Inspecting an apartment before buying, what to look for

The choice in favor of one of the apartments has been made, it’s time to start viewing it. Inspecting the apartment is a very important stage; there should be no errors or omissions here. It is pointless to hope that the seller or realtor will tell everything about the property for sale. Most likely, such a display will have the nature of an excursion through its most attractive sides, with which they will try to cloud your vision. The seller’s motives here are clear: he wants to present his “product” in the most favorable light, and therefore, by the time you arrive, he will have carried out pre-sale preparations and carefully hidden all existing shortcomings.

In order not to be deceived in such a serious matter, you will have to take care of your own interests. You can get a complete picture of life in the apartment in question from the information obtained during the inspection.

A thorough viewing of the apartment will help identify all the weaknesses that the seller would prefer to keep silent about. But once they are discovered, then during the auction you have the right to count on a discount.

The more flaws you find in the room, the greater the discount - a simple rule for apartment buyers.

So, the inspection and assessment of the apartment takes place in two stages.

Visual inspection

The inspection begins before you even cross the threshold of the apartment. After all, the comfort of living in it is also influenced by its environment - external factors:

1. Transport connection . Find out how often public transport goes here, check how busy it is during rush hour. Pay attention to how long it took to get to the meeting point and how far from home the nearest stop is. Sellers often embellish this information in their advertisements or even try to be cunning.
2. Area . Get to know the area better, check it for industrial plants or highways that pollute the air. In addition, these objects are a source of continuous noise, which is sure to affect the comfort of the apartments. But green areas, parks, squares, on the contrary, improve the ecology of the area, which in itself improves the quality of life.
3. Infrastructure . It is worth paying attention to the remoteness of supermarkets, clinics, schools and kindergartens, consumer services, sports complexes and pharmacies. An analysis of the infrastructure will determine to what extent the needs of the residents of a given area are met.
4. View of the house and its condition . By its appearance, you can determine the era of construction of the house and, accordingly, the materials and technologies of its construction. The condition of the house is determined by the presence of smudges and cracks in the walls, the attractiveness of the facade, and the presence of crumbling balconies and ledges. These signs indicate that the building is dilapidated and needs major repairs.
5. Yard landscaping . The main problem of modern courtyards is the lack of parking spaces. The car owner should evaluate the parking situation near the house. How many cars are parked, and are there any free spaces? And for families with children, it is important that there is a children’s playground in the yard.
6. Condition of the entrance and elevator . The safety of residents begins at the entrance door. Pay attention to whether it is equipped with a combination lock, intercom or videophone. The entrance itself should be illuminated and clean, and the condition of its walls and windows should not be in doubt. But what shouldn’t be in it is the smell of a garbage chute and broken mailboxes. Inquire about the condition and operation of the elevator.
7. Neighbours . The number of people living nearby affects your peace of mind and the condition of the entrance, so it is useful to find out in advance whether your neighbors will be alcoholics and parasites or respectable and sympathetic people. The neighbors' doors, the condition of the entrance and a conversation with the residents of the house will help you decide. If the doors are old with shabby and torn upholstery, then it is better to avoid such neighbors. And good-quality iron doors speak about the status of the residents of the house. The same applies to the condition of the entrance; if it is clean and well-groomed, then the people living there are cultured.

Internal inspection of the apartment

Having fully studied the nature of the areas adjacent to the apartment, you can finally proceed directly to inspecting the object of purchase. Unlike external factors, some shortcomings inside the apartment can be eliminated.

Fatal:

1. Square. It happens that sellers incorrectly indicate the area of ​​the apartment in the advertisement. Typically, adding 1-2 square meters. It is difficult to estimate its actual size in rooms filled with furniture. Realtors recommend estimating the size of rooms by ceilings.

   You can obtain verified information about the area of ​​real estate from title documents or registration certificates.

2. Layout. First of all, read the documentation certifying the apartment plan - the registration certificate. Make sure that no illegal or unregistered changes have been made to it.

   Check the convenience of the location and isolation of the rooms, the correct zoning of the premises.

3. Apartment location. It is believed that a corner (end) apartment is colder and prone to dampness or mold. And apartments with windows facing southwest or southeast are the most attractive.

   They provide enough natural light in winter, and in summer you will not suffer from the heat.

