Prices for single-family homes rise sharply – condominiums and rents take a breather

April brought sharp price increases for single-family homes. On the other hand, prospective buyers of condominiums can breathe a sigh of relief as prices eased. There was also an easing in the asking prices for rental flats.

At the beginning of the second quarter, the market for single-family homes is once again consistently dynamic. With an increase of 1,2%, sellers of houses significantly raised their price expectations in April. This is shown by the latest evaluation of the Swiss Real Estate Offer Index, which is compiled by the SMG Swiss Marketplace Group in collaboration with the property consultancy IAZI. So far, the high price level and strict financing guidelines of recent years have led to a decline in transaction volumes in the single-family home segment. On the other hand, the listing period has been extended in many places as part of the sales process. Accordingly, the majority of asking prices have been trending sideways for some time.

However, the start of spring is now bringing new momentum: “At this time of year, more properties are traditionally advertised, which increases the supply,” says Martin Waeber, Managing Director Real Estate at SMG Swiss Marketplace Group. “Although the dream of owning a home is still widespread among the population, prospective buyers have become more selective. Whether the higher asking prices can actually be realised remains to be seen,” says Martin Waeber.

In contrast to single-family homes, the years-long boom in condominiums appears to have taken a temporary breather. In April, asking prices in this segment fell by 1,2%. Compared to the previous year, the increase in value was therefore 1,1%, which corresponds to the lowest annual growth rate since the beginning of 2020.

Tenants can breathe a little easier in their search for a rental flat
Tenants looking for a rental flat can breathe a little easier at the moment. Advertised rents fell slightly in April. Despite the 0,2% decline in advertised rents compared to the previous month, there was still an increase of an impressive 2,7% over the course of the year.

In regional terms, the sharpest falls in rents in April were in Eastern Switzerland (-1,3%) and Central Switzerland (-1,0%). However, Ticino (-0,7%) and the Central Plateau region (-0,4%) also recorded below-average development. On the other hand, there is no sign of a slowdown in the cantons of Zurich (-0,1%), Northwestern Switzerland (+0,3%) and the Lake Geneva region (+0,4%).

As at 30 April 2024

The Swiss Real Estate Offer Index is published on the ImmoScout24 and IAZI AG websites.

www.immoscout24.ch/immobilienindex
www.iazi.ch/angebotsindizes

Detailed information and statistics about the overall Swiss trend and those in the various regions are available in the Download section.

Rental offers throughout Switzerland (CHF/m2 per year) 

 Offers to buy detached houses throughout Switzerland (CHF/m2)

 Condominiums for sale throughout Switzerland (CHF/m2)

 The values may contain rounding differences.