How do I correctly submit a purchase offer for a property?

The path to success: content and strategy

1. The basis: financing before the offer

Before you sit down at your desk to write your property purchase offer, you need to have done your homework at the bank. An offer without financial backing is worthless.

Be sure to include a confirmation of financing or a proof of feasibility from your bank with your property purchase offer. This signals to the seller: "This prospective buyer not only wants to buy, they can also do so." In practice, offers without this proof are often not even presented to the owner. With a bank stamp, the property purchase offer immediately appears binding and serious.

2. Form and content: What should be included?

A purchase offer for a property is not subject to any strict legal formal requirements, but should be made in writing (as a PDF by email or letter). A verbal offer is too fleeting.

A complete offer to purchase a property contains the following points:

• Your personal details: Full name, current address, nationality (important for newcomers due to Lex Koller).
• The property: Exact address of the property.
• The price: Your offered purchase price in Swiss francs.
• Financing: Reference to the enclosed bank confirmation.
• Timetable: When would you be ready for the notarisation and move-in?
• Reservations: Are there any conditions (e.g. "subject to structural inspection")? Caution: Too many conditions weaken your purchase offer.

3. The pricing strategy: How much should I offer?

The most difficult part of making an offer on a property is the number itself. Should you undercut, pay the list price or go above it?

• Underbidding: Only makes sense if the property has been on the market for a long time or is in need of renovation. A purchase offer below market price in a hot location usually leads to immediate rejection.
• List price: Often the safest strategy in a normal market.
• Outbid: In metropolitan areas such as Zurich or Geneva, the asking price is often just the starting point. Here, a purchase offer that is slightly above the guide price can give you a decisive advantage.

Use your bank's valuation as a guide. If your purchase offer deviates significantly from the bank's valuation, you will have to cover the difference from your own funds.

4. The personal factor: the letter of motivation

Emotions are increasingly becoming the deciding factor. Private sellers who have lived in a house for decades want to know that their home is going to a good home.

Supplement your factual purchase offer with a short, personal cover letter. Tell them who you are and why the house is perfect for you.

• "We are looking for a place where our children can play in the garden..."

Sentences like these can tip the scales in favour of your purchase offer for a property, even if the price is the same. The property business is also a human business.

5. Speed and validity

Sellers don't like uncertainty. Include a validity period in your purchase offer. A time frame of 3 to 5 days is common. This shows seriousness, but does not put the seller under too much pressure.

Submit your purchase offer promptly after viewing the property. Waiting for weeks signals disinterest or uncertainty.

6. Special considerations for newcomers

If you are new to Switzerland, you should clarify your residence status in your purchase offer.

• EU/EFTA (B/C permit): Mention that you are treated as an equal and do not need a permit under Lex Koller. This will alleviate the seller's fears of bureaucratic hurdles.
• Third countries: Before submitting your offer to purchase a property, clarify whether you need a permit and communicate this transparently.

7. What happens after submission?

After you have sent the purchase offer for the property, there are three scenarios:

• Acceptance: Congratulations! The next step is usually the reservation agreement and a deposit.
• Rejection: Politely ask for the reason. Was the price in the purchase offer too low? This will help you next time.
• Counteroffer/bidding process: The estate agent will inform you that there are higher bids. Now you have to decide whether to improve your purchase offer for the property. Stay rational and know your absolute limit.

8. Legal binding

Important to know: In Switzerland (unlike in some other countries), a written purchase offer for a property is not usually legally binding for the transfer of ownership. The purchase of real estate must be notarised.

Nevertheless, a purchase offer for a property is a moral and commercial obligation. If you withdraw without good reason after the seller has turned away other interested parties, you could be held liable for breach of trust (culpa in contrahendo), even if this is rarely enforced. So only make a purchase offer for a property if you are 100% serious about it.

Conclusion

A successful offer to purchase a property is more than just a figure sent by email. It is a professional dossier that combines financial security (bank reference), commitment and sympathy. In a competitive market, the winner is often the person who offers the seller the best overall package in terms of price and uncomplicated processing.

Analyse the market, know your limits and package your property purchase offer in a way that inspires confidence. If you are well prepared, there is no need to fear this step.

Use the Loft platform to analyse your market opportunities and prepare your offer professionally.

Glossary

• Property purchase offer: A written declaration of intent by a prospective buyer to purchase a property at a certain price and under certain conditions.
• Financing confirmation: A document from the bank that accompanies the property purchase offer and proves that the buyer has the necessary funds.
• Lex Koller: A law that restricts the purchase of real estate by persons abroad. Important for newcomers when formulating the purchase offer for real estate.
• Reservation agreement: The step that often follows an accepted property purchase offer. Here, the property is secured for the buyer in return for a deposit.
• Bidding process: A process in which, after several offers have been received, the purchase offer for the property is often revised several times until the highest price is reached.