4. View from the window. Objects located outside the window can either increase or decrease the attractiveness of a home. If there is a roadway behind it, then even double-glazed windows will not save you from the noise of cars.

   And a park or at least a small square outside the window is a big plus. It is also worth considering that the sun’s rays will not fall into the windows on the north side, but from the south they will awaken you from the very early morning.

5. Leaks and freezing.

   If the house is old or has poor thermal insulation, mold or mildew may form in the corners of rooms and on slopes around windows due to freezing of the walls. Inspect the apartment for flooding from neighbors above or leaky roofing.

6. Ventilation.

   Check the ventilation in the bathroom and kitchen with a lit match. If the flame does not flutter, then the rooms are not ventilated, and you will have to put up with foreign odors inside the apartment. You can ventilate such a room only by opening all the windows.

Disposable:

1. Doors and windows . Inspect the doors to see if there are any cracks and if the locks work. Ask the seller about the windows installed in the apartment. Check the quality of installation and seams, as well as sound insulation. Open and close doors and windows to make sure all mechanisms are working properly.
2. Communications.

   The apartment must be checked for quality communications. Take the time to inspect the quality of the electrical wiring, check the meters, the serviceability of the telephone and television antenna, and also make sure that there are no faulty sockets.

   Check the functionality of the plumbing, water pressure, whether the sewer is clogged, the tightness of the pipes, and the presence of deposits and leaks on the pipes. Ask the seller if the house is well heated, and if the inspection takes place during the heating season, touch the radiators.

3. State of repair and furniture.

   Pay attention to the condition in which the previous owner kept the apartment. Do the walls, ceiling, flooring need repairs or are they in satisfactory condition and you can save money on this? Furniture in good condition can also save you money and speed up your move.

Often, the seller, in order to sell the apartment at a higher price, tries to hide its most vulnerable places. Carefully inspect the apartment for any work intended to hide defects. Perhaps there are smudges hidden behind a thick layer of paint, and cracks behind the wallpaper. During the inspection process, these flaws can be pointed out to the owner and a discount can be requested.

If you discover serious shortcomings after moving in, then termination of the transaction can only be achieved through the court, since after handing over the transfer deed you confirm that the apartment you received is in acceptable condition.

After you have carefully inspected the apartment and, having weighed all the pros and cons, are convinced that it suits you, start bargaining. Bargaining when buying an apartment, although not the most pleasant thing, can help save a significant amount of money. And it's worth it.

Inspection of the apartment before purchase

Buying an apartment is a responsible and important moment for every family. That is why you need to know a few rules that will help you avoid some risks even at the stage of home inspection .

The apartment must be carefully inspected before purchasing. In addition to the apartment itself (technical and internal condition, square footage, etc.

) it is necessary to inspect public places (elevator, landing, garbage chute), the area and infrastructure in which the residential building with the apartment of interest is located, as well as the necessary documents , which contain the entire list of important information about the property itself.

What do you need to know about the apartment before inspection?

Before inspecting the apartment, the buyer must determine for himself what his needs are, for example:

• if he is a parent, then for the development and play of children, a playground near the house, a kindergarten or a school is necessary;
• If the buyer has a car, parking close to his place of residence will be a huge plus.

• In addition, you should pay attention to the documents, otherwise buying an apartment may lead to problems in the future, which often leads to litigation between the parties to the purchase and sale agreement.
• In order for the purchase of an apartment to be legally clear transaction, it is best to contact professionals - lawyers who will give advice on issues of interest, and will also be able to organize the entire process of paperwork.
• The inspection process itself can be roughly divided into the following components:

• verification of the seller himself (his identification documents confirming the legal capacity of the person);
• checking the documents for the apartment (their authenticity, who exactly is the owner and their number, whether the property is leased, secured, etc.);
• checking the external condition of the apartment (does the layout of the apartment correspond to that indicated in the technical passport, the material of the walls of the apartment and the house, reviews of neighbors about the quality of housing and the owner of the apartment);
• inspection of the territory where the residential building is located (presence of infrastructure, shops, garages or parking lots, kindergartens, schools, other educational institutions, etc.).

Inspection procedure

Before meeting with the buyer, the best option would be to walk around the neighborhood of the building where the apartment the buyer is interested in is located. It is worth paying attention to the following factors:

• how often does public transport ,
• what is the quality of roads and sidewalks ,
• Is there parking for a vehicle near the apartment building?
• how long it might take to get to kindergarten, school or work.

