«Why choose a SVIT real estate professional?»

Transcription

1 «Why choose a SVIT real estate professional?» The quality seal for real estate professionals in Switzerland Schweizerischer Verband der Immobilienwirtschaft SVIT («SVIT Schweiz») Association suisse de l économie immobilière SVIT («SVIT Suisse») Associazione svizzera dell economia immobiliare SVIT («SVIT Svizzera») Swiss Real Estate Association SVIT («SVIT Switzerland»)

2 Contents 2 SVIT Overview 4 Regional member organisations 6 Swiss Chamber of Surveyors SEK 8 Chamber of Independent Consultants for Building Owners KUB 10 Swiss Chamber of Real Estate Brokers SMK 12 SVIT FM Switzerland 14 Chamber of Freehold Condominiums 16 SVIT Swiss Real Estate School 18 SVIT Publications 20 SVIT Forum and SVIT Campus 22 Arbitration and Disciplinary Committees 24 Swiss Real Estate Institute 1

3 SVIT Switzerland Assembly of delegates Subsidiaries Training programmes > > Property management > Real estate marketing Professional chambers Member organisations > Property valuation > Real estate development > > Professional exams for real estate agents Postgraduate > Master of Advanced Studies in Real Estate Management MREM Seminars and Courses > > On the pulse of the real estate industry Tribunals Professional Exams Partner organisations An overview of SVIT. SVIT is organised like a holding company and offers a comprehensive range of services to its members and the industry as a whole. Its services range from arbitration and disciplinary committees to established networking platforms and a range of professional education programmes. With its highly qualified instructors and a wide range of seminars up to the university level, the association s Swiss Real Estate School sets the standards and plays a central role for the future of the industry. SVIT is the seal of quality for real estate professionals and the first stop for anyone seeking advice on any facet of real estate. Why not leaf through the following pages and see for yourself what SVIT has to offer? With more than 2000 corporate members across all of the ling uistic and cultural regions of Switzerland, SVIT, the Swiss Real Estate Association, represents a significant part of an economically and socially important industry. Through highly professional work and by adhering to recognised professional guidelines SVIT has earned its reputation. And with modern education and advanced training programmes for real estate professionals, SVIT is ensuring a strong future for real estate services in Switzerland. The special committees of SVIT provide the latest in specialised knowledge. They include: the Swiss Chamber of Surveyors (SEK), the Chamber of Independent Consultants for Building Owners (KUB), the Swiss Chamber of Real Estate Brokers (SMK), the Facility Management Chamber (FM), and the Chamber of Freehold Condominiums. The array of specialists who have joined forces under the auspices of SVIT range from management professionals to marketers, developers, surveyors, and consultants of every kind, as well as facility managers thus the entire real estate lifecycle is represented. SVIT in brief: > Established in > SVIT is a national organisation. > Some 2000 members in all of the cantons of Switzerland. > Five specialised chambers ensure reliable expertise. > Strongly committed to education and professional training. > SVIT Publishing provides the latest expertise and knowledge. > SVIT mediation committees keep the industry healthy. > National events build industry networks. > The Swiss Real Estate Institute research for practical applications. For further information and contact points: Swiss Real Estate Association SVIT («SVIT Switzerland») Puls 5, Giessereistrasse 18 CH-8005 Zurich Phone Fax info@svit.ch Website 2 3

