Owning your own home in the heart of the Bernese Alps is a lifelong dream for many. The region around Grindelwald not only offers spectacular natural scenery, but also a high quality of life, stable property values, and attractive leisure opportunities. However, buying property is more than just an emotional decision – it requires expertise, planning, and legal clarity.
We support you in taking this step safely and with expert guidance – with a comprehensive service that focuses on your needs.
Our Services For Your Real Estate Purchase
✔ Individual consultation & needs analysis
Together, we clarify your wishes, your budget, and your priorities—so that you find exactly the right property for you.
✔ Organization of viewings & location advice
We show you suitable properties and advise you on location, infrastructure, leisure activities, and long-term potential.
✔ Support with financing & ancillary purchase costs
We help you with mortgage planning and give you an overview of all relevant costs – from notary fees to insurance.
✔ Legal & tax support
We check ownership structures, building regulations, the Second Homes Act and assist you with contract processing.
✔ Advice on conversion & renovation
With our partner GRIWA ARCHITEKTUR AG, we support you with conversion ideas and their implementation.
✔ Smooth handover
We take care of all formalities – including key inventory, changes, and documentation.
Be Well-Prepared for Your Property Purchase – How to Make the Right Decision!
These five points will help you to clarify your priorities and make an informed decision about buying your dream property in Grindelwald & the Bernese Oberland.
- What is my budget for the purchase, including ongoing costs such as taxes, maintenance, and additional expenses?
- What type of property do I want to buy? Do I prefer an apartment, a chalet, or a single-family home?
- What features are important to me, such as the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, balconies, and storage space?
- What are my priorities regarding location, such as proximity to schools, shops, and public transportation?
- Which leisure activities and amenities do I want nearby, such as skiing, hiking, or swimming?
Once you have clearly defined your needs and desires for your dream property, you can contact a professional to present you with suitable available listings.
To gain a comprehensive impression during a viewing and gather all relevant information, you can use our checklist to ensure you ask the right questions.
If you are considering purchasing a property, it is essential to thoroughly understand the various aspects of a mortgage. This guide outlines the five most important points to consider when applying, along with useful tips for a successful application.
- Choose a bank with extensive knowledge of the regional real estate market to gain valuable insights into local trends, prices, and the best support in selecting the right mortgage loan.
- Creditworthiness: Banks assess an applicant’s creditworthiness before approving a mortgage. Ensure that you have sufficient collateral and a positive credit history.
- Proof of income: Banks require documentation of monthly income and other assets. Make sure you have all necessary documents ready.
- Type of mortgage: Research the different types of mortgages and determine which one best suits your needs.
- Interest rates and fees: Compare the offers from different banks in the region regarding conditions to find the best deal.
When buying a property in the Canton of Bern, the following additional costs may apply:
- Notary and land registry fees: These cover the legal processing of the purchase and the registration in the land registry. They amount to approximately 1% of the purchase price.
- Property transfer tax: This cantonally levied sales tax applies when purchasing real estate. In the Canton of Bern, it amounts to approximately 8% of the purchase price.
- Insurance costs: A building liability and household insurance policy is recommended to protect your investment. Building insurance is mandatory in the Canton of Bern.
- Financing costs: When taking out a loan, interest and fees may apply, which vary depending on the canton and individual situation. It is essential to clarify these costs early and factor them into your budget planning.
When purchasing a property, various legal aspects must be considered, including:
- Ownership status and land registry: Ownership details and land registry entries should be carefully reviewed.
- Building and usage restrictions: It is important to be aware of any restrictions regarding construction and property use.
- Building rights issues: Existing building rights and obligations must be clarified.
- Purchase contract: A written purchase contract serves as the legal foundation of the transaction and should be precisely formulated.
A thorough understanding of these aspects is crucial to ensuring a smooth and legally secure property purchase.
In addition to general legal regulations, Switzerland has specific laws governing the purchase of second homes, as outlined in the Second Home Law. This law:
- Limits the number of second homes allowed per municipality,
- Defines the conditions for acquisition,
- Regulates rental conditions for tourists, and
- Determines taxation for such properties.
Buyers should familiarize themselves with the Second Home Law early on to ensure a legally compliant and smooth acquisition.
The handover of a property is a crucial step that ensures both buyer and seller are aware of their rights and obligations. To ensure a smooth process, the following points should be considered:
- Condition of the property: Generally, the principle “sold as seen” applies, meaning the property is handed over in the condition it was in at the time of purchase unless otherwise agreed.
- New build vs. existing property: The handover process varies depending on the type of property. For new builds, some work may still be incomplete, while older properties may require repairs or renovations.
- Key inventory: A complete key inventory ensures that the buyer has unrestricted access to the property.
- Ownership transfer and administrative adjustments: The handover includes the land registry update, officially listing the buyer as the new owner. Additionally, ownership should be reported to the municipality, tourism administration, electricity provider, insurance companies, and property management, if applicable.
Careful planning and consideration of these aspects helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures a secure property handover.
Second Home Law – What Does This Mean For Buyers in Grindelwald?
Grindelwald is one of the municipalities with a high proportion of second homes. This means that special rules apply here for the construction and use of real estate.
The most important points in brief:
- New second homes may no longer be approved if the proportion in the municipality exceeds 20% – which is the case in Grindelwald.
- Existing second homes (known as ‘old law’ homes, approved before March 2012) may continue to be sold, rented out and, under certain conditions, even extended or rebuilt.
What is a primary residence – and why is it important?
In Grindelwald, new buildings must contain a minimum of 35% primary residences. These are intended for people who live permanently in the municipality and have their main residence there.
For buyers, this means:
- Not every property can be used as a second home.
- In new buildings, part of the space must be reserved for primary residence purposes.
- The municipality checks each project to ensure that the requirements are met.
Lex Koller – Property purchase for non-residents
The Lex Koller regulates whether and under what conditions non-residents may purchase property in Switzerland.
Briefly explained:
- Non-residents may only purchase property under certain conditions.
- The purchase of holiday homes is possible in tourist regions such as Grindelwald – but requires authorisation.
- Those who live in Switzerland and hold a B or C residence permit may usually purchase a property as their main residence.
- Inheritances are exempt from the regulation.
Our tip: clarify what is possible at an early stage
The rules surrounding primary and secondary residences are complex – especially in the case of new buildings or conversions. We would be happy to advise you individually and help you find the right property – legally compliant and sustainable.
Find Your Dream Property With Clarity and Confidence
Buying property in the Bernese Oberland is an investment in quality of life – whether as a primary residence, holiday home or capital investment. With our experience, our network and our local roots, we ensure that you not only find the right property, but also that the entire process is stress-free and legally secure.
Whether you already have specific ideas or just want to get your bearings – we are here for you.
