Wetag Consulting Immobiliare is a boutique real estate brokerage in Locarno, Ticino, Switzerland with branch offices in Lugano and Ascona. The company features a broad selection of well selected properties focusing on the luxury segment of the real estate market such as luxury villas, apartments, penthouses and estates. This blog covers news, ideas, and information pertaining to this real estate marketplace and local lifestyle.

Andermatt Swiss Alps – the new rising star on the Swiss resort and development firmament

Posted Wed Oct 28 18:05:00 UTC 2009


Andermatt Swiss Alps, a new upscale development in Andermatt by Samir Sawiris of Orascom, is on its track. The new resort will be positioned on a level with well known alpine ski resorts, offering the same standards and even beyond. Weeks ago, the resort celebrated its ground breaking ceremony and construction has begun. Andermatt is more or less known as a former military facility where many of the male Swiss citizens spent their military service. Exactly, these former military facilities are now used for the development which will feature 4* and 5* hotels, a 18 hole PGA golf course, sport facilities, an new commercial railroad station and a village like residential zone with apartments as well as villas. The developer is also investing in the ski resort what is one of the best free ride paradises in the Swiss Alps. All the current ski areas such as Gemstock, Nätschen, Gütsch, Oberalp and Sedrun will be connected with each other and upgraded in its infrastructure to become a well served and great winter sport destination.
Andermatt is ideally located only a short drive away from Zurich and Milan what makes it really interesting for city dweller and some foreigner who will appreciate the convenient connection of the location by plane, train or car. Representatives of the EREN group (European Real Estate Network), where Wetag Consulting is one of the founding members and has been represented by Ueli Schnorf (CEO of Wetag Consulting) and my humble self, were visiting the headquarter and construction site last Friday, the 23rd of October. We were introduced to the team of Orascom and the Andermatt Swiss Alps resort and got a sneak preview of the whole development, its design and architecture as well as its current state. One of the leading architects of the development, who is counseling the developer on the design selection procedure, showed us all the current 38 designs of the new apartment and hotel buildings. The architecture is overall surprisingly fresh, but still referring to the Swiss architecture of alpine buildings featuring traditional textures and designs, but in a modern context. We also got taken to the actual site where we got a nice overview of the whole development and with the previous presentation we could already imagine how everything will look like once it’s finished - at least we could obtain a sense where all the new facilities will be located and fit into the current surrounding. In my opinion, the Andermatt Swiss Alps resort will be a great addition to current alpine destinations and even more become one of the trend setters for Swiss tourism and activity/leisure destinations in the Alps. Not to forget to mention that it will be much easier to invest in real estate since the ever-present “Lex Koller” law will not apply for the resort. That means, foreigners are allowed to purchase a property without facing all the restrictions.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Wetag Consulting attended the European Real Estate Network's Annual Conference in Estoril, Portugal, 11 - 12 September 2009, held at the Palacio Estoril Hotel.

Posted Wed Sep 16 20:25:00 UTC 2009

Wetag Consulting - founding member of the European Real Estate Network and their representative for the Southern part of Switzerland, Ticino – attended the group’s annual meeting in Estoril, Lisbon. The company was represented by Wetag’s CEO Ueli Schnorf and Peter Rabitz, Director of Wetag International Division.

IRG International Realty Group, also co-founding member of EREN, hosted this year’s conference. EREN is an association of almost 20 leading boutique brokerage agents, which operate from strategic locations throughout Europe, offering integrity, quality service and a portfolio of the finest properties and settings in Europe. Meetings like that became more important in recent times due to the development on the worldwide real estate markets. Members were exchanging their local experiences how do deal with these changed and challenging markets, discussed the further development of the group and welcomed two new members, Balearic Properties and CGi Immobilier, who from now on will join EREN to represent this prestigious association in their local territories like Mallorca and the western part of Switzerland around Lake Geneva.

Furthermore, José Ribes Bas of Rimontgo, Spain has been elected new president of the EREN group. Marco Argentieri of Cofim Immobiliare, Italy became the new member of the executive committee and will now support the group in a more active role. Wetag like to congratulate both of them.

