A comparison of the Swiss auction market: Where buyers will benefit the most in 2024
July 21, 2025
While the classic real estate market continues to suffer from supply shortages and high prices in many regions, foreclosures offer smart entry opportunities. A look at the current market reports from 2021-2024 shows where and why buyers have particularly good chances this year.
1 | National Overview, consistently high volume despite fewer appointments
| Year | Number of Auctions | Total Volume (Million CHF) | Monthly Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 854 | ≈ 904 | 71 |
| 2022 | 622 | ≈ 744 | 52 |
| 2023 | 644 | ≈ 561 | 54 |
| 2024 | 610 | ≈ 671 | 51 |
The lower number of appointments compared to 2021 is overcompensated by higher-value properties, and the 2024 volume is nearly 20% above the previous year.
2 | Ranking 2024, cantons with the highest buyer leverage
2.1 Auctions per 100,000 inhabitants
| Canton | Cases / 100,000 Inhabitants | Why this is important |
|---|---|---|
| Ticino (TI) | 32.6 | Highest supply, vacation home focus, and low bidder density outside of the season. |
| Jura (JU) | 17.8 | Very low market values, ideal for a buy-to-let-entry. |
| Valais (VS) | 15.9 | Tourism upside, strong chalet segment. |
| Solothurn (SO) | 15.6 | Central location (Zurich-Bern-Basel axis) and low renovation costs. |
| Glarus (GL) | 12.2 | Niche market with above-average discounts. |
Source: Market Report 2024
2.2 Absolute leaders by number of cases
- Ticino: 114 auctions (18% of all appointments)
- Vaud: 77 auctions (Link to VD)
- Bern: 68 auctions (Link to BE)
Even if the number of cases is high, this does not necessarily mean more competition, cantons with a high tourist share (TI, VD, VS) traditionally show a fragmented demand.
3 | Property mix, where are the margins?
3.1 Distribution 2024
- Residential houses: 256 properties (42%)
- Condos: 204 properties (33%)
- Real estate: 52 properties (9%)
- Other categories (commercial, multi-family homes, villas, etc.): 16%
Market Report 2024, p. 6 ff.
3.2 Average market values 2024
| Property Type | Avg. Value (Thousand CHF) |
|---|---|
| Villa | 3,920 |
| Residential/Commercial Building | 1,820 |
| Multi-family House | 1,590 |
| Commercial Object | 1,451 |
| Residential House | 1,110 |
| Condominium | 740 |
| Real Estate | 164 |
Source: Table “Average Market Value by Property Type,” Market Report 2024.
“83% of all condominiums and 75% of all residential houses were listed in 2022 with a market value of less than 1 million CHF.”
This price cap upwards limits risk, makes financing easier, and allows private bidders to compete against professional investors.
4 | Seasonal timing advantages
- Spring (March & June): around 75 appointments each, top selection but more co-bidders.
- Summer slump (July): only 19 appointments, minimal competition, huge bargain potential.
- Autumn (October): 62 appointments, last chance before the year's end, often motivated creditors to sell.
Source: Time series 2023 & 2024.
5 | Practical examples, how different buyer types benefit
Small Investor < 1 Million CHF
- 2-room condominium in Thurgau (TG) → Avg. market value 380 thousand CHF (2023), bidding start 253 thousand CHF.
- Single-family house in Jura with market value 135 thousand CHF (2023), ideal for fix & flip.
Family Office
6 | Why auctions are often the better choice
- Starting price: The initial call is legally set at ⅔ of the market value.
- Transparency: Foreclosure offices publish appraisals & land register sheets for free.
- Predictability: Fixed date, clear payment plan (10% immediately, the rest usually in 20-30 days).
- No broker commission: Official fees ≪ commission in private sales.
Conclusion, 2024 is (again) a buyer's year
The supply gap between southern cantons like Ticino, Valais or Vaud and metropolitan areas like Zurich creates a market dynamic that allows for price discounts, less competition, and quick transactions simultaneously. Anyone who digitally prepares their due diligence and strategically targets summer or autumn dates can secure deals in 2024 that simply do not exist in the advertising market.