It is advisable to carry out the inspection of the apartment in the daytime in order to see all the minor external defects and features of the renovation of the living space.

As a rule, the seller should not interfere with a detailed inspection of the apartment, otherwise the buyer may get the impression that they are trying to sell him a residential property of inadequate quality. This fact should alert the buyer .

You need to take with you to the meeting with the seller:

• notepad with pen (for writing down necessary questions and information);
• any electrical appliance (with which you can check the functionality of the sockets);
• level (to check the floor screed, the evenness of the walls);
• light bulb (check lighting, wiring);
• voltmeter (to check the voltage in the network);
• flashlight (for illuminating dark places);
• camera (to record defects and features of the apartment).

You can get additional information about the apartment itself and its owners by contacting the neighboring residents . But before asking neighbors, you need to find out the following questions from the seller himself:

• how many owners are in the apartment;
• number of registered persons;
• whether there was a redevelopment and whether it was legalized.

Perhaps, during the dialogue, it will be possible to form an impression about the owner of the apartment and his behavior, which will subsequently help make a choice whether to buy such an apartment or not.

Inspection of the common property of an apartment building

A complete list of elements included in the common property of an apartment building is contained in Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated August 13, 2006 No. 491 “On approval of the Rules for the maintenance of common property...”.

In particular, a potential buyer of an apartment may be interested in the presence or condition of certain elements of such property. So, the following can be inspected:

• adjacent territory;
• the condition of roads, sidewalks, yard, house as a whole;
• integrity of walls, seams;
• lighting quality;
• elevator performance;
• the condition of the entrance, temperature and humidity in it;
• sanitary condition in the entrance, on the landing and in the apartment itself, etc.

What needs to be inspected in the apartment?

When inspecting an apartment, you should pay attention to what its layout is, whether it meets the requirements specified in the technical passport.

If the layout is not legalized, there is a high risk of paying a fine for it (Clause 2 of Article 7.21 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

In accordance with clause 3, clause 5 of Art. 29 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation, the violator may be required to restore the residential premises to the condition in which it was before the redevelopment. lose the apartment altogether .

One of the integral points of the inspection is the exit of the windows from the apartment and the balcony . In addition to the type of them, it is worth paying attention to:

• the condition of the window frames themselves;
• are they installed hermetically?
• Are there any drafts, cracks, or gaps?

In addition, it is worth paying attention to the condition of the walls of the apartment, namely their quality in terms of sound insulation and strength. If there are traces of mold , then this is the result of increased humidity and temperature disturbances.

When purchasing on the secondary market

If the apartment is classified as secondary housing, an important point is to check the owner’s documents .

First of all, you need to ask the seller-owner of the apartment to provide an identification document ( passport ).

The list of verified documents for the real estate itself includes the following:

• Title deeds - allow you to find out exactly how the apartment passed to the real owner.
• Confirming rights - will allow you to determine the type of object of right, the type of right - common or shared ownership, as well as find out the cadastral number of the residential premises.
• Technical passport (apartment plan with a description of the premises, materials from which the building is constructed).
• The cadastral passport contains information about the date of construction of the house, the cadastral value of the residential premises, and the main characteristics of the property.
• An extract from the house register or apartment card will allow you to find out the information and number of persons who are registered in the apartment at the moment.
• An extract from the Unified State Register of Rights (USRR) must contain current data about the owner and property, the presence of encumbrances.

1. This extract should not be confused with the one that confirms the ownership of a specific person (it was introduced in July 2016 to replace the certificate of ownership).
2. If the buyer sees in the statement that this property was often resold , then it is worth thinking about the reasons for such transactions, which should alert the buyer.
3. In addition, the buyer of an apartment should pay attention to the quality of repairs , wear and tear of the flooring, the condition of the walls, the presence of communication leaks, and foreign odors.

Inspection of an apartment in a new building

A new apartment is not always ideal. The developer can save a lot on building materials, which can subsequently manifest itself in external features - the quality of finishing, water supply and communications.

Before inspecting an apartment in a new building, it is necessary to inspect public areas (PUP). These include:

• entrances;
• landings;
• elevators;
• corridors.

A more complete list is contained in Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated August 13, 2006 No. 491 in Chapter 1 “Determination of the composition of common property.”

