Don't get carried away by a sample flat

Although seeing is believing and experiencing your new home through a sample flat might be a pulsating experience for a home buyer, there are fallacies with this approach. A sample flat is one of the marketing techniques used by builders to convince customers of what they can expect when they get to live in their proposed house. To the buyers misery, not many are aware of tricks which could be used by builders in the sample flat. The marketing practice itself is not wrong and is more effective than traditional brochures or websites or emails from the builders point of view.

Factors to be considered while seeing the sample flat

1. Sample flats outside of the original property - A sample flat constructed outside of the original property could be deceptive. Most builders use the first floor of the property to showcase the sample flat to customers. A sample flat outside of the property might offer two or three balconies, great views and look more spacious than the one which you are planning to buy, which is not standalone but in a bigger apartment complex.

2. Great interiors - Sample flats usually come with exquisite looking furniture, well finished walls and paintings. More often than not your home won't come with the same embellishment or you would end up paying for the upgrade. To supplement this, the lighting and other artistic wall hangings used in a sample flat improves the aspirational value of the flat in the mind of the buyer. Some builders might even choose furniture sets which fits just well enough in the given space, so that it gives a feeling to the buyer of having enough space within the apartment

3. Thinner walls - Walls made of out wood or even gypsum boards could be used in sample flats which gives an impression of higher floor space. Gypsum which is used in the cement industry as a retarding agent, can also be customized in making the wall finish much more superior compared to cement plaster.

4. Taller ceiling - A sample flat could also look bigger when it comes with a taller ceiling compared to the original flat.

Nevertheless customers don't have much of an option since most of the sample flats are demolished before construction begins. And builders can put terms into the sale agreement that specifications might change later.

Ways around getting deceived by a sample flat
 
1. Look at 2 or 3 properties from the same builder to get an idea of the overall finish

2. Look for builders who offer sample flats in the apartment complex than outside so that it is more realistic

3. Don't be mislead by the aesthetics and interiors of a sample flat. Use the sample flat as a reasonable guide to how your home might finally be. To get a clear picture of your flat, look at the architectural drawing and layout plan and discuss with the builder to avoid future disappointment.

4. If you want to factor in the looks of the sample flat into your own flat, prepare a cost estimate for the same or consult an interior design firm or a real estate consultant privy with the matter.