Buying an apartment on the ground floor, why the first floor is bad when buying an apartment

• Buying an apartment is a responsible step in a person’s life, implying not only serious financial costs, but also determining the quality of his life for many years.
• The choice of floor on which the new apartment will be located should be based on an integrated approach.

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Tastes and opinions

1. The ideas of many apartment buyers about the advantages of locating an apartment on a particular floor were formed based on the experience of living in Soviet-built houses.
2. Most of these stereotypes are no longer relevant in modern housing construction.

3. The negative opinion about living on the top floors, caused by leaking roofs, damp basements, and lack of communications, has largely become outdated thanks to the improvement of building codes and building materials used..

4. The choice of housing on the primary real estate market is difficult to lead to any uniform algorithm, since there are many subjective factors that influence the purchase of an apartment in a new building :

• Number of floors of the building (the upper floors of high-rise buildings are valued for the view from the window, the lower floors are preferred by people with limited mobility);
• Financial opportunities (price on the first floor is usually lower);
• Buildings or infrastructure surrounding the house;
• Features of the house itself (presence of offices and shops on the ground floor of the house, technical floors, location and principle of functioning of communications).

Best floor to stay

Everyone dreams of a good apartment for their family. Which floors are considered the best to buy? Which floor is better to live on? So what is more convenient, safer, more comfortable?

First floor

Among the advantages of apartments located on the ground floor are:

1. Lower cost (usually 10–20%);
2. No need to use the elevator;
3. Possibility of transfer to non-residential premises;
4. Quick evacuation in case of fires and other emergencies;
5. Inability to cause damage to lower living spaces in case of flooding;
6. No problems with water pressure.

The list of disadvantages of housing on the ground floor looks much more significant:

• Increased noise level coming from both the street and the entrance;
• Air pollution from car exhausts, cigarette smoke;
• Intensive pollution of the landing due to greater traffic;
• The need to install bars on windows or a security alarm due to the high risk of criminals entering the house;
• Often there are no balconies on the first floors;
• Low levels of natural light;
• Close proximity to basements.

Also on the ground floor, there is a possibility of sewage spilling from the toilet and bathtub in the event of a clogged sewer in the basement . And in old houses, due to the proximity to the basement and high humidity, the wooden floor may rot .

Today, apartments on the first floors are of interest to citizens mainly for investment purposes. It is common practice to transfer such apartments to non-residential premises for subsequent sale , since prices for commercial real estate are usually higher, or directly for opening your own business (beauty salon, store, catering, etc.).

Currently, apartment buildings are often designed with a non-residential ground floor, so the market for ground floor housing is expected to shrink over time.

Second floor

Apartments on the second floor have less pronounced disadvantages of apartments on the first floor , but the level of noise and air pollution still leaves much to be desired, and an unpleasant surprise for the owners may be the transfer of lower apartments to non-residential premises for use in various types of business activities.

The floors of non-residential premises (offices, shops) are usually covered with tiles, which means you should be prepared for additional sounds. When buying an apartment above a store, a cafe needs to prepare for unpleasant odors, and possibly cockroaches.

But at night, offices and shops are closed and no one will disturb you at night.

If you are still going to buy an apartment on the second floor, think about soundproofing the floor and installing good double-glazed windows.

If you want to find out how to buy an apartment in a new building so as not to be deceived, we advise you to read the article.

Golden mean

The most popular among those wishing to purchase real estate are apartments located in the so-called golden mean area. These are apartments of 3–7 floors .

The disadvantages inherent in the lower floors do not bother those living in these premises as much, but there are undoubted advantages:

Elevator breakdown does not cause significant inconvenience;

Comfortable level for people with a fear of heights;

Possibility of quick evacuation in case of fire;

Good view characteristics.

From eighth to sixteenth

• Apartments located above the eighth floor level are attractive with clean air , however, if there is a boiler room nearby or an industrial zone, then emissions will be concentrated at the level of the upper floors.
• Noises from the street practically do not bother those who have chosen higher apartments; also, with the sparse construction of residential complexes, the windows of apartments located on the upper floors offer an attractive view .
• But despite the significant advantages, there are also serious disadvantages:

• Elevator breakdown causes significant inconvenience;
• Noises from the street are practically not disturbing;
• It takes a while to get down to the street;
• The manifestation of a fear of heights makes itself felt;
• Difficulties with evacuation in emergency situations and firefighting.

Closer to the sky

1. The top floors (especially in premium class housing) are valued for their panoramic views of the city (with the exception of low-rise residential complexes), and the possibility of equipping an attic floor.

2. In modern high-rise buildings, there is a technical floor above the apartments on the top floor, where many communications are concentrated, so there is no need to be afraid of low water pressure, since the water circulates from top to bottom.

3. All of the listed disadvantages do not apply to penthouses located in luxury new buildings and costing significantly more than all other apartments.

4. In addition to the standard disadvantages of the upper floors, the disadvantages are:

• Possibility of flooding if the roof leaks;
• Elevator motor noise;
• Possibility of unauthorized persons entering from the roof;
• Developers often increase the cost of apartments on the top floor for a beautiful view from the window..

The unique advantage of the last floor is the absence of neighbors above.

