First impressions count for everything when you’re searching for a new apartment.
You want to take in the location, the proximity to urban delights, such as cafes and restaurants, and the quality and maintenance of the building.
A poorly presented apartment can be rejected at first sight by potential buyers, but often it’s worthwhile to get past your initial reaction to the housekeeping standards of the current residents because poor taste may be hiding great bones.
Below is a checklist of areas you should pay attention to more than just surface appeal to form a deeper first impression.
As an experienced agent in our neighborhood, I’d be delighted to help you find your next apartment.
- Clean and tidy – Is the front of the property well-maintained? This will tell you a lot about the quality of the body corporate. You don’t need manicured gardens, but it should be presentable.
- What do you hear? – Noise is a significant factor when living in an apartment block. Can you hear your neighbors when you’re inside the apartment? Is there traffic noise? Make sure the noise levels don’t surpass your tolerance levels.
- Nothing to sniff at? – Pay attention to odours. The smell of damp in the walls or garbage are big watch-outs. Animal smells can be another issue. A professional cleaner can expel these, but you should investigate further and look for water-damaged flooring or floorboards.
- Resident profile – Ask about the other tenants and owners. Are your neighbors students or a stream of Airbnb bookings?
- Feel secure – What is the level of security? Is access to the building restricted? Can you park safely and securely?
- Lots of light – Make a note of the amount of light that comes into the apartment. Being in constant shade can be a little depressing in the winter. Conversely, is the apartment going to heat up with the full blast of afternoon sun in the summer – and will the air-conditioning be able to handle it?
- It’s a breeze – Check that you can open the windows to allow a flow of air through the apartment, rather than having to rely on the AC.
- Take out the trash – It’s important to know how residents deal with their garbage. Poor practices usually cause pest infestations, and that spells bigger trouble down the track. Is it possible the smell of trash might drift up and into your apartment? And are you going to be woken at 5 am every Monday by the garbage truck?