These Auction Rules apply to every auction on BidHome and form part of the Terms of Service. By registering to bid you agree to be bound by them. Where a specific Listing states additional or different conditions, those conditions prevail for that Listing.
Only registered, identity-verified users may bid. A Listing may require a refundable participation deposit to be held in escrow before bidding is enabled. Deposits of non-winning bidders are released automatically after close; the winner's deposit is applied to the price.
The current price rises according to the published increment. You may place a single bid at or above the next minimum, or set a proxy (maximum) bid: the system will then bid the minimum necessary on your behalf, up to your maximum, to keep you in the lead. Only the two highest maxima determine the visible price; your maximum is never disclosed.
Every bid is a binding, irrevocable offer to buy at that price. Tie-breaking is by earliest received. The server clock and the recorded bid history are authoritative.
To ensure a fair last call, any bid placed within the final three (3) minutes extends the closing time by three (3) minutes. Extensions repeat as long as bidding continues in the final window.
In a reserve auction the property sells only if the confidential reserve is met; if it is not met, the seller may accept the highest bid, decline, or relist. In a no-reserve auction the property sells to the highest valid bid. A Listing may offer a buy-now price that ends the auction immediately on acceptance.
The highest valid bid at close wins where the reserve is met or in a no-reserve auction. The winner must sign the contract and complete before a Swiss notary within the period stated in the Listing, with funds held in escrow and released on completion and land-register entry.
If a winning buyer fails to complete without lawful cause, the deposit may be forfeited, the sale may be offered to the next eligible bidder or relisted, and the buyer may be liable for resulting loss and excluded from the Platform, without prejudice to the seller's other remedies under Swiss law.
Sellers must have the right to sell, provide accurate documentation, allow agreed viewings, and honour a sale that meets the reserve (or any no-reserve sale). Sellers are responsible for the accuracy of Listing information; statutory warranty rules under the Swiss Code of Obligations apply as between seller and buyer.
Shill bidding, bidding rings, price manipulation, and any attempt to bid without the intent or ability to complete are prohibited and may be reported to the authorities. BidHome monitors for such conduct and may cancel bids, suspend accounts, and void results affected by manipulation.
The acquisition of Swiss real property by persons abroad is restricted by the Federal Act on the Acquisition of Real Estate by Persons Abroad (“Lex Koller”). Bidders are responsible for confirming their eligibility and obtaining any required authorisation before bidding. See our guide and seek independent advice. Questions: [legal@bidhome.ch].
BidHome may, acting reasonably, correct manifest errors, cancel or postpone an auction for legal, technical, verification or fraud reasons, extend or re-open bidding following a technical fault, and remove Listings that breach the Terms. Where an auction is cancelled, deposits are released.