Living Guides: Housing Topics

Construction remains in good shape, bank says ©Credit Suisse

Government projects propel construction industry

by Malcolm Curtis

August 18, 2010 | 11:01

The delayed impact of government projects meant to counteract last year’s recession - mostly transportation improvement schemes - are boosting construction activity, according to a report by Credit Suisse. Civil engineering companies are prospering while new home building remains strong thanks to low interest rates and continued immigration, an expert from the bank tells Swisster.

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Housing
	Neuchâtel geography prof touts ‘compact cities’
	August 4, 2010 \| 11:08	by Malcolm Curtis

The culture of car-dependent sprawl still dominates the Swiss urban landscape but new projects to densify areas are promising to turn the tide. A University of Neuchâtel geography professor, the winner...Full story

Housing
	Low mortgage rates fuel house price increases
	July 13, 2010 \| 16:45	by Malcolm Curtis

A study by Comparis, the consumer rating agency, shows that average mortgages dropped in the second quarter of 2010 to historically low levels. With Libor-linked lending at as little as 0.9 percent, the...Full story

Housing
	Police warn against leaving online hints for burglars
	July 8, 2010 \| 10:30	by Tatiana Tissot

Revealing your holiday dates on social networks can provide burglars with an open invitation to ransack your home, says the Swiss criminality prevention service. Although police consider the risk marginal,...Full story

Housing
	International Geneva fights to remain competitive
	June 4, 2010 \| 11:00	by Tatiana Tissot

A housing shortage, the high cost of living and a lack of space to construct new offices is damaging Geneva’s position as a capital for international organizations, says state foundation FIPOI. Although...Full story

Housing
	Low home mortgage rates raise warning flag
	March 23, 2010 \| 16:35	by Malcolm Curtis

Switzerland continues to benefit from historically low mortgage rates, encouraging more renters to consider making the leap into home home ownership, although the terms may soon become less favourable....Full story

Housing
	Swiss office rents hold up in global decline, says study
	February 24, 2010 \| 11:05	by Giles Broom

Prime rents drop 10 percent across global commercial centres as demand decreases for office space, but the Swiss property market is holding up relatively well, falling only three percent in the country's...Full story

Record home sale reflects pricey Swiss property market
Unemployment continues to rise and Switzerland's economy shrank slightly last year but you would never know it by looking at the country's property market, which continues to defy gravity. The record purchase...

Full storyJanuary 21, 2010 | 08:15by Malcolm Curtis

Construction trade fair aims to build for the future
Swiss President Doris Leuthard inaugurates Swissbau 2010, the country’s largest construction and real estate exhibition. The five-day event reveals the latest industry trends and products with a special...

Full storyJanuary 12, 2010 | 15:18by Marcus Berry

Interview: Expat property outlook for 2010
As the end of the year approaches, Switzerland has avoided the worst of the global property slump and those in the industry predict the national market will continue to pick up gently in 2010. Lorenzo...

Full storyDecember 15, 2009 | 11:30by Michèle Decorges

The process and pitfalls of buying land in Switzerland
Renting property in Switzerland is complex enough, buying a house or apartment is even more so. But when you're purchasing land on which to build your dream house, the exercise can become a nightmare....

Full storyOctober 2, 2009 | 12:28by Michele Decorges

Swiss property safe from bubble burst, say experts
The Montreux real estate fair takes place over the weekend. Swisster takes the opportunity to review the property market in the Lake Geneva area. Due to a convergence of factors, Swiss financial caution...

Full storySeptember 11, 2009 | 11:30by Michèle Laird

Living in the countryside during Swiss autumn
You have made the decision to live in the countryside. Your villa or apartment is situated next to a vineyard, forest, or even an orchard. Autumn is just around the corner and brings all kinds of new -...

Full storySeptember 1, 2009 | 15:02by Michèle Decorges

Options abound for vacationers leaving home
The summer holiday season is upon us and while vacations beckon, leaving home can bring it with it the threat of break-ins and such challenges as keeping plants alive and finding someone to look after...

Full storyJuly 14, 2009 | 13:32by Michèle Decorges

Luxury Vaud real estate project defies crisis
A new living concept that combines spectacular residential accommodation with a five-star hotel service will s.

Full storyJune 17, 2009 | 11:27by Michèle Laird

Luxury Vaud real estate project defies crisis
A new living concept that combines spectacular residential accommodation with a five-star hotel service will soon be available in Vaud. Du Parc - Kempinski Private Residences above Vevey will offer deliriously...

Full storyJune 17, 2009 | 11:27by Michèle Laird

Counselling expats in the real estate market
You have moved to Switzerland and wish to purchase an apartment, villa or rental building. However, you are ba.

Full storyMay 18, 2009 | 12:24by Michele Decorges

What to expect, or not, with Swiss apartments
They say that moving home is one of the most stressful experiences in life. Moving into a new apartment or hou.

Full storyApril 6, 2009 | 09:10by Michele Decorges

Waste not, want not
The processing and recycling of household waste in Switzerland are major concerns in all communities, where co.

Full storyMarch 2, 2009 | 16:10by Michele Decorges-Ellis

Alpine Homes eyes Lake Geneva expat market
With prospects from its regular British clientele cooling with the UK economy, a real estate agency based in Valais that specializes in mountain chalets is eying potential expat buyers from the Lake Geneva...

Full storyJanuary 30, 2009 | 09:56by Malcolm Curtis