Buying an apartment is a tiring process: it is important not only to choose a house that you will like, but also to remember all the pitfalls in the documents. Housing purchased on the secondary market seems to be the solution to all problems, but even here there is a chance to become a victim of flippers – home buyers who buy real estate at a cheap price and sell it after renovation at exorbitant prices. Many old apartments are located in good areas and have better layouts, so they are in high demand. We tell you what to look for when buying a secondary house.
Problems with the ventilation system
Please note that in some rooms you feel a constant feeling of sneezing. Dust often accumulates in the ventilation system, where humid air flow is an excellent environment for bacteria. Allergy sufferers and asthmatics are contraindicated in such a room, so preventive disinfection is necessary.
Plumbing error
In old houses, major repairs have often not been carried out for a long time, so the first to suffer are water pipes, which rust, turning the water into a yellow-orange color, an indicator of iron and manganese. An excess of these elements poisons the body.
Poor sound insulation
There are always some strange sounds in old apartments, but you should not immediately attribute everything to a restless ghost. The source of noise can be the movement of elevators, the sounds of air conditioning and ventilation systems, traffic, and neighbors’ conversations. Realtors are usually aware of this disadvantage and invite buyers during relatively quiet hours. In order not to be scammed, come and look at the apartment you are interested in at different times of the day. Otherwise, you will have to spend money on additional soundproofing, which is not cheap.
Old electrical installation
Faulty wiring can cause a short circuit and a fire. Pay attention to wires and sockets: it is desirable that they are in perfect condition. In addition, old electrical cables create magnetic fields that affect human health, for example, causing headaches. They also pose environmental risks.
Mold, mineral wool, proximity to radiation sources and toxic industries
Most often, when choosing an apartment, we pay attention to the proximity to markets or the metro, but there are other important factors, for example, it is worth asking if there is a transformer in the immediate vicinity. After all, increased electromagnetic radiation is harmful to health. Ask your neighbors if this place was once a landfill, a toxic production facility, or even a source of radiation. Inside the apartment, you should be wary of mold and poor mineral wool insulation. The latter contain phenol and formaldehyde, which cause bronchitis, allergies and other diseases of the respiratory system.
Source: People Talk
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