Corner apartments

• Complaints from residents and apartment buyers are usually caused by corner apartments, which often turn out to be cold and uncomfortable.
• In high-quality apartment buildings, these inconveniences are compensated by improved thermal insulation and an increase in the number of radiator sections.
• Sometimes in such apartments in one room there are two windows located on adjacent walls, which can create inconvenience for the functional placement of furniture.

Read the article on how to find out the pros and cons of the technology for constructing a monolithic house here.

Choosing a floor when buying an apartment

1. When assessing the territorial location of a house and the composition of the adjacent development zone, it is necessary to pay attention to the height of nearby houses.
2. If there is a low-rise building area nearby, then the optimal choice would be an apartment located several floors above the outermost floors of neighboring buildings.

3. If high-rise buildings are built near the house, the advantages of choosing an apartment on the upper floors become less obvious, since instead of a panoramic view from the window, you will only be able to see the walls of the high-rise buildings erected nearby.

4. If the house is located in a quiet area with a favorable environmental situation and there is no busy road nearby, then the choice of floor is limited mainly only by the personal preferences of the potential owner, since the disadvantages associated with air pollution and noise are minimized.

5. As for the house itself, when choosing a floor to buy an apartment you should consider:

1. Fire safety. How is the fire extinguishing and evacuation system from the upper floors of the building organized?
2. Number of elevators.

   If the entrance has one elevator and a large number of floors or there is no freight elevator, then buying an apartment on the upper floors will be a rash decision.

3. Location and principle of operation of engineering systems and communications.

   If water distribution starts from the lower floors, then on the upper floors during peak loads the pressure may decrease.

4. Possibility of using apartments on the first and last floors . Transfer to the non-residential category, arrangement of the attic, winter garden, fireplace.

Which one is better to choose?

In standard apartment buildings, the most liquid, and therefore the most popular, real estate are apartments located on 4–8 floors.

Such housing has virtually no disadvantages related to location. Housing located in the middle of the building is the safest for the health of citizens.

• This is facilitated by: clean air, low noise levels and general pollution .
• Experts consider the safest housing to be premises on the 1st or 2nd floors, since these apartments are easy to leave in the event of a fire, and besides, a fall from such a height is unlikely to cause serious harm to health.
• On the contrary, residents of the upper floors of the tallest Skyscrapers (more than 90 meters) can only be rescued in case of fire using helicopters.

Which floor is better, first or last? Subjective factors and personal preferences of people play a big role in choosing an apartment, since modern technologies and materials make it possible to make almost any property comfortable and safe for living.

Which floor is better to live on for your health? We invite you to watch the video.

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7 advantages of ground floor apartments that almost no one is aware of

Buying an apartment is a very serious step, and you need to approach the choice of new housing accordingly. At the same time, many are initially opposed to apartments on the ground floor and do not even consider this option, but in vain - after all, they have a lot of hidden, but undoubted advantages. So, we’ll tell you why you should think about purchasing square meters on the ground floor.

Costs less

The first, and perhaps the most tangible advantage of an apartment on the ground floor is that it costs much less than on any other. For example, in the capital, the difference in housing prices on the first and last floors can range from 200 thousand to 1 million rubles.

It’s easier to coordinate redevelopment

An undeniable advantage of apartments on the lower floors is that literally limitless redevelopment possibilities open up for its owners. The fact is that there will be no living area under your apartment, above which you cannot place a kitchen and bathroom.

Therefore, if you have long dreamed of a bathroom with a window or a large kitchen-living room, you have every chance of making your dream come true.

However, do not forget that any redevelopment must be formalized and agreed upon with the authorized bodies, otherwise you will face a large fine.

You can make a separate entrance

An apartment located on the ground floor can have a separate entrance, but only on the condition that the premises are transferred from residential to non-residential.

So if you are buying real estate to run a business - for example, you want to open a cafe, shop or travel agency, an apartment on the ground floor will be an ideal option.

It should be noted that at the moment the procedure for transferring residential real estate to non-residential real estate in Moscow and St. Petersburg has become more complicated, but in most regions this trend has not yet been observed.

Easy to sell

Housing on the ground floor can be sold fairly quickly, the main thing is to know who to offer it to. For example, mention of the possibility of converting residential premises into non-residential ones will certainly interest local entrepreneurs.

You will be saved in a fire

An apartment on the ground floor is safe. So, if there is a fire in the house (God forbid), you will be able to evacuate not only along the stairs, but also through the window. The main thing is not to install “solid bars” on the windows - they should be easy to open from the inside when necessary.

You'll never need a lift

Having settled on the first floor, you will never get stuck in the elevator, and you will not have to wait for all your neighbors to ride it. And you won’t have problems transporting a stroller and furniture when moving. And if the elevator in your building suddenly breaks down, it will not affect you and your loved ones in any way.

Repairs are cheaper

Read also

What changes await apartment owners in 2023

You can save a significant amount during repairs. After all, lifting large-sized building materials and furniture to the upper floors is not a cheap service at all, and you don’t need it.

Finally

Many are afraid that in an apartment on the ground floor they will be constantly haunted by the smell of dampness, mold and insects from the basement. However, these problems can arise for residents on any floor if the management company monitors the condition of the house carelessly.

Previously, the news agency “In the City of N” talked about the pros and cons of apartments on the top floor. 

Based on materials from the Zen channel “An Architect’s Diary”.

