Lake Geneva and 8% in the Zurich area. Conor Lennon spoke to Fredy Hasenmaile from Credit Suisse’s real-estate department to find out why.
Luxury home sales still strong in Switzerland
Friday, 13 February, 2009
Despite record low interest rates, the housing market in Switzerland has remained pretty stable, with most people erring on the side of caution. But then the super rich are not most people, and the luxury real estate market is doing very well thank you. And yet this is one of the only countries where house prices have not taken a nose dive. Why then are world’s well-heeled lining up to buy into the market? Lucas Chambers went to find out.
Friday, 13 February, 2009
Despite record low interest rates, the housing market in Switzerland has remained pretty stable, with most people erring on the side of caution. But then the super rich are not most people, and the luxury real estate market is doing very well thank you. And yet this is one of the only countries where house prices have not taken a nose dive. Why then are world’s well-heeled lining up to buy into the market? Lucas Chambers went to find out.
'Gated communities' stir passions in Vaud
Thursday, 29 January, 2009
They’re a far cry from the electric fences of Johannesburg and the armed guards of Florida, but so-called “gated communities” have come to Switzerland.
Thursday, 29 January, 2009
They’re a far cry from the electric fences of Johannesburg and the armed guards of Florida, but so-called “gated communities” have come to Switzerland.
Foreign tenants pay higher rents than locals
Thursday, 15 January, 2009
Foreigners who rent in Zürich and Geneva are being charged up to 7 percent more than Swiss locals, according to a study by researchers at EPFL, the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, and the Higher School of Management in Geneva. Conor Lennon spoke to Philippe Thalmann from EPFL and asked him why he and his colleagues decided to carry out the study in the first place.
Thursday, 15 January, 2009
Foreigners who rent in Zürich and Geneva are being charged up to 7 percent more than Swiss locals, according to a study by researchers at EPFL, the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, and the Higher School of Management in Geneva. Conor Lennon spoke to Philippe Thalmann from EPFL and asked him why he and his colleagues decided to carry out the study in the first place.
Geneva's housing crisis: Nowhere to grow?
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
Wedged between the lake and the French border, Geneva isn’t exactly overflowing with space for new housing, but some say the will is a bigger question than the where…
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
Wedged between the lake and the French border, Geneva isn’t exactly overflowing with space for new housing, but some say the will is a bigger question than the where…
Wanted: Apartment in Geneva
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
I put out a housing ad of my own, looking for flat seekers in Geneva, and I found it all:
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
I put out a housing ad of my own, looking for flat seekers in Geneva, and I found it all:
Housing shortage? No sympathy in Zurich
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
The canton of Zurich’s vacancy rate was .61 percent as of June 1, a major decline over the previous year, but inside city limits the situation is even worse…
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
The canton of Zurich’s vacancy rate was .61 percent as of June 1, a major decline over the previous year, but inside city limits the situation is even worse…
Rents curve upward
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
Switzerland moves towards inflation-linked rental rates
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
Switzerland moves towards inflation-linked rental rates
Economy on a Rolle
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
The now-flourishing region around Lake Geneva was, in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, in a state of economic difficulty—to put it politely—so much so that in 1995 federal authorities enacted the “Bonny” decree, a package of tax breaks, loan guarantees and other inducements. The canton of Vaud provided additional incentives, and together they set the scene for a perfect pro-development storm. And gladly in its centre: the village of Rolle.
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
The now-flourishing region around Lake Geneva was, in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, in a state of economic difficulty—to put it politely—so much so that in 1995 federal authorities enacted the “Bonny” decree, a package of tax breaks, loan guarantees and other inducements. The canton of Vaud provided additional incentives, and together they set the scene for a perfect pro-development storm. And gladly in its centre: the village of Rolle.
Markets still hot under the Koller
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
High prices and a tight supply mean it’s already hard to buy the ski chalet of your dreams. Then there’s the “foreigners only” waiting list. Discrimination? Maybe. But it’s legal, thanks to yet another Swiss specificity known as “Lex Koller.”
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
High prices and a tight supply mean it’s already hard to buy the ski chalet of your dreams. Then there’s the “foreigners only” waiting list. Discrimination? Maybe. But it’s legal, thanks to yet another Swiss specificity known as “Lex Koller.”
Back to the Stadt in Basel
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
Basel Stadt (that’s German for “city”) enjoys a relatively high vacancy rate of 1.20 percent. And this urban area has become even more attractive as vacancy rates in the popular countrysides of Basel Land tumble, now at just .50 percent.
Thursday, 13 November, 2008
Basel Stadt (that’s German for “city”) enjoys a relatively high vacancy rate of 1.20 percent. And this urban area has become even more attractive as vacancy rates in the popular countrysides of Basel Land tumble, now at just .50 percent.
