A showflat is a new flat that is used to show prospective buyers the general appearance of the flat they are selling. It is decorated and furnished to give a pleasant visual effect as a way to entice customers to buy units.
If you are a wise buyer, being observant and inquisitive during your visit will eliminate any chance of you being short-changed. To get the best deal, you may want to have as many showflat visits as you can so you can have many options.
When in a showflat, you should ask questions and observe the following.
Ask for a Copy of the Floor Plan
After comparing the floor plan with what you see in the showflat, ask if all flats followed exactly the same floor plan. You may be surprised when you open your flat to see deviations from the plan which can soon give you inconvenience fitting in fixtures from your old residence or newly bought appliances.
Study the floor area of every room. Your old bed and your cabinet may not fit in your new bedroom. Knowing the exact diameter of each room can give you the idea of what items to discard before moving in. In showflats, some of the walls may not have been put in place but are only marked with tapes to give you the feeling that the flats are spacious.
Ask What Furnishings Are Provided
Not all items in the showflat may actually be present in the flats for sale. Or some items may not be in the showflat but are in the flat which you are going to have. This will save you from buying the same things that will be provided. You will also be compelled to leave items from your old home when they are provided to save more space.
Observe the Sun, Other Light Source and Ventilation
In most flats in high storey buildings, one side of the flat may have no windows. This means that some rooms may not have the same ventilation as those with windows. The same is true with light. Take note of rooms which need ventilators. The size and location of windows matters for sunlight and air.
Check the Electric Lines
The placement of electric sockets can be disturbing. Note where the right sockets for your artificial lights and appliances should be placed, so you get it corrected before you move in. It can give you so much discomfort when they cannot be found where you need them to be.
Test the Water Flow
Water should be free-flowing from sinks, bathrooms, and wash area to the sewer. You don’t deserve to be flooded in your flat because of ill-fitting pipes. Test the shower and the pipes for leaks.
Observe Low Quality and Inappropriate Materials
Check the bathroom and kitchen flooring, are they very slippery when wet? Try out the door, are they sturdy enough, or are they easy to open? Checking on the quality of materials used in the showflat is a wise thing to do to save money, and for comfort and safety.
The design of the whole flat can also be one important aspect that can sway a buyer to buy a unit after a showflat visit. A prospective buyer must take into consideration his family’s habits, activities, and priorities to ensure that the flat’s layout will work for all the occupants.