Croissants, Connections, and the Geneva Real Estate Scene.

When I first arrived in Geneva from a bustling city life, I joined a small real estate agency. I guess, inspired by all the American movies I’d seen, I pitched a marketing strategy to my co-workers : “Let’s put up ‘For Sale’ or ‘For Rent’ banners on properties under our mandate and hold open houses for the ones we’re struggling to sell!”

I was so enthusiastic—I’d already lined up banner suppliers and imagined the scene: the smell of fresh coffee and warm croissants in the oven wafting through the house, with potential buyers practically competing to own it. My colleagues quickly brought me back to reality, saying I was absolutely mad and that this wasn’t how things were done in Geneva.

Despite their advice, I might have slipped a few warm croissants into the occasional viewing! ;) But this was all part of my learning curve, discovering that Geneva’s real estate world had its own unique pace and style. I pictured people driving around neighbourhoods, spotting “For Sale” and “For Rent” signs on houses. But, as I soon discovered, that’s practically taboo in residential Geneva’s real estate world. If you’ve read my article Start Smart: Understanding On-Market vs. Off-Market Properties, you’ll understand why by now.

So, without big banners and open houses, how does one actually search for a property in Geneva? Here’s MY list. Keep in mind that each canton in Switzerland has its own rules and culture—what I cover here is specific to Geneva. And just over the border in neighbouring France, things work quite differently!

Option 1: Real Estate Platforms

Use multiple platforms (note the plural—don’t rely on just one!) to browse listings with the criteria you carefully defined after reading Start Smart: Define Your Search Criteria. From there, it’s straightforward: either fill out the form with your name, phone, and email and wait for a call-back, or contact the agent directly to schedule a viewing. 

Advantages:

•  You’ll have direct contact with the agent responsible, giving you the chance to ask questions and gather details.

Disadvantages:

•  It’s time-consuming. Most viewings are scheduled between 9 am and 6 pm on weekdays, with rare exceptions.

•  You’ll only access on-market listings, which limits options.

•  If you don’t speak French, contacting agents could be challenging, as most speak limited or no English.

Pro Tip: Think about the time it’ll take to search for properties yourself. Someone once told me to multiply the hours by your own hourly rate to decide whether to DIY or hire help.

Option 2: Hiring an Agent

For buying, hire an estate agent; for renting, a relocation agent OR estate agent. If you’re lucky enough to have a relocation agent through your employer, relax and enjoy the ride—they’ll handle pre-selected properties from both the standard listings and those they’ve accessed through their ‘mafia network’ (insider’s joke! If you’re not familiar yet, check out my article Start Smart: Understanding On-Market vs. Off-Market Properties).

In Geneva, three key real estate players are:

1.   Régies (Property Managing Companies) - manage properties and handle tenant issues.

2.   Estate Agencies (Agences Immobilières) – connect buyers with sellers, landlords with tenants, and manage the paperwork, viewings, and negotiations.

3.   Relocation Agencies (Agences de Relocation) – simplify moving by finding housing, arranging viewings, and managing lease details.

This description is quite general; in practice, many of these entities perform a range of functions beyond their original primary purposes. These three groups collaborate to ensure transactions are completed quickly and smoothly.

Advantages :

•  Agents know the local market, so they can explain lease agreements and other important documents, helping you understand what you’re signing and arranging any necessary modifications.

•  They’ll save you time by handling about 80% of the work, so you only need to view selected properties and sign paperwork.

•  You’ll also gain access to off-market properties, which can be crucial in a market like Geneva.

Important Tip if Starting with Option 1 : Each time you submit your contact information online, you’re effectively becoming a so-called “client” of that agency. What this means for you :

a) You may be contacted about similar properties, but it also can make it harder to manage follow-up.

b) If you later decide to hire an agent, it can cause confusion as your name will be associated with multiple agencies. Trust me, it can get competitive and messy. Keep your search private unless you’re certain you won’t work with an agent.

Option 3: Word of Mouth

As discussed in previous articles, Geneva is both small and private, making word of mouth “le bouche à oreille”—the most effective way to find a property. It’s fascinating how many opportunities arise through personal connections. I won’t say much more here, as I want you to experience this for yourself. To me, it truly feels like magic!

Now that you’re familiar with the three main ways of searching and the key players in Geneva’s real estate market, you’re ready for the next topic: money. My upcoming article will cover agency fees, commissions “honoraires d’agence”, and who pays what.

Until next time—happy house hunting, and I’ll see you in the next article!