Schwyz & Glarus: Tradition meets return in the auction market
July 17, 2025
Nestled between myths and Tödi, the cantons of Schwyz SZ and Glarus GL maintain a centuries-old building culture, from the timber house by Lake Zug to the Walserhof in Glarnerland. It is precisely this combination of local authenticity and wealthy commuters from Zurich that makes forced auctions here a hidden gem for investors looking off the beaten city paths.
1 | Density of Offerings: Small, but Impressive
| Year | Schwyz (units) | Glarus (units) | GL per 100,000 inhabitants | SZ per 100,000 inhabitants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 7 | 11 | 27.2 | 4.4 |
| 2023 | 9 | 9 | 22.3 | 5.7 |
| 2024* | ≈ 8 | ≈ 10 | 12.2 | ≈ 4.0 |
*Estimation for 2024 based on the bar chart in the 2024 market report.
Glarus regularly makes it into the top 5 of Switzerland when looking at auctions per inhabitant, a clear indicator of a surprisingly large offering of properties in one of the smallest cantons.
2 | Price Structure, from Budget Chalets to Lakeside Villas
2.1 Apartments
- Schwyz 2023: Average market value only 135,000 CHF: the lowest value in Switzerland.
- Glarus 2023: Average 547,000 CHF (still 26% below the national average of 742,000 CHF).
- Geneva for comparison: 1.975 million CHF (2022), more than 14 times that of Schwyz.
2.2 Single-family Homes
- Schwyz 2023: Average 486,000 CHF, ideal size for fix-and-flip.
- Glarus 2022: Average 431,000 CHF, 55% below Zurich (1.568 million CHF).
“83% of all condominiums and 75% of all single-family homes had a market value below 1 million CHF in 2022.”
3 | Mix of Properties & Development Potential
Both in SZ and in GL, single-family homes and condominiums dominate, accounting for about 70% of auctions. Commercial specialties, older sawmills, transformer stations, or mountain inns also regularly appear, offering creative value-add opportunities, such as for co-working hubs or micro-apartments.
4 | Three Proven Strategies
- “Fix & Let” by the Lake
3-room apartment in Brunnen (SZ), starting price 70% of 285,000 CHF, renovation 30,000 CHF, net rent 1,450 CHF/month → gross yield 5%. - Chalet Flip in Klöntal
Market value 640,000 CHF, sold for 460,000 CHF (July auction, few bidders), renovation and furnished holiday concept, exit 680,000 CHF → 35% capital leverage. - Light-Industrial Lofts in Näfels (GL)
Vacant spinning mill, market value 1.45 million CHF, conversion into 12 studios, target rent 230 CHF/m²/year → IRR > 12%.
5 | Timing & Tactics
- Seasonal Window: Peak months nationwide are March, June, and October, July 2024 had only 19 auctions, a perfect opportunity to buy in GL and SZ “without noise”.
- Use second call: If the 70% bid is missed in the first round, the lower limit drops, which is not uncommon in small cantons.
- Present bank guarantee: 10% deposit immediately, remainder within 20 days, liquidity impresses competitors and judges.
6 | Comparison with the “Big Players”
While ZH and VD offer more auctions in absolute numbers, Schwyz and Glarus stand out with three unique features:
- Above-average density of offerings per inhabitant (GL in the top 3, SZ above the Swiss average).
- Significantly lower entry prices, even lakeside locations cost well below the million mark.
- Tradition factor: Rustic wooden buildings and historic stone walls can be marketed emotionally and economically, providing a competitive advantage over interchangeable suburban apartments in the Mittelland.
Conclusion: Tradition Meets Yield
In no other part of the country do Alpine romance and investment logic clash so profitably as in Glarnerland and Schwyz. The data shows: high auction density, low entry prices, and a mix of properties with character create a playground for savvy buyers. Those who closely monitor the schedule of the enforcement offices and have their financing ready can secure a piece of Central Swiss tradition with attractive yield potential here in 2025.
