The expert gave advice on choosing an apartment with minimal repair costs

Buying an apartment with minimal repair costs requires a careful approach. Sales department manager of Khimki Time Residential Complex Alexander Samotoylov told Izvestia on November 23 how to choose an apartment and avoid unnecessary expenses.

"To reduce costs, it is worth considering apartments with finished finish from the developer. Such housing allows you to move in immediately after purchase, eliminating additional costs for repairs. Simple and functional layouts without complex architectural solutions facilitate furnishing, and one-room apartments and studios help to save money due to a smaller area," the expert explained.

According to him, it is important to avoid apartments with redesigns. This not only saves from the cost of coordinating changes, but also avoids additional costs for the transfer of utilities.

At the same time, when choosing an apartment with finishing, it is important to assess its quality. As the specialist explained, the materials should be durable and environmentally safe.

"The evenness of walls and floors, the neatness of seams and joints - indicators that are worth paying attention to. Equally important is the reliability of plumbing and electrics: all appliances should be installed correctly and without defects," he said.

Samotoilov said that windows and doors play a key role: they should be airtight, provide heat and sound insulation. If the finish meets the buyer's preferences, it will eliminate the need for remodeling and additional spending.

"Cost-effective and durable materials will help reduce costs without sacrificing quality. Laminate will be an affordable and wear-resistant solution for the floor, and vinyl wallpaper will be a practical option for walls due to its moisture resistance and durability," the manager pointed out.

In his opinion, for finishing bathrooms and kitchens you can choose ceramic tiles, and plastic panels are suitable for ceilings and walls in humid areas. In addition, stretch ceilings and MDF skirting boards will help to complete the interior without significant costs.

"To save on repairs, some of the work can be done with your own hands. Painting walls and laying laminate flooring do not require professional skills, and installation of interior doors and installation of sockets is possible with basic knowledge," Samotoylov added.

Self-assembly of furniture, installation of lamps and decorative elements, such as shelves or cornices, will also help to save significantly, he believes.

The expert advised to carefully assess the condition of engineering systems before buying an apartment.

"It is important to request documentation from the developer to make sure of the service life and the quality of the materials used. Visual inspection of pipes, wiring and metering devices will help to identify possible problems, and testing of heating, water supply and electrics will confirm the serviceability of the systems," he explained.

In case of doubt, an independent expert can be engaged for professional evaluation. Also clarifying the warranty obligations of the developer will help to avoid unexpected repair costs.

According to the specialist, apartments with basic finishing - a good choice to minimize costs. But it is important to study the proposed options and choose the one that best suits your preferences. At the same time, checking the quality of work done, including plumbing, electrical and wall finishing, will help to avoid remodeling, Samotoylov added.

"Comparing the cost of apartments with and without finishing will allow you to assess the benefit. If the basic finishing is made qualitatively, it will speed up the move and avoid the need for additional investments," - concluded the specialist.

Earlier, November 2, it was reported that when buying housing Russians are primarily focused on its location and only then - on the available budget. This is stated in the results of the VTB survey. Every third Russian considers the most comfortable "young" secondary housing - real estate, which is 3-10 years old. Another 30% or so named a country house as comfortable. The comfort of new buildings - up to three years from the date of delivery of the house - noted 23% of respondents. And only 15% chose secondary housing, which is more than 10 years old.