Apartment on the ground floor: pros and cons in old houses and new buildings

When choosing a floor, consider all the pros and cons of the location of the apartment - floor, corner or central, where the windows face, whether there is a balcony, etc. Especially if you choose an apartment on the first or last floor.

Is it worth buying an apartment on the ground floor? Let's consider all the pros and cons.

Disadvantages of apartments on the ground floor

An apartment on the ground floor has both its advantages and disadvantages. The disadvantages in this case are:

1. Often in apartments on the ground floor there is high humidity - this is due to the fact that the basement is close, where there is a lot of dampness, and the height of the windows creates certain problems with too much moisture getting into the apartment from the street. And also, due to the proximity of the basement, there are often unpleasant odors in the apartment or various living creatures can settle in.
2. The disadvantage of an apartment on the ground floor is its thermal insulation. In winter they are cooler than apartments located higher up.
3. Due to the vegetation and nearby buildings, these apartments receive less sunlight, so they are quite dark.
4. Due to the fact that the apartment is not located high, you can often see interest in what is happening in your house from the street. This is not the most pleasant moment and many do not want their personal life to be observed by people passing by or neighbors.
5. Noise is a big problem for ground floors. Since these apartments are located low, all the noise from the street from the roadway will reach the apartment.
6. For the most part, apartments on the first floors do not have balconies. This is done for safety reasons, so think about whether you need a balcony or not.
7. Owners of the first floors should be as careful as possible with their safety. Therefore, you need to install bars and alarms on the windows. The fact is that it is easiest for thieves to get into apartments on the first two floors.
8. The front door of the house itself will also become a problem. Too much noise is created from slamming and the regular opening and closing of the door.
9. If the windows of your house overlook the entrance or benches, then the smell of cigarettes will waft to your windows, and you will always be aware of all the latest news and gossip.

Why shouldn't you buy an apartment on the ground floor?

If you are buying for the purpose of privacy, then in this case it will not work. For the most part, all the first floors are quite noisy. Screams can be heard from children's playgrounds, noise from cars and people simply passing by will not allow you to be in silence. If installing sound insulation is not a problem for you, then you can consider this option.

Why is the first floor bad when buying an apartment?

Neighbors upstairs can create some problems. Since there is still a whole house above you, the likelihood of being flooded is much higher than for others.

A disadvantage may also be that in newer houses the heating system is installed from top to bottom. What does it mean? On the upper floors the water pressure will be better than on the first floors and the same applies to the heating supply. Therefore, apartment owners often have problems with water supply and indoor heat during the winter season.

Pros of apartments on the ground floor

Apartments on the ground floor also have their advantages. These include:

1. The price of these apartments is usually 10-20% lower, so you can save money if the apartment’s shortcomings do not create discomfort in your stay.
2. It is very convenient for a young family with a child to purchase housing on the ground floor. The stroller does not need to be lowered from the upper floors, and if the elevator breaks down, you will not face any discomfort.
3. It is very convenient to buy an apartment on the ground floor for people with disabilities.
4. Pensioners are also among those who are comfortable living on the first.
5. People who suffer from claustrophobia or do not want to use the elevator for safety reasons also choose the lower floors when purchasing an apartment.
6. The advantage will be that you will not receive complaints from neighbors below that you are dropping or moving something or that the child is playing around.
7. An apartment on the ground floor can be purchased and rented out for commercial activities.
8. If you rent out housing on the ground floor, you don’t have to worry that your guests will flood someone and you’ll have to pay for repairs. Below is a basement in which no one lives except rats.
9. The first floor is the first to be evacuated in case of an emergency.
10. If you want to open your own business, then an apartment on the ground floor is ideal. You can transfer it to a non-residential property, make a separate entrance, and you will save the same 10-20% on its purchase.

So is it worth buying an apartment on the ground floor?

Everything depends on you. If this option suits you and the disadvantages don’t scare you, then you can definitely take it.

And also some of the disadvantages can be eliminated: install sound insulation and an alarm system, buy an apartment on the ground floor with access to a garden or park, where there will be no noise from the street and cars, consider the option of an apartment in the middle of the house, then it will be warmer and there will be no problems from entrance noise doors.

Apartment on the 1st floor: pros and cons - About the garden and the house

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Existing disadvantages of apartments located on the 1st floor

Our editors conducted a comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages. The basis was taken from reviews of owners and employers posted on the Internet, personal living experiences of editorial staff, as well as other sources of information.

Based on the analysis, the following disadvantages were identified:

Flaw	A comment
High noise level	In addition to the constant screams of children playing on the playground, the noise produced by vehicles is also added - especially if the windows of the house or apartment overlook a busy highway. Plastic windows with multiple glazed units will help reduce noise
Increased likelihood of illegal actions by third parties	It is easy for burglars to get into an apartment through a window or an open window. You can avoid burglars by putting bars on your windows. Fortunately, now they can be made according to an individual design that does not spoil, but, on the contrary, decorates the appearance of the windows
Dust and dirt	In an apartment on the 1st floor, you will have to carry out wet cleaning more often than usual due to exhaust gases from cars, street dust, etc. The solution to the problem is to seal all the cracks and holes in window and door openings
Proximity to basement	If the apartment is located in an apartment building, then there may be a basement below, the proximity of which will lead to many problems - from an unpleasant odor to various pests - cockroaches, mice and even rats
Cold	Living spaces on the 1st floor are often cold due to their proximity to the ground. Installing a “warm floors” system will help solve the problem.
Clogged drainage system	If there is a blockage in the general building drainage system, the owner of an apartment on the 1st floor may face the problem of sewage waste entering through the plumbing elements. The problem is solved by installing a “check valve”
Lack of balconies and loggias	As a rule, housing located on the 1st floor does not have balconies or loggias, so problems often arise with where to dry clothes, or simply “drink tea in the fresh air”
Little light	Trees or bushes may interfere with the penetration of sunlight into the apartment. Residents of apartments on the upper floors usually do not have this problem. The solution is simple - just contact the management company with a request to cut down the green spaces (but first you will have to obtain permission from the local government)

