Is there a Future in Real Estate? : Incorporate Futures Contracts within the Swiss Real Estate Market

Abstract: In the past decades, real estate has turned into something more than just a home, it has become an investment. The interest to invest in the real estate market has increased from investors but also from private persons where the demand not only is to find a living but also perceived as an investment to make a profit or reinvest in the future.  The demand on the Swiss real estate market has increased from locals but also foreigners that want to invest in the stable and safe Swiss market. The high demand has increased the housing prices, which has raised even faster than the wages, and in turn, limit the possibilities to participate in the Swiss real estate market. It has made people less able to afford to buy a home, and many are forced to take from their pension funds to be able to pay the 20% of required deposit. This creates a risk for the future and puts not only the citizens but also the banks in large default risks since there does not exist an insurance if a price fall would occur on the Swiss market.  Many people mitigate the risks by diversification by investing in different assets in the derivative market. The market has seen a trend towards the technology development, which makes it possible to create more creative innovations at the derivative market. The increased interest in real estate and the accessibility of derivate products have led to a demand for real estate in derivatives.  This study investigates the possibilities to incorporate real estate within the derivative market, more specific within futures contracts. Futures contracts are standardized contracts between two parts that agree to buy/sell an asset at a future date and price. Real estate in futures is supposed to work in the same way, and to work as an insurance for possible price fall on the market since it can hedge the market by reducing price fluctuations, or as an alternative way to speculate within the real estate market to increase income. Real estate in futures could, in turn, allow a broader target group to participate in the real estate market since it would be a cheaper, easier and faster alternative to investing in than the physical real estate market.  The thesis confirms that there is a demand on the Swiss market for an alternative way to invest in real estate. However, the thesis discovers several difficulties with creating the product that should be managed. The thesis examining the subject together with the Swiss leader in online trading, the bank Swissquote. With their expertise in technology, Swissquote has an advantage when creating the product REF.