How to Buy a Home in New Construction?

More and more people want to build a home in a new development, where there are the latest technical solutions, low housing costs, well-thought-out floor plans, your own parking space and storage. We offer seven recommendations to pay attention to before making a purchase.

1. Ask for a discount

On the new development market, the same rules apply to prices as in the rest of the free trade world, meaning discounts are offered from time to time. Take the opportunity to negotiate the price with the developer. When talking to the sales manager, refer to competitors – now every project or developer has plenty of them. If you are interested in the property, monitor the advertising and stay in contact with the sales manager.

2. Monitor the season

The developer is more willing to give a discount during periods of low purchasing activity. The high season for selling new apartments is mid-spring, autumn and December. The low season is January, February, May and the summer months. It is worth knowing that the sales manager has an individual work schedule and wants to make as many transactions as possible before the end of the reporting period. Therefore, it is also easier to negotiate with them at the end of these periods.

3. Look for alternatives

Developers initially put only a small portion of all apartments on sale, and clients are first shown the most expensive apartments. Therefore, ask to see other apartments as well. Usually, cheaper apartments are located on lower floors or, for example, on the 13th floor of a high-rise building. Cheaper are also those with poor views, in the corner of the building or near elevator shafts. Think about whether these features would actually cause you any discomfort.

4. Prefer a finished apartment

On the new building market, there are more finished apartments than unfinished ones. If you buy only a concrete shell, you automatically increase costs. Therefore, it is better to buy a fully finished apartment – you get the keys in hand and can bring in furniture. It is also possible to take a pre-finished apartment or even a white box.

5. You want major changes

If you want to renovate your new apartment, then it is basically possible. When renovating, think about what specifically and what kind of radical changes you want, and whether they really make sense. You must definitely communicate with the developer and designers about the renovation topic. Familiarize yourself with the building codes and necessary documents, as illegal renovation can cost you dearly.

6. Replace or change

Replace the door locks, as the key set has circulated in the hands of builders for a long time. Call an electrician to check the kitchen block's electrical system and verify the adequacy of local and general lighting. As a rule, it helps to wait about a year for the building to settle in and reveal all defects.

7. Come to receive the apartment with an expert

A specialist checks the quality of pipes, the slope of floors and walls, ventilation operation, illuminates seams near the window frame, taps bathroom tiles and checks many other checklist items. Still, it is important to accept an inevitable fact: new is new and still untested … Check documents carefully, the quality of construction and finishing – this is the most important step in the final stage of the purchase. By no means sign documents regarding the apartment acceptance before you have carefully inspected the apartment!

Article author: Arco Vara