What does the day-to-day work of a real estate valuer with a federal certificate look like?

A real estate valuer appraises properties and building plots according to national and international standards. for their valuation. The values of different properties are determined:

• Condominiums
• Single-family houses
• Apartment buildings
• Commercial and industrial properties
• Sports and leisure facilities
• Health and welfare facilities
• Agricultural objects
• Building land
• Work and storage areas
• Landfills
• Areas

The type of real estate to be valued depends on the size of the company. Larger companies (e.g. banks) have a more extensive range of properties than smaller real estate companies. For the analyses, the real estate valuer uses various determination methods (national and international standard formulas). They then prepare a detailed valuation report which they present internally or directly to the client. In their analyses, they examine, for example, the condition of the property (building materials, components, structures, etc.). Other factors include building ecology, building statics, building acoustics and building physics. All factors are ultimately important aspects of the varied assignments for the assessment.

Real estate appraisers also deal with the real estate market and its development and trends. They find out about supply and demand, economic developments, economic growth and political processes, which also influence the result of a valuation. They are employed by real estate companies, real estate funds, pension funds, banks, insurance companies, construction and general contractors, public administration and auditing, property management and trust companies.

The following areas of work are typical for real estate appraisers with a federal certificate:

• Management of a team in real estate valuation
• Valuation of real estate
  • Tracking supply and demand on the real estate market
  • take account of economic trends and political events
  • check the building materials, components and structures with the help of specialists
  • Area calculations taking into account the municipal building and zoning regulations and the provisions of the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects SIA
  • Check land register entries, agreements under private law and contaminated sites and carry out legal clarifications
  • Analyze the potential as well as the opportunities and risks of a property
  • Determine the financial value of real estate, building land, squares, landfills and sites
  • Situation-appropriate application of different valuation methods
• Formulation of needs-based reports based on assessments
  • Competent consultants for questions relating to usage optimization and profitability
  • Involvement in project development and portfolio management

Target group and skills: Who is the professional examination for real estate appraisers with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The real estate appraiser training course is aimed at people who have a basic commercial or construction engineering qualification and have several years of professional experience in the real estate sector, for example:

• Real estate marketing and valuation clerk
• Real estate agent
• Architects
• Civil engineers
• others working in the real estate industry

Basic knowledge in the field of financial mathematics is not mandatory but definitely an advantage.
 

The following skills and characteristics are required for a successful job as a real estate appraiser:

• Interest and pleasure in real estate, real estate business and numbers
• structural engineering interest
• quick comprehension and patience
• Analytical skills and a structured approach
• Commercial skills and organizational talent
• Communication skills
• Customer and service orientation
• Reliability and a sense of responsibility
• Leadership qualities
• Flexibility in terms of working hours and locations
• Independence and confident demeanor
• Foreign language skills
• Computer skills

Requirements for admission to the professional examination in real estate valuation:

For admission to the final examination (federal professional examination) as a real estate valuer, the following prerequisites are required at the start of the examination:

• a federal certificate of proficiency from at least three years of basic vocational training, a school-leaving certificate, a federally recognized commercial diploma, a degree from a higher technical college, a federal certificate, a federal diploma, a university degree (Bachelor's or Master's) or an equivalent qualification

and

• at least three years of full-time professional experience in a profession in the real estate industry since acquiring it

Or

• More than five years of full-time professional experience in a profession in the real estate industry, of which at least two years of the required practice in Switzerland or the Principality of Liechtenstein

Some schools do not require an entry in the criminal record. You will be informed in writing at least two months before the start of the examination whether you meet the requirements for the professional examination for real estate appraisers.

Subject matter and content of the real estate appraiser training:

The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the professional examination for the real estate appraiser certificate is based on the specifications of the sponsors of the federal examination, SVIT Switzerland, USPI Suisse and SVKG.

The learning content of the real estate appraiser training is divided into the following topics:

• Law
  • ZGB, OR
  • Value Added Tax Act
• Structural knowledge
  • Building technology
  • Planning and building law
• Economics
• Business administration
  • Financial management
  • Financial accounting
  • Key figures and controlling
  • Investment calculation
• Real estate financing
  • Mortgage and loans
  • Credit assessment and approval process
• Real estate markets and marketing
• Real estate valuation
  • Advertising access and detection
  • National and international valuation standards
  • Factors influencing value
  • Valuation objects and methods
  • Evaluation process

Costs and financing of real estate valuation training:

The costs vary depending on the provider and duration of training to become a real estate valuer. On average, these amounts are to be expected for the training costs:

• Course fees:between CHF 7'800.- and CHF 13'700.-
  After taking the exam, you will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result)*.
• Examination fees:CHF 2,700 (as at: 2023)
  The examination fee is set by the body responsible for the professional examination. It is paid by the candidate after confirmation of admission to the real estate valuer examination.
• Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for enrolment fees, teaching materials, training documents, books, intensive exam training, simulation exams, school diplomas and interim qualifications, for example, are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect for the real estate appraiser training course.
• Acquisition of additional qualifications:For additional qualifications such as real estate marketing and valuation specialist, you will have to expect extra costs for preparation and external examinations.

*Since January 1, 2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations, such as training to become a real estate valuer, have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also pre-financed in exceptional cases.

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort for real estate appraiser training:

• The real estate appraiser training, further education is classically structured (i.e. professional examination includes all competencies to be assessed) and lasts 2 to 3 semesters. It comprises around 400 lessons.
• Class times vary depending on the provider of the real estate appraiser training course. Classroom teaching usually takes place on one day and afternoon/evening or two evenings during the week.
• Many schools now offer a mix of face-to-face and online teaching (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study.
• Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the Real Estate Appraiser course, you can immediately apply and deepen your knowledge in practice. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for class preparation and follow-up as well as for self-study. Depending on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed, we recommend that you allow at least 3 to 5 hours per week.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons", which provide an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. A suitable learning environment is important on the way to successfully completing the Real Estate Appraiser course.

Degree, diploma and title in real estate valuation:

The professional examination "Real estate valuer with federal certificate" takes place annually, provided the minimum number of candidates per language meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years:

• in German language min. 25 persons
• in French language min. 8 persons
• in Italian language min. 3 persons

Candidates for the professional examination for real estate appraisers are notified at least 1 month before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (with details of the place and time of the examination as well as permitted aids) and the list of experts.

The professional examination for real estate appraisers comprises the following five parts:

• Law (written, 2 hours, weighting 1)
• Structural knowledge (written, 1.5 hours, weighting 1)
• Economics and Business Administration (written, 2 hours, weighting 1)
• Real estate valuation (written, 6 hours, weighting 2)
• Real estate valuation (oral, 0.75 hours, weighting 2)
   

Diploma and title "Real estate valuer"

Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Real estate valuer with federal certificate" or "Real estate valuer with federal certificate".

• In French: "Expert en estimations immobilières avec brevet fédéral", "Experte en estimations immobilières avec brevet fédéral"
• In Italian: "Esperto in stime immobiliari con attestato professionale federale", "Esperta in stime immobiliari con attestato professionale federale"
• In English: "Property Surveyor with Federal Diploma of Professional Education and Training" (Attention: This is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title)