The meeting was well organized by IRG and all members enjoyed IRG’s hospitality at their Estoril/Cascais Riviera Brokerage office and the Head Office in prestigious Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon where all enjoyed a glass of famous Port Wine and Horse d’oeuvre.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Toskana von ihrer schönsten Seite

Posted Mon May 25 17:09:00 UTC 2009

Das verlängerte Wochenende über Christie Himmelfahrt oder „Uffaart“ auf Schweizer Deutsch fuhren wir in die Toskana, um ein Projekt zu besichtigen. Die Toskana – weltweit berühmt für ihre hüglige Landschaft mit Zypressen, Pinien, Olivenbäumen und Weinreben – ist eine Region in Italien und grenzt im Norden an Ligurien and die Emilia-Romagna, im Osten an Marken und Umbrien sowie im Süden an Latium. Unser Ziel war die Chianti-Region zwischen Florenz und Siena, wo wir in einem sehr schönen Casale (ital. ursprünglich Bezeichnung für ein Haus oder eine Häusergruppe auf dem Land) nahe Mensano residierten. Mit einem wunderschönen Blick über die umliegende Landschaft mit dem Örtchen Casole d’Elsa am Horizont, wohnten wir in mitten der herrlichen Landschaft in unbeschreiblicher Ruhe, nur unterbrochen von dem zirpen der Grillen und verschiedenem Vogelzwitschern. Das Casale ist ein wunderschön umgebautes, ehemaliges Bauernhaus, welches den ursprünglichen Charme nicht verloren hat, trotz so moderner Einbauten wie einer Fussbodenheizung. Der Eigentümer rekonstruierte es unter enormen Auflagen und unter Berücksichtigung der Geschichte des Gebäudes und der Gegend sowie unter Verwendung originaler Baumaterialien. Bei dieser Qualität des Umbaus und der Hingebung bei Details und Erhaltung der einzigartigen Besonderheiten, welche das Anwesen ausmacht, kann man gut erahnen wie die restlichen 5 Casali, welche noch als Ruinen im Gelände stehen, einmal aussehen werden.

Einen weiteren Vorgeschmack auf den Zustand nach deren Renovierung bekamen wir bei der Besichtigung bereits realisierter Objekte, die zu dem angrenzenden Development Castello di Casole gehören, einem 5 Sterne Luxushotel mit allen Annehmlichkeiten sowie einzelnen Casali, welche im Gesamten oder in Teilen erworben werden können. Der Mix aus traditioneller Architektur und modernen Inneneinrichtungselementen hatte mich am meisten begeistert. Grossartige Badezimmer und die Verwendung typischer sowie feinster Materialien machten diese Begeisterung aus.

Ebenfalls zu Beifallsstürmen hinreissen liess mich das sensationelle Essen, welches wir in Restaurants oder im Casale, wo wir wohnten, kredenzt bekamen. Ich hatte schon viel Gutes über die Qualität der Speisen gehört, aber was wir dann letztendlich serviert bekamen und gegessen haben übertraf dies um einiges. Schmackhafte Vorspeisen und super auf den Punkt gegarte Braten waren ein Schmaus für die Gaumen. Nicht zu vergessen die sehr schmackhaften Weine aus der Region, die weit weg von billigem Chianti waren.

Alles in allem war dies ein angenehmes „Arbeits“-Wochenende mit fantastischem Essen in einer sehr angenehmen Runde. Ich freue mich schon jetzt auf den nächsten Trip in die Toskana – wann immer das auch sein wird.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Will this crisis end soon?

Posted Mon May 18 15:41:00 UTC 2009

Well, we still can’t read the crystal ball and so we won’t be able to predict when these turbulent times will finally be over, but there are more and more positive signs out there, showing at least the light at the end of the tunnel and some markets nearing the bottom.

Wall Street Journal recently reported the number of homes listed for sale in many U.S. cities continued to fall in April. Short sales and foreclosures has been, but more likely continue to be, the most influential indicators affecting the inventory what makes this picture a bit more clouded by uncertainty over how many foreclosed properties will hit the market. But, a decline of listings might show that the bottom in home prices is very close, maybe closer than you think.

In UK, a very bad hit market within Europe, signs are also showing an improving real estate market. Interest on properties is growing like figures of RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) are showing. Listing inquiries increased in April and agents sold one more home in average between February and April than they did in the three month before. Also the decrease in prices seems to level, getting closer to the bottom according to the statements by 59.6% of real estate professionals in contrast to 72.1% in March. Not to mention the declension of the British Pound what makes it very interesting right now to look for property investments in UK.

Good news also coming from our Partner Diana Morales in Spain, maybe the most troubled market in Europe. The company reports that they are finally starting to see sales materialize as property prices reach their lowest point and buyers realize the great possibility to purchase a good property at very good price – maybe the lowest price the property will be at in this current market.

