How to choose an apartment to buy: what to look for

4

Choosing an apartment is an extremely important stage at which a potential buyer determines his future home. A person will spend quite a few years in it, so it is important to choose an apartment in such a way that all the features, nuances and needs are taken into account. Let's look at each of the parameters in more detail.

New construction or secondary market

The most basic stage is the choice between primary real estate and housing on the secondary market. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages that need to be taken into account.

• Primary real estate is apartments in new buildings. No one has ever lived in them and they are being sold directly by the developer. They are usually somewhat more expensive and are not always ready to move in immediately (repair and arrangement are required). On the other hand, buying a home from a developer involves fewer risks.
• Secondary real estate is apartments in ready-made houses in which people have previously lived and they decided to sell their home. Such apartments are often cheaper than analogues from the developer and are often sold along with furniture and household appliances under the “move in and live” system. But such transactions are associated with a large number of problems and increased risks.

An apartment in a new building is an excellent option in a situation where a person plans to do everything on his own, “from scratch” and specifically for himself. Additional costs for major repairs are required and you will have to come to terms with the fact that there will be other residents in the same house who will also be involved in repairs. Thus, about 1-2 years after the completion of the house it will be very noisy.

An apartment on the secondary market, provided that it has been well looked after, is an ideal option for those people who don’t care how it’s all done, as long as they can live normally. On the other hand, a lot depends on the condition of the housing. Pipes leaking from age, old wiring, bad sockets and other similar problems are a serious problem that will have to be addressed.

Layout of the apartment and rooms

When assessing the layout, pay attention to the following parameters:

• a large corridor with the opportunity to create a full-fledged place for outerwear and shoes, separated from the passage through the apartment
• the presence of fire escapes on the balcony. There are neighbors who are fundamentally against walling them up. Carefully study the plan of the entire floor or the entire house; such information may not be available on an individual diagram.
• location of ventilation shafts and their number. Most often they are located in the kitchen or in the hallway. In high-rise buildings there may be two of them.
• the apartment is adjacent to the garbage chute and the elevator shaft. It's a noisy neighborhood
• connecting a common balcony to your window or balcony. This is a great way for thieves to get into your apartment.

Housing cost

The second important factor is the price of the apartment. It is logical that a person will be guided by the amount that he can accumulate or that the bank will agree to issue. From this point of view, housing on the secondary market looks more attractive simply due to the fact that it is usually cheaper. As a result, you can get an apartment of approximately the same size as in a new building, but about 20-30% cheaper.

But this is far from the only factor that affects the price. Everything is taken into account here, from the area to the layout, the number of rooms, the age and condition of the house, the area where it is located, transport links, and so on.

It is difficult to give specific advice, since the price in many cases becomes the decisive factor. We can only recommend filtering all offers by cost in advance so as not to be distracted by more expensive or cheaper options.

It is better to leave cheap apartments in your search, since sometimes housing is sold very urgently and it is due to this that a quite good apartment will cost less than it could in another situation.

Decide on a budget

Not every person and every family has an unlimited amount that can be allocated to purchase square meters. Most buyers have a certain budget, and many purchase parameters will depend on its size. This includes the area of ​​the property, its location, and sometimes its condition.

You also need to take into account the source of finance - your own savings, mortgage or loan. Depending on this, the amount may also be limited; future owners of their own walls often need to plan in advance for repairs to them, interior design and other costs, thanks to which you will make them cozy and comfortable for living.

Area of ​​residence

The area where the apartment will be located is of great importance. On the one hand, housing in the city center is more convenient from the point of view that the infrastructure around is very developed. On the other hand, the environmental situation in the center of any settlement, even if there are no large factories in the city, is quite complex due to the abundance of transport.

Ecology

The environmental friendliness of the area is extremely important for families with children. In principle, it is important for everyone, but in some cases it can be neglected in favor of better cost or a more convenient location. The location of future housing should be checked based on:

• Presence/absence of landfills and factories in the area.
• Traffic activity.
• The number of trees and the size of the green area (if there is one at all), and so on.

The optimal option may be an area located a short distance from the city, but from which you can get to the center in a maximum of 1-2 hours or even faster.

Infrastructure

The infrastructure of the area is also important. There are few shops - you will have problems buying everything you need and will have to go shopping to a different area each time. The lack of playgrounds and other recreational facilities is also a problem, especially for families with children.