• Typically, the inspection of housing in a new residential building occurs according to a checklist - a pre-prepared plan, where all inspection points are spelled out, from the entrance to the finishing of the apartment.
• In addition to the floor, walls, ceilings, and windows, the inspection plan must include checking the electrical supply , water supply, heating pipes, the presence of meters, and the operation of ventilation.
• If the shortcomings are very minor, you can sign a transfer and acceptance certificate with a written obligation from the developer to eliminate these minor shortcomings within a certain period of time.

Based on external signs, you can inspect the apartment by inviting a specialist - an engineer , who can tell you about all the shortcomings and advantages of the living space. You can also find out information about housing by contacting your roommates.

In addition, you should inspect the territory and area where this residential building is located and make a conclusion for yourself whether this housing meets the necessary needs of the buyer or not.

Disadvantages of the apartment during inspection

The disadvantages of the apartment are the dissatisfaction of the buyer's needs.

Firstly, it may be the location of the apartment building . It may be located near entertainment establishments that are open until late, which will certainly interfere with everyday life and create a dangerous environment at night, or, conversely, the absence of shops and shopping centers near the house.

Secondly, the disadvantage of an apartment may be what floor it is on, and along with it, the elevator is often not working, which can bring certain inconveniences.

Thirdly, technical and engineering features - uneven walls, floors, poor-quality sewerage, wiring, water supply, etc.

If there are defects in the apartment that can be eliminated, then the parties, by agreement, can draw up a document - an act in which it is necessary to indicate within what time frame and what exactly will be corrected by the seller.

A realtor is a specialist from a specialized organization, which in turn organizes real estate transactions, in particular purchase and sale. The realtor selects an apartment that is suitable for the price and specific needs of the buyer, organizes inspections, ascertains the legal purity of documents and checks it superficially.

For a set price and on the basis of a executed power of attorney, the realtor :

• checks documents for the apartment, identification documents of the owner,
• requests information from the Unified State Register,
• studies the entire history of real estate, under what conditions this property changed hands,
• requests an archival extract from the house register.

During a home inspection by a real estate agent, an appraisal may be performed.

Many factors influence the determination of the cost of an apartment:

• the area in which the apartment building is located, its transport accessibility, distance from the center;
• condition of the house , local area, entrance;
• characteristics of the apartment (floor, area of ​​the apartment itself and the premises in it, type of renovation, etc.).

Apartment inspection report

To record all the details and the condition in which the apartment being inspected is located, it is necessary to draw up the appropriate document. Such documents are the apartment inspection report. Its contents must include the following information :

• location of the apartment and date of inspection;
• parties to the act: agency and customer;
• object of the act - i.e. address and location of the apartment being inspected;
• main characteristics of the house, apartment: what material, number of rooms, footage;
• the presence of redevelopment, legalized or not;
• inspection result: whether it meets the customer’s requirements or not (for what reasons);
• signatures of the parties and accompanying persons.

Power of attorney for inspection of the apartment

Currently, cases are common when customers buying an apartment, due to lack of time or other reasons, issue a power of attorney to inspect and purchase an apartment to third parties - realtors .

Indeed, in our time, fraud is common throughout the entire purchase and sale transaction, starting with the execution of a power of attorney.

This document represents a confirmation of the transfer of powers from one person to another, i.e. Simply put, the realtor does all the necessary work, which is also written in the power of attorney on behalf of the buyer - the owner.

The power of is signed in the presence of a notary. When choosing a realtor, you need to pay attention to his work experience, check whether he has a certificate, and read reviews about his activities.

The contents of the power of attorney include:

• Date and place of its compilation;
• Full information about the parties to the document: the principal and the authorized person (last name, first name, patronymic, place and date of birth, series and number of the passport, where and when it was issued, state registration address);
• A clear list of powers that the trustee will perform;
• Validity period of the document;
• Possibility of the right, if necessary, to issue a sub-power of attorney.

It is especially important to draw up the document without errors, otherwise it may be considered invalid.

Conclusion

Purchasing an apartment must meet the individual needs of the buyer. These may include:

• the presence of a kindergarten, school, shopping center;
• availability of parking for a vehicle;
• distance from home to work;
• distance from the city center, etc.

When purchasing or selling an apartment, the inspection should be carried out during the daytime. The owner should be asked about the existence of redevelopment of the apartment, and if it was carried out, then whether it was legalized, otherwise a fine may be imposed by the authorities.

