Buyer guide
Buying an apartment. Know what to check and when.
A clear sequence is more useful than relying on a beautiful photograph or a persuasive description. Use this checklist to organize questions and bring the right professionals into the process.
1. Set a total budget rather than a listing-price target
Write down the maximum sum you can realistically commit, including the possible cost of professional checks, transaction procedures, financing, improvements and an emergency reserve. The applicable taxes and fees depend on the particular deal; a generic percentage seen online may be outdated or irrelevant. Ask a notary and an appropriate tax or financial professional for a case-specific assessment before committing funds.
2. Confirm the exact property and the current offer
Save the advertisement, its date, the publisher's contact details and the stated floor area. A listing appearing on more than one website does not necessarily represent more than one apartment. Likewise, similar apartments in the same development can be distinct units. Ask the seller or authorized agent to identify the exact unit and confirm whether that specific property is still offered at the stated terms.
Do not interpret a working advertisement URL as proof that a sale is possible today. Reconfirm close to any binding step.
3. Visit the apartment and assess the building
Check ventilation, moisture marks, window condition, visible utility installations, noise, entrances, common areas and building maintenance. Ask what is included with the apartment: appliances, furnishings, storage, parking and any other rights. Compare the area in the advertisement with the documents and with the property you actually viewed. Serious defects or unexplained inconsistencies merit an independent technical inspection.
4. Review current cadastral and legal documentation
Request the relevant official property record and make sure that the cadastral identifiers refer to the apartment being sold. Review the registered rights, restrictions and any notes with a qualified legal professional. Confirm the seller's authority to sign and that the description of the apartment in the proposed contract matches the documents. For background, see our property records guide.
5. Clarify payments, contract terms and the handover
Before paying a deposit, ask a qualified professional to review the conditions governing payment, deadlines, refunds, contractual safeguards and the required documents. Do not assume a template contract found online is suitable. Arrange a handover record covering keys, access cards, meter readings, fixtures, agreed equipment and any documented issues. The notary and other professionals can explain the relevant procedures for your specific transaction.
Official starting points and limitations
For cadastral services, consult the Real Estate Administration. This page is educational, not individual legal or tax advice. For price comparisons, remember that advertised prices are not signed transaction prices, and that official statistics for newly sold apartments do not describe all existing properties.