In this case, you need to focus primarily on your own needs. For a single person, it will be enough to have 1 supermarket or more or less large store in the district, but for a family with children, one of whom goes to kindergarten and the other to school, it will be important to have these kindergartens and schools in the immediate area and playgrounds in the district .

Transport accessibility

Everything is simple here - the more types of transport that go from the area to different parts of the city, the better. More specifically, it is worth checking transport accessibility precisely in those areas that are important for the future owner.

Example: It is necessary to check whether a person can get from his new area to work without transfers or with a minimum number of them. Will it be possible to get to your favorite places of recreation or training, and so on.

If the buyer has his own car, this largely eliminates the problem, but another one arises: where to put it? There are not always parking lots or garage cooperatives near the area. At the same time, given the number of personal vehicles, most of the available spaces near houses are usually occupied.

You will have to look for suitable parking spots and track the time when they are freed and occupied. All this is quite difficult, especially at first, but after a few months you can literally stake out the same place for yourself if you constantly park the car on it.

How to choose an apartment for parents

In addition to financial possibilities, there are several specific and important criteria for choosing the right apartment for parents:

1. Safe environment on the street and in the entrance. There should be wide passages and walkways, ramps and an elevator. Wide flights of stairs and landings. All of this can play an important role at the time of a heart attack. The presence of ramps will save older people from the need to carry a heavy bag in their hands - they can simply roll it on wheels.
2. Safe apartment layout. It is better to prepare for the inevitable old age in advance - a spacious bathroom or a combined toilet will allow you to help an elderly person take a shower if necessary. The absence of narrow winding corridors is important for the free (God forbid, but still) movement of a wheelchair or stretcher.
3. Low floor. In their youth, many people like to climb high and admire the beautiful views from the window, but over time, home safety becomes increasingly important. It may be necessary to enter the apartment through the window if something happens inside. In addition, it is easier for older people to climb 1-2 floors every day than to suddenly go to the eighth floor when the elevator breaks down.
4. Familiar area. Over time, it can be difficult to get comfortable in a new place, among new people and unusual landmarks. The parents already have friends in their hometown. In addition, it is easy to get lost among unfamiliar multi-story buildings, and with the onset of old age, memory loss becomes a real problem.
5. Proximity of medical institutions and pharmacies. Over time, buying medications and visiting doctors becomes part of the routine life of retirees, so it is better to simplify the task in advance.
6. Availability of shops within walking distance. The ability to easily buy everything necessary for everyday life gives older people the necessary sense of independence, eliminating the need to ask children for help over trifles.
7. Opportunities for socialization - the availability of places to walk and communicate with other people. For older people, a routine, regular quiet movement in the air, and social contacts are important. Singing, chess, and simply hanging out with peers are as necessary for a good quality of life as food and medical care.

Which floor is better

There is no clear opinion on which floor the apartment is best on. Most often, they choose housing on approximately the middle floors if we consider buying housing in a nine-story building: from 3 to 7. They are also usually the most expensive, which is the main disadvantage.

First floor

Housing on the ground floor is usually cheaper than housing on any other floor. And this is not without reason. There is a lot of noise from the street, crowds of people who, out of curiosity, can look into the windows, and so on. Separately, basements need to be taken into account. It’s good if the house is new and there are no problems with the basement.

If the house is old, then there may be high humidity in the basement, which leads to the appearance of fungus and mold in the apartment. You should also take into account various insects migrating from the basement to the apartment or even rats and mice.

But the first floor is convenient because a broken or inoperative elevator does not pose any particular threat. It's simply not needed.

Middle floors

The most popular choice. At the same time, a good view and a relatively low noise level. But you need to take into account the noise from neighbors above, below, on the side, and so on. In addition, there is a problem with the elevator. If it often does not work, then climbing on foot, for example, to the seventh floor is quite difficult. As mentioned above, such apartments are usually about 10-15% more expensive than those on the first or last floor.

Top floor

A very controversial option, which largely depends on the house itself. If the house is new, and there is also an attic on top, then this is an excellent option. The new roof will not leak, and the attic can gradually be privatized, making the apartment even larger and more comfortable.