It is necessary to check the documents for the apartment, and if the owner is the principal, with a power of attorney. When inspecting the apartment, a corresponding act is drawn up, which records and confirms the condition of the object.

If you wish, you can contact a realtor. Based on all the specified needs of the customer, he selects the most suitable living space. This transaction between the realtor and the customer (buyer) is carried out on the basis of a notarized power of attorney.

Hello! I issued a power of attorney with a realtor to purchase an apartment, but now I have discovered inaccurate data in the signed document. Is there a chance to cancel such a document? Hello! You have the right to revoke such a power of attorney by contacting the notary who certified this document. In addition, in accordance with Art. 189 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, you must notify your authorized representative of your intention.

Inspecting an apartment before purchasing: nuances that realtors don’t know

Inspecting an apartment before buying a home on the secondary market - how a buyer can properly inspect an apartment, nuances during an inspection that even realtors don’t know.

I am more than sure that most of us look at everything they want to buy and an apartment in this case is no exception.

When buying an apartment, thousands of buyers make the same mistakes or correct actions, which lead to the same results.

As a result, buying an apartment brings joy and satisfaction, or, on the contrary, disappointment.

How do you find yourself making the right decision when buying an apartment? How not to be disappointed in the purchased apartment? It is enough to follow a small number of simple rules.

By observing buyers and realtors, I have come up with a basic series of actions that need to be taken to properly purchase an apartment. All these actions are performed at the stage of inspection of the apartment.

We look at the tricks and techniques for inspecting an apartment in detail in 10 videos How to buy an apartment on the secondary market without intermediaries

Inspection of the apartment before purchase: courtyard

1. Inspection of the courtyard area on which the house is located.

Pay attention to the condition of the yard, its well-groomed condition, the availability of parking, and free spaces in it, because you also have to park your car somewhere.

Even if you don’t have a car at the moment, most likely you will get one, because life is getting better and a start has been made - you are buying an apartment! So do it as correctly as possible :)

“Pitfalls” when purchasing can be found in article 11 risks of buying an apartment

If you have children, then by default, the presence of a children's playground is essential and relevant. On the contrary, if you don’t have children, for example, they are already grown up, the playground may become an unnecessary source of noise for you.

Pay attention to which side the windows of your future apartment face. Ideal if they face both sides - both into the yard and onto the street.

If only in the courtyard, then be prepared for the fact that when buying such an apartment you may become unwitting spectators of courtyard gatherings, noisy celebrations and “showdowns” of courtyard campaigns;

2. Inspect the house in which you plan to buy an apartment from all sides.

Don't be lazy to walk around it. Inspect the walls, the condition of the seams (if it is a panel house), the presence of damp or moss-covered brick walls (especially for houses on the secondary real estate market, built during the Soviet period), the presence or absence of crumbling masonry, balconies or wall cladding..

There are plenty of examples when, when buying an apartment, buyers, especially of apartments located on the top floors, do not notice the presence of cracks in the walls and these defects are discovered only after purchasing the apartment and subsequent living in it.

Try not to repeat this sad experience :)

Read about the pros and cons of the 1st and last floors in apartment on the first floor and apartment on the top floor

Some buyers go to get to know their neighbors by ringing their doors, but firstly, it is not always possible to find people at home, and secondly, not everyone will like this manner of preliminary acquaintance, although the usefulness of this method cannot be ruled out.

It is much easier to look at the condition and presence of plastic windows from the yard. Based on their number and condition, one can draw certain conclusions about the level of income and social status of neighbors.

To avoid repeating the rake of your predecessors, take advantage of the experience of generations. which is reflected in my article “How to buy an apartment with good neighbors,” I’m sure you will like it too.

In addition: the condition of houses built in the early 80s of the last century can be much better than those built at the beginning of this century. There can be many reasons - from the quality and conscientiousness of construction, to the quality of building materials and conscientious care of the building in which you decided to purchase an apartment.

Read about the pros and cons of secondary and new buildings. What to choose: secondary or new building

Inspection of the apartment before purchase: entrance

1. After inspecting the courtyard area and the appearance of the building, inspect the entrance and its condition.

When buying an apartment, 99% of buyers pay attention to the condition of the entrance and its front door, vestibule. You may ask how long ago the renovation was done or when it is going to be done.

