The Swiss real estate market in 2024 presents several promising opportunities for investors. This tendency is evident from the following recent changes in interest rates: on June 20th, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) lowered the key interest rate from 1.5% to 1.25%. What does this tell us?
We are seeing a more measured pace of increase in property prices compared to past years. This trend is influenced by two major forces:
◼️ Declining mortgage rates;
◼️ Significant rise in rental costs.
Let’s also note the trend towards sustainable development. Although sustainability is still relevant, it has diminished in priority among the population. Specifically, it fell from 40% to 26% over the past year, with a sharper decline among younger individuals, whose interest halved from 26% to 13%, according to Helvetia and MoneyPark.
Meanwhile, the aspiration to own a single-family house remains robust as the most ideal form of accommodation. By the beginning of 2025, the affordability of homeownership in Switzerland is expected to improve and offer financial advantages in the long term. Investors can benefit from higher potential returns on investment through increased rents, shorter vacancies, and long-term capital appreciation.
Stay on top of the Swiss real estate market trends with Le Bijou to explore the latest investment opportunities that address current real estate influence forces.
One week before the Art Basel fair brings the international art world together, Zurich becomes a bustling hub for artists and art lovers. This is thanks to the Zurich Art Weekend — three days of free exhibitions, lectures, and guided tours offered by Zurich museums and galleries.
The event includes more than 65 venues across the city, presenting over 75 exhibitions that showcase Zurich’s contemporary art.
Designed for collectors, artists, and anyone with a passion for art, the event promises an unforgettable journey of creativity and expression.
Make the most of your Zurich Art Weekend experience without worrying about the accommodations – Le Bijou invites you to stay in tech-enabled apartments located in the heart of Zurich.
Visit lebijou.com to book luxury quarters that will add to the memories of an unforgettable weekend as you celebrate the depth and beauty of contemporary art.
When considering passive income opportunities in Switzerland, real estate is lauded for its inherent stability and sustained long-term growth. Four options reign supreme among real estate investment options, yet the pivotal question remains: Which is the ultimate passive income source?
1. Direct ownership
Purchasing property for rental purposes is a common strategy in investing. However, it requires a significant commitment of capital. While mortgage financing can alleviate this challenge, the interest paid often erodes much of the rental yield. Not to mention direct ownership also demands substantial time and effort, which can contradict its “passive” label, especially for individual investors.
2. Fractional ownership
Fractional ownership allows investors to acquire a small share of a property and benefit proportionally from income and capital growth. Enabled by tokenization, this approach opens doors for individuals with just a few thousand francs to invest in, and receive income from, Swiss real estate.
3. Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding platforms provide opportunities for fractional investment with relatively low capital requirements, sometimes starting from as little as CHF 100 while offering yields of up to 10%. Yet this way of investing comes with dozens of potential pitfalls such as the property’s quality and security, low management standards, inconsistency in tenant flow, and many more.
4. Debt
Debt is a passive income source that allows investors to profit from capital lent to real estate companies. Opting for a bond ETF, while possibly a reasonable entry point, has relatively high volatility and correlation with other public market assets like stocks, unlike the debt of private Swiss real estate companies.
With the variety of offerings available, investors should be able to find opportunities that best match their requirements in terms of both return and risk, allowing for earning well while also sleeping well. Visit invest.lebijou.com and disco
Most investors seeking entry into real estate fail to think outside the box. What they most likely choose from are REITs, which like any publicly listed asset are subject to daily market volatility; direct ownership (buy-to-rent) that requires significant capital to start, further concentrating risk and limiting diversification; and options like flipping houses that also require a great deal of time and money.
The good news is that, in today’s market, there is an alternative means of investing in a real estate business. This is comparable to direct ownership, except that investors are buying a share in a limited liability company (specifically set up to invest in real estate) or a project curated by that company.
What makes this superior to most traditional options?
