All-round package for real estate

Properties go through a typical life cycle: they are planned, built, operated, used and recycled at the end of their life, for example by being converted or demolished. Wincasa supports its customers across the entire life cycle with a comprehensive range of services. "This includes, for example, working with the owner to develop strategies that define the economic and ecological goals to be achieved with the property," explains Elisabeth Ager, Team Leader Strategy & Development at Wincasa. Depending on the phase, the focus can be on different areas. In the operating phase, it is primarily management.

New topics, quick response

As properties usually come to Wincasa when they are already built, there is a particular focus on management in the operating phase. "It is not only the longest phase in the life cycle of a property, but also the one in which many complex and new issues arise due to changing market requirements, to which you have to react quickly," emphasizes Elisabeth Ager.

As examples, she cites changes in the reference interest rate, which result in a rent adjustment, or issues such as the new requirements for sustainability, new work or vacancies in retail space. "Our task is to efficiently manage and implement all these issues in line with the strategy and with a holistic view of the property - to the satisfaction of our customers, who can be owners as well as users or tenants."

How can properties be renovated cost-effectively?

This also involves the urgent question of how owners deal with properties that need to be renovated. More than a third of the housing stock in Switzerland was built in the 60s, 70s and 80s of the 20th century. After around 50 years, many of these apartments, which are mainly in the portfolios of institutional owners, have already undergone a major refurbishment cycle. "If energy-efficient refurbishment measures were carried out in the 1980s or 1990s, these are often already at the end of their technical service life. In many cases, the apartment layouts also no longer meet today's requirements and can only be placed on the market at all by adjusting rents," explains Elisabeth Ager.

Refurbishment in packages Although new replacement buildings could be considered in some cases, most of the properties would have to be refurbished cost-effectively due to their location and the lack of rental potential at the site. Wincasa helps owners to find and implement the right refurbishment strategy. It advises against paintbrush renovations and refreshing particularly visible areas in an attempt to ensure the rentability of a property in the short term. "On the other hand, we have had good experience with large real estate portfolios where renovation measures are tendered and awarded in packages. This makes it more efficient and cost-effective."

Find out more about sustainable project portfolio management for refurbishment projects