Tag: Entscheidung

  • The winning project for the Stockhornstrasse development has been finalised

    The winning project for the Stockhornstrasse development has been finalised

    Four architectural firms from the Thun region, all with a renowned reputation for architectural excellence, were invited to participate in this prestigious project. Each of these firms collaborated with a landscape architecture firm to provide a comprehensive and holistic vision for the site. Of note was the participation of the “up-and-coming” firm akkurat bauatelier GmbH, which emphasised the diversity and breadth of the competition.

    The designs submitted were characterised by their creative and diverse approaches, which contributed significantly to the decision-making process. After careful consideration, the committee selected the project by brügger architekten AG & extra Landschaftsarchitekten AG as the winner. The winning design impresses with its well thought-out integration into the existing landscape, its high-quality residential design and its visionary interpretation of the future development of Steffisburg.

    A particular focus of this study commission was the seamless and meaningful integration of the new building project into the existing surroundings. The challenge was to harmonise the transition between the open landscape of the floodplain and the densely populated Steffisburg. The winning project masterfully manages to achieve this balance while offering high-quality living space.

    It is important to emphasise that the result of this study commission not only sets the direction for this particular project, but also serves as a source of inspiration for future construction projects in the region.

  • Steiner relies on integrated project management

    Steiner relies on integrated project management

    From now on, Steiner AG will realise all complex large-scale projects by means of integrated project delivery (IPD), the Zurich-based real estate developer informs in a press release. This method relies on close cooperation between all those involved in the project. They not only share the risks of the project, but also all participate in its success. In this way, the success of the project is to take centre stage and the “silo thinking” characterised by self-interest is to be replaced by the common goal of finding the best for the project.

    The first project is the Zukunftspforte Menziken. Steiner is building a development with around 180 rental and owner-occupied flats as well as commercial space on a 10,700 square metre former industrial site in the centre of the Aargau municipality of Menziken. The alliance partners for general planning, the planning of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical as well as for civil engineering, electrical execution, landscape architecture and shell construction have already been won by client Steiner for the implementation of the project. Two more for construction management envelope and finishing as well as for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and plumbing are still being sought. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025.

  • Development of the interest rate environment

    Development of the interest rate environment

    The unprecedented circumstances plaguing the global economy are also weighing on Swiss households, which saw an average inflation of 3.5% in August compared to the same month last year. With an increase of 0.10 percentage points more than in the previous month, there is increasing evidence from the data basis for inflation in the remaining segments that were not directly affected by the rising commodity prices. As a result of this unintentional reversal, the perceived inflation in this country is now increasing for both producers and consumers. This perception naturally influences the price and wage negotiations and, in the event of a significant deviation from the SNB's inflation target, pours more expensive fuel into the fire.

    From a monetary policy point of view, it is therefore essential to prevent a fire. The SNB will therefore not hesitate to tighten the interest rate screw further in the exercise of its main mandate – namely to ensure price stability – and also to hold it there until the inflation target of a maximum of 2% in the long term is reached. It is therefore obvious that an increase of the same amount for the coming December meeting cannot be ruled out

    Development of mortgage interest rates
    Inevitably, the future course of monetary policy, obedient to necessity, will weigh on the mortgage markets and ultimately also on borrowers. The zero lower limit for SARON mortgages is now redundant and the interest costs for this loan product increase significantly. Fixed-rate mortgages are also more expensive because interest rates are at their highest levels across all maturities. In addition, the interest rates for credit products are subject to strong fluctuations due to the prevailing uncertainty.

    SARON mortgage forecast
    As of today, the low interest rate level can only be viewed in the rear-view mirror for an indefinite period of time. Further rate hikes are imminent, although we rate a rate of 1.00% as the most likely scenario at the end of the year. What is certain is that the key interest rate will be higher next year than it is today. As long as the uncertainties on the interest rate markets dominate, mortgages will be subject to higher and volatile interest rates. If the key interest rate and thus also the SARON rate rise to 1.00% at the end of the year, the SARON mortgages will also become more expensive accordingly. We expect that mortgage holders – depending on the specified margin – will have to pay between 1.60% and 2.00% for a SARON mortgage at the end of the year.

    Forecast long-term fixed-rate mortgages
    On the side of long-term fixed-rate mortgages, the rise in interest rates is likely to be more modest by the end of the year, since this was expected by the market and has therefore already been priced in in recent months. While the 10-year reference interest rate was below the zero limit a year ago, it has risen to over 2% in a short space of time. A noticeable increase by the end of the year is not to be expected if the measures taken to contain inflation prove effective. For the ten-year fixed-rate mortgage, we expect mortgage interest rates to tend to move sideways, which should be between 2.80% and 3.20% by the end of the year.

    recommendations
    The rapid development on the mortgage market shows how quickly and devastatingly the interest rate environment can turn into troubled waters. Hence, it is highly recommended to know your options as well as risks and make a broad market comparison. Finally, a complete and clean basis of comparison from Property Captain can serve as necessary support in your financing decisions. We at Property Captain are happy to provide you with professional advice and compare offers from numerous financing partners for you.