The property market represents a sizeable economic force in Switzerland.

In an era when so much business is now automated, national real estate businesses are taking full advantage of digital technology while ensuring they are more attentive than ever to the needs of their Swiss clients, who are used to impeccable service and wraparound care from experts in the sector.

However, in recent years we have also seen the emergence of startups that rely exclusively on property technology, or 'proptech', and which market themselves as facilitators or accelerators of real estate transactions using digital tools such as virtual tours or estimating property values using algorithms.

While this technology is undoubtedly exciting and innovative for some clients, it can seem threatening when the property sector becomes an attractive target for all kinds of investors who are focused exclusively on financial gain.

Switzerland is a small market compared to the United States, where this emerging trend began. But with the digitalisation of the real estate business - an inevitable change that is affecting all sectors - our experts, known the world over for their skill when it comes to customer satisfaction and support from the start to finish of a transaction, are taking a long, hard look at the advantages promised by proptech startups. It’s true to say that property developers seem to be less threatened by this trend; since they are in charge of production, they can’t be cut out of the loop.

It’s also worth remembering that even if smart real estate does become a reality in Switzerland, it can’t remove people from the market entirely, and our key players in the property world promise they will always be there to support future generations!

Mokhtar Rekhis
Publishing director