Advertised luxury homes in Switzerland

A Swiss real estate agency has seen its cut to attract Norwegian riches.

This month they have bought advertising space in Dagens Næringsliv.

– There has been a significant influx of Norwegians to Switzerland. Therefore, as a service provider for property, we want to position ourselves in the market and inform our customers about what we offer, says Timothy Dale, chief broker at Property One.

“Live by the sea”

Property One manages luxury homes only the richest of us can afford.

On Saturday 10 December, readers found two luxurious property advertisements in Dagens Næringsliv.

One ad tempted potential Norwegian buyers with a substantial villa by Lake Zurich. “Live by the sea”, it said in beautiful letters. The price is not stated.

The second ad was for an apartment, or office, on the 21st floor. Here, the brokers were tempted by 388 square meters and a view of the city of Zug.

Later in December, newspaper readers could find even more luxurious apartments in the “top segment”.

The news has reached Switzerland

Timothy Dale says that the case of Norwegian tax evaders has received attention in the Swiss media.

Among other things in the newspaper Handelszeitung.

– We have previously had the opportunity to help various Norwegian families with their property hunt in Switzerland, says Dale.

But this is the first time they advertise in a Norwegian newspaper.

– Smart

Tor W. Andreassen, professor of marketing, is not surprised that the Swiss brokers are aware of the noise surrounding Norwegian tax refugees.

– It is obvious that they have taken it with them. This is a way of showing off in a context that gets a lot of attention, he says to TV 2.

He explains that the Swiss have an interest in Norwegian royalty moving to their country.

– All countries are dependent on bringing in a type of workforce with a type of capital that is good for society, says Andreassen.

He believes the advertisements in Dagens Næringsliv may also be intended to tempt even more Norwegians to report moving to Switzerland.

– It is smart to be able to fish in a pond in Norway, where there are people who are a little restless, and may be tempted to move. They see that everything is arranged, like a lovely “mansion” or offices in great surroundings, says Andreassen.

Satisfied DN editor

Editor-in-chief of Dagens Næringsliv, Janne Johannessen, welcomes more Swiss housing advertisements. She is happy that Timothy Dale and his colleagues have chosen their newspaper.

– We think it is positive that foreign advertisers also consider that DN is such an attractive advertising medium.

She also believes that their readers appreciate being up-to-date on what is going on in the Swiss housing market.

– We have a very strong reader group that this advertiser was obviously looking for, says Johannessen.

Johannessen says that this is by far the first time that foreign players advertise in the newspaper. In the past, properties in Sweden, Denmark and France, among others, have also been in print.

She does not fear that the ads will contribute to even more Norwegian billionaires fleeing the country.

– The many rich Norwegians who have moved to Switzerland, or are considering it, have in common that they are reasonably prosperous people. They are unlikely to make such a big decision based on a couple of advertisements in Dagens Næringsliv.

The ads may appear to have had an effect.

– Generally speaking, we notice that Norwegian demand for Swiss real estate has increased, says chief broker Timothy Dale.