The advantages of the digital broker

individuals, a sell maybe once or twice in their lives of home ownership. It goes to a lot of money. To find a good solution for many house owners, the services of brokers. According to estimates, these are involved in half of every year, around 50'000 real estate transactions in Switzerland.

But in terms of quality, price and transparency among the brokers significant differences. It is therefore advisable not to choose the first-best, but three quotes must be obtained. These include sometimes a free initial estimate for the house or the condominium. Any information about professional experience as well as references help to create a basis of trust.

transparency is important

the assessment of the offer transparency should be a criterion. This means on the one hand, transparency of costs – it is a fixed price or a Commission must be defined. On the other hand, the owner should know what the service package includes everything. And also what is not. Often charge agents, for example, the cost for ads separately – which can fall into the weight. There are providers that have a detailed real estate appraisal or home inspection with interested parties in addition.

it is also Important that Owners check before signing the contract, the exit terms and conditions. Broker contracts must be terminated and in case of dissatisfaction, the patient should also have no inhibitions to do this. The contract may, however, be noted that if the phase-out the sale cost for advertisements, or the need to Create documentation to be taken by the owner.

most of The brokers charge for their services a Commission of approximately 3% of the sale sum. For low-priced objects, the rate may even be higher. This is especially if the sale is associated with great expense, for example, due to a long Anfahrtswegs for sightseeing. Nevertheless, it is appropriate for a Commission of about 3 per cent of scepticism. It is about higher prices, are definitely lower rates in common. "In the case of a sale of the sum of 50 million Swiss francs, the Fee is usually under 1 percent," says Thomas Schneeberger from Smeyers Immobilien Management in Basel.

"50 million Swiss francs, the Fee is usually under 1 percent."Thomas Schneeberger, Smeyers Immobilien Management

In the case of a detached house for the price of 1 Million of the brokerage charged to about 30'000 Swiss francs. There are young companies that offer significantly lower prices of less than 10'000 Swiss francs. These companies also Proptechs – this is the link of the property (property) and technology.

In contrast to traditional Agents and brokers Proptechs run as many worker processes as, for example, to Create a sales documentation or reviews digitized. Instead of a Commission percentage many Proptechs charge a fixed price. Neho, with 40 employees and with branches in Lausanne and Zurich, the Swiss Start-ups of the leading providers, requires a lump sum of 9500 francs. For each apartment, the slimming Neho of the seller, additional 200 francs.

Even cheaper, the Zurich start-up companies Brixel with 3900 Swiss francs for the preparation and marketing of a property is. For more 2900 francs Brixel also takes care of the prescription, where notary fees are as usual not included.

More in real estate sales professionals Proptechs, among other things, simple house, Kiiz or Agentselly are. The Start-up Agentselly attributed to how traditional estate agents with a Commission, charged to you the buyer.

fixed price or Commission?

The success-based Commission to motivate the agents to maximise the sale price to negotiate. In addition, the broker shall bear at least part of the risk in the event that the property does not sell. To lure customers, the promise of some brokers, however, also fantasy prices that the market will bear. With the fixed price, the customer will receive more transparency and negotiating power. This is the price he has to assume with the signing of the contract for sure.

Can sell the Proptechs actually real estate to a third of the cost of traditional brokers in a legitimate manner? Heiko Packeiser, managing Director of Neho, in the German part of Switzerland, promises to be even comparatively high quality standards, and calls on interested parties to compare with offers from other brokers. Thanks to automated processes, the administrative burden will be significantly reduced, so that the professionals would have more time for personal advice, says Packeiser.

"I don't understand why a lot of brokers take advantage of new and already proven technologies, in order to increase the chances of making a sale," he adds. For example, a digital Survey of the property and a virtual tour on the sales platforms in the Proptechs today, mostly Standard, while this is the case of traditional brokers, often in vain.

"The acquisition of a property is an emotional matter."Marcel Hug, managing Director of Svit

Brixel, managing Director of the Martin Angehrn refers finally to the greater transparency: The seller could obtain on the mobile phone or on your Computer at any time via all the sale measures, while in the case of traditional brokers is often not clear whether to incur the time and type of costs for which activity.

Marcel Hug, managing Director of the umbrella Association of real estate professionals Svit, confirmed that the young competition is not appreciated everywhere. Critical objections are, for example, that the in-house evaluation would be based only on statistical data, or that an experienced real estate agent with regional roots could sell convincing. "The acquisition of a property is an emotional affair – because of training, experience and local knowledge, which do not have the Proptechs often help," he explains.

Thomas Schneeberger from Smeyers, have no fear of contact with digital technology. "There are new Tools that facilitate our work, and we need to be open," he says.

Without support

The new, digital offerings are certainly worth considering and cost-effective Option. There are exceptions, possibly, in the case of luxury real estate or special items, the purchase of which is linked, for example, with a consuming tag.

And who is not afraid of the effort, can sell his residential property, finally, also without any external support. The legal part of the prescription is to manage for laymen in the simple, because with standardized contracts being worked on. In addition, land registry offices and notaries to answer, depending on the Region of the open-ended questions.

Created: 08.12.2019, 17:06 PM