Buyer's Agent & Property Search in Zurich
Independent representation for international buyers and tenants relocating to Zurich.
Finding the right home in Zurich requires more than access to public listings. CROVES Real Estate represents international buyers and tenants throughout the entire property search – from defining the search profile and accessing on- and off-market opportunities to property assessment, negotiations and contract completion.
Based in Zurich, we act exclusively in our client's interest within each search mandate and provide personal guidance throughout the process in English or German. The practice is led by Caroline Staub — Federally Certified Real Estate Trustee, MBA Real Estate International.
Speak to us directlyFor international clients relocating to Zurich
International executives, professionals and families relocating to Zurich
Relocating to Zurich often means navigating the property market while you are still abroad. CROVES Real Estate manages the local property search on your behalf – from defining the search profile and identifying suitable properties to viewings, property assessment, negotiations and contract completion.
Whether you are looking to rent or buy, your search mandate is managed personally in Zurich and conducted entirely in English if required.
Your local representation in Zurich
What a buyer’s agent does — and why it matters in Switzerland
In Switzerland, estate agents are typically engaged by the seller and represent the seller’s interests throughout the transaction. A buyer’s agent — also called a buying agent or property finder — is engaged by the purchaser and represents the purchaser’s interests throughout the search and acquisition process.
- Search profile: location, layout, budget and the trade-offs you are genuinely willing to make.
- Market coverage: listed properties plus targeted, discreet approaches to owners, management companies and brokers for off-market opportunities.
- Due diligence: documentation, condominium records, renovation history, building law and plausibility of the asking price.
- Negotiation: conducted from the buyer’s side, on price, terms and timing.
- Completion: accompaniment through the notarised purchase and the handover.
For expats and international buyers
In Zurich, access to the property market extends beyond publicly advertised listings. Some opportunities are shared through professional networks or approached directly before reaching the broader market, and application processes reward local familiarity. We advise international executives, relocating families and investors in English and German — and, where relevant, coordinate viewings around a schedule that sits in another time zone.
Case Study
International buyer, San Francisco → Zurich
How a senior executive relocating from San Francisco secured an off-market apartment in Zurich — search conducted across time zones, viewings and due diligence handled locally.
Read the case studyIf your move is still ahead of you, the practical side of a Zurich move — neighbourhoods, rental applications and viewings attended on your behalf — is set out under relocation Zurich. For a structured approach to securing a home before you arrive, see Moving to Zurich: How to find a home before you arrive.
Buyers agent Zurich — questions and answers
Can CROVES manage my property search while I am still abroad?
Yes. CROVES Real Estate regularly represents clients who have not yet relocated to Switzerland. We manage the property search locally in Zurich, including market screening, property pre-selection, selected viewings and communication with owners, agents and property managers. Video viewings and regular coordination allow you to remain closely involved in the decision-making process while you are abroad.
Can you attend property viewings on my behalf?
Yes. As part of an Active Search Mandate, we can attend selected property viewings on your behalf, assess the property and its location and provide you with the relevant information for your decision. Where appropriate, we arrange a video viewing so that you can participate remotely.
Can the entire property search be conducted in English?
Yes. The entire search mandate can be conducted in English, from the initial consultation and definition of your search profile through property viewings, negotiations and coordination of the contractual process.
Do you assist with both rental and purchase searches?
Yes. CROVES Real Estate represents both tenants and buyers. Our Active Search Mandate covers rental apartments and houses as well as residential properties for purchase in Zurich and selected surrounding areas.
When should I start my property search before relocating to Zurich?
The appropriate timing depends on whether you are looking to rent or buy, your search criteria, budget and intended moving date. For international relocations, it is advisable to define the search strategy and clarify the relevant administrative or financing requirements before the active search begins. This allows us to respond efficiently once suitable opportunities become available.
Do you have access to off-market properties in Zurich?
Our property search is not limited to publicly advertised properties. In addition to continuous market screening, we use direct market outreach and our established network of owners, agents and property managers. Depending on your search profile and the current market, this may also result in opportunities outside the public market.
Can foreigners buy residential property in Zurich?
The answer depends on factors including nationality, actual residence in Switzerland and the intended use of the property. Acquisitions by persons abroad are governed by the Swiss Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad, commonly known as Lex Koller.
For an overview of the current rules, see our guide: Buying Property in Zurich as a Foreigner – Lex Koller, Residency and Requirements. Individual legal or tax questions should be assessed by the appropriate qualified advisers.
Which areas of Zurich do you cover?
Our property searches cover the City of Zurich, communities along both shores of Lake Zurich and selected locations in the Canton of Zurich, the Canton of Zug and the Canton of Schwyz. The appropriate search area is defined individually based on your requirements, commute, lifestyle, budget and property preferences.
Can CROVES support us beyond the property search?
Yes. Depending on your requirements, our Residence & Relocation Services can complement the property search with selected relocation and residence-related coordination before and after your move to Zurich.
What does a buyer's agent do in Switzerland?
Most Swiss estate agents are engaged and paid by the seller. A buyer's agent — also called a buying agent or property finder — is engaged by the purchaser and represents the purchaser's interests throughout the search and acquisition process: defining the search profile, covering the market including properties that are never publicly listed, reviewing documentation and condominium records, assessing price, negotiating, and accompanying the notarised purchase.
Do buyer's agents exist in Switzerland?
Independent buyer representation is less established in Switzerland than traditional seller-side brokerage. CROVES Real Estate represents buyers exclusively on their side of the transaction, providing independent advice throughout the property search and acquisition process.
How much does a buyers agent in Zurich cost?
The fee is agreed individually and transparently before the mandate begins and depends on the search profile, property type and scope of support. The first consultation is free and without obligation.
Can a buyers agent in Zurich help expats and international buyers?
Yes. CROVES Real Estate advises international executives, expats and relocating families in English and German — from defining requirements through viewings, negotiation and contract, and, if desired, ongoing Residence & Relocation Services.
What is the difference between a buyer's agent and a seller's agent?
In Switzerland, estate agents are typically engaged by the seller and represent the seller's interests throughout the transaction. A buyer's agent — also called a buying agent or property finder — is engaged by the purchaser and represents the buyer's interests throughout the search and acquisition process.
Do you support relocation to Zurich?
Yes. For clients relocating to Zurich we take the property side of the move: search profile and neighbourhood advice, viewings attended on your behalf while you are still abroad, Swiss-format rental applications, off-market access and, later, purchase support. Where your employer provides a relocation agency for permits and logistics, we work alongside it.
Discuss your property matter with us personally.
We would be happy to discuss your situation, your objectives and the possible approach in a personal conversation.