Illusion No. 1: All real estate agents actually do the same job!

Fundamentals of the brokerage business

Whether buying or selling a property—the interests of sellers and buyers could not be more at odds. The buyer’s goal is to purchase their desired property at the lowest possible price; the seller, on the other hand, seeks to obtain the highest possible price for their property. Given the regional variations in how the market operates—but above all because of the ever-increasing complexity of the Real Estate market—it is worthwhile for both potential buyers and sellers to consult a professional. Even those who set out to find a home on their own and think they can manage without professional guidance will inevitably have to deal with a real estate agent once they’ve found a suitable property and want more detailed information. It’s no coincidence that more and more sellers are seeking the advice of a trained real estate professional. Successful sales require a high level of expertise and experience. Anyone looking to sell a property today—especially in the high-end market—is well advised to enlist the help of a qualified professional who possesses knowledge of, for example, construction engineering, civil and real estate law, tax and rental law, as well as civil law (condominium ownership and inheritance law) and insurance matters. In addition to the technical expertise that distinguishes a professional real estate advisor, the seller benefits not least from the significant time savings, as they do not have to deal with all the crucial details themselves.

The services for the seller include:

• Assessment and valuation of the property.
• Setting a realistic selling price.
• Preparation of professional and detailed sales documentation for prospective buyers (or their lending bank).
• Organization/execution of property inspections.
• Conducting negotiations with interested buyers.
• Preparation/drafting of a purchase agreement.
• Advice on real estate-related issues (e.g., tax implications of Sales).
• Organization of a notarization and transfer of ownership.

This is where we differ from other brokers!

1. many years of experience and expertise.

• We have been in business since 1944 and have facilitated over 3,000 successful sales transactions.
• We currently employ over 20 people, of which we have the following specialist qualifications: 3 certified real estate trustees, 2 certified administrators, 4 certified marketers, 3 employees in training (estate agents, valuers, administrators), 1 certified valuer.

2. professional real estate agents with a seal of approval

Ginesta Immobilien is a member of the SVIT professional association and the Swiss Chamber of Real Estate Agents. For international client needs, we have joined Leading Real Estate Companies of the World www.leadingre.com, the world’s largest independent real estate brokerage association. LeadingRe offers with www.luxuryportfolio.com the largest international marketplace for real estate over $ 1 million. We market your property for you free of charge on this marketplace in English and with a video film. Luxury Portfolio has several cooperations, including with Wall Street Journal Europe and youtube.com. Here our clients benefit from cost-effective international advertisements.

3. modern IT infrastructure

It’s truly unbelievable how many real estate agents still use MS Excel® and MS Word® and manage their client contacts carelessly. We have one of the most advanced Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, tailored specifically to our real estate business, which enables comprehensive reporting on all client contacts and activities. At the very latest when Sales prove more difficult than expected, our clients want transparency regarding the Sales activities to date. We can offer you a very comprehensive and professional feedback system here, both for Sales and for initial lease agreements.

4 The broker as advisor

The direct path doesn’t always lead to the goal! A real estate agent should be straightforward with you and not give you false hopes. Often, properties for sale must first be properly prepared for the market by a consultant. You’ve come to the right place. We offer the following consulting services before and after the Sales:

Before Sales/Rental

• Collaboration on utilization studies and architectural competitions
• Prior realistic price estimate and owner consultation on utilization mix, property type and construction costs.
• Floor plan optimization proposals
• Parceling concepts and establishment of condominium ownership
• Preparation of Professional Sales Documentation
• Organization of the notarization/transfer of ownership

After Sales

• Property gains tax declaration
• Searching for a new home or rental property

5. The broker shares in the sales risk

As real estate agents, we operate under the principle of success-based compensation. Our success fees for sales or leasing transactions are transaction-based and are payable only upon successful completion of the transaction. For some time now, we have also been offering incentive models upon request, should you wish to have the real estate agent share financially in the proceeds of the sale. We would be happy to provide you with a customized offer.

PDF Illusion No. 1

Author: Claude Ginesta

Claude A. Ginesta is a Swiss-certified real estate trustee and CEO/owner of Ginesta Immobilien AG.
The company was founded in 1944 and specializes in real estate sales in the Zurich and Graubünden regions. For properties of supraregional significance, the company operates as a real estate broker throughout Switzerland via its branches in Küsnacht, Horgen, and Chur.
 

Publisher of the Illusions series: Ginesta Immobilien AG, www.ginesta.ch