Leading the revolution has been the slogan of this year’s annual conference of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World. With 850 attendees, the enthusiasm at the conference was impressive, with so many industry leaders coming together to strategize and inspire. Affiliate brokerages of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® representing annual sales production of $280 billion convened Tuesday through Thursday, March 9-11, at the Encore at Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas for LeadingRE’s annual conference. Approximately 40% of the network’s total member companies were represented at the conference by their principals, CEOs or other senior management. The conference audience includes over 100 of the nation’s top 500 companies based on REAL Trends data, as well as firms from eight countries around the world.

Ueli Schnorf (CEO/owner of Wetag) and Peter Rabitz (Director – International Division) represented the company. The conference was highlighted by a diverse list of speakers including Guy Kawasaki of Apple Computer fame; FHA Commissioner Dave Stevens; Ron Peltier of HomeServices of America; elite athlete Robin Benincasa; Adam Singer of TopRank Online Marketing; Scott Murphy of Sears Holding Corp.; Channing Dawson, Kelly Roark, Rich Lacy and Vikki Neil of Scripps Networks; Carter Maslan of Google; Sami Inkinen and Pierre Calzidilla of Trulia; Sara Bonert and Greg Schwartz of Zillow; Jennifer Baumann of DLA PIPER; Dustin Luther of 4realz.net; Randy LeBlanc of TIBCO; Ian Morris of Market Leader; Marc Davison and Brian Borero of 1000Watt Consulting; leadership coach Mike Staver; market game-changer Steve Harney; real estate technology coach Matthew Ferrara; and an impressive line-up of LeadingRE member and industry speakers.

With more than a decade successfully in business, Wetag Consulting has become not only the exclusive affiliate for Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and their luxury component Luxury Portfolio, but also the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s Great Estates for the canton of Ticino, the most southern part of Switzerland. Based on continued hard work, strong business ethics, knowledge of the local, but also world wide luxury real estate market – the company became leader in the luxury real estate market. Showcasing a broad selection of the finest properties available in Ticino and serving an elite clientele of seller and buyers alike – Wetag became number one choice for national and international clients to be chosen as their property specialist. Serving clients coming from almost 70 nations, Wetag understands the globalization of real estate business. Ueli Schnorf states: “You have to be internationally connected, not only to stay on top of what’s going on in the industry, but also to understand your clients’ needs and point of view on properties. The mixture of nationalities we serve reflects also a mixture of different tastes. An American buyer might look for totally different features than a Russian client and to knowing these different interests and also behaviour, we certainly feel comfortable to assist all of our clients. Our membership in elite networks like Christie’s Great Estates and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World also provide us with great global connections and ensure that our seller’s properties get represented in a very exclusive way. With that, we can truly say that we have a global reach what gives us an edge in our local business.”

Wetag Consulting’s international approach is being underlined by this years LeadingRE’s award ceremony where the company has been honoured with the RELO Home Search – Outstanding International Contributor award. The RELO Home Search Outstanding Contributor award recognizes exceptional contributions made by international LeadingRE members who have helped advance the development of RELOHomeSearch.com by providing an abundance of community content, property listings, and invaluable feedback to aid in the site’s growth. RELOHomeSearch.com is an exclusive service of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® real estate network. RELOHomeSearch.com is a community research tool that you can use to find information about cities, neighbourhoods, zip code areas and of course real estate listing from around the globe. In addition, Wetag Consulting just received LeadingRE’s Website Quality Certification.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Vendiamo grande proprietà immersa in un contesto verde e soleggiato con bella vista sulla vallata. In questo comune a soli 20 minuti da Locarno/Lago Maggiore vissero personalità quali Max Frisch, Alfred Andersch e Golo Mann (al Museo Onsernonese è aperta una sua esposizione fino al 31 ottobre 2009). Scritto da Manuela Pedrazzini

Considering the history of successful integration, it is understandable that Switzerland is reluctant to accept external advice (eg. From the EU) regarding the regulation of the relationship of different nationalities. Regardless, many Swiss claim to be afraid of being overrun by foreign influences, which they worry will lead to racial disharmony as has occurred in neighboring countries. In fact Switzerland was ‘overrun by foreigners’ long ago and has remained peaceful and well functioning.
In 2002 an agreement was established with the EU on the free movement of persons which has been implemented on a stepped approach and since 2007, every EU citizen is guaranteed the right of permanent residence in Switzerland. Excluding the right to vote, EU citizens are treated equally to Swiss in most other areas of life. This is on the condition of having already found a job or that a job will be found within 6 months; have sufficient financial resources and being of good character. In the last few years, tens of thousands of Germans have moved to Switzerland in order to live and work. To have your main residence in Switzerland, gives you the right to unlimited purchase of property (but does not extend to the letting of property and property speculation/investment).
Non-EU members do not have an automatic right to permanent residence (PR). Every request for PR for is a long procedure, and is judged on a case-by-case basis and must be found to be ‘in the interest of Switzerland’.
The ‘extended freedom of movement’ vote that took place in February 2009 referred to the question of whether all new EU member states or if only EU members as of 2002 should have the law applied as was originally implemented. Right-winged political parties were concerned that the more impoverished new EU members of Bulgaria and Romania would ‘rush’ to Switzerland to take advantage of our favourable social welfare system. The media used this situation internationally to accuse Switzerland of Xenophobia. Despite this, Swiss citizens voted in favour of extending the agreement to include all new EU member states. The canton of Ticino was the only canton to vote against proposal with a significant majority against. This may be because of Ticino’s close proximity to Italy, where already heated debate occurs on the issue of Bulgarian and Romanian Gypsies. Regardless of the new agreement, regulations require all foreigners intending to purchase a vacation home, to have permission, with the size of the property limited for the use of vacation in appropriate holiday areas.

Posted By: Ueli F. Schnorf

Lugano, Switzerland’s 3rd biggest banking centre and also 9th largest city of Switzerland by population, is often nicknamed the “Monte Carlo of Switzerland” due the fact that the city has attracted an ever growing number of celebs, entertainers, successful athletes and entrepreneurs. Situated right on the shores of Lago Lugano, opposite Campione, an Italian commune, occupying an enclave within the Swiss canton of Ticino and separated from the rest of Italy – Lugano features a nice setting on the north-western side of Lago Lugano and boast stunning lake views from almost everywhere.

Lugano and especially its city centre is not really recognized for its architectural significant and town planning appeal, but there are a few great examples of modern architecture, based on the well know Ticino school of architecture, which blends in its surrounding perfectly. The famous dynasty of Ticino architecture was established by the extent of Botta’s, Galfetti’s and Snozzi’s fame, just to name a few of the protagonists who made the Ticino architecture well known world wide. Thanks to aspiring elite of young and talented architects, there is a great movement to tie up with the architecture of their famous predecessors.

A new and stylish residential development called “lomocubes” by MPA architects is arising in Massagno. The cube like apartment building impresses with a glass and wooden mixture façade, providing virtual ease to its volume. Its magnificent glass façade with protruding volumes eludes the traditional heavy cement block architecture and re-elaborates the dichotomy between the interior and exterior, thus creating an innovative concept of living. The panorama windows and the glass cubes extending from the facade create multiple spectacular panoramas - boasting awesome views of Lago Lugano, the picturesque mountains surrounding the lake and Lugano’s city itself.

Each living environment is characterized by a diverse dimensional relationship between shapes, light and space. In order to guarantee the utmost comfort and quality of living all units are luminous, spacious and are finished with best quality natural materials and refined features.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz