Questions you must answer before buying a flat… part 2

Today we present further aspects worth paying attention to before buying a flat. In the previous article we already mentioned financial matters and presented the most important pros and cons of choosing a property on the secondary or primary market. Today you will find out whether it is worth using the help of an estate agent and which individual preferences to take into account before buying.

Should you use the support of an estate agent?

Another matter worth considering when buying a flat is whether to use the support of an estate agent. Searching for a property on your own can turn out to be tedious and time-consuming, and then there are legal issues that not everyone knows well enough to avoid becoming a victim of fraud. If we use an estate agent, we can entrust them with the entire process of searching for a flat. This will save us time, energy and even money, since the agent will find a flat for us at the best possible price. They will also guide us through the necessary civil-law process and offer us only safe properties whose legal status has been checked.

Of course, an estate agent charges a fee for their work. It is a commission on the price of the flat, ranging from 1 to 5%, but considering the number of tasks they will carry out for us, it is certainly a price worth paying for peace of mind and a swift completion of the transaction.

Buying a flat – which location?

Another important question concerns the location of the flat. Of course, everyone would like to live in the centre, but buying such a property involves high costs, and not everyone can afford it. An alternative in this situation is to choose a cheaper flat on the outskirts of the city, on a well-connected estate. Such a location has the added advantages of peace and quiet and proximity to all the necessary facilities and shops. When choosing a specific property, it is also good to check whether there is greenery nearby. If we have children or a dog, it is good to have a space where we can go for a walk after work.

Buying a flat – individual preferences

Besides the aspects mentioned, when buying a flat we also have to take our individual preferences into account. A single person will look for a different property from a couple, and a family with children for yet another. It is also worth considering our plans for the future. Are we going to settle down with someone, or do we want to live alone? Are we planning to have children, and do we want pets in the flat? Let us also think about what usable floor area we need to live comfortably. Which floor should the property be on? Should it have a balcony? How much time am I able to spend commuting to work, or am I perhaps looking for a flat suited to remote working? It is worth writing down the answers to all these questions, because this will help us pin down what we are really looking for. Such information will also be key for the estate agent, who will search for the best home for us within our price range.