Over the past weeks, we have also seen some good news from stock markets around the globe where most of the indexes increased from their lowest standings few weeks ago. This might not be the final call for the end of the recession and I am sure there is still bad news underway, but with all the effort by each single country and an increase in trust in most of the sectors responsible for all that trouble we will continue to see more and more positive signs for recovering markets. It’s on us to gain trust again and to educate our customers about current market situations as well as opportunities and where they might look for property investments right now. Please tell us your thoughts or just drop an email with your request. We are more than happy to hear what you have to say.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

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Swiss architect Peter Zumthor receives Pritzker Architecture Prize 2009

Posted Wed Apr 15 20:40:00 UTC 2009

Switzerland is not only famous for its picturesque countryside with the Alps and lakes, great skiing, very tasty Chocolate and the world finest manufactured watches, but also for its architecture scene. Now, with the Pritzker Architecture Prize awarded to Peter Zumthor, the multifarious architecture of Switzerland has been gentled with this award handed to Peter Zumthor. Mr. Zumthor is very active in northern Switzerland, but also in Germany, where he could complete very strong examples of its proficiency like the ‘Brother Klaus Field Chapel’ Wachendorf, Eifel or the ‘Kolumba Art Museum of the Cologne Archdiocese’ (see image by Hélène Binet), Cologne. One of its most famous works in Switzerland is the ‘Thermal Bath Vals’, Graubünden, where he transformed a bankrupt hotel complex into a crisp and clean spa & thermal bath facility. We very much would like to congratulate Peter Zumthor for this achievement.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Wetag Consulting nimmt erfolgreich an der Jahreskonferenz der "Leading Real Estate Companies of the World" teil

Posted Mon Apr 06 21:58:00 UTC 2009

„The Power of the Bolt“ war das Motto der Jahreskonferenz der “Leading Real Estate Companies of the World” vom 26. bis 29. März in Scottsdale, Arizona. Wetag Consulting wurde durch Ueli Schnorf, Marco Fässler und meiner Person vertreten. In einer sehr bewegenden Zeit, mit weltweit spürbaren Turbulenzen, trafen sich rund 600 Immobilienmanager und Relocation Spezialisten aus den USA sowie 10 weiteren Ländern wie Australien, China(Hongkong), Canada und der Schweiz, um sich über die verschiedenen Marktsituationen und Lösungsansätze - wie man der gegenwärtigen Situation entgegenwirkt - auszutauschen. Verschiedene Redner, eine Reihe an Workshops und Gespräche abseits der Konferenz boten interessante Gelegenheiten, um sich von anderen Immobilienspezialisten über deren Marktsituation und deren Anstrengungen informieren zu lassen. Wetag Consulting war aktiv am Informationsaustausch beteiligt. Ueli Schnorf war Diskussionsteilnehmer und Redner in der Session „Global Marketing Strategies to Enhance and Expand Your Brand“ in der er die Rolle der Wetag in einem globalen Markt beschrieb. Marco Fässler referierte beim ‚International Forum’ zum Thema „Schweiz“ und informierte die Teilnehmer über die hiesige Marktsituation und Geschäftsgebaren. In gleich zwei Foren durfte ich über unsere Erfahrungen im Online Strategic Development berichten. Bei der Session „Dealing with the New Economic Climate“ sowie „Future Tense, Propopoly and the Marketing Power of Blogs“ informierte ich meine Kollegen über unsere sehr guten Erfahrungen mit der Verwendung von Blogs und wie wir die Wetag im Zeitalter von Web2.0 positionieren, um so in einem stark veränderten Geschäftsumfeld auf die neusten Einflüsse und Trends zu reagieren. Als Ergebnis unserer dauerhaften und erfolgreichen Weiterentwicklung, wurden wir bei der Galaveranstaltung gleich mit zwei prestigeträchtigen Awards ausgezeichnet. Zum einen erhielten wir einen Award für die „Beste Website“ in der Kategorie 1-50 Mitarbeiter (siehe Foto: Harold Crye, Marco Fässler, Ueli Schnorf, Peter Rabitz v.l.n.r.) und zum anderen den Award für den „Besten Immobilien Blog“, unterstützt von Propopoly. Die in Scottsdale erhaltenen Informationen und Meinungen sowie ein positiver Ausblick auf den weltweiten Immobilienmarkt, machten diese Konferenz zu einer der besten der letzten Jahre.