Advantages of an apartment located on the ground floor

A citizen who decides to analyze what are the disadvantages and advantages of the first floor in a new building must take into account not only the disadvantages, but also the undeniable advantages, of which there are many.

Here is a complete list of advantages:

Advantage	A comment
Price factor	Real estate on the first floors is significantly cheaper than similar housing properties located on 2, 3, 4 and other floors (not lower or upper) (by about 20%)
No need to climb stairs	If an apartment building is not equipped with an elevator, and the owner is disabled, a mother of many children, or simply a pensioner who finds it difficult to climb stairs, then an apartment on the 1st floor will solve all these problems
No neighbors below	Since there is only soil below, the likelihood of flooding someone and then receiving a claim for damages is reduced to zero
Availability of the possibility of transferring residential premises to non-residential premises	Based on Part 3 of Art. 22 of the RF Housing Code, only apartments located on the 1st floors can be transferred from residential to non-residential in order to organize an office, open a store or other business facility. That is, you can rent out such premises and receive additional monthly income
Possibility to exit and enter through the window	If the homeowner forgets the keys, the problem can be solved by simply breaking the window (if it is wooden) or simply removing the glass from the frame (again, this is true for wooden windows)
Stronger water pressure	The problem is especially relevant for residents of small towns and urban-type settlements - there is a difference in water pressure. The strongest one is on the 1st floor
Increased likelihood of rescue in case of fires or other emergencies	In the event of a fire, the probability of rescue for residents of the 1st floors is much higher. If only because there is no risk of getting any injuries when jumping from a window
Possibility of improving a plot of land located directly under the windows	Residents of the 1st floors often plant flowers or create flower beds under their windows, and some even grow vegetables
No problem with roof leaks	Homeowners on upper floors often experience problems with roof leaks. Residents of the first floors do not and will not have such a problem

So it’s still worth purchasing an apartment that is located on the ground floor

If the apartment is on the 1st floor: the pros and cons above can play a significant role in your purchasing decision.

As you can see, there are quite a lot of shortcomings. But there are also many advantages. Therefore, the final decision must be made not based only on them, but taking into account other significant factors, such as:

• square;
• layout;
• quality of finishing and repair;
• presence/absence of plastic windows;
• a district of the city;
• number of rooms;
• presence/absence of encumbrances;
• year the house was built, etc.

If, based on the combination of the above factors, you are satisfied with the apartment, then you can safely complete the deal.

So, if the housing is located on the ground floor, then the owner may face various problems - noise from cars and children playing on the playground, cold floors, rodents, etc. At the same time, apartments on the ground floor are cheap, and they can be freely transferred to non-residential

Read also: How to buy an apartment on the secondary market correctly

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Which floor is better to choose when buying an apartment so as not to be disappointed in the housing?

• home
• Design and decor
• Apartment

1 star 2 stars 3 stars 4 stars 5 stars Which is better: living on the upper or lower floors? Or maybe we need a golden mean? We have prepared material that will help you understand this issue.

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Where is the best place to live for health?

• Psychological
• Physical

Advantages and disadvantages of all options

Some tips for choosing

Let's say right away that there is no clear answer. Each option has its pros and cons. It is also important to consider the features of the home you are purchasing.

Upstairs apartments in older and modern developments can be very different from each other. And even new buildings are different in this regard. We will tell you about all this.

Let's start with which floor is better to live on for health: the first or last, and what influences this.

Let's consider this issue from two points of view: the psychological and physical state of a person. 

Psychological aspect

Living in such premises raises mixed opinions. On the one hand, a city person is not adapted to life at altitude; below he is closer to nature, which has a beneficial effect on his mood.

On the other hand, psychologists note that there are people who feel the entire load of furniture and reinforced concrete above their heads - they will feel uncomfortable.

If we are talking about old buildings, you need to take into account that in summer there may be little light in the room due to trees planted too closely. This negatively affects many people.

Constant exposure to heights causes phobias, apathy and other psychological disorders. It is also worth paying attention to the view from the window.

If you don’t like closed spaces, then the landscape of the yard can be depressing, but the sunsets under the roof can, on the contrary, inspire. 

Physical health

Why is it bad to live on the ground floor?

• In old houses, daylight is also blocked by bars. This negatively affects not only the psychological state, but also vision.  
• Noise, exhaust fumes, vibration from the road if the building is located next to the roadway. Hearing loss, allergies, diseases of the respiratory tract and nervous system.  
• Dampness, cold, fungus and mold from the basement, smell from the garbage disposal, proximity to insects and rats. This is practically absent in new buildings.  
• Electromagnetic radiation from power cables in a technical room. Headache, poor circulation.  

