Useful documents
Your resources, all in one place
Checklists to tick off, a glossary and official links to prepare every step of your real-estate project with peace of mind.
Practical checklists
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Real-estate glossary
PPE
Condominium ownership (propriété par étages): splitting a building into private units (your apartment) and common areas.
Quote-part
Each co-owner's share in the condominium; it sets the weight of votes and the split of charges.
CECB
Cantonal energy certificate for buildings: rates a property's energy performance, from A to G.
Fonds propres
Personal equity required to buy: at least 20% of the price, of which 10% outside the second pillar.
Taux d'effort
Ratio between the property's theoretical costs and your income; capped at roughly 33%.
Taux théorique
Interest rate (~5%) banks use to test your capacity, rather than the current market rate.
SARON
Swiss reference interest rate, variable, an alternative to a fixed rate for a mortgage.
Amortissement
Gradual repayment of the debt; the second tranche must be amortized within 15 years.
Gain immobilier (IGI)
Vaud tax on the capital gain at resale, decreasing with the length of ownership.
Servitude
An easement burdening one property for the benefit of another (right of way, view, pipework) recorded in the land registry.
Registre foncier
Official register listing properties, owners, easements and mortgages.
1er / 2e rang
Mortgage tranches: the first rank (up to two-thirds of value) need not be amortized, the second must be.
Home staging
Staging a property (decluttering, neutralizing) to speed up the sale and raise its value.
Cédule hypothécaire
Mortgage certificate that secures the bank's loan against the property.
Droit de mutation
Cantonal tax on the transfer of ownership, usually paid by the buyer.
Garantie de loyer
Deposit (often three months) held to guarantee the tenant meets their obligations to the landlord.
Useful links
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