Housing Finance, Prices, and Tenure in Switzerland

40 Pages Posted: 21 May 2009 Last revised: 17 May 2015

See all articles by Steven C. Bourassa

Steven C. Bourassa

Florida Atlantic University

Martin Hoesli

University of Geneva - Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM); Swiss Finance Institute; University of Aberdeen - Business School

Donato Flavio Scognamiglio

University of Berne, Institut für Finanzmanagement

Date Written: October 8, 2009

Abstract

In contrast to many other countries, Switzerland generally has not seen soaring house prices in the 2000s and house prices have only recently started to diminish slightly. Also, Swiss authorities do not engage in trying to increase the homeownership rate much above its current level. In this paper, we present the main aspects of housing policy and finance in Switzerland which can help to explain these idiosyncrasies. We also analyze house prices and rents. The policies which are discussed in this paper may be useful to housing policy makers in other countries.

Keywords: Housing policy, housing finance, house prices, rents, taxation, homeownership, Switzerland

JEL Classification: R31

Suggested Citation

Bourassa, Steven C. and Hoesli, Martin Edward Ralph and Scognamiglio, Donato Flavio, Housing Finance, Prices, and Tenure in Switzerland (October 8, 2009). Swiss Finance Institute Research Paper No. 09-16, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1407609 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1407609

Steven C. Bourassa

Florida Atlantic University ( email )

777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
United States
5028077642 (Phone)

Martin Edward Ralph Hoesli (Contact Author)

University of Geneva - Geneva School of Economics and Management (GSEM) ( email )

40 Boulevard du Pont d'Arve
Geneva 4, Geneva 1211
Switzerland
+41 22 379 8122 (Phone)
+41 22 379 8104 (Fax)

Swiss Finance Institute

c/o University of Geneva
40, Bd du Pont-d'Arve
CH-1211 Geneva 4
Switzerland

University of Aberdeen - Business School ( email )

Edward Wright Building
Dunbar Street
Aberdeen, Scotland AB24 3QY
United Kingdom
+41 22 379 8122 (Phone)
+41 22 379 8104 (Fax)

Donato Flavio Scognamiglio

University of Berne, Institut für Finanzmanagement ( email )

Engehaldenstrasse 4
Bern, CH-3012
Switzerland
+41 43 501 06 00 (Phone)
+41 43 501 06 03 (Fax)

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