4 «Here s why you need a SVIT member in your region.» Holistic real estate management SVIT real estate professionals understand the needs of their customers: from the concerns of private residential property owners to the needs of public companies or institutional investors with a portfolio of properties. Good real estate professionals treat the properties entrusted to them as their own. The professional sees the entirety of a building and all the necessary facets of management from initial and subsequent rentals, to tenants, maintenance, rent collection, and even project management of renovations. The age of bureaucratic managers is over. Nowadays, owners want fullyengaged specialists who offer sound advice. The regional SVIT member in brief: > Understands customers issues and tenancy law providing competent and specific support. > Understands technical issues for sustainable value retention and value appreciation. > Upholds high quality standards, thanks to knowledge exchange within the network and regularly scheduled professional training and workshops. > Has comprehensive training and experience for professional and efficient management of properties. The SVIT network provides SVIT real estate professionals Conflict explodes into a paper war. Source: Tages-Anzeiger, 16/1/2012 with a platform that enables a valuable exchange of ideas and the implementation of quality standards throughout Switzerland. This is supported by regularly scheduled workshops on current issues. The number of conflicts between tenants have increased dramatically in recent years. Psychologists attribute the trend to rising workplace pressures and a decline in social tolerance, particularly where different cultures collide. Property owners are often overwhelmed by the conflicts among their tenants and are swamped with letters and complaints from both sides. Such conflicts usually end with at least one of the parties moving out, leaving the owner with a huge amount of paperwork and vacancy losses. Wouldn t it be better if owners got professional help from the beginning? SVIT real estate professionals are thoroughly trained and understand tenancy law by heart. They are experienced and manage their customers properties professionally and efficiently. 4 5

5 «Here s why you need a SVIT expert surveyor.» Specialist surveyors for any situation A property survey that is far out of step with the market can have unpleasant financial and legal consequences for many different parties. That is why to play it safe, owners or potential buyers often commission a member of the Swiss Chamber of Surveyors (SEK). Every member of the SEK is a neutral, certified expert surveyor with market experience who knows the best surveying method for each case the chamber guarantees it. Members of the SEK can provide surveys for a diverse range of properties, from single-family homes to commercial buildings and property portfolios. Neutral standards taught in basic and professional training courses apply to members of the SEK and this ensures that valuation criteria are applied uniformly. The Swiss Valuation Standards, created by SVIT and its partners and modelled on international valuation rules, are central. ised knowledge is always up to date, the SEK maintains regular contact with international professional organisations, such as the European Group of Valuers Associations (TEGoVA) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The Swiss Chamber of Surveyors and its members in brief: > In-depth analysis of all of the essentials and market parameters. > Expertise in current valuation methods gained through training and experience for projects of any size. > Specialised knowledge in the key areas of the construction business, the real estate market, and economics. Specialist surveyors have a tremendous responsibility, which is why SEK members not only have comprehensive knowledge of construction and real estate, but also have an understanding of economic issues and financial terminology. SEK members understand comparative, intrinsic value, and capital-earnings methods, as well as discounted cash flow and the real estate valuation aspects of IAS, IFRS, and GAAP FER. In addition to accepting commercial commissions, a number of SEK members offer their comprehensive expertise in the service of the public as accredited expert witnesses. To ensure that their special- Massively overpriced. Source: Handelszeitung, 22/10/2011 In uncertain times, Swiss investors stick to the rock-solid value of domestic real estate. But the increased demand for real estate is driving prices up. Private investors risk paying too much for property. Properties like small apartment buildings that seem very attractive at first glance may be on the market because the seller cannot afford upcoming major renovations, which they leave to unwitting buyers. Why don t property buyers seek advice from professional surveyors more often? 6 7

