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[P68]Part Rent Part Buy

by Amos Graham, Amo

Is the building of solid construction and well maintained? If there is a ?body corporate? then you become a member of the ?body corporate? or ?strata scheme? in the block of flats, units or apartments and this may present different issues for you, consumer.vic.gov.au, will have any information you need and OzFreeOnline.com will have information in its real estate listing about whether a property is handled by a body corporate. However, chances are that if the building and flats are cared for by the body corporate, that they will most likely be in good order.

If you have the time to walk around the flats, check out the entrance and gardens. Look for cleanliness, and good lighting inside and outside the entrance. Make sure the intercom and security system work.

If there is a foyer or lobby, is it clean and well looked after? Are the carpets clean and cared for.

Is there adequate lighting in the hallways and stairwells, are there fire extinguishers and hoses, smoke detectors and/ or a sprinkler system.

Drive around the area to make sure that you have shops, buses and trams close by.

Do you like the area the flat is in, or is it unkempt and uninviting? Just checking the types of buildings, houses, apartment blocks around you will give you the impression of whether you want to live there or not, and if you are familiar with the suburb, then checking the classifieds at truelocal.com.au, and OzFreeOnline.com, should be an easy method of doing the all important research that goes with finding a new home to live in.

Check that the car park of the flat has enough lighting and an easy way to get to the entrance of your flat. Are there any blind spots or unsafe areas where there is no direct lighting, and does the street have adequate lighting?

If you have checked everything on this list and perhaps some of your own needs and special requirements, then you all set up. So what are you waiting for? Go ahead, sign up, and enjoy your new home!

You can check out different sites that have a list of rental properties, furnished and unfurnished units. Renting furnished means however, that you will have to store your own furniture, but of course, this could be the case, if you cannot find exactly the apartment you want in a short space of time. The most important area will be the bathroom and in any real estate listing on HomeHound.com.au, and OzFreeOnline.com, you will find that the bathroom in any home, whether rented or not, is one of the most important areas of a house, so you must scrutinize with care. Is there an exhaust fan. Run the taps and the flush the toilet. Run the shower to test the water pressure.

Test and check for leaks, bad drainage, and lack of ventilation. Is there enough storage space and a vanity unit with mirror? Check the ceiling, wall and floor for water damage. If there is a shower cubicle and a bath, are they undamaged, clean and free of mold. If there is a window, does it open and close properly. Is the water supply instant gas heated, or an electric storage unit.

The kitchen is the next room to inspect thoroughly. You must make sure that everything is in full working order. Are the surfaces clean, are the walls free of grime and grease. Perhaps the flat you are looking at may have had a complete kitchen remodel, you can search the real estate listings in Australia, that describe fully the types of apartments available, in each state, and the prices you may have to pay for a reasonable flat. It is of course up to you, when you inspect the flat, to make sure that all the utilities such as taps work, that there is good ventilation and an exhaust fan over the stove, if this is what you require. Moreover, you may prefer the energy supply to the stove, to be either gas or electric. Of course, you would expect the oven to be scrupulously clean and the kitchen to have plenty of work and storage space.

Count the electrical plug outlets. Will you have enough and are they fitted with safety switches, or is the flat over 30 years old. Check to see where the TV outlets, antenna, phone and internet connections are so that you don't need to put in special requests to the agent for these services and go to extra expense and worry. Just remember that you can buy extra long leads and extension cords that you can use with these items.

It is essential by law that all flats be supplied with heating in Victoria, (cooling has not been made law yet), so find out about the heating arrangements and make sure that if it is a ?stand alone? heater that it is in full working order.

Article Source : About Real Estate Agents

Amos Graham has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Improvement How to, Prospects and Property Sale. Amos writes articles and press releases for - this piece she made served as an article exclusive for. Amos Graham's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.