Buying an Apartment? 7 Things to Check Before a Viewing
1. You can renovate an apartment, but not its location
The apartment can become more beautiful.
The neighbourhood will stay where it is.
Before buying, do not check only the address. Think about what everyday life there would actually look like.
How long will your commute take?
Is there public transport nearby?
Are there shops, schools, kindergartens or healthcare services in the area?
What is the neighbourhood like in the evening?
Is there a busy road, nightlife or another potential source of noise nearby?
Sometimes 500 metres in location can matter more than several extra square metres inside the apartment.
2. The viewing starts before you enter the apartment
Do not rush straight to the front door.
Look at the area around the building.
Check the street, pavements, lighting and neighbouring buildings.
Look at what is outside the windows and consider what could potentially be built nearby.
If possible, visit the area more than once and at different times of day.
A quiet street at 11:00 a.m. may feel very different at 6:00 p.m.
3. Check the parking situation
This is one of the things a beautiful interior can easily make you forget.
Ask:
Is there a private parking space?
If not, where do residents normally park?
Is parking paid?
Are spaces available in the evening?
Does the building have garages?
If you use a car every day, parking is not a minor detail.
It is part of how you will use the property every day.
4. Look at the entrance and common areas
The entrance can tell you a lot about the building.
Pay attention to the staircase, lift, walls, lighting and entrance door.
A well-maintained apartment does not automatically mean a well-maintained building.
And common areas cannot simply be renovated according to your own wishes — decisions usually depend on the other owners as well.
Ask whether any major repairs are planned for the roof, façade, lift or other common areas and how they will be funded.
5. Don’t just admire the view — check whether it could disappear
Today, your balcony may overlook a park or open land.
But what does local planning allow on the empty plot in front of the building?
If the view is one of the main reasons you like the property, check what surrounds it and what may potentially be built there.
This is especially important in developing neighbourhoods, where open space today may not remain open five years from now.
A good view has value.
But only if you understand what you are actually buying.
6. Check orientation and natural light
Lighting can create a beautiful atmosphere during a viewing.
But artificial light cannot replace natural light.
Check the orientation of the main rooms.
Notice how much daylight enters through the windows.
Think about how the apartment may feel during different seasons.
Also look at whether nearby buildings block light.
Furniture can be moved.
Orientation cannot.
7. Ask how much it really costs to live there
The purchase price is not the only cost.
Before buying, check:
- monthly maintenance fees;
- heating and cooling costs;
- lift maintenance costs;
- whether the building has a repair and renovation fund;
- whether major repairs are planned;
- whether there are additional fees in a gated complex;
- how the common areas are managed.
An apartment with a slightly lower purchase price is not always the cheaper property in the long term.
Don’t let the interior make the decision for you
A well-presented home naturally creates a stronger first impression.
That is not a problem.
The problem starts when the first impression replaces proper checks.
A useful way to think about the property is to divide it into two categories:
Things you can change:
furniture, paint, lighting, flooring, kitchen, decoration.
Things that are difficult or impossible to change:
location, orientation, floor, building, common areas, view, noise, parking and surroundings.
The second category deserves more attention.
A good listing should help you before the viewing
The more important information you receive in advance, the easier it is to decide whether a property is worth visiting.
That is why Dealehome structures key property characteristics separately and allows users to search using specific filters. The goal is not simply to open more listings, but to reach properties that match your actual lifestyle and needs more quickly.
Photos should also show more than an attractive interior whenever possible — the building, entrance, surroundings and other important features matter too.
Because a good property listing should not create mystery.
It should provide useful information.
Before you say, “This is my apartment”
Imagine the same property completely empty.
No sofa.
No dining table.
No paintings.
No decorative lighting.
Would you still choose it?
If the answer is yes, then you probably like more than the interior.
You like the property itself.
And that is a much more important decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important thing to check during an apartment viewing?
Start with the things that are difficult to change: location, building, orientation, floor, common areas, noise, parking and surroundings. Only after that should you focus on the condition and interior of the apartment itself.
How many times should I visit the area before buying?
If you are seriously considering the property, it is useful to visit the neighbourhood at different times of day. This can give you a more realistic idea of traffic, noise, parking and the overall environment.
What should I check in the building’s common areas?
Look at the entrance, staircase, lift, roof, façade and the visible condition of the shared areas. Also ask whether any repairs are planned and how they will be financed.
What additional costs should I check before buying?
Besides the purchase price, check maintenance fees, heating costs, building repair funds, planned renovations and any additional charges in complexes with shared services.
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