6 «Here s why you need a SVIT building consultant.» The interest of the building owner is always central In the age of dense bureaucracy and the legal minefields of complicated planning and permitting processes, increasing numbers of builders are happy to have a competent advisor by their side. The right choice for an advisor is an expert member of the Chamber of Independent Consultants for Building Owners (KUB). The chamber s members always focus on the interests of the owner and ensure quality in construction, as well as adherence to budgets and work schedules. A building owners consultant is a construction expert, project manager, scheduling controller, and financial controller rolled into one. The consultant s job is to provide support to customers on central issues, such as budgetary and strategic planning, needs determination, location planning, location evaluation, feasi bility assessment, milestone planning, and the implementation concept. The all-round experts also coordinate calls for tenders, as well as hiring of general contractors and subcon tractors. It is up to the owners to decide what role the consultant should play: project leader or construction assistant. The Chamber of Independent Consultants for Building Owners and its members in brief: > The building owner consultant is multi-talented construction specialist, management expert, scheduling and financial controller all rolled into one. > The building owner consultant is conscientious they treat the building as carefully as if it were their own. > The building owner consultant is flexible and adapts to the wishes of the building owner either in a leadership role, in a chain of responsibility, or as a project organiser. Dream house turns into nightmare. Source: Tages-Anzeiger, 21/12/2012 KUB, together with its partners, publishes the Handbook for Real Estate Management. The handbook underscores the comprehensive and networked expertise of KUB members and has become a highly-prized standard work in the construction and real estate industries. The new multi-family house was to be a showpiece in every respect that was the dream of this private building investor. But the budget ran out before the roof went up. The construction management was slack and cost control dysfunctional. Finally the bank pulled out and the building was foreclosed. The property investor was left with a pile of rubble. Why didn t they call in a professional building consultant? 8 9

7 «Here s why you need a SVIT real estate agent.» High ethical standards In a real estate deal, the buyer and seller have different interests, which is why it is important for both sides that everything is handled correctly from the price to the contractual conditions to the closing. At tense moments in real estate deals, customers want an expert who is an honest, open, and a responsible representative of their interests. Those qualities are precisely what you ll find in members of the Swiss Chamber of Real Estate Brokers (SMK). The Swiss Chamber of Real Estate Brokers and its members in brief: > Purchase or sale the broker understands the market and the process. > Members are committed to high standards of professional ethics. > Individual properties or large-scale developments SVIT real estate brokers have the expertise. The professional ethical standards of the SMK apply to small deals such as the purchase or sale of a single-family home just as much as they do to the purchase of investment properties. The requirements of the profession have been rising steadily over the past few years. Today, rather than single Sold under value. Source: Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 27/9/2012 Only about half of all private sellers of residential properties engage the help of a professional real estate broker. The other half goes it alone, to save the brokerage fee. But it is a double-edged sword. Some buyers focus on private sellers, hoping to deal with less savvy negotiators. Their intention is to purchase property below its actual value. Experience shows that engaging a broker usually pays off. Why don t more sellers rely on professional expertise? properties, brokers are more commonly faced with large-scale projects covering big sites. Such projects require the agent to have strategic abilities and comprehensive marketing expertise. The core question in complex, large-scale projects is what usage mix will deliver the best long-term return on the investment. Ideally, the real estate broker should answer that question even before the architect puts pen to paper. If the usage concept is valid the broker handles the further steps, such as defining target groups, product development, pricing, and sales

8 «Here s why you need a SVIT facility manager.» Sustainable value creation over the entire lifecycle The Chamber of Swiss Real Estate FM has made a decisive contribution over the past few years towards establishing facility management as an independent task within strategic real estate management. The profession and the range of tasks performed by facility managers, as well as the related quality standards are now well-established in the industry. Facility management combines all of the parties involved in the value-creation process of a piece of real estate from planners, investors and developers to owners and users. In this active interplay, the facility manager ensures sustainable development of the potential and value of a property throughout its entire lifecycle. The focus is on topics such as use and value-retention costs, the controllability and measurability of service provision processes, and sustainable, green use of energy and resources. Chamber of Swiss Real Estate FM in brief: > Membership is a quality seal indicative of the ability to sustainably manage a property over its entire lifecycle. > Serves as a platform for the cooperation all of the parties involved in the value-creation process for a property. > Advocates comprehensive education and constant professional training. Facility management neglected. Source: Handelszeitung, 18/10/2012 Nearly half of all Swiss companies occupy their own property. Very few, however, have building management as their core business. As a result, facility management (FM) is neglected and large potential savings are missed. Often FM could help to make core business operations more efficient and increase cost transparency. Why don t more property owners engage a professional facility manager? With its long-term horizon, facility management is a highly demanding task. To succeed, comprehensive education and constant professional training are indispens able. SVIT FM Switzerland is active in both of these areas. Its members are first-rate professionals with up-to-date, interdisciplinary expertise