New houses are being built to be more comfortable and this location is no longer considered hopelessly bad, as it was twenty years ago. For example, according to the standards, trees are much further away and therefore the first problem is not relevant. Mosquitoes and flies that are annoying in summer remain. But, contrary to popular belief, they fly to any height.

In general, this is where the disadvantages of such housing end and the advantage remains - it is easy for people with certain health restrictions to climb here.

Why top apartments are bad

• All elevators in any building can break down. In a tall building, this will become a torment, or even a hopeless situation, for residents with cardiovascular or other limiting diseases.
• Noise. Even in the most multi-storey building you are not protected from the sounds of the highway. Of course, under the roof you won’t hear your neighbors talking on a bench or unloading goods into a store, but this is often compensated by the whistling of the wind.  
• Smog. Exhaust gases from the road will not harm you, but harmful substances from enterprises can negatively affect your health if you live in an industrial or large city.  
• Electromagnetic radiation. If there is a technical room above you.  

Where will it be good to live? In terms of psychological and physical health, experts recommend buying a home in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th. The first two are easier to get to, and if there is a closed, equipped yard outside and there is no highway nearby, you have access to clean air. There are no such problems with the garbage chute anymore.

The last three are free from smog and pollution, the noise level is lower, and more daylight enters the room. 

Which floor is better to choose when buying an apartment?

Let's consider the advantages and disadvantages of all options and draw conclusions which floor is the most comfortable for living. 

First

First, the good stuff. This is the safest housing location. In the event of a fire, earthquake or other emergency, it is easiest for residents of the lower apartments to leave the building.  

Other benefits

• When moving or renovating, it is easier to carry heavy things.  
• Due to buyer prejudice, prices for properties may be 10-20% lower. 
• No problems with water pressure. 
• Some houses have a separate exit to a fenced mini-garden.
• There are no neighbors downstairs, which means the noise won’t disturb anyone and you won’t have to pay for repairs if a pipe breaks.
• Possibility of adding a balcony if there is none. 

Flaws

• The smell of dampness from the basement in an old building. 
• Noise from people, cars, shops or establishments located below.
• The likelihood of insects spreading if there is a grocery store or cafe below. True, this point applies to the entire house.  
• Garbage under the windows. In spring, instead of a green lawn, you can see an unpleasant picture.  
• Elevator fee. It is considered common property and even if you don’t use it, you have to pay.  
• Increased likelihood of theft. It is believed that apartments located closer to the ground are easier to penetrate.  
• Possible discomfort from constantly drawn curtains. Passers-by often look into the windows.  
• Allergy. If there is a front garden below, it will be difficult for allergy sufferers during the spring-summer season.  

Second

It has almost all the disadvantages of the first, but they are less pronounced. The advantages are accessibility for people with limited mobility, easy delivery of large items, good water pressure (as a rule).  

Here it is, one of the most common answers to the question: on which floor is it better to buy an apartment? This arrangement of housing is considered the most comfortable - especially the first option.  

• He is still at a fairly safe and comfortable distance from the exit. 
• There are no problems with water and almost all the disadvantages listed above: noise, unpleasant odors, ugly view from the window, darkening from trees and bars on the window. 

Usually, the sale of more expensive properties starts from here. The farther you go, the cleaner the air, the quieter and brighter the room. There is no acrophobia here yet.

The disadvantages include complicated delivery of large items and difficult movement for elderly people and mothers with strollers in the event of elevator breakdowns. Another drawback is poor sound insulation.

You hear and they hear you. This is especially noticeable in new panel buildings.

Eighth and above

The crowns of the trees do not reach this height, which means nothing interferes with the sun's rays. Road noise is less noticeable, and trucks unloading and conversations at the entrance are not heard. Evacuation from a building in case of fire or other incident becomes a serious problem.  

Last 

Along with beautiful views and no upstairs neighbors comes a few downsides. 

• This is the most unsafe location of housing in a house during various emergencies.
• In old buildings, the roof often leaks in winter, autumn and spring. 
• In summer it can get hot and the room becomes very stuffy.
• Sometimes there are interruptions in water supply. The problem does not exist in all objects. If there is a technical room in the middle of the building, the pressure will be good at all levels.  

Top floor in a new building: pros and cons

In new buildings, there is a technical room under the roof, which eliminates some of the disadvantages. In particular, an overheated roof. Often developers install panoramic or simply wide windows, which makes the landscapes even more impressive. The disadvantages include the waiting time for the elevator - in general, going down is not as fast as it seems.  

At night, the sound of the elevator is very audible - this interferes with proper rest. In addition, according to reviews, in budget buildings the roof often leaks just like in Khrushchev-era buildings, and in rainy weather mold appears on the windows.  

Some tips for choosing housing 

Which is better: first or last floor? It’s impossible to say for sure. As you can see, each option has its pros and cons. Buying an apartment for the first time is risky and you must first write down all the circumstances that are important to you personally. Here are some tips that you can also follow.

• If there are the same high-rise buildings around the building, the need for height disappears, since most likely there will not be a beautiful panorama. 
• Find out the environmental situation in the area of ​​purchase. The absence of a busy road or businesses in the immediate vicinity increases the choice of housing.  
• It is important that the house has two elevators, in case one of them breaks down. It’s even better when cargo and passenger work.  
• Specify the plan for evacuating the building and the method of providing water. If the pump is located at the bottom, there may be problems with pressure at the top during rush hour.  

