Don’t assume that bigger is better; the size of a company is no guarantee that its properties are of an acceptable quality. You may find that quality of properties built by some of the developers that target the expatriate market to be generally lower than those that target a wider audience.
- Always inspect properties under construction.
- Insist on viewing earlier properties they’ve built and speak with their owners about the quality of their workmanship and after-sales service.
- Don’t rule out a developer just because he hasn’t got flashy offices, glossy promotional material or staff who are fluent in English.
- Instruct your lawyer to get a profile of the company confirming its existence and listing information such as its incorporation date, registered office, status etc and ask him/her to get a credit report on the company.
- Don’t expect the fixtures, fittings and finishes you see in show homes to be the same in the property you’re thinking of buying. It’s a bit like buying a new car; where the showroom model usually comes ‘fully loaded’, you’ll be lucky to get all four wheels on the standard model without paying a bit extra!
- Ask for a set of specifications and list of fixtures and fittings included in the advertised price, the size of the plot and the size of the property. Make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting for your money.
Legal advice
- It is absolutely essential that buyers seek independent legal advice.
- Do not sign any papers or hand over any money until you have sought advice from an independent lawyer with whom you can communicate effectively.
- Do not use the ‘free’ legal services offerred by some of the developers.
- Similarly, do not use a lawyer who has been introduced or recommended to you by a property developer. Some of these lawyers represent the interests of the developer and the advice they provide to buyers may be incomplete or biased in favour of the developer.
