Buying an apartment

When planning to buy an apartment, it is crucial to consider various aspects of having one: from financial through technical, to finally the practical ones.

1. Financial capacity

Prior to drawing the list of our expectations regarding the apartment, it is necessary to check our financial ability. To do so, it is obviously worth contacting a bank or a loan advisor who will examine our financial standing, salary and family situation to establish individual credit capacity.

Read also: How to finance a house? - This is how it works in Denmark

2. Does the apartment meet the needs and expectations of the family?

Make sure that the number of rooms and their living area meets the requirements of the family (especially if you think of a new family member). Remember to ask if it has a garage or a parking site with a driveway, utility room and a laundry. Think, if the apartment is suitable for pets you may want to have.

3. Heating system – energy-efficiency classes

In the case of apartments, a report on the energy-efficiency is not obligatory, but the seller should provide the buyer with such a document. The lower the class, the better. Pay attention to the type of heating systems: floor heating or traditional radiators, to the insulation system, and to the windows airtightness.

4. Moisture

Control the apartment with regard to moisture. Move the furniture off the walls to see the condition of walls in bathrooms and sleeping rooms. Check the windows for signs of mold. See to the ventilation of all rooms.

5. Overall technical condition

In Denmark, in the case of apartments, technical condition of a single apartment is not verified by specialists as often as it is in the case of a house and is not necessarily specified in t tilstandsrapport and elinstallationsrapport. It is, therefore, advisable to ask a trusted person with construction and technical knowledge and experience to accompany you while visiting the property.

6. Fees and taxes

The expenses related with the purchase of an apartment can be divided into two kinds: one-time fees paid at the moment of the transaction and fixed, which are simply all costs connected with the use of the property.

7. The surroundings

The most common criteria used when selecting an apartment are the vicinity of workplace, school and kindergarten. It is worth, however, to pay attention to the neighbourhood, distance to the shops, restaurants, attractions for children and public transport. It is worth investigating into the degree of crime and ask for opinion on the school and kindergarten.It is good to visit the surrounding area several times and at different daytime to learn about possible disadvantages, such as noise.

8. What are the perspectives of selling the apartment in the future?

We don't usually think of selling the apartment at the moment of its purchase, but it is worth bearing in mind that our plans may be verified in the future and our apartment may appear to be attractive for other buyers. Every real estate agent will confirm that the best and the most common buyers are families with small children. The more attractive our apartment is, the better the chances to sell it quickly.

9. Requirements of the cooperative

As members of the cooperative, the owners must conform to the requirements regarding the use of the apartment outdoors, having pets or using communal areas and rooms. These requirements are drawn in the statute.

When taking the advice of an agent, it is also worth taking considering drawing a check-list with the issues to pay attention to. Download the list here.