Have you finally decided to get a condo? Sometimes the excitement of condo hunting can be diminished by the stress of finding the best one amidst the endless options sprouting everywhere. Whatever your preference may be, these tips can serve as your go-to rules of thumb for smart condo hunting.

Tip 1: Noise

Living in the city condo has all its perks, but if there’s one downside that irks most city dwellers, it’s definitely the noise. If possible, try to visit the development in both daytime and evening time. You can assess the noise level in the building at both times and see if the unit is noise-proof from outdoor noise or neighboring units.

Tip 2: Layout

The configuration of a unit’s layout has a huge impact on how you’ll organize your space and your productivity. A good layout should offer enough flexibility and customization for your lifestyle. If you have children, see if the living space is spacious enough to allow more room for activities. The orientation and position of the kitchen should also be a primary concern because this is where most daily activities revolve.

Tip 3: Development

Are there any ongoing or planned developments within or nearby the area that could affect the condo's value? A quick tour around the vicinity will give you an initial idea of any work currently happening. You can also ask the help of your salesperson or broker in assessing this.

Tip 4: Vacancies

If you’re buying a ready for occupancy unit, ask for the vacancy rates and the factors that affect it. This will give you an idea of how the market perceives the project. Oftentimes, vacancies indicate any issues about the project. You can weigh some pros and cons based on the factors you’ll be able to gather.

Tip 5: Proximity

Is the unit in close proximity to facilities and locators essential to you and your family? List them down according to priority or the number of times you need to visit one in a week. Some examples may be schools, fitness centers, parks, or public transport. Once you have this list, it will be easier to narrow down, which should be your non-negotiable.

Tip 6: Quality

The structural soundness of the building should be of your top three considerations when buying a condo. If you don’t have an expert eye on this aspect, one quick way of ensuring this is by checking out the history and reputation of the developer. You can also observe build quality by yourself, like sound insulation, finishing, and craft. These are obvious characteristics you can easily analyze.

Tip 7: Per square meter

It’s easy for buyers to be lured by visually appealing amenities such as huge lap pools or expansive lobbies. Computing cost per square meter of a unit may be common to most, but it’s definitely something people miss out on when comparing condo units. Always compute the cost per square meter of condo units in the same location or city, so you’ll know how much exactly you’ll be paying for in every inch of space.

Tip 8: Carpark

Whether you currently own a car or not, finding out parking arrangements is crucial when choosing a condo to purchase. Will there be a designated car park? Is there sufficient parking for guests? How much will it cost to purchase a slot vs. renting one out?

Are you currently looking for potential condo investments? Check out condominiums for sale on OnePropertee. Remember to use our filters to match your preferred location and budget. Happy condo hunting!