Want to buy a flat? Find out what to look out for

For most of us, buying a flat is the biggest investment of our lives. That is why you should not make the decision too hastily. We face many dilemmas, doubts and misgivings, so we will try to sort them all out to make the choice of flat as well thought through as possible. So I invite you to read a short guide in which I will describe the questions worth asking yourself before you start browsing flat listings. Without clear criteria, it will be like looking for a needle in a haystack. I want to save you time.

What are our needs?

The first and – contrary to appearances – probably the most difficult question. Not everyone can predict how their career will develop or whether they will change their mind about the size of their family. Young people at the start of their adult lives have the greatest doubts, so they increasingly choose to rent a flat. It is not worth making decisions too quickly, so that is a very sensible approach on their part.

Large families do not have this "problem"; they will approach the matter quite differently, dreaming of stability and comfort for all members of the household. Of course, needs have to be weighed against possibilities (mainly financial ones). An experienced estate agent can match a flat or house to each Client individually, paying attention to many factors that are overlooked at the beginning.

What location?

At this point I must again mention our needs and possibilities. We take into account workplaces, children's schools or nurseries, shops, clinics and other key places. We try to solve this logistical puzzle so that the location is as optimal as possible. In many cases the centre would be the most suitable, but because of the noise or high prices, it is ruled out at the very first stage of consideration.

We need to find out as much as possible about all the districts of the city and ask an estate agency about their previous experience (e.g. rush-hour traffic jams or a noisy estate). I recommend a sightseeing trip at the start.

What kind of space?

A kitchen or a kitchenette, a balcony, a cellar, a garage, a large bedroom, a two-level flat… Our expectations about space are key once we have decided how much we can spend on a new home. Most people look for a flat with a living room where they can rest, relax and meet up with the whole family. It is a very important room, especially if we like to receive guests.

Equally important – if we do not have a garage – is the possibility of using a cellar or a storage unit, as well as a parking space. All these elements will start to matter over time, yet when browsing listings we do not think about them. That is exactly why we recommend using the services of experienced estate agencies.