Eight points to check before you buy, from the developer's record to net square metres, the contract and dues.
Buying a new-build home calls for careful scrutiny because you decide without seeing a finished apartment. Checking the following eight points before leaving the sales office prevents most of the problems that can occur later.
1. The developer's track record
Visit projects the company has delivered before and talk to the homeowners living there. Ask them whether handover dates were kept and how after-sales service works.
2. Permit and zoning status
The building permit, the approved architectural plans and the plot's zoning can be queried from the municipality or via e-Devlet. Never enter a sale without a permit or one that contradicts the permit.
3. Ground survey and inspection
Ask for the ground survey report and the name of the building inspection firm. The concrete class and whether sample test results are shared with buyers are important.
4. Net square metres and price
Compare prices per net, not gross, square metre. The ratio of the common-area share to gross area varies from project to project; the contract should state both gross and net area and the allowed tolerance.
5. Contract and guarantee
For pre-payment home sales, a notarised contract and a guarantee (bank guarantee letter or insurance) are mandatory. Read the clauses on handover date, delay penalty and the right to withdraw.
6. Technical specification
Kitchen cabinets, joinery, floor coverings, doors and fittings brands, and the heating system should be written in the specification. The phrase 'equivalent material' usually leaves quality vague.
7. Dues and running costs
In sites with amenities, ask about the monthly dues from the start. Pool, security, lift and car park maintenance raise dues; calculate the effect on your budget.
8. Surroundings and transport
Visit the area at different times of day and assess traffic, noise and distance to schools and healthcare on site. Check official announcements for planned metro or road projects.
Fill in this list together with your sales adviser; getting written answers to your questions is the safest way.
Final advice
Before deciding, visit at least two different projects on at least two different days. Ask the sales adviser for the price offer, payment plan and technical specification in writing, and compare them calmly at home. A rushed decision is usually the most expensive one; a good project is not afraid of the time you take.
What to do on handover day?
On handover day, test the meters, window and door locks, wet-area waterproofing and electrical installation one by one. Do not accept the key without having defects written in the handover record; ask for a written timetable for their repair.
