Avoid unpleasant surprises Home purchase checklist: key information at a glance

As well as realizing the dream of owning your own home, the decision to purchase a house or an apartment is also an important way of providing for your retirement.

Our checklist covers the most important things you should consider when buying a home: financing, choice of property and location.

Whether buying a property is worthwhile depends heavily on the market environment. Two factors are decisive: the level of interest rates and real estate prices. When interest rates are low, buyers can more easily afford the larger mortgages that come with high real estate prices. Conversely, buying a property when interest rates are high can still make sense, provided it is comparatively cheap.

Find out in detail what costs you will incur when buying a home, your financing options and which expenses are tax-deductible.

If you plan on taking out a mortgage, you should have at least 20% of the purchase price as equity. A financial cushion to cover unexpected expenses is also recommended.

Certain costs, e.g., for insurance, maintenance and renovation work, are tax-deductible. With good planning and the right financing, there is nothing to stop you buying a home. Our checklist will help you consider all the key aspects.

When looking for a suitable home, you should ask yourself the following questions: How big does the house or apartment need to be? How many rooms and how much total space do you need? Is there a place to park your car or motorcycle? Would you like to have a garden? Do you want to live in the city center, the suburbs or in the countryside? What sort of infrastructure is available at your preferred location? Are there stores and schools nearby? And what about healthcare?

Property location

Location is one of the most important criteria when purchasing a property. It determines not just the price but whether it will increase in value in future. Find out exactly about the location, infrastructure and neighborhood.

Infrastructure

How important is proximity to the center, distance to stores, the nearest bus stop or playground?

Neighborhood

Who lives in the neighborhood? Families with children or mainly older people? Think about how important the neighborhood is to you and clarify in advance whether you would feel happy and safe there.

Choice of municipality

Have you already thought about what it would be like to live in the new municipality? Before moving, check for tax implications as well as other factors such as the age and income distribution of the population and the unemployment rate. You can also find out in advance what clubs and associations exist in the area.

Condition and renovation

In what condition is the property? What renovation work will you need to carry out and which rooms will need to be refurbished at some point? If you want to buy an older house, you should work out the renovation costs first and clarify how you can save on taxes in the process.

Check documents and contractors

Especially if the desired property is still being built, you must check that the contractors are trustworthy. You should make sure you know what your rights are in the event of construction defects. Contractually agree that any defects will be remedied promptly by the relevant company. Read through all the important documents carefully and have them checked by a professional if necessary. These include the purchase contract as well as the building description, floor plans and, in the case of a condominium, all of the documents relating to condominium ownership.

Additional costs when buying a property

When buying a property, the ancillary purchase costs must be taken into account, in addition to the actual purchase price. These costs can vary considerably, depending on the canton. You should estimate in advance what amounts will be incurred for notary fees, property transfer taxes, land registry fees and, if applicable, brokerage fees.

What happens after signing the contract? Payment is usually made immediately after the contract has been signed before the notary. The keys are also handed over at this stage. The purchase is completed as soon as the transfer of ownership is recorded in the land registry. This is also handled by the notary.

Once the keys have been handed over, there’s now nothing to stop you moving into your new home. Before doing so, you should first inspect it carefully and record its condition and any defects. Check in particular whether anything has changed since you viewed it. Should you discover any deliberately concealed defects, seek legal advice immediately. Although the seller is liable for any defects for two years, you should act quickly because of the burden of proof. You can demand they remedy the problem; theoretically, a reduction in the purchase price is also possible. Canceling the purchase is only rarely possible and in extreme cases.

For many people, buying a home is the most important financial decision of their lives. To reduce risks and prevent unpleasant surprises, you should think through every step carefully. When viewing the property, pay particular attention to construction defects that could cost you dearly further down the line. Study the purchase contract in detail and don’t be afraid to have any unclear passages explained to you. Also check the financial situation and trustworthiness of your contractors, especially if the property has not been built yet.

With the help of our checklist and thorough research on the subject of buying a house, there is now nothing to stand between you and your dream of owning your own home.