At the same time, if the windows overlook the forest, for example, the view will be very picturesque. No one will look into the windows and noise from the street will be minimal. In addition, there are no problems with noisy neighbors upstairs. They don't exist.

Among the shortcomings, a critical problem with the elevator should be noted. If it doesn’t work, then it’s difficult to even get to the 9th floor, let alone the 12th, 14th, 16th, and so on floors. Also sometimes there are problems with weak water pressure or poor heating.

Material of the house, its appearance and interior repairs

The material from which the house is made is also of great importance. There are always two main options: brick and panel houses. There are other varieties, but they are much less common.

Brick

A properly made brick house has significantly better heat retention, which means that it will be much more comfortable in winter. In addition, brick looks better visually.

Panel

Apartments in panel houses, as a rule, are cheaper than in brick houses, but they usually have worse heat retention. Visually, they can also look good if they are made well.

Exterior of the house

The main thing in appearance is the absence of distinct problems: cracks, pieces of fallen brick and other similar damage. In second place is appearance. How beautiful the house looks. This, in fact, is not very important, but, other things being equal, it can become a decisive factor.

Internal repairs and equipment

What's more important is how the house looks from the inside. A clean entrance, no obscene signs, all the lights on, a working elevator - a good sign. The better the house looks from the inside, the better. Often, large houses even have their own concierge, so there will definitely be no strangers here.

Elevator

If the buyer plans to purchase an apartment on the upper floors (from the third and above), it is important to check the elevator, its size and functionality. New buildings often have two elevators at once, one of which is small, passenger, and the second large, freight. The second one is especially useful when moving or buying new furniture.

It is necessary to check what the elevator looks like, find out if they are working normally, how often they are undergoing repairs, and so on. You need to clarify all this first of all with the seller, but it is advisable to double-check the data by interviewing your neighbors.

Apartment dimensions

The opinion that the larger the apartment, the better, is incorrect. The larger the apartment, the more taxes you will have to pay and the more expensive utilities will cost. As a result, housing must be chosen according to needs.

1-room apartment

A one-room apartment is suitable for singles, whether students or elderly people. Under certain conditions, such housing will become an excellent “nest” for newlyweds, but only for a while, until the birth of children.

2-room apartment

A two-room apartment is the best choice for families with one or two children. There is a place for mom and dad and for children. At the same time, the total area is still compact enough so as not to overpay.

3-room apartment

Such apartments are best suited for large families with many children and other similar situations. There is a lot of space for everyone, but you need to take into account the increased rent and taxes.

4 or more rooms

This housing is already for really large families who prefer to live together, with grandparents. There is a lot of space, but you will have to pay even more.

Apartment renovation

If an apartment is purchased from a developer, then most often the repairs are either rough or light, cosmetic. Some companies offer to immediately sell housing fully furnished and overhauled, but such offers are not in great demand due to the very inflated price. You can do the same thing much cheaper by ordering separate repairs from another company.

Rough finish

It is with this kind of renovation that apartments from developers are the cheapest. There is nothing here: bare walls and concrete floor. Sometimes windows are installed, but this is also not necessary. An ideal option for those who want to do everything themselves.

Clean renovation from the developer

This is an apartment from a developer, in which there is nothing except maybe a bathroom and toilet. The walls are painted or have cheap wallpaper pasted on them, and so on. A very simple and cheap repair option. You can already live in such an apartment if there is nowhere else, but it still requires serious investments to bring it to the desired condition.

Fully ready to move in renovation

Such repairs are more common in apartments that are sold on the secondary market. It is not always really sufficient for a comfortable stay, but in general, everything that is needed has been done. Suitable for those people who do not want or do not have the opportunity to invest in renovations after purchasing an apartment.

Expert commentary

Any housing can find its buyer - both in a new building and in an old house, because your own square meters are better than renting. If you have the opportunity to take your time with the purchase, then it is better not to do this, since there is a considerable chance of still finding a completely decent option for an acceptable amount, which will even exceed expectations.

Otherwise, experts recommend sticking to the basic selection criteria, identifying the most important ones for yourself.

It is not enough to see a photo in the catalog to immediately understand whether this living space is suitable for you or not. You need to see it with your own eyes, literally feel it. Also, if possible, do a live-in rehearsal. Walk around the neighborhood, walk from your house to the nearest store, to the bus stop, take a closer look at where it will be convenient for you to park your car, take a walk to the kindergarten or park. Choose a room in the apartment that will eventually become your bedroom, evaluate the comfort of staying in it, think about how you will arrange the furniture.

