New site management for Ginesta Horgen

Dear Sarah, how are you today?

I’m doing very well, thank you for asking. And above all, I’m very motivated to contribute my strengths here in my own way. It’s a steep pass and also a nice vote of confidence from the management, which I now want to turn into measurable success.

That sounds like a breath of fresh air. Is this really necessary?

I am taking over from Sarina Candinas with an excellent office and a great and experienced team. Both Beatrice Knapp and Xenia Schneider have been with Ginesta for years. I have also been with the company for a year and a half. Another positive aspect is that Sarina will remain with the company and take on a new role in investment properties and apartment buildings. In this way, the know-how will remain, but such targeted changes will provide new impetus in key positions.   

What new impulses do you want to set? Where is the journey going?

My focus will be on strengthening and updating Ginesta’s profile in the region, both among our target groups and external influencers. With a clear picture of our qualities and our capabilities. Because the starting position today is very different in various areas than it was twelve years ago. And I see it as my task, as a brand ambassador for the region, to communicate the clear advantages of working with us. A collaboration that puts the customer and their needs at the center of everything we do, and we use specially developed digital tools to focus our thoughts and actions entirely on meeting their wishes and requirements.

What exactly do you mean by the changed starting position?

Firstly, with the offices opening in Zurich and Pfäffikon SZ on the Silver and Platinum Coasts in 2022, we now have a clearly defined region where we used to operate as far as the city of Zurich and the canton of Schwyz. This allows us to concentrate much more on market development and networking between Kilchberg and Wädenswil. Secondly, this region has developed strongly and has become increasingly attractive to a wealthy clientele that previously might only have considered the Gold Coast as a possible place to live. The good connections, especially to the highway network, significantly shorter distances to the mountains, to the south, to central and western Switzerland, low tax rates and in some cases spectacular lake views have created a new dynamic in the upmarket segment that is set to continue. In addition to the brokerage of down-to-earth properties for the middle class, a large market for premium properties has opened up with a discerning group of sellers and buyers, which we at Ginesta know how to serve in a traditionally competent, discreet and, as already mentioned, exceptionally customer-oriented manner. Thirdly, with the growth of recent years, Ginesta has been able to create the specialist positions required for this demanding market development and raise the level of advice to a new level, from acquisition to marketing and from the valuation desk to new-build expertise.

How did you prepare for this challenging task?

That happened all by itself (laughs). Because I’ve been working in Real Estate marketing for just over ten years now – and I’m passionate about it. Combined with my penchant for interior design and interior architecture as well as my good instinct for marketing and customer advice, I have developed the ideal basis for successfully bringing sales negotiations to a conclusion. It was therefore easy for me to put a lot of energy and heart and soul into my training in real estate and brand management as well as my jobs in marketing. The fact that I also have a great passion for travel and languages, and have completed language courses in America and French-speaking Switzerland as well as Italian language courses, all plays into my hands for the task ahead. Last but not least, I have gotten to know and love the Ginesta philosophy since April 2022, first as a Senior Real Estate Marketer and then as Deputy Head of the Premium Segment. Everything is right for me here. On the one hand, I can develop very freely, and on the other, I can count on an internal network of expertise that you won’t find anywhere else so quickly.

You seem to be able to manage your strength well. Do you have any reserves left?

Yes, there is still a lot of energy left. And I already know how I’m going to use it. As a native of Central Switzerland with many years of experience in the Zug region, I am planning to expand the Horgen market area in this direction. We have already successfully brokered the first properties behind the Zimmerberg.

Thank you very much, Sarah, for this pleasant and inspiring conversation. We wish you and your team every success.