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Written by Lukas Bachmann

Independent Financing: More Choice, Better Rates, Higher Approval Chances

As of February 2026 · By Lukas Bachmann & Alessandrina Gull, innoVorsorge AG

You found your dream property, the bank offers you 1.58% interest for ten years – sounds good. But did you know that another bank would have offered you 1.38% for the same property? On a mortgage of CHF 700,000, that is CHF 14,000 difference over the term. Just like that.

What most people do not know: if you had obtained multiple interest offers and negotiated, you would now be paying 0.2 percentage points less. That is CHF 14,000 more you pay on a CHF 700,000 mortgage over ten years! Just because you did not compare.

The Two Biggest Mistakes When Getting a Mortgage

Mistake 1: Only Getting One Interest Offer

Most buyers go to their house bank and accept the first offer. The Swiss mortgage market is a negotiation market. Banks, insurance companies and pension funds have different refinancing costs, risk models and margin targets.

Interest comparison: CHF 700,000 fixed mortgage over 10 years
Provider A (1.58%)
CHF 110,600
Provider B (1.49%)
CHF 104,300
Provider C (1.38%)
CHF 96,600
Difference between A and C: CHF 14,000 over ten years

Mistake 2: Not Getting a Second Opinion After a Rejection

If a bank rejects your financing, it does not mean the property is too expensive. It only means: this one bank, with its specific internal guidelines, comes to this conclusion.

Example: Apartment for CHF 1,000,000, CHF 200,000 equity. Bank A values at CHF 950,000 → LTV 84.2% → rejection. Bank B values at CHF 1,020,000 → LTV 80% → approval. Those who give up after Bank A's rejection lose the property – even though financing would have been feasible.

Why Provider Differences Are So Large

  • Valuation tools: Each bank uses its own models with different results.
  • Treatment of pension assets: Some banks fully credit pillar 3a and vested benefits, others only partially.
  • Risk appetite: Depending on portfolio strategy, banks have different LTV limits.
  • Terms for existing customers: House banks often offer worse conditions than competitors.

What Independent Financing Advice Concretely Delivers

  1. Analysis of your financial situation – income, assets, equity, affordability.
  2. Selection of suitable providers – based on property, LTV and risk profile.
  3. Obtaining and negotiating offers – including interest comparison and terms review.
  4. Support until closing – with option for renewed comparison at renewal.

Conclusion

Independent financing advice costs something but usually saves a multiple. Those who compare multiple offers save tens of thousands of francs over the term. And those who do not give up after a rejection may secure their dream property.

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