If you liked everything about your rehearsal, this is a suitable option to buy. But behind the euphoria, do not forget about the need to remain vigilant when completing documents. Involve experienced professionals, including lawyers, in this process to avoid becoming a victim of scammers.

Availability/absence of furniture and equipment

It is rare to find such offers in new buildings, but for the secondary market this is quite normal. Owners prefer to sell real estate with everything that is in it, except, perhaps, some individual elements, such as a sofa or TV. Often the kitchen, bathroom and toilet are left with everything installed in them.

As practice proves, the cost of such housing is not much, but still higher than that of apartments that are sold without anything at all. By about 10%. If the buyer already has everything he needs (or plans to buy exactly the furniture and equipment that he has long wanted to buy), then it is better to choose apartments without anything, and at the same time save on it. In all other cases, it is better to take apartments that are already prepared for living.

Potential neighbors

It is very important to ask the seller about the neighbors in advance. This factor is not particularly important in new buildings, since owners there can change quite often, and few people know each other. Among other things, often people who have money for apartments in new buildings are quite adequate. However, this is not necessary.

But if you buy an apartment on the secondary real estate market, then the neighbors may cause quite expected problems: they drink, often have parties, floods, and so on. You need to know this at least in order to try to bargain.

It is also important to interview the neighbors themselves, if possible. They can tell you what the seller may not be talking about.

Example: The electricity in the house is often cut off, and the elevator only works one day a month. The seller may remain silent about this, even if the visit to the property falls on a day when there is no light and/or the elevator is not working. You can always make an excuse by saying that this is a temporary phenomenon and, in general, he sees this for the first time during his entire stay in the apartment. But the neighbors most likely will not hide such information.

Choosing housing is a very important procedure, on which further comfortable living largely depends. At a free consultation, experienced lawyers will tell you what else you need to pay attention to. In addition, they can accompany the entire purchase and sale transaction, thereby reducing the likelihood of problems to a minimum.

FREE CONSULTATIONS are available for you! If you want to solve exactly your problem, then

:

• describe your situation to a lawyer in an online chat;
• write a question in the form below;
• call Moscow and Moscow region
• call St. Petersburg and region

Save or share the link on social networks

(
1 ratings, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Author of the article

Natalya Fomicheva

Website expert lawyer. 10 years of experience. Inheritance matters. Family disputes. Housing and land law.

Ask a question Author's rating

Articles written

513

- FREE for a lawyer!

Write your question, our lawyer will prepare an answer for FREE and call you back in 5 minutes.

By submitting data you agree to the Consent to PD processing, PD Processing Policy and User Agreement

Useful information on the topic

4

Agreement for the purchase and sale of an apartment using a mortgage and credit funds

The apartment purchase and sale agreement is the main document when concluding a transaction. Especially…

5

Agreement for the purchase and sale of an apartment with minor children

Buying real estate is a responsible step that requires serious preparation and attention...

16

How to check an apartment for cleanliness before buying it yourself

A transaction involving the alienation of housing for a fee always involves certain risks...

39

What actions need to be taken after buying an apartment

After concluding a transaction for the purchase and sale of residential premises, it is too early for the buyer to sigh...

2

Inspection of the apartment before purchase

Buying an apartment is a responsible step that must be taken carefully...

17

Preliminary agreement for the purchase and sale of an apartment for guardianship

A preliminary purchase and sale agreement (PPSA) is an agreement that is concluded by the parties...

What questions to ask when buying an apartment

How to check an apartment before buying when talking with the seller? Let's look at the main questions that should be asked to the owner or his representative in order to complete the first step of the transaction.

• first of all, you need to find out who the owner of the property is and meet with him directly;
• on what basis was ownership of the apartment obtained;
• who is registered today and who has been discharged from the apartment;
• whether the owner has children under the age of majority and a spouse;
• the presence of third parties who may claim ownership or use rights;
• are there hidden defects in the apartment (bathroom, pipeline);
• ask about your neighbors: is it easy to find a common language with them, have there been any conflicts, etc.

Answers to your questions must be supported by official documents certified by a notary.