10 Questions to ask before buying a condo unit

Planning to buy a condo

Are you ready to unlock the door to your dream home with condo unit? Well whether you are a first-time buyer or an experienced investor, buying a condo unit in the Philippines offers you a place to call home and a worthwhile financial investment at the same time. With the help of this guide, we will go over some important questions to ask when buying a condo.

1. How accessible is the location?

Where is the condo unit located, is it in a convenient with access to essential establishments and amenities like hospitals, airport, malls , public transit as well as police stations. Is it in a safe and secure place? Are there schools near for children?

It is important you get to Choose a condominium close to important roads, has multiple points of entry, and easily accessible by both public transportation and roadways.

By living close to these places, traffic and commuting should be manageable and convenient as they will have easy access to the resources they need. The level of tension felt everyday will significantly reduced.

Check also whether the location if  both are out of the fault zone and flood-free to prevent harm and personal damages caused by natural disasters.

2. How can you keep your home safe and avoid becoming a statistic?

Safer surroundings are a perk of condo living. Make sure you are choosing into a safe and comfortable area with less crime rates and quality of the schools nearby. Most condos have placing security personnel at all gates, the complexes have surveillance cameras installed in public areas.

Remember it is an important factors when planning to buy these kinds of real estate properties is not the way like residential properties, the control of what goes in and out of the condominium is there.

3. What is the structure and age of the condo unit?

What characteristics does it have, and are there any rules regulating activities like dogs or noise levels?

Buying a condo is a good investment but it is important to consider how long one is likely to live in the property. Older unit may have issues with maintenance and utilities while newer may be equipped with the latest features and amenities and offer updated safety and security features such as fire alarms and secure entry.

Many condos have high-end finishes such as granite countertops, kitchen cabinets, closet organizers and high-end appliances.

A condominium unit with good infrastructure has a longer lifespan. Likewise, choosing the right floor plan and design should reflect your personal style, taste, and preferences. According to recent research, a floor plan with good flow is at the top of the list for interested buyers.

4. Is this condo pet-friendly?

If you are buying a condo in the Philippines and you have a pet, you should be aware of these most typical homeowners association (HOA) and condo association pet restrictions and how they may apply to you.

Considering the rules and restrictions that come with living in a shared space, any restrictions on noise levels, pets, and other activities should be observed as these restrictions are important for the security and comfort of other owners.

5. What amenities do they offer?

Does the building offer any extra features like swimming pools, exercise facilities, etc.?

Common condo amenities include a pool, court and 24/7 security. So when buying a condo in the Philippines, amenities like tennis courts, badminton courts, event halls, yoga centers and other attractions for recreational activities can add to the overall appeal of the condo unit. 

Looking if they have more amenities than what is commonly offered is something that can help you make the most out of your money, too. Amenities of a condo plays an important factor to consider as they can help contribute to a comfortable and convenient lifestyle, while also increasing its resale value.

6. What are costs I should be paying when buying a condo?

What is the down payment needed to buy the unit? How much will the unit cost in total, including any fees? What is the monthly amortization rate? Are there any other, unstated fees or costs involved with the purchase?

Will the condo you’ll be purchasing serve as your home for an extended time, or are you going to sell or rent it out?

Buying a condo and any other real property in the Philippines is a long term commitment due to the accompanying costs you will incur.

Make an appointment to real estate agent for condo unit tour to explore and walk around as it’s going to be your next future home you can ensure you get your money’s worth.

Considering the price, budget and payment option when buying a condo in the Philippines will help you find the best possibilities, and compare cost if it fits your financial situation.

Understanding the property taxes, realty tax, move-in fees, bank fees, insurance policy and legal fees as well as closing costs associated with the purchase will ensure you get the most out of buying a condo in the Philippines.

7. What are the payment plans for this condo?

What financing choices are available, are there any limits on foreign ownership, how does one go about getting a mortgage loan, and what are the transfer and registration costs related to the purchase?

There are various payment plans that are available in buying condo units in the Philippine real estate market. Condo loans may have stricter guidelines and a higher interest rate than those for single-family homes.

If you are struggling financial difficulties and you simply want a manageable financing scheme, getting a home loan from financial institution is a smart choice.

In-house financing is an alternative choice to pursuing owning condo investment when you’ve been rejected for some financing application. Work closely and directly with the real estate developer to ensure that hard earned money is being invested wisely.

Bank loans is fairly high and is being granted if you have a good credit score or credit standing. Banks and other financial organizations carry out extensive background checks so delinquencies or late payment schedules as well cover the monthly payments can ruin the perception of a positive relationship with your prospective lender.

8. What are commonly taken care of when it comes to maintenance?

How often are repairs and maintenance performed, are there any restrictions on tenants, what are the rules and regulations. How much is the maintenance charge associated with the condo units?

When a buyer buys a condo, his/her budget must not be limited. There are also other fees that should be taken into consideration, including processing fees, membership fees, and other services required before the move.

Generally speaking the association fee or condo fees is the monthly fee as the public knows it. Condo fee includes various inclusions such as condo association fees, monthly condo fee, maintenance fees, monthly utility fees and parking fee or parking fees.

It’s important to know who will be in charge of all the caretaking responsibilities and maintaining the property when buying a condo to be well-maintained. Paying association dues just to watch the amenities deteriorate can be frustrating if due to poor management and can lower the value of your property or increase your HOA dues.

9. Are there any legal issues that come with owning this condo?

Is the condo unit legally owned and does it have any legal issues or liens? Are there any foreign ownership restrictions?

Make sure the condominium complies with all applicable laws and regulations in your area. This can be openly verified by consulting a licensed real estate agent or by looking into the most trusted real estate developers like Vista Land.

Foreign ownership may be restricted or outlawed entirely, depending on the jurisdiction.

10. Does the condo developer have a good reputation?

How do you know you won’t be duped if you buy a condo in the Philippines?

If you plan to buy preselling condos as it is offer at a lower price first you should be careful to consider the real estate developer you’ll be working with.

This will help you prevent any problems and guarantee that the property you buy is legit and meets your expectations. A reputed and reliable developer is one that has a strong impressive track record of their condo projects and solid relationships with other reliable businesses.

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