Wanting to buy a multi-unit, is it okay as a US citizen to own a building with 5 apartments and live in one?

in addition: are agents in Switzerland sometime reluctant to sell on US citizens? Seems I cannot get answers and much delay in getting things going.

Tricky question. As far as I know foreigners with a B permit or better are limited to 200 sqm for their main living accommodation. As you're planning to live in one of the apartments and if it's not bigger than this you might be okay, but I'd try and find out more before committing to the purchase. It might be worth asking your bank for more information, especially if you're planning on getting a mortgage from them. Also try and pick up a copy of Immo-Street which is available free in shopping centres. As well as listing housing, there are also sometimes adverts for companies who specialise in selling to foreigners who may be able to help you with more info.

Are you sure about this? The family of one of my son's friends just took up a rent of a house and the living space is much bigger than that. Where does it state there is a limit to the floor plan that can be rented to B-permit holders?

You're talking about a rented property Sandgrounder. It's different if you plan to buy property. This is taken from www.swisspropertyguide.com website under their legal restrictions section:

Non-Swiss may only buy one property of maximum 200 square metres of liveable space per family: a family is defined as husband and wife and / or under-age children. Over the age of 20, the son or daughter of an owner may purchase one property in his/her own name, provided he/she can prove his/her financial independence.

That's why I'm not sure if ForzaLugano could purchase the property he's looking at. As he wants to live in one of the apartments, and if the floor space is under 200sqm, he might be able to, but he needs to check further.

Why you can rent a larger property than buy one I don't know.

Thanks for the answers, it is much more than 200m2, I am looking to get a new agency as the one we are using is not answering questions. Foreigners can buy commercial property without limitations.

In this building we will be only using 125m2 and rent out the other apartments, thought it would be a good invest to invest a little in Switzerland considering the economy back home.

If you are on a B permit from the USA you will only be allowed to live in the property you purchase investment properties for such foreigners are not permitted. You will be required to include a clause that you are only living in the purchase and not renting it out.

Your reasoning from buying an investment property is however strange as property in Switzerland on average will be much more expensive then the US so you would be better buying there at a dip in the market

Thank you very informative, we have family in Switzerland and safer to diversify and hedge, USA is not a good investment if it drops another 10-20%, were Switzerland has increased.

Update, we were not allow to buy the unit due to our permit status, recommended to go to a 'holiday' area. If it were commercial usage, we would have been allowed.