Raphael Fischer competently enters a customer’s office, ready for the initial consultation. It is an important moment, because the first contact is a key moment in the context of an acquisition. “In new construction, we try to be on board as early as possible so that we are involved in the product design,” he explains. “This allows us to work closely with the developers to ensure that the product meets the target group and their requirements. Ideally, we have an influence on the floor plan, design, fit-out, technical and energy standards and pricing.” In order to develop a product that is both marketable and sellable right from the preliminary project stage, he relies on his team’s in-depth market knowledge and extensive expertise. Raphael himself ensures that the specialist knowledge is incorporated in the best possible way: “We want to provide the right input at the right time so that a product is created that meets the needs of future owners in the future,” he summarizes. What particularly fascinates him about his work is the process from the initial idea to the handover of the final apartment: “The great thing about our job is that we are part of a process in which new buildings are created that our customers ultimately call home.”

Many years of market experience

The father of two has been working at Ginesta since March 2024. His path into the real estate industry did not begin in a straight line. After an apprenticeship in an engineering office and a detour into sports marketing, his journey took him into the real estate industry – to which he has remained loyal to this day. “I’ve done everything from sales and valuations to acquisitions over the last 25 years. But I now know that acquisitions are what fascinate me the most. It’s the thrill of working with different characters, properties and new-build projects on a daily basis. Every property is unique and every person behind it is individual.” But with this fascination comes great responsibility: “Our mandates are the fuel that keeps Ginesta’s engine running. Sometimes we need patience and assertiveness without losing our instinct.”

Valuable expertise

The reasons why a property can be sold are very different. The location, the floor plan of an object, the materialization – Raphael knows them all. Why it is worth consulting a specialist when selling is obvious to him: “A new-build project is usually more complex than you think. Many questions arise: How is the right sales price determined? What is the optimal sales strategy? Which product will still work on the market in the future? What requirements does the buyer have in terms of materialization? Which aspects of the architecture are currently popular? We provide advice on all these aspects. Thanks to our knowledge and the necessary distance, we are reliable partners in planning and proven experts in sales.”

In CrossFit, just as in your job, you have to learn to manage your strength properly.

Balance for body and mind

In addition to the top-heavy challenges of his job, the sports fan is looking for a physical balance – and has found it in CrossFit. “A good friend introduced me to CrossFit over ten years ago. I’ve been fascinated by this high-intensity sport ever since.” Once five times a week, now two to three times: Raphael loves the guided classes, which are always different and push him to exhaustion. “Every workout challenges you in a different way. You learn to recognize your limits – and to go beyond them.” Or, as they say within the community: to be “ready for anything”. But for him, CrossFit is much more than just physical exercise. It is an attitude to life that also shapes his career. “In CrossFit, just like at work, you have to learn to manage your strength properly. The mindset you develop in sport also helps in your job: you don’t give up when things get challenging. You can always go one step further. This discipline and mental resilience also help me to be successful in acquisition.”

Winning and losing

Whether at work or in training – Raphael sees parallels between the two worlds. “Acquisition is often about competition. You don’t always win, and that’s what you have to be able to withstand. It’s similar in CrossFit: you’re not always the fastest or the strongest, but it’s about continuously improving.” This constant testing of limits and striving for the next success is what drives him in both areas. But for him, CrossFit is not just a one-on-one competition. The community plays a major role. “We help each other and give each other credit for our successes. I see it the same way at work.” This positive attitude characterizes his day-to-day work as well as his leisure time.

Family and sport as a source of energy

Alongside his job and CrossFit, his family is the most important pillar of Raphael’s life. With a 16-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son, he also has a full program at home. “It’s important to create islands,” he explains. “Sport is my time to recharge my batteries so that I can hit the ground running again the next day.” Despite his busy schedule, he always finds time for CrossFit – because it helps him to maintain a balance between work, family and leisure. “You learn that you are more capable than you think.”

The necessary bite

The combination of profession and hobby is reflected in his entire everyday life. Both areas are about perseverance, discipline and bite. “Sometimes an acquisition takes several months. I have to keep at it, keep reminding myself.” Whether he is acquiring a mandate or fighting his way through an intensive workout: in the end, it’s always about achieving the next goal and never giving up. “You often only realize what you’re really capable of in difficult moments. That fascinates me – in sport and at work.”

Raphael Fischer
Head of Marketing New Construction
raphael.fischer@ginesta.ch
+41 44 910 77 33