Wetag Consulting joins Twitter

Posted Thu Apr 02 23:53:00 UTC 2009

Wetag Consulting would like to announce the launch of the company’s Twitter account. With this step, Wetag joins one of the fastest growing social networks to reach its clients, friends, supporters and people interested in all activities of Wetag Consulting. We welcome you to follow us on Twitter for great insights on the company, new listings, updates and all new information related to Wetag Consulting.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Keine Immobilienkrise in der Schweiz - das sagt zumindest eine Studie der Credit Suisse

Posted Thu Mar 12 18:09:00 UTC 2009

Der Schweiz droht trotz Rezession und Turbulenzen auf den Finanzmärkten keine Immobilienkrise. Der Immobilienmarkt sei in gesunder Verfassung, weil er in den letzten Jahren kaum zu Übertreibungen neigte, sagen die Ökonomen der Credit Suisse. Stabil ist gemäss einer Studie der Grossbank insbesondere der Wohnungsmarkt. Die hohe Zahl an Zuwanderern aus Deutschland und Frankreich hat dazu geführt, dass auch im vergangenen Jahr trotz hoher Bautätigkeit kein Überangebot auf dem Wohnungsmarkt entstanden ist. Das wird sich auch im laufenden Jahr nicht ändern, da die Zuwanderung zwar kleiner, aber weiterhin überdurchnittlich hoch ausfallen wird. “Die Nachfrage nach Wohnraum wird abgeschwächt, bewegt sich aber weiterhin auf hohem Niveau”, sagte CS-Ökonom Thomas Rieder vor den Medien. Klicken Sie hier für den kompletter Artikel.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

Switzerland – a safe heaven for real estate investors?

Posted Fri Mar 06 11:29:00 UTC 2009

Well, it is no secret that for decades Switzerland has been well known for its awesome ski resorts, picturesque scenery and its status as a financial hub, although this changed (or might change) a bit due to financial turbulence’s and the pressure on the famous confidentially in banking.


Read the complete article >

Triumphant sale of Yves Saint Laurent's private art collection

Posted Wed Feb 25 17:08:00 UTC 2009

The triumphant sale of Yves Saint Laurent’s private art collection, took place in Paris this week, defies the global financial malaise to prove once again that high-quality properties will find willing buyers in any economic climate. More than 1200 collectors and Christie’s clients bid a record US$264 million at Monday evening’s opening sale at the Grand Palais auction site. On prominent display at this historic event are fine homes from the Christie’s Great Estates affiliate network. Hundreds of copies of the magazine are being distributed over the course of the three-day sale; video presentations of important estates worldwide are playing in a private lounge; and Joachim Wrang-Widén, European Director for Christie’s Great Estates, was on hand to personally answer any inquiries and to promote the real estate network to this important client base. Experience for yourself the breathtaking elegance of this once-in-a-lifetime auction through a series of photo montages of the sales, the viewings (where thousands stood in line for hours), and the site preparations which are all posted on the Christie’s Web site.

WORLD RECORD FOR THE MOST VALUABLE PRIVATE COLLECTION SOLD AT AUCTION RECORD FOR MOST VALUABLE AUCTION IN EUROPE Top Lot, Les coucous, tapis bleu et rose, 1911 by Henri Matisse, sells for €35.9 million / £31.9 million / $46.4 million, a world auction record for the artist 7 WORLD RECORDS FOR ARTISTS AT AUCTION 8 Works of art sell above €5 million 25 Works of art sell above €1 million 3 works pre-empted by museums (Musee d’Orsay – Centre Pompidou)


Source: Christies, Image: Courtesy of Christies

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

La collezione leggendaria di Yves Saint Laurent e Pierre Bergé

Posted Thu Feb 19 21:18:00 UTC 2009

Christie’s in associazione con Pierre Bergé & Associates mettono all’asta la collezione di Yves Saint Laurent e Pierre Bergé al Grand Palais di Parigi. Durante una 3 giorni, dal 23 al 25 febbraio, una delle collezioni private più importanti mai vista nel mercato dell’arte, verrà messa all’asta. La collezione, di oltre 700 oggetti, fondata nel corso di 50 anni consta pezzi d’Arte Moderna, Art Deco, mobili e opere europee, antichità, dipinti e disegni del 19° secolo. Inclusi nella collezione vi sono Instruments de musique sur un guéridon di Pablo Picasso (stimato a 25-30 milioni di €) e Les coucous, tapis bleu et rose di Henri Matisse (stimato a 12-18 milioni di €). Il ricavato delle vendite sarà devoluto alla fondazione di Pierre Bergé–Yves Saint Laurent e ad una nuova fondazione creata da Bergé per ricerche scientifiche nella lotta all’AIDS.

