I’m a civil engineer, and I’ve seen people regret flat purchases not because of price, but because of wrong selection.
This post is for first-time buyers who want clarity beyond sample flats and brochures.
I’ll keep it simple and experience-based.
1.Floor selection: Higher is NOT always better
Best range: mid-floors (roughly 25–45% of total building height)
Why I avoid lower floors (1–3):
- Dust, traffic noise, mosquitoes
- Privacy issues
- Dampness problems over time
Why very high floors are also risky:
- Strong winds → unusable balconies
- Full lift dependency (pain during breakdowns)
- Evacuation & maintenance challenges
Mid-floors give better light, ventilation, comfort & resale value.
2.Layout matters more than carpet area
Two flats with same sq.ft can feel completely different.
Good layout signs:
- Rectangular living room (easy furniture placement)
- Minimum passage/wasted area
- Kitchen with utility or window
- Bedrooms away from main door
- Toilets not opening directly into living space
Red flag layouts:
- Long corridors eating carpet area
- Irregular living room shape
- Toilet wall touching kitchen
- Very narrow bedrooms (wardrobe + bed barely fits)
3.Flat position on the floor plate (very important)
Prefer:
- Corner flats (more windows & airflow)
- Flats away from lift shaft
- Flats facing open space / internal road
Avoid if possible:
- Flat directly opposite lift
- Flat beside garbage shaft
- Main door opening to dark corridor
These things affect daily comfort, not just resale.
4.Light & ventilation: don’t ignore this
Visit the site between 11 am – 3 pm.
Check:
- Does sunlight reach living room?
- Is kitchen naturally ventilated?
- Cross ventilation possible?
No amount of interior design can fix a dark, suffocating flat.
5.Think 10 years ahead, not just possession day
Ask yourself:
- Will this layout work after marriage / kids?
- Can parents move comfortably?
- Will resale be easy?
Most regrets come from short-term thinking.
6.Price trap buyers fall into
- “I’ll take lower floor to save money” “I’ll manage with smaller layout” “View is more important than ventilation”
These savings feel good for 1 month,but pain lasts for years.
Final advice from experience
Buy a flat you can live in peacefully every day.
Don’t buy a flat just because you can afford it.