Selling property in Sevelen: a new village centre, a new local plan

There is no official price series for Sevelen. Unlike the Canton of Zurich, the Canton of St. Gallen publishes no median prices by municipality. Portal values for Sevelen rest on offers, not on completed sales.

What is on record is the stock: Sevelen has 1,461 buildings with residential use in the Werdenberg constituency. 1,032 of them are single-family houses, or 70.6%. The cantonal figure is 59.2%. Sevelen ranks 1 of 6 in the Werdenberg constituency. In total, Sevelen has 2,749 dwellings. 58.1% were built before 1981, against 58.9% in the canton. 7.3 hectares of 168.1 hectares of building zone are undeveloped, or 4.3% (as of 2022). For the share of undeveloped zone, Sevelen ranks 60 of 75 in the canton.

For a single house in Sevelen, location, plot, age and condition count, measured against comparable sales. You receive a written price range with its reasoning in the free assessment.

The municipal council enacted the framework land-use plan on 27 January 2025. It includes a building code and zoning maps for the valley and the hills. An amended valley zoning map followed on 12 January 2026.¹⁴ A referendum was then called. At the ballot on 27 September 2026, residents approved the plan by 630 votes to 538.¹⁵ The previous building code dates from 2005, and the zoning maps were last revised in 2010.¹⁴

On 28 September 2025, residents approved the building credit for the new village centre by 760 votes to 626.¹⁶ Plans show two buildings around a new village square.¹⁷ The Caspar building on Hauptstrasse is to hold shops, offices and four flats. At Storchenbüel, the Melchior building is to house a restaurant and a hall with a stage.¹⁷

For a sale in Sevelen, this means both key decisions have been taken. Which zone is planned for a plot, and how close it lies to the planned square, can now be shown in concrete terms.

In Sevelen, 849 of 1,461 buildings with residential use date from before 1981. That is 58.1%. Among the 75 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 34, counting from the highest share. In the Werdenberg constituency: rank 4 of 6. Sevelen therefore has a lower share than the canton at 58.9%. Compared with Sevelen, the figure in Buchs (SG) is 63.5%.

In Sevelen, oil or gas heats 629 buildings with residential use, 43.1%, against 50.0% in the canton. Among the 75 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 50, counting from the highest share. In Sevelen, a smaller share of houses uses oil or gas than in the canton.

Anyone selling in Sevelen adds records of heating, roof and windows to the sale documents. From 1 January 2029, owners living in their home in Sevelen lose the imputed rental value and the maintenance deduction.¹ The calculation before a renovation is in Renovate or sell.

Sevelen has 5,405 residents. 942 of them, 17.4%, are 65 or older, against 19.9% in the canton. Among the 75 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 64, counting from the highest share. In the Werdenberg constituency: rank 4 of 6. Compared with Sevelen, the figure in Buchs (SG) is 17.2%.

On 1 June 2026, 42 homes in Sevelen were empty, 1.53% of the stock, against 1.16% in the canton. Among the 75 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 64, counting from the lowest vacancy. The rate for Sevelen covers rented and owner-occupied homes, not the supply of houses.

The municipal tax rate of Sevelen is 118%. Among the 75 municipalities in the canton, that is rank 47, counting from the lowest tax rate. How Sevelen compares for the same income and wealth is shown in the municipality atlas. By public transport, Zurich HB is 70 minutes away from the Sevelen stop, with 1 change.

The canton taxes the gain on sale, price minus costs, on a progressive scale.² After more than 15 years of ownership, the tax falls yearly, by up to 40.5% if you lived there 15 years or more.² This applies to the gain up to CHF 500,000; otherwise the cap is 20%.² Within 5 years, the tax rises.²

Selling a home you lived in permanently and exclusively can defer all or part of the tax.³ You buy a similarly used home in Switzerland from 1 year before to 3 years after the sale.⁴ Deferred does not mean waived.³

The buyer owes a 1% transfer tax (Handänderungssteuer) on the price.⁵ The seller is jointly liable; between parents and children, half the rate applies.⁵

The municipal land registry where the property lies notarises the sale contract.⁶ The registry fee is 0.2% up to CHF 2 million, 0.05% above.⁷ If the land registry also notarises the contract, the fee doubles.⁷