It would be a good idea to pay attention to the condition of the staircases throughout the entire entrance. You can do this before or after inspecting the apartment itself.

Buying an apartment is quite a serious undertaking and should be approached accordingly.

Don’t be embarrassed or lazy - the more information you have about the apartment, the more informed decision you will make about buying an apartment.

In addition to inspecting the entrance itself, you can look at the condition of the doors of the apartments in the entrance. This inspection, coupled with the windows of the apartments, will give a clearer understanding of what kind of neighbors will surround you.

Don't lose sight of these nuances, because... your comfortable living is by no means limited to the purchased apartment - the entrance and neighbors will also participate in your life.

There are quite a lot of examples where smoking neighbors cause a lot of discomfort due to the creation of “smoke screens” in the entrance, as a result of which clothes smell of smoke, children (if any) and your nerves suffer.

Anticipate or eliminate unpleasant situations before purchasing an apartment - at the stage of its inspection.

2. The condition and performance of the elevator is also of great importance.

Based on the appearance of the booth, one can draw a conclusion about the contingent that lives in the entrance, as well as about the work of public utilities.

3. Pay attention to the presence or absence of a garbage chute.

Currently, many residents refuse it, due to the fact that if it is used incorrectly, two main problems arise - smell and rats. If there is a garbage disposal, be sure to check its location.

One of the unfortunate locations of the garbage chute is directly on the sites where the apartments are located; a more successful location is when it is between floors.

If there is no garbage chute, find out where the waste disposal sites are located, because if you buy an apartment in this house, then you will have to use these amenities accordingly :)

Inspection of the apartment before purchase

1. Quite often, during the process of living in an apartment, sellers make minor redevelopment in order to create more comfortable living conditions.

• When selling an apartment, it may turn out that the redevelopment is not legalized, or it is impossible to legalize it at all.
• For example, load-bearing walls were demolished, a bathroom was moved, or the wall between the loggia and the room was demolished, ventilation ducts were removed, etc.
• Buyers, delighted with the price or the condition of the apartment, do not notice such nuances due to emotions, or simply believe the sellers that the changes are “insignificant”, and then, having completed the purchase of such an apartment, they puzzle over how to legitimize it or resell the apartment.

Read and decide: buying an apartment with or without renovation

To avoid getting into a similar situation, use a specialist who is the “third dog” on such matters, who knows the layout of such houses, understands the documents and only looks out for your interests.

Spending on a consultation will prevent disappointment and wasted nerves after an unsuccessful apartment purchase.

The housing stock consists not only of new buildings and houses from the late Soviet period. Often buyers are inclined to buy apartments called “Stalinka”.

In these types of houses there are both reinforced concrete and wooden floors. These buildings were erected in the 40-50s, but their condition varies, depending on the care and may even be perfect in appearance.

They have advantages, such as large areas and high ceilings, but the presence of wooden floors can be considered a disadvantage.

This could cause a fire in the entire house, which is why banks and insurance companies are reluctant to issue loans and insure the purchase of apartments in such buildings.

Then you can look at other options - “Khrushchev” or “Brezhnev”. And don’t look at the standard nature of their layouts; for example, a successful redevelopment in a 1-room Khrushchev house can be successfully done, knowing how long a person will live in it.

2. The view from the window of the apartment being purchased is one of the main indicators when inspecting it.

I remember one movie, I don’t remember its name. There, according to the story, a married couple buys a house at a bargain price and it is inspected late in the evening. They are interested in how the area is, they are told that it is very quiet and this makes buyers happy; in general, they like the house and they buy it.

The next day, the couple arrives at this house during the day to look around, as owners, they again walk around the house in high spirits and when they open the curtains of the window overlooking the backyard, they find a cemetery there. Yes, the area here is really quiet :))

With this example, you already understand what you need to look for when buying an apartment :) Often, from the window, in addition to a good view, you can see a vacant lot, a dusty road, railroad tracks, etc.

3. After examining the view outside the window, it is equally important to check the quality of the plastic windows and the integrity of their installation.

It's no secret that quite often in purchased apartments, after construction, buyers prefer to replace the plastic windows installed by the developer.

However, there are also those who are initially satisfied with such windows. You are buying an apartment, and this is the same product as on the market - so do not hesitate to ask who installed the windows and when; it may even make sense to ask for the product passport.

