What exactly happens during the notary appointment when purchasing a home?

The chronology of the purchase: step by step through the appointment

understand the process of a notary appointment , it's helpful to break it down into phases. The appointment itself usually only lasts 45 to 60 minutes, but it is the result of weeks of preparation.

Phase 1: Preparation before the big day

The process for the notary appointment actually begins weeks in advance. Based on the information provided by the buyer and seller, the notary drafts a purchase agreement.

• The review: You will receive this draft for review. This is a critical part of the notary appointment process , even if it takes place at home. Read everything carefully. Are the parcel numbers correct? Are the easements (rights of way, utility easements) listed correctly?
• Correction: If you have questions, clarify them before the appointment. The actual process of a notary appointment is not intended for renegotiating the price or overturning fundamental contract terms. A smooth notary appointment requires that there is agreement upon entering the room.

Phase 2: Arrival and formalities

On the day itself, the buyer, seller and the notary meet in the office (official notary's office or freelance notary, depending on the canton).

• Identification: The first step in the notary appointment process is verifying your identity. Don't forget your passport or ID card. Without identification, the appointment process will be stopped immediately.
• The atmosphere: The notary appointment is conducted in a formal and businesslike manner. It is no longer a sales pitch. The notary acts neutrally and is not permitted to favor either party.

Phase 3: The Reading – The Heart of the Matter

Now the central act in the notary appointment begins : the reading of the document.

The notary reads the contract aloud, word for word. This may seem old-fashioned, but it is required by law.

• Ensuring understanding: A good notary interrupts the proceedings of a notary appointment at complex points to explain legal Latin.
• Last chance: This is the final moment in the notary appointment process to raise objections or clarify any ambiguities. If the contract states "The property will be transferred free of encumbrances," but the notary mentions an old mortgage held by the seller, you must intervene immediately. The notary appointment process allows for questions, but changes will delay the process.

Phase 4: The signing (commitment agreement)

Following the reading of the document, the signing takes place at the notary appointment .

• The order is as follows: First the buyer and seller sign, then the notary.
• The significance: With this step in the notary appointment process , the "binding agreement" is concluded. You have committed to paying the price, and the seller has committed to delivering the house.
• The myth: Many people believe that signing the contract at the notary appointment means they own the house immediately. This is incorrect. You only become the owner once the property is registered in the land register. The notary appointment procedure usually stipulates that the notary is authorized to make this registration with the land registry office ("transfer of ownership").

Phase 5: Securing payment

How is payment made? Nobody brings a suitcase full of money to the notary appointment .

• The payment promise: Since you only want to pay when you are the owner, and the seller only wants to transfer ownership when he sees money, the notary appointment process uses a bridge: the irrevocable payment promise from your bank.
• The exchange: During the notary appointment, you (or your bank directly) hand over this document to the notary. It guarantees the seller that the money will be transferred as soon as the land registry entry is completed. Without this document, the notary appointment cannot proceed .

Phase 6: Benefits and Risks (Handover of Keys)

A frequently confusing aspect of the notary appointment process is the transfer of "benefit and risk".

• The separation: Often, the notary appointment (certification) and the move-in date (acquisition of possession) do not fall on the same day.
• The agreement: The contract specifies when the keys will be handed over (e.g., only after payment has been received or on the 1st of the following month). The notary appointment therefore only establishes the legal basis; the physical move-in follows later. From the date of possession (benefit and risk), you are then also responsible for insurance and damages.

Regional differences in the procedure for notary appointments

Switzerland is a federal state. The procedure for a notary appointment varies:

• Public notary (e.g., Zurich, Schaffhausen): Here, the notary is a civil servant. Notary appointments take place in government offices.
• Independent notaries (e.g., Bern, Aargau, Basel): Here, notaries are self-employed professionals. You can freely choose your notary. Scheduling appointments with a notary is often more flexible.

notary appointment procedure remains the same due to federal law (Swiss Civil Code/Swiss Code of Obligations).

Conclusion

The question "How exactly does the notary appointment proceed?" can be answered as follows: It is a highly formalized administrative act that provides security. The notary appointment process transforms your assets into real estate and the seller into a creditor.

Don't be intimidated by the formality of the notary appointment . Prepare by carefully reviewing the draft. Ensure your bank's payment guarantee arrives on time, as this is essential for the appointment process to proceed smoothly . While you may not have a key in hand when you leave the room, you'll have something far more important: legal certainty that the house will be yours once the notary submits the application to the land registry.

If you want to better understand the draft contract before the notary appointment or need checklists for the documents, Loft offers comprehensive resources to help you prepare optimally.

Glossary

• Procedure for a notary appointment: The legally prescribed procedure (reading out, signature) for the public notarization of a real estate purchase.
• Public notarization: The formal confirmation of the purchase agreement by a notary public. Without this step in the notary appointment process , the purchase is invalid.
• Contractual obligation: The part of the process, the notary appointment , in which the parties contractually bind themselves (signature).
• Irrevocable payment promise: A guarantee letter from the bank, which is handed over at the notary appointment and secures the payment of the purchase price after registration in the land register.
• Benefit and risk: The point in time at which profit (benefit) and risk (danger) transfer to the buyer. This is contractually fixed during the notary appointment .