1. Fully operational business
With all its hassles, property management is typically outsourced by the business. Imagine: you're a co-owner of real estate and neither have to manage cleaning, catering, or concierge services, nor deal with difficult tenants.
2. Lower entry threshold
Building a well-diversified portfolio of properties in prime locations necessitates a substantial upfront capital commitment, often beyond the means of investors. By pooling capital with like-minded individuals in a real estate company, investors can access a broader range of properties and thus a higher diversification level.
3. Better cash flow
Individual real estate investors frequently encounter unexpected expenses, such as property damage or renovations, which can strain cash reserves. However, by investing in a real estate company with a diverse portfolio of properties, the likelihood of simultaneous maintenance issues across all units diminishes. Consequently, investors are mitigating liquidity risks.
In the 21st century, real estate businesses both make it easier to invest in and maintain real estate and also offer greater diversification and higher returns than most investors can get on their own. Visit invest
To paraphrase Emily Dickinson, the future is made of eternal nows. Consequently, the question many wonder is, “How can one balance the needs of the current now with those of the future nows?”
The good news is that everyone can enjoy today’s sun without sacrificing the twilight years. The key is to simply keep in mind four simple maxims:
1. Use the 1% rule for impulse buys
While resisting impulse buys can be challenging, too many can devastate your savings. For any impulse purchase worth more than 1% of your annual income, sleep on the purchase. Most will lose their shine in the light of a new day.
2. Keep the 50/30/20 rule
The 50/30/20 rule is one of the simplest, yet most effective, ways to save money. Basically, the rule suggests you should spend 50% of the income on needs (such as rent or mortgage), 30% on wants (things you don’t really need but that make you happy), and the remaining 20% on your savings and investments.
3. Favor experiences over possessions
Many studies show that experiences deliver longer-lasting happiness than possessions. So consider a daily walk or regular weekend away with loved ones as an investment in your happiness. There is no need to spend a lot of money, but you do need to invest your time.
4. Multiply your savings by investing
Even with higher interest rates, holding cash delivers poor long-term returns. Instead, consider using some of your savings to multiply your wealth. How much should you invest? Try the “100 minus your age” rule, which guides individuals on how much to invest in higher-reward assets.
For example, if you are 40 years old, consider allocating 60% of your investments to higher-return assets like growth stocks and private equity as well as 40% to less volatile assets like debt (and perhaps real estate).
While you don’t need to move to a hermitage to ensure a prosperous retirement, neither should you live like a king. As with many things in life, balance is a key.
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The adage "it takes money to make money" certainly holds true, but when it comes to real estate, it also involves locking up substantial amounts of money for long periods of time. So, before you invest in real estate, it's essential to determine how much liquidity you need in your portfolios and understand the varying degrees of liquidity across different real estate markets and properties.
Insufficient liquidity can restrict you from taking advantage of future investment opportunities and rebalancing your portfolio in the face of changing market conditions.
Before investing in real estate, consider these factors that influence market and property liquidity:
1. Location
High demand locations have higher turnover and thus higher liquidity. Even within well-regarded neighborhoods, specific streets will have higher demand than others because of their proximity to services or the views they offer. While selling a property overnight might be a stretch, weeks could be all you need in high-demand areas.
2. Property type
A single-family house or apartment will usually be more liquid than a mansion or a warehouse. It’s all about the demand level. And doing your research when looking for one will surely pay in the end.
3. Selling costs and taxes
Different jurisdictions come with varying processes and costs when it comes to selling a house or your share of it. The higher the costs and bureaucratic obstacles, the less liquid a property is.
4. Financial conditions
Higher interest rates and reluctant banks make it hard for buyers to get the cash they need to buy a house, thereby diminishing market liquidity.
Real estate investment is rewarding but must be done carefully. Liquidity should be a big part of your decision-making process, especially in today’s environment, where interest rates may still be on the rise.
Visit invest.lebijou.com to get a glimpse of our portfolios of superior real estate.
