The brokerage service is holding up well locally against 'low-cost' options that are appearing on the market. Alain and Alexandre Auberson, brokers at Burnier & Cie SA, explain why this might be.
First of all, it’s important to emphasise that Switzerland is a small market, in comparison to other countries where cut-price sales services might work.
Swiss professionals in the property sector have always prided themselves on providing a wraparound service for complete customer satisfaction. They think of a property transaction as a major life event for the vendor and the buyer in which both must be fully satisfied.
It is also true that bricks and mortar still enjoy a particularly solid reputation in Switzerland despite international economic instability and the recent rise in interest rates. This is mainly due to the fact that customers are looking for a safe investment. As such, they have historically wanted to work with reliable estate agencies. And brokers play an indispensable role with these clients who are looking for a high-quality service. They are the guarantors of a sound and secure transaction with high added value.
Swiss citizens understand the importance of being advised by an expert capable of taking charge of the entire sales process: providing an impartial estimate, advising buyers according to their objective - whether it be conservation, sale to third parties, or for inheritance purposes – managing the documents for the transaction, going with the client to the notary and supporting them until the final signature on the dotted line.
Services that advertise themselves as “low cost” will inevitably be part of the landscape in the future, but can never replace traditional brokerage. They just don't cater to the same clientele. Entrusting your property or your search for a property to a professional broker is undoubtedly the only way to guarantee a personalised and profitable transaction which meets the expectations of all parties.
Nowadays people are getting used to everything being online, but a digital transaction can never replace dealing with a human being. For this reason, the Swiss property sector will hold onto its valuable brokers for a long time to come.
Burnier & Cie SA
Rue César-Soulié – 1260 Nyon
Tél. : 022 360 90 90
www.burnier.ch