Buying Houses Before They Are Built

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Do your research before buying condos off-plan. Some used to be offices or old-age homes. Both have disadvantages.

Real estate. What is buying off-plan? It’s buying property like houses, apartments, condos or shops. The developer publishes a building plan of the number of apartments or condominiums he intends to build, their different sizes, price and parking bays.

You feel it’s a good investment so you buy one. Developers let you customize it. They usually have samples of floor tiles, bathroom tiles or window coverings so that you can choose what you want for your unit.

Construction is finished and you take possession of your unit, but you’re not happy.

1. The colour scheme in the bathroom and kitchen is not what you chose.

2. The building plan has measurements but somehow the unit is much smaller than you thought.

3. The walls are thin. You can hear people doing their business next door.

4. Some people bought units to rent them out. A musician rented the unit next door.

5. You moved in when the area had started having social problems:  drugs, homelessness or land invasion.

These are things you should consider before buying off-plan.

Nonqaba waka Msimang

Blogger Without Borders

 

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