Inspecting an Apartment Before Buying: A Viewing Checklist

Inspecting an apartment before buying often takes less than half an hour, yet the decision that follows can tie you down for years, usually with a long-term loan as well. At a viewing, emotions easily take over: a lovely view, freshly painted walls and pleasant furnishings create the impression of a perfect home.

The problem is that defects are rarely visible at first glance. That is why it pays to arrive with a plan, not just a feeling.

Before you go: get prepared

A good inspection starts at home. Write down what really matters to you and what is merely nice to have: number of rooms, floor, parking space, proximity to a school or workplace. This makes it easier to compare several apartments, so you don't decide on impressions alone.

Ask the agent or seller for basic information in advance: the floor plan, year of construction, heating details, the energy certificate and the amount of monthly costs. If any of this is missing, that in itself tells you something.

Bring with you to the viewing:

• a phone for taking photos and recording details
• a measuring device or an ordinary tape measure to check doorways and furniture fit
• a list of questions you want to ask
• a flashlight for wardrobes, cellars and darker corners

Checklist: inspecting an apartment before buying, step by step

Start with whatever is hardest and most expensive to repair. Cosmetic work is easy to change, but the structure and installations are not.

• Damp and mould: look at the corners of ceilings, the space behind wardrobes, the bathroom and the walls near windows. Stains, peeling paint or a musty smell can point to a recurring problem.
• Windows and joinery: open and close them, and check the seals and frames. Also pay attention to any draughts during the inspection.
• Electrical and plumbing installations: switch on a few sockets and lights, open the taps and flush the toilet. Pay attention to water pressure and how long it takes for hot water to arrive.
• Heating and cooling: ask how the apartment is heated, what condition the appliance is in and what the average bills are during the colder part of the year.
• Floors and walls: cracks, unevenness or a hollow sound beneath the tiles may indicate previous alterations or damage.
• Light and orientation: find out at what time of day the apartment gets sun and whether it is really as bright as it looks in the photos.

If you notice anything suspicious, don't give up right away. Take a photo and ask a specific question, and if necessary, bring in a structural engineer or building surveyor.

The building and surroundings say as much as the apartment itself

An apartment is not just four walls. You are also buying a share of the building, and with it your neighbours, shared costs and all future works.

Look at the entrance, staircase, lift, façade, roof (as far as you can see it) and storage rooms. A neglected entrance and a damaged façade often mean the building has not been looked after for a long time. Ask whether any major works have been carried out recently and whether new ones are planned, as these can mean additional costs.

Check the surroundings too:

• noise levels from traffic, bars and cafés, or a nearby playground
• parking availability at different times of day
• access to shops, public transport, a pharmacy and a school
• construction plans in the immediate vicinity, which you can find out about at the competent local office

We have written about the reserve fund and the building manager in a separate article. At the viewing, it is enough to gather the basic information and note down questions to verify later.

When to view and who to bring along

If you can, view the apartment twice, at different times of day. The morning light, the evening noise and the bustle around the building will give you a true picture. A second look usually reveals what you overlooked in the excitement of the first.

Bring someone you trust who is not emotionally involved. An outsider often notices what you cannot see, such as an unpleasant smell, an impractical layout or too little storage space.

Don't be afraid to ask the seller or the agent questions. It is useful to ask:

• how long the apartment has been on the market and why it is being sold
• whether any alterations have been made and whether there is documentation for them
• what the average monthly utility costs are
• what stays in the apartment and what the seller will take away

The answers, and the way they are given, often show how transparent the offer is.

An inspection is no substitute for a legal check

A visual inspection reveals the condition of the apartment, but not its legal status. The title deed (vlasnički list), encumbrances on the property, whether the actual state matches the documentation, and permits for alterations are checked separately, before signing the preliminary contract. If you need help, turn to an expert, a lawyer or a notary public.

The full picture only emerges when your impression from the viewing, a technical assessment and the documentation come together. Only then can you fairly compare the price with the apartment's real value.

Conclusion

A good inspection doesn't have to take hours, but it must be systematic. Buyers who come prepared, ask specific questions and view the apartment with a clear head are less likely to face unpleasant surprises after moving in.

If you are looking for an apartment in Zagreb, Split, Zadar or Pula and would like someone to accompany you to viewings, the agents at Imperium Immobiliare will be happy to help and answer all your questions.