FAQs

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Are you independent?

Yes. We are an independent Swiss company with 100% of the shares belonging to the managing partners. It is for us the essential condition to provide objective and professional advice for our clients.

It seems that you work only on top end properties?

Yes, it is true that we primarily work on projects above € 1 000 000. But, more accurately, we choose our missions based on the relationship we feel with our clients, the character of the project as well as our capacity to succeed.

Where do you operate?

Our main office is optimally based in Geneva, Switzerland. We work on projects in the finest regions of Europe. Upon special requests and only if we are sure we can deliver the right services, we can as well manage projects in other countries.

What is your difference vs traditional estate agents?

We are a consulting company delivering solutions in front of clients needs through a wide range of state of the art services related to exclusive estate projects. Therefore, the scope of our missions and competences is much wider than conventional selling-only activities. For example, in case of a property search for a client, we give him/her access to all the properties on the market and even more, whereas the estate agent rarely goes beyond his/her own portfolio.

What is your relation to estate agents?

It is a partnership where both parts remain perfectly independent. We only work with customer focused partners who share our values about client satisfaction as the cornerstone of our common development. Estate agents know TerraCognita represents serious clients from all over the world. Therefore, they help us in our searches and often, before advertising, give us advance notice of the best properties entering the market. In case of a sale, they help us promote our customers' properties towards their portfolio of clients.

How do you find the best property for me, outside the «conventional» market?

Some clients want to keep total confidentiality around the sale of their property. Therefore, they talk the project only with people they can trust: TerraCognita directly, their lawyers, private bankers or top end private brokers… Through our network, we currently know more than 50 estates to which we can only give access under serious due diligence.

How long does it take to find the property of my dream?

It depends on your project, of course. However, based on our experience, we already give you some perspective when coming back with our project management proposal. Once the contract is signed, you receive a presentation of the first thorough scan of the market within 4 weeks and then on an ongoing basis. In the meantime, we work on the side aspects of the project so that you have everything in hand to close a deal rapidly in case an opportunity shows up. Generally, the completion of a mission (from the brief to the keys handed over) takes from 3 to 9 months.

What if you do not find the property I want?

First of all, after having carefully listened to your needs, we honestly tell you whether your project is achievable and in which approximate timeframe. This mainly in the light of your requirements and budget. Since we are only rewarded by the success fees, it is our interest to commit ourselves on projects we can successfully manage. So far, we do not have any case where we had to give up because we did not find the property fitting the search.

Do you work as well on professional projects?

Yes. We occasionally work for companies or organizations looking for prestige headquarters in Europe as well as for entrepreneurs who want to purchase an estate to transform it into a deluxe hotel, etc…

Selling my property, do I not minimize my chances by going for a sole agency?

With TerraCognita, sole agency means ensuring the best local and international exposure for your estate. We put everything in place to deserve your trust, more particularly and upon your agreement, distributing your property to a large and selected network of partners with whom we do not hesitate, as opposed to many other agents, to share fairly our fees in case of successful collaboration to your final interest. This distribution, managed professionally from one single point of contact with high standard marketing materials, coherence and appropriate confidentiality, brings you peace of mind and time to focus on your other priorities.

Do you have a network of potential buyers?

On top of the specific acquisitions projects, TerraCognita also knows wealthy clients who have a passion for outstanding estates. They have no particular projects but are permanently looking to combine passion and wise wealth management by investing in an exceptional property in a sought-after region.

How do you face «dual agencies» cases?

Effectively, working on your side on a purchase project, we may present you a property that an other client of ours asked us to market and it might seem a conflict of interest. TerraCognita then commits to use all its market knowledge and negotiation skills to understand both parts and ensure a win-win transaction at a fair price. This price will as well be reduced accordingly by a readjustment of the fees structure.

How do you manage restoration/decoration project management?

TerraCognita has a network of local seasoned expert project managers who then lead the work with the best craftsmen as well as local authorities if needed. But, the same consultant will accompany you all along the way, from kick off to completion, and will be accountable for the success of the work in terms of timings and budgets.

What are the fees for a restoration/decoration project management?

They depend on the project but usually vary from 10 to 20% of the cost of the work.

How do you manage the post purchase services?

We first clearly define with you everything that you need (hiring a keeper, market the property for rental income, or just having somebody keeping an eye on the house…). Then TerraCognita puts everything in place on your behalf through its local network, word of mouth proven to be the most effective way to get the highest quality of services.

What are the fees for the post purchase services?

Should they not be agreed at the start of the mission, the fees are then calculated on an hourly basis. Wages and fees of external service providers we find for you come on top.