9 «Here s why you need a SVIT- freehold condominium professional.» Property management and psychology The era when Switzerland was a land of tenants is coming to an end. Ownership, and in particular condominium ownership, is increasingly widespread. This trend will continue in the coming years. Condominium ownership is different from owning a singlefamily home, as owners within the same property are dependant on one another. That makes managing condominiums very challenging. The Professional Chamber of Freehold Condominiums of the Swiss Real Estate Association strengthens the reputation of condominium managers, making the job more attractive. The chamber helps managers to gain training to prepare themselves for the challenges of their professional day to day duties, while at the same time focussing on specific issues, such as those on the legal level. Condominium managers have comprehensive, specialised knowledge about operational, value-maintenance, and property renovation issues. They are also capable of understanding processes involving group dynamics and offering solutions in crisis situations. The Professional Chamber of Freehold Condominiums and its members in brief: > Membership attests to special qualifications related to freehold condominiums. > This is a challenging responsibility with two areas of focus: technical and economical property management on the one hand and the ability to lead a processes involving group dynamics with condominium owners on the other. > The increasing importance of condominium ownership will continue to raise the status of the profession. Tree of contention. Source: Saldo, 27/4/2011 A retired couple has invested a large sum of money for a condominium with a view. But a tree has been obscuring the view. Recently the tree was cut down but people want to plant a new one. The couple fights the plans at the owners meeting, it s 50:50 but they lose the majority vote. The dispute lands in the courts and ends up costing everybody involved a tidy sum. Why didn t the condominium owners engage a solutionoriented professional? 14 15

10 «Here s why we need the SVIT Swiss Real Estate School.» Strong advocacy for education and professional training Solid educational and professional training programmes that are continuously updated are important for the future of the real estate industry. This requires experts and specialists at every level and in every field able to uphold the requirement for quality services, which is why SVIT is simultaneously active on a number of different levels in the education and professional training field. The Swiss Real Estate School is a fully-owned subsidiary of SVIT. It offers SVIT members a variety of education programmes and courses. The cornerstone of the school is a range of respected qualification programmes for property management, property surveying, real estate marketing, real estate development, and real estate trusts. In cooperation with the HWZ University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration Zurich, the school offers the professional Master of Advanced Studies MAS in Real Estate Management (MREM). One measure of the quality of the Swiss Real Estate School is that its graduates consistently score better on state examinations than exam takers from other backgrounds. Another education-related activity of SVIT is its co-sponsorship of the Swiss Federal Examination Commission for the Real Estate Industry (SFPKIW). The commission is responsible on a national level for overall coordination of tests for a range of state certificates and degrees in the field of real estate. Together with the other co-sponsors, SVIT also assists with the Organisation for Fundamental Business Education in Real Estate Trusts (OKGT). The organisation accompanies educational institutions and students throughout the entire period of business training with a comprehensive offering of training and services. SVIT Swiss Real Estate School in brief: > The Swiss Real Estate School offers members and the industry numerous accredited educational programmes and courses. > In cooperation with the HWZ, the school offers a professional Master of Advanced Studies MAS in Real Estate Management (MREM). > The Swiss Federal Examination Commission for the Real Estate Industry (SFPKIW) ensures professional examinations in the service of the market. > The Organisation for Fundamental Business Education in Real Estate Trusts (OKGT) ensures that education of students in the Swiss real estate sector functions smoothly. The key to success. Source: Bilanz, 8/2/2013 The real estate industry is facing an unprecedented lack of specialists from highly qualified real estate developers to energy specialists and facility managers. And the demands on the workforce have changed. Today, the demand is for service-oriented specialists who can take in the big picture. Apart from the necessary experience, specialists must have the ability to bring together current knowledge from a number of different fields. But who trains the professionals for the industry? 16 17