Also visually check to see if the wall covering is crumbling, if there is fungus or signs of flooding by neighbors.

Upon completion of the inspection when purchasing an apartment

Be sure to take an interest and see for yourself the infrastructure of the area in which you plan to buy an apartment.

Availability of important facilities for you nearby: schools, kindergartens, hospitals, pharmacies, shopping and entertainment centers. Availability of other access roads to the house, city shuttle bus stops, etc.

Find out who lives above the apartment you are buying, whether the neighbors heated the apartment.

Find out as much useful information as possible that would allow you to stop your search at this particular apartment, or continue it further.

If you don’t know what to ask and what to pay attention to, seek support or advice from a specialist and come “fully armed” to inspect the apartment.

To get more savvy, read the article about 6 rules for choosing your dream apartment.

And if you have already looked at the apartment, then you are probably already thinking about the fact that you should, at a minimum, check the documents for it. This is where the help of a qualified lawyer comes in handy.

You can ask a lawyer a question for free in the “Specialists” tab

Today we found out what to consider when inspecting an apartment before purchasing.

Good luck buying an apartment!

How to inspect an apartment before purchasing and what to pay attention to?

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How to prepare?

The initial step before purchasing is the geolocation of the apartment. Explore the area in detail. If the family has children, find out in advance the location of the kindergarten or school to the new home. Consider the safety of the surrounding area.

Has this or that area become famous from a negative point of view? In addition to the above factors, if the site is located next to a highway, the problem may be related to noise. Consider public transportation, well-known organizations, and convenience stores. They are the ones who can improve or complicate life.

Important! Once you have decided on housing, try to carefully study the ownership documents of the house being inspected.

We discussed what else a buyer should pay attention to before making a transaction in a separate article.

Visiting hours

Let's think about what is the best time to buy an apartment. The inspection period should be selected during the daytime. It will make it clear how bright the apartment is. And it is thanks to this lighting that you can more carefully examine all the shortcomings.

Viewings are often carried out with the owners of the house, which is why you should listen to their words very carefully. When negotiating with the owners, agree only to an individual showing, this way you will be able to inspect the premises completely.

Is money required?

Of course not. If it comes down to paying upfront for a home inspection, they are scammers (how can you protect yourself from scammers?). After all, it is in the interests of the owners to sell real estate , and it is in yours to completely purchase the same premises.

There are a lot of deceivers in this matter; as soon as money comes up, you can immediately determine what kind of interest the offerer has.

You need to take the following:

1. diary for entries;
2. handle;
3. notebook;
4. flashlight.

This set will help you remember all the pros and cons of the apartment you are inspecting.

The main thing is, don’t be afraid to ask the seller for the smallest details. Take this seriously. Even if the question seems stupid, repeat it, because an apartment is an expensive real estate that requires a detailed description. We wrote about what should be clarified and what questions to ask the seller here.

On a note. If the owners have a realtor, provide an opportunity for both parties to respond. Their answers may be very different from reality.

When buying an apartment, you should pay attention to:

• yard;
• condition of the entrance;
• presence of an elevator;
• sound insulation;
• location of neighbors.

Assessment of the area near the house

Criticism of the area near the building should be done with caution. Before you make the journey, calculate how much time it took to travel and what kind of transport you used for the trip. Take a walk near your home and look around to see if there are any negative factors that could influence your decision. It is best to do a full inspection during the day and evening.

Identify all the nearest settlements that you may need: pharmacies, hospitals, convenience stores.

Entrance inspection

When entering the front door, try to evaluate its cleanliness. How many cleanings were performed and to what quality? Contact the house manager. And ask her about all the nuances related to housing. Check whether there is an elevator at the entrance, check the suitability of the windows and how warm the room is.

The important part is the analysis of the room inside. You should evaluate the house in the morning in daylight, observing all the flaws. Knock on the walls and inspect for cracks or any other problems. Ask the resident when the house was built and how friendly the neighbors are.

Reference. When purchasing, be sure to inquire about the suitability of the housing layout. If the apartment is not suitable, then you will have to pay a fine of 1000 - 1500 rubles under clause 2 of Art. 7.21 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation.

In addition to this point, it may be necessary to restore the original appearance of the apartment, and this is paragraph 3, part 5 of Art. 29 Housing Code of the Russian Federation. Here we are talking about unauthorized redevelopment without approval from the authority.