When accepting an apartment, pay attention to all possible problem areas. It should also be noted that some of them are easily eliminated. For example, the smell from the garbage chute and the noise on the site are not terrible if you install a good door.  

Should I buy an apartment on the ground floor: pros, cons, prices

Decide for yourself whether to buy an apartment on the ground floor or not, and we will comprehensively and reasonably answer this burning question.

Buying an apartment, even with good knowledge of the market and objects, may seem like a piece of cake, because an apartment is the same product as any other. When a buyer begins to delve into the nuances of buying an apartment, then numerous questions arise. But the main one is whether to buy an apartment on the ground floor?!

Whether to buy an apartment on the ground floor or not is not an easy decision; people come to it only when there is a great need - within their means and if they really like it.

Some people buy an apartment on the ground floor because it is a profitable option for renting out

Among buyers, sellers and realtors, apartments on the ground floors are considered to be not a very popular product. In this regard, the market has established its own rules for the cost of an apartment with this parameter; the price is 10 - 20% lower than apartments located on the middle floors.

Even apartments on the top floors are in great demand and their prices are higher.

What justifies this attitude towards buying an apartment for apartments on the first floor? Why can you buy housing on the lower floor cheaper than on the rest? And is it worth buying an apartment on the ground floor?

In the meantime, you can simultaneously open article 6 of the rules for choosing the apartment of your dreams, and read it later.

Should I buy an apartment on the ground floor: disadvantages of the 1st

• Quite often there is high humidity in apartments on the ground floor. The proximity of the basement and the height of the windows also have an effect;
• Low level of sun exposure. Trees, nearby neighboring houses, terrain and other factors often negatively affect the illumination of apartments located on the first floors;
• An unfavorable view from the window, or its complete opposite - passers-by from the street can enjoy the interior view of the apartment. In this regard, you have to constantly close the curtains and put bars on the windows, which also spoils the overall impression of the apartment;
• The close location of the basement contributes to the penetration of an unpleasant odor into the apartment, increasing the risk of mice and rats, and sometimes insects;
• In some houses, the entrances on the ground floor are colder in winter than on the upper floors. This phenomenon is also present in our country, so it is worth paying attention to this fact when buying an apartment on the top floor;
• Often, given the layout, apartments on the ground floor do not have a balcony. The buyer will once again think about whether it is worth buying an apartment if, for example, there is no place to dry clothes. This negatively affects the comfort of living and the possible sale of the apartment. After all, they will only want to buy an apartment without a balcony if it has a low price or expensive renovation coupled with an interesting layout;
• If you decide to buy an apartment on the ground floor, you should know that it is located below all floors and the noise level of passing cars will be much higher, especially if the house is adjacent to the roadway and the windows face directly onto it;
• Excessive noise also includes the sounds of a slamming door when the door closer is missing or broken. Although modern and high-quality plastic windows are quite capable of coping with this problem;
• Of course, there is also such an important factor as neighbors above and even a lot of neighbors above, which means, according to the theory of probability, there is a greater chance of being flooded. When purchasing, you can see who lives above, but neighbors may change over time. By the way, you can learn from my article why you need to pay attention to your neighbors when buying an apartment;
• If your windows are located near the porch, then don’t be surprised if you not only keep abreast of all the news from the entrance (who came to whom and why), but also breathe in various brands of cigarette smoke coming from the fragile or, on the contrary, already exhausted lungs of young people and adults . There is also, of course, the option of not ventilating the apartment at all and not opening the windows, which is also not very good.

I list the disadvantages of the first floor, and buyers figure out what to look for when viewing an apartment

If you want to learn more about what you need to pay attention to not only when viewing an apartment, but also in documents, and what documents to request from the owner!

Who can buy an apartment on the ground floor?

• Despite the obvious disadvantages and inconveniences that come with living in an apartment on the ground floor, there are people who want to live there.
• First of all, these are elderly people for whom climbing two flights of stairs is already a burden due to their age, especially if the house is not equipped with an elevator.
• This is also a completely acceptable option for those who decide to buy an apartment with the small amount of money they currently have, sufficient only for an apartment on the ground floor.
• Recently, commercial structures have been interested in apartments, with the aim of transferring them to non-residential premises and organizing an office, although it is worth taking into account the proximity to human flows - this is the main factor by which organizations decide whether to buy an apartment on the ground floor.

Is it worth buying an apartment on the ground floor: the pros

• The price of an apartment on the ground floor is much lower than its counterparts on the middle floors;
• A young family with a child can purchase housing on the ground floor, for whom it will be more convenient to take out a stroller;
• Living space on the ground floor would be preferable for elderly or disabled people;
• In case of emergency, evacuation from such an apartment is relatively faster and easier than from others;
• People who do not like elevators or suffer from claustrophobia should first consider this purchase option;
• There are no complaints from the neighbors below that you are constantly dropping something or your children are running around and disturbing you with their stomping;
• Landlords who rent out living space have less concern that careless tenants will flood the property from below, since there is only a basement under the apartment.

Personal experience:

I myself lived in several apartments on the ground floor and both times in “Khrushchev” buildings, the so-called. budget option - first in a panel, then in brick with a high window position. both apartments were corner apartments - in general, a complete set! :))

Impressions remained mostly negative. What exactly I didn’t like: low-lying windows, people constantly walked in front of the windows and I had to draw curtains or make curtains on the floor of the window, because... I wanted some sunshine. The floors were cold in both apartments.

