Nail down every detail when buying off-the-plan apartments

As off-the-plan apartment purchases increase in popularity, buyers should nail down every detail prior to signing a contract, according to Archicentre Queensland manager Ian Agnew.

Understanding just what 85 square metres of floor space really means and how the living areas may connect with service areas such as the bathroom and laundry is crucial, said Agnew.

"Even more important is which way will the living areas face? Will they attract sunlight? Will the view be across a park or the bay as featured in the brochure, or will you be looking straight at the wall a few metres away of the high-rise building next door?" he said.

Agnew said buyers are becoming aware of these issues and as a result, demand is increasing for off-the-plan apartment inspections where the potential buyer and an architect attend an inspection of the display unit to obtain a more accurate assessment.

"These inspections assist the apartment buyer (to) establish many basics such as whether the display unit they are being shown is the standard unit or premium unit with the upmarket kitchen and bathroom appliances and fittings, the standard of tiling and even the number of coats of paint," he said.

In off-the-plan apartments the ceiling heights are a key issue, and it’s important to have the apartment dimensions written into the sale contract before the apartment is purchased, said Agnew.

"It is also important to establish in writing what is included in the apartment such as carpets and window furnishings or blinds, and what is an optional extra,” he said.

Also requiring consideration is insulation, noise barriers from neighbouring apartments and double-glazing on the windows, said Agnew.

"Where people are wanting to combine two smaller adjoining apartments as an investment and lifestyle strategy (or) having a larger apartment at first and then scaling back to close one off to rent for retirement income in the future, it is vital to ensure these modifications can be built into the original design so they are effective in the future," he said.

Additionally, potential buyers should also look at the community facilities provided within the apartment and the construction standards, as buyers will become responsible for any legal issues and repairs once they take ownership through the owners corporation, said Agnew.

"The major issue for anyone buying (an) apartment 'off the plan' is to seek independent professional advice to ensure they are well informed, as once they sign on the dotted line it is extremely difficult to reverse the decision when their apartment is built and the final payment is required," Agnew said.