How to Secure the Best Unit in a New Development
A sharp, real-world playbook used by buyers who consistently get first pick
In any new development, not all units are created equal. A handful quietly outperform the rest for light, layout, privacy, resale value, and long-term desirability. Those units rarely last long — and they’re often allocated before the public even knows the scheme exists.
Here’s how smart buyers secure those units.
1. Understand what “best unit” actually means
Forget marketing language. The best unit usually has a combination of:
Strong aspect (south, west, dual-aspect)
Distance from lifts, bins, plant rooms
Efficient layout with minimal wasted space
Better ceiling height or window proportion
Usable outdoor space, not token balconies
Views help, but light, privacy, and layout matter more over time.
2. Get in before the launch, not at it
Public launches are for volume, not for best selection.
The strongest units are often:
Allocated off-market
Offered during soft launches
Placed quietly with trusted buyers
To access these, you need to be known, ready, and credible before brochures go public.
3. Signal that you are an easy buyer
Developers choose buyers strategically.
You rise to the top if you show:
Proof of funds or mortgage readiness
Flexibility on completion timing
Clear decision-making (no endless back-and-forth)
Willingness to reserve quickly once satisfied
The best units go to buyers who reduce risk, not those who negotiate the hardest.
4. Compare vertically, not just horizontally
Most buyers compare different layouts. Smart buyers compare the same layout across floors.
Check:
How price steps per floor
Whether higher floors truly improve view or light
Noise exposure differences
Ceiling height changes at upper levels
Often, the second-best floor is actually the best value unit in the building.
5. Study the building like an architect, not a buyer
Request full plans, not just marketing layouts.
Look for:
Structural columns inside apartments
Service risers behind bedrooms
Lift and stair core positioning
Future obstruction risk from nearby plots
If something feels oddly shaped, there’s usually a reason.
6. Don’t overpay for hype units unless they are irreplaceable
Corner units, penthouses, and river-facing homes often command premiums.
Pay the premium only if:
The advantage cannot be replicated later
The layout still works without furniture tricks
Future buyers will value the same feature
If the premium feels emotional rather than logical, walk away.
7. Use timing as leverage, not pressure
The best moment to secure a top unit is often:
Just before a formal launch
At quarter-end when targets matter
When a preferred buyer drops out
Patience combined with readiness beats urgency every time.
8. Reserve after clarity, not excitement
Once you reserve, leverage drops.
Before committing, ensure:
The exact unit is locked
Specifications are written and fixed
Service charges are understood
Completion timelines are realistic
Confidence comes from clarity, not adrenaline.
9. Think like the next buyer
Ask yourself one ruthless question:
Why would someone choose this unit over the others when I sell?
If the answer is obvious — light, layout, aspect, privacy — you’re likely holding one of the best.
Final Perspective
The best unit in a new development is rarely the loudest, the most marketed, or the most hyped. It’s the one that works quietly every day and still makes sense years later.
Buyers who secure those units don’t rush.
They prepare, position themselves early, and move decisively — once.