I made some repairs and literally on the same day it was flooded with sewage - people on the 2nd floor were overflowing from the toilet. It’s good that it was a five-story building and not 10 :) I was a little upset about the renovation, of course.

The apartments were stuffy in the summer, cold in the winter and always damp. There was also a lack of sun, but this depends not only on the presence of trees, but also on the direction of the world - in one apartment it was sunny, the second was on the shady side.

The location of the apartment also imposed special features. One apartment was located next to the entrance door - so there was always someone coming out of the entrance to smoke and tobacco smoke would certainly be drawn into the apartment - the windows had to be kept closed almost always, especially at night.

Then the frequent trampling of feet during rush hours - in the morning and evening the entire entrance will run past your door - this is an outright ambush. And if it’s winter, then your feet will also get covered in snow—these sounds are reminiscent of dancing with a tambourine.

There were no rodents or insects, but I noticed one day when, when opening the door to the apartment, cockroaches tried to slip through the threshold into the open door from the entrance - when the door was closed, they were held back by rubber bands, apparently.

After this incident, when entering the apartment, I acquired the habit of looking at the threshold when opening the door :)) Sometimes, if the windows are located at the entrance door, no, no, but someone will knock at an inopportune hour and always inappropriately.

There are quite a few positive reviews about living in one-room apartments, but this mainly applies to the “new” layout. There are higher floors, and in some places they are generally occupied by offices, or have basement floors.

And people live and are happy that they don’t have to carry the harvest to the upper floors in the fall - everything works nearby and they don’t envy those living above when the elevator breaks down.

Also read the article about whether to buy an apartment on the top floor

Summary

I want to remind you just one thing: you can always improve your living conditions, even if you are lucky enough to buy an apartment on the ground floor.

The reasons may be different, but if favorable circumstances occur, you can always sell the apartment and buy a more comfortable option for you in return. And a specialist will always tell you how to do this profitably or at minimal cost to you.

Next time we’ll look at the pros and cons of buying apartments located on the top floors. And you can subscribe to useful articles, which I will definitely publish in the near future.

In general, I plan to develop publications according to the questions of my readers, because then the most popular and relevant information is obtained.

It would be great to see your opinion on whether to buy an apartment on the ground floor in the comments!

Apartment on the first floor: pros and cons: disadvantages of the first floor of a multi-storey building

When growing potatoes and cucumbers under windows, conflicts with neighbors are possible. However, it is unlikely that anyone will be against a lush flower garden or a modest lawn under the window. On a fine summer day, you can take garden furniture out onto such a lawn, turn on the radio and fully enjoy relaxing in nature.

Own entrance to the apartment

You can equip a separate entrance instead of a window or balcony. This makes it much more convenient to bring in large furniture and other large items. No one is immune from emergency situations (for example, fire), and an apartment on the first floor provides an additional advantage.

Often the choice depends on the mobility and physical condition of the future owner. Naturally, it makes no difference to a healthy adult what floor his apartment is on. The first levels are important for older people and young mothers with strollers. Many of them are unable to climb even one flight of stairs on their own.

A non-working elevator in such a situation will be a real disaster. Your own exit, built in place of the balcony, can make it easier to get out into the street. It is not difficult to coordinate such an extension. If there are no violations in the structure and all load-bearing walls are preserved, municipal services will arrange the redevelopment without any questions.

Neighbours

Almost every resident of an apartment building has encountered a disgruntled neighbor. A complaint to the police may follow after a noisy, prolonged party or playing musical instruments. There are also more sensitive people who are disturbed by absolutely all the noise from above.

The issue of flooding also disappears. A damaged pipe will not cause damage to third parties, since there are simply none.

Property value

For those buyers for whom the described advantages are not so obvious, there is another equally important one - the low price. The difference can be noticeable, which is especially important in times of crisis. The issue of cost is also relevant when buying a home on credit: the lower the total cost, the less amount you will have to borrow from the bank.

Heating and water supply issues

There is a logical explanation for this advantage from a physics point of view. The lower the floor, the greater the water pressure in the tap. The question of water flowing in a thin stream from the tap disappears by itself.

The situation is similar with heating. In most apartment buildings, hot water is distributed to the radiators from the bottom up. This means that on the ground floor the radiators will be hotter than on the middle and above. There is no need to install additional sections or insulate the apartment.

Savings on utilities

Of course, it will not be possible to completely refuse to pay for housing and communal services. But you can save an extra couple of hundred rubles a month. We are talking about fees for elevator maintenance and repairs. The main thing is to make sure in time that this service is not included in the payment order.

Residents of the first floors also benefit from various types of delivery of goods and cargo. As a rule, it is paid by floor, but here you will only have to pay for the distance to the front door.

Spare entrance/exit

There are situations in life in which an apartment on the first floor will be an undeniable advantage. For example, forgotten at home (or lost) keys to the front door. In this case, you can get home on your own, through the window. Residents of other floors would have to break down the door.

In the event of a fire or earthquake, going out the window can save lives. It is known that in such situations, seconds count. However, quite often in some houses there is a rather high base and in this case the first floor feels like the second.

