Realtor reveals which apartments are not worth buying
The specialist listed 10 important factors when choosing a home.
Photo: LookByMedia
What apartment details make life less comfortable? Elena Lavrintsova, head of the buyer relations department at the Marielt real estate agency, shared her insights with Myfin.
1. Ground and top floors in older buildings.
On the ground floor, there can be dampness and mold coming from the basement. It is noisy due to the building entrance and the street, and passersby can look into the windows. On the top floor, the roof can leak, and it gets sweltering in the summer.
2. Apartments above shops, cafes, and offices.
Music and operating equipment can be heard there, and deliveries are unloaded early in the morning or late in the evening. Insects may also spread from food service establishments.
3. Small-family apartments (malosemeykas).
These are former dormitories: there are many neighbors who change frequently, common areas are noisy and dirty, and smokers light up on shared balconies. Private balconies are often absent.
4. Unauthorized redevelopment.
You can be fined for it and required to restore everything to its original state, and reselling such an apartment later is much harder. Therefore, before buying, you should verify the technical passport against the actual layout.
5. Polluted air.
The realtor advises against purchasing an apartment near industrial plants and thermal power stations, even if the price is low. She also advises against north-facing windows, as there is very little natural light.
6. Lack of parking.
This problem occurs in both new residential complexes, such as "Minsk World," and in older residential districts. Before buying, it is worth checking how many spaces there actually are and whether it is possible to buy or rent your own.
7. Nowhere to store things.
If there is no storage room, alcove, or walk-in closet, you will have to install bulky wardrobes, which eat up living space.
8. Buildings along the MKAD (Minsk Ring Road).
The specialist used to live near such a highway and remembers the noise day and night, as well as the dust on the windows. She would choose a quiet, green neighborhood instead.
9. No balcony or loggia.
Here, everything depends on your lifestyle. A balcony is necessary if you plan to store belongings, relax, or smoke there.
10. Multiple owners.
One of them might refuse to sell, contest the transaction, or demand more money. The realtor strongly advises against purchasing such an apartment without a lawyer.