Buying land (property) in Switzerland

Accomodation, House and Garden
21
It costs 368000 CHF and you are surrounded by 14000m2 of countryside. We are probably staying in Switzerland for good, my husband relocated his business over here. We weren't going for ultra modern, we just think it would be cheaper knocking it down and build a new timber frame house that looks like a barn. Have been watching too many "Grand designs"

22
But now pretty touristic and from my experience of living in tourist hotspots, tourists can be similarly intrusive and with long lense cameras ...

23
Cantthinkofname,

The first thing you need to do is a make an appointment with the Bauamt in the community you are considering. Do not rely on anything anyone else says - what is allowed for one property may well be forbidden for another - even in the same community. Go directly to the Bauamt, make sure you are speaking to someone who has the authority to make decisions - and get everything in writing.

You will need a rough plan of what you want to do for the initial conversation. You need to understand zoning restrictions, access issues, infrastructure, etc. If you don't get an automatic 'no way no how', then you may need to invest in more detailed preliminary plans/drawings for the next conversation.

(If you are looking at a property in the agricultural zone, a read through the BGBB is in order - lots of restriction apply to agricultural land, including, in many places, the ability of a foreigner to acquire it.)

In my years long search for a suitable property, I've seen all sorts of hair-raising stuff. I've fallen in love with a few properties, only to find that zoning restrictions would make renovation or new-builds impracticable - or outright impossible. Just because a building exists does not necessarily mean that you would be allowed to re-build on that spot.

(Owners, estate agents have been known to be rather economical with the truth.)

And once you have spoken with the Gemeindebauamt, do the same with the cantonal. There are often surprises to be found there, too.

Once you have a good idea if your preliminary proposal is possible, you will need to go through the permit process. This can take a year or longer. Sometimes much longer. Expect surprises, delays, extra costs, and a few new gray hairs.

Hopefully at the end of it all you'll have your dream house. But do your research carefully before you buy, go in with your eyes - wallet - open.

Good luck!

24
Although perhaps not your initial question, you should be aware that it can cost an arm and a leg to maintain agricultural land here. Especially as you seem to be talking about a large place, 14000m2. I know some people that more or less had to sell their ag land because it was too expensive to keep and maintain. If you yourself don't plan on farming it?, you should make sure of the rules and such that need to be done to maintain the ag land. Some lease to other farmers, sometimes this can work other times not. At a minimum, the land will likely have to be cut for hay 1x or 2x per year, and likely alot more.

Also, you talk of a building a cheap timber frame house here. Please also note that depending on the building codes of the commune, this may also not be allowed, swiss like solid structures that last for years. I would also be hard-pressed to know or find some competent builders experienced with timber frame houses here. In case you were not aware, any modification, even changing the color of the paint of an existing house will require authorisation from the commune.

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Without fertilizer you wont be able to cut more than 2x for hay anyway !

26

There is certainly no shortage of fertilizer here, it gets spread regularly and the grass grows fast and furious from March to October, sometimes later... Boy does it pong I reckon they cut every 2-3 weeks on the flat and maybe 4-5 weeks on the slopes... looks good though.

27
Hi there

I'm new in the forum. Just want to learn the general rules and general rate for buying a property in Sw.

I'm planning to sell my land in Turkey and buy a place to live, in a better

country.

I've been in Switzerland a couple of times. Mainly in/around Valais/Sion. I liked the whole area very much and would love to live/work there.

I'll be glad if there's anyone to help me.

Thanks,

Aysun