http://en.comparis.ch/hypotheken/finanzierung/input1.aspx

The above is from the Swiss website, comparis. They have something they term a "mortgage market."

They claim that:

"Two thirds of all aplicants receive an offer, which is even better than the best indicative interest rate of all providers"

I have not used this but it might provide some information for you.

Hi Translator, thank you. I dint know there exist such a useful website. Will use it to see what is out there in the market.

Hi David, yes, could you let me know his contact detail? I could speak french but could not write well so would be good to talk to him on the phone.

Cheers,

Dom

Hi Dom

We bought in France last year and had a financial advisor find us the best mortgage rate. He is really good and speaks fluent english. Have already recommened him to friends who have used him. Let me know if you would like his contact details.

Tina

The same site got me the cheapest health insurance (1/2 what I had been paying). 

However, I know an excellent IFA (English but lived here for 20 years) who's given me some brilliant advice on all aspects of insurance, pension, mortgage etc.  Based in Lausanne, but will travel to meet you wherever's convenient. 

Details: [email protected]

Tel: +41 (0)78 901 06 09

Hi Carolyn, thank you for the details, I have tried calling Chris but he is not availvalbe yet. So will try again.

Hi Tina,
Would you be able to leave his details here? Thank you very much for your help

His name is Vincent Souchaud

email:[email protected]

Telephone:022 362 44 85

Mobile: 079 648 35 73

Just say I gave you his details Tina Parry.

I used to be a financial advisor before having children so knew if we were getting a good deal or not and he does do a good job

Thanks Carolyn- it was really nice of you to recommend me. Hope to be of help!

Kind regards, Chris  

Hi Dom- left feedback on your cell-phone. Kind regards, Chris

dear Chris, I am a little tightup now, shall communicate with you after work,

cheers

dom

hello dom,

I hope you are doing well :)!

I'am a broker in mortgages in France and Switzerland, what kind of informations would you like about mortgages? Do u already know if you are going to buy in france or in switzerland? because it is really different and the conditions vary. If you have any questions, advises or how to proceed please do not hesitate in contacting me to my email, [email protected] 

I used Chambesy Conseils 11 years ago when I bought a property in France. The service at that time was excellent.

Hi Chris - my pleasure.  Will need you sometime soon for a bit more sound, common sense, mortgage-related, financial advice!!  Hope all is well :-)

Hi there, it depsneds on your circumstances and the type of project. Some banks are good but known to give low valuations (forcing a higher deposit) and also they sometimes shoe-horn you into buying the bolt on products like insurance and Pillar 3a through their chosen partner insurance company, regardless of whether that product is suitable for an internationally mobile person (most are not). I work a lot with Credit Agricole Financements, who have straightforward lending criteria, will lend the usual 80% in Switzerland and even 90% if you are of Western European nationality or Swiss, and will lend up to 100% in France with a CHf mortgage! Variable rate currently 1.18% and decent fixed rates available as well. Importantly, they do not force you to transfer all your banking, to buy their Pillar 3a, or their buildings insurance. So for this I can consider each component on an individual basis- which I really prefer. Insurance companies tend not to lend in France and in Switzerland their rates are good but it is strictly 20% a deposit. If you need help, I can "pre-qualify" your lending ability before you take time getting all the paperwork together for the bank. Warm regards, Chris

Having gone through the mortgage experience myself just recently and in France given the very high prices  and more in general the tough market in Switzerland, I would personally recommend as already done by "pazzer" to get some advise from a financial advisor.

Usually you can get a couple of names , if not more , from the real state agency you are dealing with. If you are not dealing with an agency I suppose they can indicate and point at one of them anywhay .

In France the financial advisor is paid by the bank and it is in his interest to provide you with the best service possible.

He would already know those banks with the best conditions and he would recommend to contact a few ( 2 or 3 ). If you agree with his strategy he will get back to you with a proposed mortgage plan indicating the interest rate, costs, fees, general terms and conditions.

Your mortgage wil depend on a number of factors so that the interest only plays a partial role being the lenght, the amount requested, the deposit ( about 10% in France but depending ont he banks and being of 20% in Switzerland ), if you prefer with fixed or variable rates , your family conditions, your income etc etc etc

According to my financial advisor and my personal experience I would recommend Credit Agricole, by far the best given their flexibility and promptness and quality of service.

PAY ATTENTION: there is always an insurance to pay to get a mortgage. This is often not included in the mortgage service. So, double check as this may come out as a real surprise and a heavy budean.

GOOD LUCK

Stefano

While the site offers a good general service the paid service does not seem to be very good. Three people I advised on mortgage were able to negotiate about .25 lees on their rates with their own or other Swiss banks. Note that the 'paid' Comparis.ch service generated better offers than their banks had initially made, but the banks they were already dealing with were then willing to beat those offers.

My advice is don't merely look for the best rate, make sure you are dealing with a bank or other entity you trust. 

Go to migros bank for the best rate, that is the only thing that counts for anything with mortgages, and their service anyway has always been impeccable, fast, reliable.

Has anyone seen any better rates anywhere?

Migros Bank does not accept USA citizens. To get a mortgage, you must have a bank account with them. But they do not accept U.S. customers.

It is important to weight whether you want to buy/live in Switzerland or France - big difference. You cannot believe it until you personally experience it. Or you adjust yourself. Also consider the exchange rate.....

Swiss mortgage insurance covers only death while French mortgage insurance covers death and sickness.

I would recommand you to meet an acountant or a notary who will be able to explain you ununderstandable french tax on property, wealth and legacy.

About insurance, working in Swizerland, you re usually very well cover by your professional insurance, so I would recommand you to save money on this part and take only the "in case of death" insurance.

I would also recommand you not to go to high on your debt ratio. Maximum autorised is 33% but it s better to be around 25% to keep a capacity of saving in order to diversified your asset, and also to have some cash, as there s always unexpected expenses.

Keep in mind, that frontalier will have to be register to the french health insurance wich will cost you around 12% of your income ( not sure if the % is corrected but it s what I have in mind) without the possibility to go for swiss doctor and hospital. 

And finally, don t forget that swiss just vote a restriction on working permit delivery... so may be not good time to leave for France.

Crédit Agricole in Geneva used to propose the more interesting balance between mortgage rate and other services, fees.

Good luck.

It seems to me that the second bank makes money by charging a 2% interest from the very beginning on the whole amount I transfer while the first bank charges interest on the remaining balance. This means whatever I have already paid will not be charged for the interest. But when I first took the loan and started to pay back, for the interest I paid, was it the same as the 2% transfer charge? Is it worth the trouble to transfer?

Thank you very much for your advice!     

look if the second bank will charge you something when you will pay the total amount.

I doubt it will be a good deal, I will suggest you to re-negociate with your actual bank the condition of your loan. If you re good client, with an offer of other bank, they use to do something to keep the client.