How to Start a Property Search in Montreux

Clarify your requirements

Before contacting agents or browsing listings, take time to clarify your requirements. The key questions are: What is your budget (including purchase costs of approximately 5–7 percent above the purchase price)? What type of property do you want — apartment or house? What size — number of bedrooms, living space? What area — lakeside, hillside, specific neighbourhood? What view — lake view essential, or acceptable without? What is the intended use — primary residence, secondary residence or holiday home?

Being clear about your priorities — and distinguishing between must-haves and nice-to-haves — allows you to focus your search and avoid wasting time on properties that do not meet your core criteria.

Establish your legal eligibility

Before beginning your search in earnest, establish your legal eligibility to purchase the type of property you want. If you are a non-resident foreign buyer, you will need a Lex Koller authorisation to purchase a holiday home in Montreux. The availability of Foreign Buyer Eligible properties is limited, and you should confirm that properties matching your criteria are available before investing significant time.

If you are a Swiss national, C permit holder or EU/EFTA resident with a B permit, your purchasing options are broader, but you should still understand the Lex Weber restrictions on secondary residences.

Arrange financing

Arranging financing before beginning your search is strongly recommended. In the Montreux market, sellers of quality properties expect buyers to be financially prepared. A buyer who has a mortgage pre-approval or can demonstrate the availability of funds is taken more seriously than one who has not yet arranged financing.

For Swiss residents, contact Swiss banks or mortgage brokers to obtain a pre-approval. For international buyers, explore mortgage options with Swiss private banks or international banks with Swiss operations. Be aware that non-resident foreign buyers face more restrictive mortgage conditions than Swiss residents.

Engage a specialist agent

In the Montreux market, engaging a specialist local agent is the most important step in starting an effective search. The best properties — particularly in the prime and luxury segments — are sold off-market, and access to these opportunities requires an established relationship with an agent who is trusted by property owners.

When choosing an agent, look for local market knowledge, a track record of transactions in your target segment, and a network that includes off-market opportunities. Be wary of agents who show you everything available regardless of fit — a good agent will focus on properties that genuinely match your criteria.

Key points

• Clarify requirements before searching: budget, type, size, area, view, intended use
• Establish legal eligibility (Lex Koller) before investing time in the search
• Arrange financing before beginning — sellers expect financially prepared buyers
• Specialist local agent essential for access to off-market opportunities
• Focus on must-haves vs nice-to-haves to avoid wasting time on unsuitable properties