Apartment Features
In the past, apartments were typically only found in cities, where they were generally rented out by landlords as a form of budget accommodation. However, over the past 20 years, a huge number of industrial sites and old buildings have been converted into modern apartments to provide attractive high-tech, low-maintenance living to home-buyers of all ages. Stately homes, schools, chapels, hospitals, mills, warehouses, factories and offices have all been redeveloped in cities and rural locations across the country, making apartment living an appealing option.
Communal Facilities
Many modern flats are developed and marketed as 'lifestyle' apartments and may have a leisure complex with a swimming pool and gym, Jacuzzi, sauna, rooftop gardens and secure parking. Some developments (especially city apartments) may also have private meeting rooms for residents' exclusive use, a restaurant and a bar.
If the apartment you are buying has an optional parking space, you should ALWAYS buy it if you can afford to (and more if they are available) - even if you don't have a car. Not only will it be useful for your visitors and guests, but it will also increase the value of the property and make it much easier to sell.
Size
When comparing the price of apartments, you should always take their cost per square metre (or per square foot) into comparison.
The size of apartments varies considerably; however, you will find that an apartment that has been newly built or converted may be much smaller than an equivalent flat built or converted some time ago. Typical sizes for new apartments are:
- studio apartment - around 25 sq m (270 sq ft)
- 1 bedroom - around 40-60 sq m (430-645 sq ft)
- 2 bedroom - around 55-80 sq m (590-860 sq ft)
Bedrooms can be small, starting from a meagre 4.2 sq m (45 sq ft) suitable only for a single bed, with an average size in the region of 12 sq m (130 sq ft) - this approximates to a bedroom of 3x4 m (10x13 ft).
Fittings
The modern apartment-buyer typically expects a high basic standard of features, and new apartments usually have to be fairly lavishly appointed in order to sell. These apartments are beautifully designed and fitted, including en suite bathrooms with separate showers, designer kitchens complete with top quality appliances, ceramic tiles in the bathroom and kitchen, fitted carpets or wooden floors in the living areas, built-in wardrobes, telephone and TV points.
More luxurious flats may come complete with a range of high-tech options, including a security system with entry phones, CCTV surveillance, a 24-hour caretaker or concierge, air-conditioning and broadband connections in all rooms.
