Where the most foreclosures will take place in 2024

The Swiss Auction Year 2024 at a Glance

In 2024, a total of 610 forced auctions were scheduled in Switzerland – with noticeable seasonality (peaks in June with 75 appointments and in October with 62; quieter in July with 19 and in August with 29). Residential uses continue to dominate (residential homes and condominiums together account for about three-quarters of all proceedings), but the overall volume increased significantly compared to 2023 (around 670 million CHF). For buyers, this means: more choices in the active cantons and better comparability throughout the year.

How to count: absolute numbers vs. rate per 100,000 inhabitants

Who asks “Where are the most auctions?” should distinguish between two perspectives:

Absolute number: where the most proceedings take place – important for pipeline & deal flow.
Auction rate per 100,000 inhabitants: where auctions are particularly frequent relative to population size – important for opportunities outside the centers.

2024 Ranking by Absolute Number (strongest cantons)

The top positions in 2024 are clearly held by the southern and western cantons. The officially published case numbers for the top 5 are in parentheses.

Ticino (TI) – 114
Vaud (VD) – 77
Bern (BE) – 68
Valais (VS) – 54
Solothurn (SO) – 43

At the lower end of the scale are Obwalden (OW) with 1 proceeding and Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR) with 2. In Schaffhausen (SH) and Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI), no forced auctions were published in 2024.

Cantons Overview – Activity Tiers 2024

Category	Cantons (A-Z within the category)	Classification
Very High	BE, TI, VD	Largest supply and consistently many appointments throughout the year.
High	SO, VS	Regularly high case numbers, good comparability.
Medium	AG, FR, GE, GR, LU, NE, SG, TG, ZH	Solid pipeline, a mix of residential and special cases.
Low	BL, BS, GL, JU, SZ, UR, ZG	Selective opportunities; precise micro-location analysis is crucial.
Very Low	AR, NW, OW	Individual cases or very sparse – quick response is needed.
No published cases	AI, SH	2024 without published auctions.

2024 Ranking by Rate per 100,000 Inhabitants

The relative view shows a different ranking – here the smaller cantons lead:

At the top: TI (≈32.6), JU (≈17.8), VS (≈15.9), SO (≈15.6), GL (≈12.2), VD (≈9.3).
At the bottom: ZH (≈1.9) and GE (≈3.2) – despite relevant absolute numbers.

Interpretation: A high rate signals – despite a smaller population base – an above-average active auction environment. For buyers, this can mean: more “under the radar” opportunities, lower bidder competition, and generally better entry points.

What properties will frequently be awarded in 2024?

Residential Homes: around 256 objects, the largest volume block (≈284.7 million CHF).
Condos: around 204 objects, volume ≈210.7 million CHF.
Villas: about 16 objects, high average value, volume ≈62.7 million CHF.
Commercial Properties: about 26 objects, volume ≈36.5 million CHF.
Multi-Family Houses: about 16 objects, volume ≈25.4 million CHF.
Real Estates/Plots: about 52 objects, volume ≈10.3 million CHF.

Consequence for the search: In active cantons, residential uses dominate; special segments (multi-family houses, commercial properties, villas) are rarer but have high ticket sizes per object – careful preparation is worthwhile.

Practical Guide: How Buyers Utilize the 2024 Ranking

Prioritize Deal Flow: In TI, VD, BE, VS, SO establish a broad pipeline; check several lots in parallel.
Leverage Per-Capita Opportunities: JU, GL and parts of VS/SO offer relatively much activity with a small base – ideal for opportunists.
Time Seasonality: Fix documents & financing by spring; decide quickly in June/October. In July/August, specifically search for “hidden gems.”
Match Property Type with Strategy: Owner-occupied/flip → apartments/houses; portfolio holder → multi-family houses/commercial; developer → real estates/plots.
Discipline on Auction Day: Derive the maximum bid from NOI/Capex or residual value and strictly adhere to it.

Canton Quickfinder (all 26 with direct link)

AG · AI · AR · BE · BL · BS · FR · GE · GL · GR · JU · LU · NE · NW · OW · SG · SH · SO · SZ · TG · TI · UR · VD · VS · ZG · ZH

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about the Cantonal Ranking

Why do absolute and relative rankings differ? Centers like ZH have high absolute numbers, but due to many inhabitants, a lower rate per 100,000.
What does seasonality indicate? June/October are peak offerings – ideal for checking multiple dossiers in parallel; in the summer months, less contested lots can often be found.
How do I proceed in “thin” cantons? Secure documents early, prepare alternative lots in neighboring cantons, and define a clear maximum price.

“Those who know the active cantons and maintain discipline in evaluation and bidding will noticeably increase their success rate in 2024 – regardless of the type of object.”