I know this scenario well: Someone listed their apartment themselves, waited six months, then reduced the price by CHF 80,000, and ultimately sold it below market value. Afterwards, they realize that a real estate agent would have more than saved them the commission.
This isn't a hypothesis; it's a recurring pattern. And it's not due to chance, but to a fundamental misunderstanding of what a good real estate agent actually does.
What Most People Misunderstand
Many sellers think a real estate agent is just a door opener and a photographer. Someone who posts the listing and coordinates viewings. That's the visible part, but not the part that determines the price.
The crucial part is invisible: market knowledge, negotiation experience, the network, and the ability to connect the property with the right target audience. Those who lack these qualities list to the general public and receive offers from interested parties who also don't know the property's true value.
A well-prepared property, with an exposé that explains why the price is justified, and which reaches pre-qualified buyers through the right channels – that's a different starting point. And that leads to different results.
What a RE/MAX Network Specifically Means
RE/MAX is represented in over 110 countries with more than 8,300 offices. It's the largest real estate agent network in the world. In Switzerland, there are over 80 locations with more than 200 specialists. That sounds like a large number, but what does it mean in practice?
A simple example: A family in Los Angeles decides to move to Switzerland. They contact their RE/MAX agent in Los Angeles. The agent forwards their profile, including budget, housing preferences, and timeline, to me. I receive a pre-qualified buyer before they've even appeared on a portal. The property I'm currently marketing fits their needs. We view it, we agree, we notarize.
This is not an isolated case. This is the principle on which the network is built. And for sellers on Lake Zurich who want to attract international buyers, such as expats, newcomers from other cantons, buyers from Germany, Austria, or other countries, this channel is simply not replicable by a local real estate office without a network.
Off-market sales only work within a network. An agent without a network has no off-market channel. They only have a listing.
Why Professionalism is Measurable
There are objective differences between a well-managed and a poorly managed sales process. How long is the property on the market? How many viewings lead to offers? How close is the final sale price to the initial asking price? Does the price need to be adjusted during the process?
Downward price adjustments are the most visible sign that a property was incorrectly positioned. As soon as a property has an adjustment, potential buyers start asking why. What's wrong? This creates a self-perpetuating dynamic that is difficult to reverse.
RE/MAX agents work with a standardized quality process; from valuation and exposé to transaction support. This doesn't mean every sale proceeds identically. It means that no essential steps are overlooked and that the process is based on experience drawn from thousands of transactions within the network.
What the Difference Between a RE/MAX Agent and a Traditional Independent Agent Is
An independent agent without a franchise background bears all costs and the entire risk themselves. This sometimes leads to decisions that are not in the seller's best interest: closing too quickly to secure cash flow; no resources for professional photography or home staging; no marketing budget for premium placements on portals.
As RE/MAX franchise partners, we benefit from central resources, ongoing training, established quality standards, and a support system that goes far beyond what an independent agent can build. For you as a seller, this means: We have the tools a professional sales process requires, and we use them.
This also applies to liability: As a licensed RE/MAX partner, I am bound by the RE/MAX Code of Ethics and am a member of SVIT (Swiss Real Estate Association). These are not empty promises, but verifiable standards.
What Local Expertise Means — and Why It Matters
I work on Lake Zurich. This is no coincidence. I know the differences between a hillside property in Zollikon with a lake view and one without. I know which locations in Küsnacht have schools in their catchment area that families prefer. I understand the difference between Zollikon and Männedorf from a buyer's perspective, not from a brochure, but because I have these conversations daily.
This local knowledge cannot be replaced by research. It comes from presence, networking, and real transactions. An agent who covers everything from Geneva to St. Gallen will have gaps somewhere. I don't have them, at least not on Lake Zurich.
BC Living is locally rooted and globally connected. That's the combination that makes a real difference. The local market needs someone who knows the streets. International buyers need someone who can reach them. RE/MAX connects these.
What we specifically offer you
If you want to sell your property, we start with a free market valuation based on current transaction data – not estimates, but real comparative values. After that, we collaboratively develop a marketing strategy that suits the property and your goals.
We work exclusively with professional photographers and copywriters. The exposé is written to appeal to the right buyers, not just any buyers. And we list the property across all relevant channels, including our internal RE/MAX network for off-market inquiries.
The commission? Transparent, contractually regulated, and success-based. No sale, no commission. That's in our interest and yours!
The agent you choose is one of the most important decisions when selling real estate. Not because of the fee, but because of everything it influences.
Tino Brodar is a real estate agent and Managing Director of BC Living, a franchise partner of RE/MAX Zollikon.