Minuses

After considering the positive aspects, it is worth paying attention to what is bad about living on the ground floor. In some houses (well-maintained and with a good management company), the points described below may be completely absent. But this is the exception rather than the rule.

Crime

This is one of the first reasons that comes to mind. It is believed that it is much easier for an attacker to break into an apartment on the ground floor. A high-quality, correctly installed grille is your salvation from “unskilled” thieves. It won't help against an experienced burglar. The surest and most reliable way is a security system.

Dirty air and sanitary conditions

At this point, it is again worth remembering the laws of physics. Heavy air, polluted by exhaust gases, sinks closer to the ground. Residents of the lower floors inhale it. You will also have to wipe off dust much more often. Another source of aroma is smokers at the entrance.

It is necessary to fight them with the involvement of a local police officer (referring to the law on smoking in public places), but such a fight does not always end successfully.

Another significant disadvantage is uninvited guests in the form of rats, mice and cockroaches. When cold weather sets in, all these living creatures seek to hide in warmth. Most often they choose basements and first floors of buildings. Neighborhood with garbage cans will increase the appearance of such guests.

Cold and moisture

Due to the proximity to the ground and basement, the apartment may have cold floors in winter. In summer, this problem turns into dampness and high humidity. The solution may be to insulate the floor, but this is an additional investment. And quite big ones. The service life of insulation is not eternal, and it will have to be regularly changed and repaired again.

Dampness, humidity and cold floors are constant disadvantages of the first floor. People suffering from diseases of the respiratory system and having reduced immunity should not purchase real estate of this kind.

Constant humidity and dampness can lead to poor health.

Of course, the issue can be resolved through high-quality and expensive major repairs. The funds spent on it will be equal to the difference between the cost of your home and the price of a higher apartment.

Noise

Many residents of the first floors note constant noise from the street. Even plastic windows with several double-glazed windows cannot completely protect you from it. An additional source is the regularly closing front door. In houses equipped with an elevator, it will also serve as a source of noise.

Carrying out work on soundproofing walls and ceilings will eliminate the problem.

However, all this work adds up to a tidy sum.

Privacy and sunlight

In order to avoid exposing their private lives to public view, residents of the first floors cover their windows in every possible way from prying eyes. It becomes difficult to peek, but it is also not easy for sunlight to get into the apartment.

Living on the ground floor means regularly and often using artificial lighting, or living in constant twilight.

Often, the penetration of sunlight is hindered not only by curtains, but also by tree crowns, shrubs and neighboring buildings.

View from the window

Don't count on breathtaking landscapes. In the best case, it will be your own front garden or a beautiful, flowering bush. At worst - a parking lot, a shop with grandmothers and a children's playground, favored in the evenings by tipsy young people.

First floor in a new building: pros and cons

In newly built houses, many disadvantages are completely absent, some are not felt so clearly, others turn into advantages of the first floor:

• Modern houses differ in layout; their windows are much higher than in older housing stock.
• The entrances are equipped with new entrance doors with closers.
• There is a parking space in the yard, so seeing someone's car from the window is a rare occurrence. Often, in order to fight for proper parking, flower beds and lawns are specially laid out under the windows.
• The new house has new communications. This means that dampness and humidity in the basement are excluded. If any of the systems leak, it can be easily fixed. Repairing fresh pipes (not rusty or worn ones) is a simple and inexpensive task.

There is only one minus in the new building - the proximity to non-residential premises.

The first and ground floors are allocated for them, therefore, residential apartments are located starting from the second. Shops (including 24-hour shops), service industries or offices can be located here. Such proximity adds noise and, in the case of a grocery store, can serve as a source of cockroaches and rats.

It is impossible to know in advance which organizations will be located in the neighborhood. Moreover, tenants may change from time to time. The solution to the problem will be to buy an apartment in a building that was not originally intended to accommodate non-residential premises. Its location deep in a residential area will further reduce the attractiveness of the place in the eyes of businessmen.

The first floors in new houses are cheaper than all others. This is a good reason to buy.

Before making a final decision, you need to carefully weigh all the factors whether it is worth purchasing the first floor in a new building: the pros and cons.

Which of them can be influenced, and which will remain unchanged in any case. Real estate is not a one-year purchase; it requires a careful and balanced decision.

Summarizing

According to realtors and residents of apartment buildings, floors 3-7 are optimal for living (with a nine-story option). But all the rules are very general; there are nuances in each specific case.

A striking example is a new house from a good, conscientious developer. He has already taken care of heat and sound insulation, thought out the layout of the courtyard and placed the windows of the first floors higher. In this option, any of the levels will be comfortable for living.

Dust, dirt and increased noise will not disturb the residents of this house.

In houses with a general house security system and a guard (concierge) at the entrance, bars on the windows will be superfluous. They only block the view from the window. A properly planned and implemented security system allows you to prevent any criminal incidents. Private property under reliable security.

In some houses, strollers are located next to one-room apartments. If they are not used for their intended purpose, this area can be purchased and annexed.

There is no clear answer about the pros or cons of an apartment on the first floor.

Often the arguments are supported only by rumors and stereotypes established in society. Most of the problems that arise can be solved and are not that global. Moreover, if such housing was inherited, then you should not look for an exchange option. This will undoubtedly require additional financial investments. It is much more effective to spend them (or a smaller amount) on improving existing housing.