Distorted view from on high

PROPERTY News

With the current apartment boom and the trend to buy “off the plan” many buyers may find the view they saw on the brochure may be vastly different to what they end up with after having spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Australian Institute of Architects has warned.

Queensland state manager of Archicentre Ian Agnew said buying an apartment on the 15th floor of a highrise apartment building was a far different situation than purchasing a three bedroom home in the suburbs.
However, many people fail to understand the importance of nailing down every detail of their proposed apartment purchase before signing the contract of sale.
Mr Agnew said one of the biggest issues for people is just reading the plan and understanding just what 85 square metres of floor space really means in relation to space and how the living areas may connect with service areas such as the bathroom and laundry. “Even more important is which way will the living areas face? - Will they attract sunlight? - Will the view be across a park or the bay as featured in the brochure, or will you be looking straight at the wall a few metres away of the high rise building next door?”
Mr Agnew said Archicentre, well known for its pre-purchase housing inspections, is also carrying out an increasing number of 'Off The Plan Apartment Inspections' to provide people with an accurate assessment of what they are actually buying. The “Off the Plan Apartment Inspections” is where the architect would attend the display unit with the client and help them assess the floor plan and specifications for the apartment.
“These inspections assist the apartment buyer establish many basics such as whether the display unit they are being shown is the standard unit or premium unit with the upmarket kitchen and bathroom appliances and fittings, the standard of tiling and even the number of coats of paint.
“The heights of ceilings in off the plan buying is a key issue, especially as the floor space is usually comparatively small when compared to a house. It is important to have the same measurements which are in the display unit written into the contract of sale for the apartment being purchased.
“It is also important to establish in writing what is included in the apartment such as carpets and window furnishings or blinds, and what is an optional extra. Insulation in the apartment and noise barriers from neighbouring apartments, and double glazing on the windows also need to be considered.
“Where people are wanting to combine two smaller adjoining apartments as an investment and lifestyle strategy having a larger apartment at first and then scaling back to close one off to rent for retirement income in the future, it is vital to ensure these modifications can be built into the original design so they are cost effective in the future.”
Mr Agnew said “off the plan” buyers should not only be interested in the construction of their own apartment but should also look at the community facilities being provided within the apartment and the standards of construction as they will become responsible for any legal issues and repairs once they take ownership through the Owners Corporation. Larger apartment towers often provide facilities such as swimming pools and gyms for the residents.
“The major issue for anyone buying apartment 'off the plan' is to seek independent professional advice to ensure they are well informed, as once they sign on the dotted line buying 'off the plan' it is extremely difficult to reverse the decision when their apartment is built and the final payment is required,” Mr Agnew said.