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Dont make the mistake of buying a property without consulting an architect first. Here are three key reasons why an architect can save you time, money, and headaches.
Youre currently looking at properties with the hope of finding the right one and making it your home. It’s one of the biggest purchases and investments you will probably make in your lifetime. So as soon-to-be new owners, before being swayed by the charm of the property, it’s of the utmost importance to make sure you’re making the right decision. How? One way to do this is to consult with a trusted architect before making the purchase. Here are three key reasons why hiring an architect will save you time, money, and headaches.
- An architect can help you identify potential issues with the property.
Sometimes, we may miss things that are not immediately apparent to us but that architects can easily help you identify.
- Planning Permission & Sanitary Regulation
Architects can assess the structural integrity of the building, whether the property is compliant to planning permission, and determine if any repairs will be necessary. There have been several instances where an architect found that a property lacked sanitary regulation, some planning aspects or which had illegal constructions whereby the building serves a different purpose from its original one. Imagine you’re considering a 3-bedroom apartment. One of those bedrooms is not officially recognised as such but is approved as a store. The problem is that it does not meet the sanitary and planning requirements a bedroom should have. And so, not knowing this, you would be paying a higher price for an apartment with three bedrooms rather than two. This information gives you an advantage when negotiating the price and will help you make a more informed decision.
- Planning Characteristics of the area
An architect will help you consider the surrounding area’s planning characteristics to avoid unpleasant surprises. In some urban areas, it’s possible for restaurants to be located alongside residential buildings. If you’re thinking of purchasing an apartment over a unit that might eventually become a restaurant, and you do not want to live anywhere near a restaurant, it would be too late to change your mind after buying the property. Let’s consider another scenario. You’re purchasing a house or an apartment that currently faces a beautiful view of open fields without knowing that these fields are available for development and already have a pending planning application. Discovering this after the purchase is not ideal. The planned development can obstruct your view or create other issues you weren’t aware of. Knowing this, can also give you leverage to negotiate a better price.
- An architect provides valuable insight into the potential of the property.
Architects can help you maximise the possibilities for the space and provide you with creative solutions for renovations or home improvements. If you know about the potentials and necessary repairs beforehand, it will help you understand and budget the cost accordingly whilst avoiding any unexpected expenses down the road. It will also increase the property’s overall value. So apart from making sure the property is structurally sound, working with an architect is a step forward towards transforming the space into your dream home or investment property – and increasing its overall value.
- An architect can help you navigate the legal obligations of your property.
Legal professionals and architects will help you navigate another important aspect when purchasing a property: legal obligations. It’s important to understand certain situations like having a neighbour’s window overlooking your yard or whether you can add new windows facing a neighbour’s yard when adding a new floor during construction. These legal matters are usually handled by legal professionals. However, it’s often the architect who identifies building features and informs the lawyers and buyers about them.
We know how overwhelming buying a new property can be. That’s why you need to have the right team to guide you and help you make informed decisions.
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At Ben Estates Prestige we have a track record of 40 years combined experience and we’re always on the lookout for new members to join our team. Partner with Ben Estates Prestige today.
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Article in collaboration with - IplusA Architecture and Interior Design
