Not Just the Layout: What to Look for When Buying an Apartment

Buying real estate is always a hassle, including psychologically. You don«t want to miscalculate on price and quality, need to choose a reliable developer, and arrange the right loan. In an interview, Svetlana Prokofieva, general director of Fora, discusses whether to buy an apartment this year and what to pay attention to when choosing.

— The main question — buy an apartment now or better wait, for example, for the Central Bank«s key rate reduction?

— I believe that an apartment should be bought when there is a need and opportunity, without expecting miracles with a drop in housing prices or interest rates on loans. Making forecasts is difficult, but in my opinion, the cost per square meter will continue to grow, although not at such a fast pace. This is facilitated by increased tax burden, rising construction material costs, and wage growth.

Moreover, recently developers have seriously reduced the laying of new apartment buildings. This means that the choice will be smaller and the opportunity to buy housing in a building under construction at the excavation stage, when the apartment is usually cheaper, has decreased.

— Yes, but the Central Bank plans to reduce the key rate this year. Consequently, mortgage rates will decrease.

— Today, the Central Bank talks about a smooth, slow reduction of the rate with an eye on actual inflation. And loan rates, as a rule, lag slightly behind changes in the Central Bank«s rate. Therefore, one should not expect a rapid and sharp fall in mortgage rates. Even if a significant reduction occurs by the end of the year, the loan can be refinanced.

What should you pay attention to when buying an apartment?

Most often, when buying housing, people look at location (district, distance from the center, infrastructure) and layout. I would also advise paying attention to the operational qualities of the building. This can be learned from the sales manager of the developer. For example, modern technologies allow for significant savings on utility payments in the future. At current prices, this is of great importance.

Housing is always a long-term purchase. Therefore, even if you are buying housing for yourself, you must remember its investment attractiveness. Perhaps in the future you will want to improve your living conditions or sell this apartment for some other reason. The more modern the house, the more technological it is, meeting the latest trends in housing construction, the more expensive your apartment will be in the future.

— Last year, the company Fora commissioned the first building of the Aeropark residential complex in Sokol, Yaroslavl. Please, tell us more using this example, what technological features should be paid attention to.

— Yes, the first building of the Aeropark residential complex was delivered exactly on schedule. Almost all residents have already received their keys and are arranging their apartments. The residential complex has its own boiler house, which allows it not to depend on planned and unplanned shutdowns of heating and hot water and to maintain a comfortable temperature in the apartments. The presence of a backup boiler guarantees trouble-free operation. The heating system and facades made using Swedish technology allow for heat and utility cost savings.

The apartments have high ceilings, panoramic windows that give a sense of large space and plenty of daylight.

— Probably, the view from the window also matters?

— Absolutely. From most windows of both the first and second buildings of the Aeropark residential complex, the majestic Volga and the golden domes of Yaroslavl churches are visible. In general, the aesthetic component is very important. In our houses, there are beautiful and convenient entrance groups, and on the adjacent territory — landscape design. Fora company designed the entrances with an aviation theme: the walls resemble the sky, and the lights create a sense of a runway. The apartments have reliable doors painted in pleasant colors.

By the way, despite the fact that the construction of the second building is still ongoing, Fora company has completed the improvement of the yard. It is closed, without cars, with children«s and sports grounds, benches, and various areas for walking, pet exercise, bicycle parking, etc. Trees and shrubs are planted so that they bloom at different times, and the yard is always green and cozy.

— What about safety?

— In the Aeropark residential complex, a video surveillance system is installed both in the entrances and on the adjacent territory. Entry to the yard is limited by a barrier. On the entrance doors — «smart» intercoms that can be controlled from a smartphone.

— What recommendations do you give to those who want to buy housing this year?

— Don«t put off the purchase indefinitely. Choose a reliable developer and a competent manager who can not only tell you in detail about the apartment, the house, but also help arrange a mortgage according to your needs. And keep an eye on developers» promotions. This will allow you to save money.

For more information on buying apartments in the Aeropark residential complex, you can contact the managers of the real estate agency Vybor.

Sales office:
Yaroslavl, Oktyabrya Avenue, 46, 4th floor;
phone: +7 (4852) 338-538;
email: info@vybor76.ru.

The developer is LLC Specialized Developer «FORA». The project declaration is on the website nash.dom.rf.

The mortgage is provided by Sberbank.