Things To Watch Out For When Viewing A Showflat

House hunters and real estate enthusiasts would be familiar with the showflat. Also called a model home or model unit, these are created and designed usually while construction of the exact property is still ongoing. New property launches in Singapore will always have several model units or showflats attached to it, to show potential buyers what the interiors look like and what it could look like given a little bit of imagination and interior design.

While this is all well and good, it's very easy to get lured by the allure of a beautifully-designed showflat, only to realize that the actual unit looks nothing like what is advertised. Of course, you wouldn't buy a space after looking at a blank space. Showflats are to real estate what food styling is to fast food.

There are some things you should watch out for when visiting a showflat so that you can manage expectations.

Watch out for mirrors. Many showflats, especially in condominiums, make use of mirrored walls to give the illusion of a bigger space. It is already known that condo units aren't exactly that big, so misleading a potential buyer with strategic use of mirrors is possible in a showflat.

Watch out for exaggerated lighting. Showflats are designed to look beautiful from top to toe; some even have the illusion of natural lighting streaming in through faux windows. However, sometimes, condo buildings are side by side. This means that there's no natural lighting on some sides of the building; you're looking directly into a window.

Watch out for sizing. Some showflats look big because they deceptively are bigger than advertised. Some have smaller furniture to compensate. New property launches in Singapore try very hard to make sure that the condos are appealing, so take your time looking through them.

Watch out for smooth-talking agents. Remember, these people are here to make a sale, so they will naturally not point out any flaws in the property to you. They do not know your needs and your lifestyle, something a proper real estate agent will know to ask for beforehand and work with.

Watch out for misleading price tags. Most property showflats will advertise a certain price to get you excited. But when you add up all the expenses, tax, commissions and fees, you'll be shocked by the result! Be sure to keep a level head and not make hasty decisions then and there.