11 «Here s why you need SVIT Publications.» Direction in a dynamic environment Up-to-date expertise is a key prerequisite for commercial success. SVIT takes responsibility for transferring this knowledge to its members. Through SVIT Verlag AG, the SVIT publishing house, SVIT publishes its own magazine, Immobilia, to keep its members abreast of important developments. The publication MietRecht Aktuell focusses on legal topics with implications for day-to-day real estate business. These two publications are augmented by the publisher s own series of trade books. Immobilia is published monthly and keeps readers informed about current issues facing the industry, special topics, education and training, and association activities. A comprehensive service section offers an important and indispensable information source for real estate professionals. estate law. The authors are selected exclusively from certified professionals in their fields with years of experience in the sector and on their respective topics. SVIT Publications in brief: > Industry news and information for everyone on key issues. > Two periodicals: association magazine Immobilia and MietRecht Aktuell. > A book series with trade books offering significant benefits for the real estate business. MietRecht Aktuell is a quarterly publication offering in-depth look at tenant-law issues for real estate specialists and property owners. Well known attorneys sit on the editorial board, which ensures that the content of the magazine has a strong practical focus. And the writing is clear and easily understood. In its trade books series, SVIT Publications produces books that examine topics in depth. The series includes books on topics such as freehold condominiums, property management, brokerage law, real estate marketing, and practical aspects of real Up-to-date knowledge. Source: Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 17/2/2012 The information needs of the real estate industry are growing rapidly. Industry players need in-depth and up-to-date knowledge on a range of issues, such as marketing, urban development, construction and planning, management, policy, and the economy. A university or professional specialist somewhere has the knowledge: But who will make it available in form that is useful to the industry? 18 19

12 «Here s why you need the SVIT Forum and the SVIT Campus.» Inspiration and networking in an exclusive atmosphere The association organises two key industry events every year The SVIT Real Estate Forum and the SVIT Real Estate Campus through the SVIT Real Estate Forum and the SVIT Real Estate in brief: Campus. The events offer members, their colleagues and > Platforms for networking and exchange of ideas away from employees the opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss new developments, and gain inspiration beyond the daily routine. the daily work routine. > Inspiration from high-quality speakers. > Dissemination of valuable information on current issues The SVIT Real Estate Forum takes place in Pontresina and is important to the real estate industry. among the five most important business events of the year in Switzerland. Participants enjoy a mix of high-quality speakers and fascinating topics, as well as the opportunity to develop their network in a unique atmosphere. The target groups of the SVIT Forum are decision makers in the Swiss real estate industry and related fields, along with selected guest sponsors. The SVIT Real Estate Campus is held every autumn in Pontresina and caters to leaders and employees working for corporate D eveloping networks. members of SVIT. The campus offers participants an in-depth Source: Neue Luzerner Zeitung, 20/8/2011 making new contacts. focus on selected topics in a relaxed atmosphere conducive to Big corporations maintain contact with employees departing the company by offering them mutually beneficial networking opportunities. The former employees often return to their employers and individual employees enjoy a sort of alumni network where one can forge contacts vital to the next career step or contract. But where can Swiss real estate professionals develop their network? 20 21