If such a question is ignored, there is a possibility of losing your recently purchased purchase.

Secondary

When purchasing secondary space, it is important to check the seller's authentic documents. Before requesting, ask the owner for a passport, this will confirm his identity to the property.

For a secondary home you should check:

• how the housing was transferred to the owner;
• the owner's share of ownership of a given area;
• a detailed diagram of the apartment, where you can determine whether it corresponds to reality;
• full date of construction of the building;
• a document confirming how many persons are registered in the house.

New building

The inspection of a new building should be approached with the utmost seriousness. After all, they can save on housing, and this saving will be reflected in the construction of a low-quality house. Study in advance the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated August 13, 2006 No. 491, which talks about determining the composition of common property.

It includes:

• entrance;
• elevator;
• staircase;
• building roof;
• fencing;
• structures for moving people with disabilities;
• the plot on which the house was built;
• utility accounting systems;
• in-house cold and hot water supply system;
• engineering drainage system;
• in-house heating system;
• in-house power supply system.

Attention! When inspecting a new home, check the suitability of the water and electrical pipes. In case of minor shortcomings, you always have the opportunity to negotiate with the developer to correct the problems at his expense.

You will find all the important information about what you need to know when buying an apartment in a new building or on the secondary market, as well as what to look for when inspecting real estate, in another article.

Checking living conditions

Once inside the apartment, you should check the presence of each item. Only your interest will lead to a profitable deal.

To be inspected:	Evaluation criteria
Apartment layout	There must be compliance with the original housing scheme. To do this, you need to ask for BTI documents.
Walls	The apartment should be warm. If this is not felt, you should carefully inspect the walls. They can be the problem of cold and cause noise at any time of the day.
Ceilings	The wall near the ceiling should be smooth and without the slightest leaks. If the apartment has a suspended ceiling, there may be unpleasant surprises behind it.
If the purchase is made on the ground floor	Pay attention to the floor. It must be in perfect condition.
If the purchase is made on the top floor	Pay attention to the ceiling. Are there any traces of stains on it after the rain?
Floor	If there is a wooden floor, there should be no sounds or other unpleasant sensations on it.
Balcony windows and doors	There should be no cracks or window chips. Such an error is permissible only if they are completely replaced.
Balcony	The condition of the walls and floor inside the balcony should be free of drips.
Sewer pipes	There should be no dampness or problems with draining water.
Gas pipes	Should work without interruption.
Batteries	When purchasing in cold weather, check the warmth of the battery. The presence of cracks is unacceptable.

On a note. If there are renovation plans, minor defects in the house are acceptable.

It is the realtor who specializes in favorable conditions for purchasing a home , as well as in its purchase. If your plans are not only to buy an apartment, but also to sell it, you can safely negotiate with this specialist.

Based on experience, the realtor will provide you with a list of profitable deals, and the choice, of course, will be yours. In addition to providing premises, his responsibilities include a huge number of matters. For example, drawing up an inspection report for the premises.

Act

To understand the condition of the apartment, you should prepare a special document. Currently, such a document is an inspection report.

It includes:

1. date of inspection;
2. geolocation of the building (full address);
3. surnames of the owner and buyer;
4. building layout and construction;
5. information about the new layout and its legal adoption;
6. inspection assessment: positive or negative (detailed description);
7. signatures of both parties.

Download the residential premises inspection form

Power of attorney

If the seller does not have time to show the apartment, it is transferred to the shoulders of the realtor. It is the power of attorney that can confirm that the owner has no claims that the inspection was carried out by another person.

Such a power of attorney must be registered with a notary.

Note! When meeting with a realtor, pay attention to his experience and the number of positive transactions. In addition, you can request his certificate or recommendations from people already working with him.

The power of attorney for inspection includes:

• date of signing;
• place of the contract;
• information of the owner and realtor, which also includes passport data;
• a list of what the trusted guarantor will do;
• the date of performance of duties and the date of termination of their performance.

The contract must be executed without error, otherwise it will be invalid.

Most often, buyers do not study every corner of the apartment, and then become disappointed in the purchase. To prevent this from happening, concentrate on studying the entire area of ​​the home. If your home is undergoing renovations, calculate the entire cost in advance. If not thought through, this can result in costly repairs.

If there are shortcomings in the room that cannot be eliminated, think twice - do you need such an apartment?

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