Image: Courtesy of Christies

How to become Clooney’s BNF (Best Neighbor Forever)

Posted Thu Jan 15 22:26:00 UTC 2009



Paris Hilton found her BFF (best friend forever) and now you can become George Clooney’s BNF (best neighbour forever).

We have a beautiful apartment/penthouse listed in one of Laglio’s most desirable villas; and is right within the neighborhood of ‘Mr. Ocean’s Eleven’.

Laglio is a very charming little village on the western shores of Lago di Como, Italy and is in close proximity to the city of Como. Villa Castiglioni is a beautiful art nouveau villa divided into three luxurious apartments. The attic/penthouse features awesome lake view and spacious living on almost 210sq.m (2300sq.ft). Take a flight to Milano and after a short 45 minute drive you’ll already be in Lake Como. Plunge into the Mediterranean lifestyle of Lake Como and enjoy the dolce vita of Italy. Lago di Como is defined by great food, stunning nature and an inviting countryside in which to relax.

Posted By: Peter Rabitz

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Ticino – Die Königin der Wohnhäuser

Posted Mon Jan 12 22:42:00 UTC 2009

Die Villa ist die Königin der Wohnhäuser, weil sie Auftraggebern wie Architekten den größtmöglichen Spielraum für das Eigenheim lässt. Schon zu Ciceros Zeiten galt sie zu Recht als eine besonders schöne Form des Luxus. Cicero, selbst mehrfacher Villenbesitzer, schwärmte in seinen Briefen vom großzügigen Stil, welcher die „villa urbana“ seiner Zeit auszeichnete. Bereits die Römer unterschieden zwischen der „villa rusticca“, dem agrarisch geprägten Landsitz, und der „villa urbana“, die der städtischen Elite als zeitweiliger Wohnsitz diente. Im Verlauf der Geschichte durchlief die Villa manche modische Wandlung. Der antike Urtypus hielt sich allerdings bis weit ins 19. Jahrhundert und ist zum Teil bis heute stilbildend. Erst das 20. Jahrhundert brach mit den architektonischen Konventionen, wie der Architekturkritiker und Redaktor der Zeitschrift „Häuser“, Ansgar Steinhausen, in seinem großformatigen Bildband „Die Villa. Häuser ohne Limit“ aufzeigt. Baumeister wie Mies van der Rohe, Richard Neutra Le Corbusier oder Frank Lloyd Wright schufen mit offenen Grundrissen, strengen Linien und der Verwendung rohen Materials zahlreiche Ikonen des modernen Villenbaus. Wetag Consulting liegt mit seinen Angeboten an Luxusvillen von Stararchitekten damit ganz im Trend. Von der traditionellen Villa, über das vom bekannten Tessiner Architekten Michele Arnaboldi entworfene Zuhause mit raffinierten Grundrissen bis hin zur großzügig konzipierten, zeitlosen, im Frank Lloyd Wright Stil entworfenen Villa – hier finden Sie alle. Extreme Raritäten wie eine der wenigen Villen Richard Neutra’s in Europa sowie Bauten aufstrebender Architekten finden sich in unserem Portfolio. Auch können wir Ihnen Villen und Bauten bekannter Architekten weltweit anbieten. Kontaktieren sie uns einfach und schildern uns ihre Wünsche.

Source: NZZ am Sonntag, 4. Januar 2009

Posted By: Claudia Starck

Luxury. Please.

Posted Fri Nov 28 18:25:00 UTC 2008

Vienna was calling in all enthusiasts of luxury lifestyle and fine things in life. Well, who would have thought that such an event will be successful, held in these times where people are very careful where to put their money at, but the fair turned out to be a great success.

Wetag, as part of the EREN (European Real Estate Network) group, got represented at the EREN booth where Benedetta Viganò, Peter Marshall and José Ribes Bas introduced the network and its service to hundreds of interested visitors. All members of EREN are dedicated to luxury real estate and luxury lifestyle in their region as Wetag is in southern Switzerland. We displayed a fine selection of noteworthy properties like in Locarno and Lugano. These properties are testament of fine living influenced by a Mediterranean touch.




Posted By:
Peter Rabitz
















Wetag Consulting is the exclusive affiliate of Christies Great Estates, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, Luxury Portfolio for the canton of Ticino, Switzerland’s most southern state and is also founding member of EREN – the European Real Estate Network. The areas Wetag Consulting serves are the well-know three big lakes of Lago Maggiore, Lago di Lugano and Lago di Como which are famous for their Mediterranean climate and Italian influenced lifestyle and all of the surrounding valleys of the Southern Alps.

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