13 «Here s why you need the SVIT Arbitration and Disciplinary Committees.» Legal platforms for a healthy industry In the real estate industry large sums of money are often at stake, which is why disputes, as in other industries, are part of doing business. SVIT believes that conflicts should be resolved in a way that minimises the costs and efforts for everybody. To keep the industry running smoothly, the association has established the Arbitration Committee for the Swiss real estate industry. Most real estate disputes from office rental to complex sale and lease-back transactions or facility management contracts can be settled by arbitration. Such cases can be submitted to an arbitration body capable of making a binding and, with very few exceptions, final decision. This venue offers the parties to the dispute the option of settling legal differences quickly and efficiently with the support of expert arbitrators. Owing to the absolute discretion of the arbitration proceedings, the business relationships of the parties are less affected than they would be in a cumbersome legal proceeding in a government court. The Arbitration Committee and the Disciplinary Committee in brief: > The Arbitration Committee is concerned with disputes arising in the course of routine business activities. The Committee resolves disputes quickly and efficiently and offers a number of advantages over government courts. > The Disciplinary Committee punishes violations of the SVIT rules of conduct, thus ensuring the quality of our members. > Both committees are essential components of a self-regulating real estate industry with a sound reputation. Concert venue drama. Source: Berner Zeitung, 24/4/2012 The second legal platform the Disciplinary Committee is concerned with violations of the SVIT Switzerland rules of conduct. With its internal activities within the association, the Committee ensures that real estate industry lives up to its ethical obligations and ensures continued confidence in the services of real estate companies. A concert organiser has rented an old mill and is successfully organising events there. Now a dispute has arisen with the family that owns the property and they want to terminate the lease. The legal situation is extremely complex. The concert organiser is determined not to give in and plans to fight the eviction in the courts. The legal battle is expected to last three to five years. Why don t they submit the case to the SVIT Arbitration Committee? 22 23

14 «Here s why we need the Swiss Real Estate Institute.» Research and instruction with a high degree of practical benefit SVIT, together with the HWZ University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration Zurich and the KV Switzerland business school are co-founders of the Swiss Real Estate Institute SwissREI. The institute represents the view of the Swiss real estate industry in defining economically relevant themes and topics that must be addressed in future. It then develops research, instruction and service tasks around these focus themes. The Swiss Real Estate Institute was established as a foundation as an offshoot of the HWZ. The Swiss Real Estate Institute in brief: > SVIT is a co-founder, together with the HWZ University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration Zurich and the KV Switzerland business school. > Research and teaching in fields relevant to the Swiss real estate industry. > Strong grounding in practical aspects of the profession, such as tools, target values, and benchmarks. Better data available. Source: Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 31/10/2012 Big data is a huge topic in this age of web logs and ultra-modern industrial sensors. The real estate industry has the opposite problem data is sparse and fragmentary. But it would be wrong to believe that more data alone would result in better investment decisions. Knowledge of the field is needed to improve the interpretation and integration of existing sources. But who can generate this know-how for the Swiss real estate industry? Through the activities of the Swiss Real Estate Institute, SVIT fulfils the economic and social obligations of the real estate industry. The traditional roles and responsibilities of the various participants in the real estate industry have changed dramatically over the past few years, and the change continues. The industry has to question existing ideas, recognise new requirements and integrate them into the profession. The Swiss Real Estate Institute is concerned with creating tangible customer benefits. It does this with the help of professional guidelines and standards, the provision of tools, and developing target values and benchmarks. Its activities also contribute to the integration and the exchange of technical information within the real estate industry

15 Swiss Real Estate Association SVIT («SVIT Switzerland») 15 member organisations ten regions, five professional chambers > SVIT Aargau > SVIT Basel City and Canton > SVIT Bern > SVIT Graubünden > SVIT East Switzerland > SVIT Romandie > SVIT Solothurn > SVIT Ticino > SVIT Central Switzerland > SVIT Zurich > Swiss Chamber of Surveyors SEK > Chamber of Independent Consultants for Building Owners KUB > Swiss Chamber of Real Estate Brokers SMK > SVIT FM Switzerland > Chamber of Freehold Condominiums SVIT Swiss Real Estate School Ltd SVIT Publications SVIT Real Estate Forum SVIT Arbitration and Disciplinary Committees Swiss Real Estate Institute Swiss Federal Examination Commission for the Real Estate Industry Organisation for Fundamental Business Education in Real Estate Trusts SVIT the seal of quality for real estate professionals in Switzerland Swiss Real Estate Association SVIT («SVIT Switzerland») Puls 5, Giessereistrasse 18 CH-8005 Zurich Phone Fax Website