7 commonly overlooked factors to consider when visiting a show flat in 2023

It was 2017, a time when the property market was in a rather sleepy state.

I remember stepping into a show flat, where I was greeted by a tagger with the enthusiasm of a sloth on a lazy afternoon.

My attire didn't exactly scream "high-end investor" (I was sporting a pair of comfortable slippers), but she was clearly not up to the task as she brought me around the show flat.

Despite her lack of energy, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.

After all, everyone has off days.

The importance of a good tagger

I began to tour the show flat, and asked some of my usual questions.

First, I asked how many lifts the block had. "Two" she replied quickly.

Next, I queried about the maintenance fees for the two-bedroom units. She casually said it was around 200 a month.

Finally, I asked about what was going to happen to the empty plot next door, to which she replied that "there were no major plans" in the near future.

Wrong. She ended up being wrong on all counts.

The experience was a stark reminder that while show flats are designed to sell the dream of an ideal home, having a good tagger is also very necessary to get the right (accurate) picture of what you are buying into.

This can almost make or break your decision to buy a new home, so ensure that you have all the right information before you decide to go ahead.

Don't be like the KAP mall tenants who tried to sue the developer (who subsequently blamed the marketing agents) for misrepresenting that an anchor tenant would be returning to the mall.

So besides looking for a good and experienced tagger, here are a few other key factors to consider, when viewing a show flat.

Factors to consider while viewing a show flat

Understand the space layout:

When setting foot into the stylish, well-lit, and meticulously designed interiors of a show flat, it's all too easy to be swept off your feet.

Show flats are designed to showcase the property in its best light.

However, they may not always entirely represent the actual unit you will be purchasing, as certain design techniques and staging elements can skew your perception of space and finishes.

So be alert on how the space in the show flat is presented.

For example, it's quite common for developers to remove walls to make the space appear larger. I've seen many times where a three-bedroom flat may be presented as a spacious two-bedroom unit.

Ask which walls have been removed and what the actual layout would look like.

You can also look to the floor markings for guidance, as it is mandatory for the developer to show which walls have been removed.

Query about things that can't be seen:

As a new buyer, it can sometimes get overwhelming in terms of the number of things to think about.

For example, if you are considering a high-rise building (and are looking to buy a high floor for the views), one major factor has to be the number of lifts serving the units.

If you move in and out of your house a lot, you really don't want to be stuck waiting for the lift during peak hours. This time can all add up.

It may seem like an inconsequential thing, but a mild annoyance such as this can build up and really mar the experience of living in your new home.

Besides the lifts, you should also consider other minor factors such as the location of the rubbish chute.

If you envision yourself having to throw the trash daily, would you want to be positioned where the chute is (although you have to take into account the noise from neighbours throwing the trash)?

Or would you rather have more peace and quiet, so ideally you'd want a unit set further away?

These are all things that aren't shown in the show flat, so remember to ask.

Future master plan considerations:

Consider the broader plan for the entire surroundings.

It's not always that the show flat is located at the actual site location, so you will need to make a trip down to judge the place for yourself.

Many times, some renders will show the development that's surrounded by greenery (which isn't the actual surroundings of the development).

You should definitely refer to the URA Master Plan, to see what's coming up around you.

One of the worst regrets would be to spend the money for an unblocked view, only to realise that view will fizzle out in the next year due to a new residential development.

If having a good view is a major concern for you, do ask to see the drone shots from the different floors.

I do know of some developments that have drone shots from every level (Perfect Ten was one example), so that you can get an accurate representation of what your view would be like.

On the other hand, some may just take shots at different variances of height (level five, level 10, level 15, and so on), so you get a less accurate view.

Look Out for Potential Hazards:

This one may be a little tough to find out, but it's worth looking at what has happened at other similar developments, to understand what are the potential pitfalls to ask about.

For example, the Woodleigh Mall and Woodleigh Residences car park issue.

Apparently, on weekends, it could take residents up to 30 minutes just to get to their car park. This was because the mall and condo shared a single-lane entrance.

Imagine the rage of the residents waiting to get home!

Now that you understand there are such issues, these are questions that you want to ask, when viewing any similar new developments.

Likewise, the ventilators and exhaust fumes may come up from staying above a mall (you'd want to be careful about your unit selection here).

Unfortunately, it'll be hard to guarantee an honest answer from taggers selling such integrated developments here.

Some people have no issues with such inconveniences anyway, but these are potential problems that you'd want to be aware of, before making such commitments.

Check on provisions:

This one may seem quite typical for some people, but don't always assume that everything you see is automatically included.

I had a friend before who saw the balcony screens at a show flat, and just assumed that they were going to be included (he wanted it as he knew his unit would be quite close to the neighbours).

As such, he was not only rudely surprised later on when it wasn't included, but also at how high the cost was to install one.

Observe hidden provisions:

If you haven't been to a show flat before, it's usual practice in Singapore to not include the doors (beyond the main door).

So for the kitchen door, bedroom/bathroom doors, shower, and balcony, you only usually see the frame of it.

This could be for a variety of reasons, from cost to allowing the spaces to look more open and bigger.

As such, the actual design of doors often goes unnoticed but this is something that you should ask about to avoid any surprises later on.

I do know of some homeowners who were very much surprised by the door design and handles, and they paid extra to get it changed once they collected their keys.

Nevertheless, this isn't going to be a dealbreaker for anyone, but it's still something that you'd want to know beforehand.

Remember, when viewing a show flat, you're not just buying what you see but investing in your future. Always ask questions and consider all factors to make the most informed decision.

ALSO READ: 9 commonly overlooked things to consider before buying a home

This article was first published in Stackedhomes.