When your heart pounds to the rhythm of drums and the soft notes of saxophones blend with soulful voices, transporting you into a dreamlike state, this means jazz has returned to your heart and the streets of Switzerland.
This year, Bern welcomes the 49th International Jazz Festival, running from March 19th to May 25th at Marians Jazzroom. Founded in 1976 by the esteemed Hans Zurbrügg, affectionately known as “Mr. Jazz” among locals, this event has blossomed into a celebration of diversity and creativity. The festival creates an atmosphere that allows everyone to relish in the evolution of jazz across different cultures and generations, from young enthusiasts to followers of traditional jazz from New Orleans.
This year, the International Jazz Festival will enchant its visitors with over 200 individual concerts, featuring an exceptional lineup of talent from around the globe. Among them are emerging blues artist D.K. Harrell, devoted to preserving traditional blues, and Billy Cobham, acclaimed as “[jazz] fusion’s greatest drummer.”
Don’t miss the opportunity to soak in the enchanting ambiance and witness the magic of live music at its peak during your visit to Bern. Book your stay at one of Le Bijou’s apartments in the heart of Bern via lebijou.com/contacts and enjoy the city's charm, covered in the rhythm and harmony of jazz.
When your birthday falls at an age that ends in a zero, it's an occasion worth celebrating in a big way. Creating a memorable event for this milestone and sharing it with your loved ones helps to reflect on the past and embrace your aspirations for the future. Here are 4 essential ingredients for the perfect birthday event.
“You don’t get older, you get better.” — Shirley Bassey
1. An easily accessible location
Nothing spoils plans like a hard-to-access or a difficult-to-find location. Opt for a venue that offers easy access by road and public transportation, such as a central city area.
2. Guest accommodation
Keep in mind that some of your guests might need to travel to attend your celebration. Therefore, it’s best to select a venue that provides accommodation with enough rooms for all your traveling guests. Make it easy for your guests who have made the effort to come a long way.
3. High-quality food and beverages
Choose a venue that offers quality food and beverages at a reasonable price. This will save you the hassle of having to organize this separately.
4. A venue with activities
Many birthday party venues come with inclusive services, such as decorations, entertainment, photo booths, and more. Although these extras may incur additional costs, they can create memories that will last a lifetime.
Incorporating these 4 key ingredients into your birthday celebration will ensure an amazing and carefree experience. Nestling all from in-house kitchens and open-air terraces to full celebration management, including guest accommodation and providing food and entertainment, Le Bijou might be the best choice for your next big birthday.
Visit lebijou.com/host-an-event to find out more about organizing the perfect party at the most spectacular locations.
Bonds have long been viewed as a steadier income option compared to stocks. The recent volatility in sovereign bonds and the uncertainty around interest rates, however, have caused many people to step back from the bond market. Barron’s magazine puts it like this: “A reality check is hitting the bond market.”
That said, not all bonds are the same, especially those within private markets, which may perform differently from their public counterparts – and Le Bijou bonds are no exception. Here are three advantages that elevate them in today’s market:
1. The unique combination of bonds and real estate
The coupons of the Le Bijou bonds primarily come from the revenue of fully operational Le Bijou properties in the most prime locations across Switzerland. This provides a strong foundation for the bonds and the unique diversification benefits for investors, as well as the opportunity for Le Bijou to fuel further expansion and unlock new destinations and properties. A win-win.
2. A high coupon rate
The current issue of Le Bijou bonds has a coupon rate of 7.125% p.a., surpassing the majority of Switzerland’s popular public markets’ alternatives. For example, the SBI Corporate Total Return index, tracking the Swiss franc-denominated bonds of corporate organizations listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, suggests the average coupon for such in 2023 has been as little as 1.15% as of the end of November.
3. The dependability of Le Bijou
Le Bijou has established an outstanding track record with its bonds. Since its first issue in 2016, Le Bijou has consistently met coupon and principal payments, not missing a single one – even during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Visit invest.lebijou.com/le-bijou-bond/ to discover more about how you can take advantage.