Selling property in Wädenswil: staying local, counting wisely

If you buy the new flat, the tax can be deferred. The law calls this a replacement purchase.¹ The condition is that you lived in the house permanently and exclusively yourself. And that within a reasonable period you buy or build a home for the same use in Switzerland.

The catch: the deferral applies only to the extent the proceeds go into the new home.¹ If the flat costs less than the proceeds from the house, the difference is taxable at once, CHF 826,360 in the median example.¹¹ If it costs no more than you paid and invested in the house, nothing is deferred. So the very money you want to free up can trigger tax.

If you rent instead, there is no deferral. The full tax is then due, CHF 239,344 in the median example. What this means for you: work through both routes before you decide on a flat. Which one leaves you with more depends on your own figures, not on a rule of thumb.

In the example, the house costs CHF 1,100,000 at the 2007 median and CHF 2,195,000 in 2025. The gain of CHF 1,095,000 attracts CHF 239,344 in tax, 10.9 per cent of the sale price.¹ The tariff is the same throughout the canton. Parts of the gain above CHF 100,000 are taxed at 40 per cent, before the reduction.

That reduction grows with the period of ownership. After 18 full years it is 44 per cent, from 20 years half.¹ With the same gain, CHF 213,700 would then be due. Conversely, selling after less than a year costs a surcharge of 50 per cent.

The purchase price itself is also a lever. If you bought more than 20 years ago, you may use the market value from 20 years ago instead of the old price.¹ Documented investments such as an extension are added. What this means for you: look out your old documents before you name a price.

In 2025, 28 houses and 93 flats were sold on the open market in Wädenswil.² The house median is 38 per cent above the canton, the flat median 14 per cent above. Since 2015 the house price has risen by 48 per cent, the flat price by 26 per cent. Back then, though, 45 houses were sold.

In Wädenswil, 5,537 people are 65 or older, 21.3 per cent of the population.⁴ That is more than one person in five. With age, the question of how you want to live in future arises sooner or later.

The municipal tax rate is 102 per cent, 197 per cent including the canton.³ It only affects income and wealth. In Horgen you would pay about 6 per cent less cantonal and municipal tax, in Richterswil about 2 per cent less. From Wädenswil station the S 25 runs to Zürich HB from 17 minutes without changing.⁵ What this means for you: staying in town keeps both your tax rate and your connection.