Sample Flats: Do You Get What You See?

Well-designed, captivating and welcoming, sample flats are what an ideal home would look like. But, wait. These flats are not what you will actually get.

When on a site visit to an under-construction project, you are persuaded by the developer as well as the broker to visit the sample flat to take in the look and feel of what you will be delivered. These flats are designed with utmost care and the best-in-class products to entice the potential homebuyers and make them think that it is exactly how their dream home would be like. While the whole setup looks perfect, remember, what you will get is nothing close to the sample flat.

Also read: Questions You Should Ask During Site Visit

These flats are designed so that the homebuyer is all set to buy the property the very moment and developers spend a heavy sum to make them look top notch.

It is suggested that you take everything you are shown in the sample flat with a pinch of salt. Here's how the sample flats are different from the flat that you will be delivered in the future:

• The main door of the sample flat will be at least 30 per cent higher and almost 10 per cent wider than the flat that you will be delivered. The wood used on the door will be thick and top quality, too. These features make the flat look bigger at the very first instance.

• You will see a lot of glass separators between rooms rather than walls, another way of making the flat look spacious as well as luxurious.

Also read: Going For A Property Visit? Don't Forget To Carry This Checklist

• The ceiling will always be a few inches higher than the flat you will be delivered in the future.

• The lighting fixtures used will be luxurious and elaborate that will give you a sense of space.

• Smaller furniture is used so that you see more space all around ranging from living room to bedroom.

• Even the walls in these apartments are not concrete rather the developers use gypsum boards as these are easy to install and then dismantle. But, as a home buyer, you will see more room.

• Modular kitchens showcased are luxurious, too, made using quality hardware. You might not be delivered the same.

What can you do to avoid being disappointed?

• If you are planning a visit, make sure you ask the broker, while he shows you the sample flat, to take you to the site to show a raw flat too.

• When visiting the sample flat, begin to visualise your furniture and decorative there and see if the property is spacious enough.

• Always ask for the documents with actual dimensions of the apartment and do not hesitate in measuring them in the sample flat.

• In case the project is still in a soon-to-launch stage before you ink the deal, do due diligence and check the projects the developer has constructed previously. Make a visit to these projects if possible.

Also Read: Scam Watch: Beware Of Visually Appealing Sample Flats!