Questions to Ask Before Buying Off Plan
Questions to Ask Before Buying Off Plan
Buying off plan is one of the most misunderstood decisions in property. You are committing to something that does not yet exist, based on drawings, projections, and promises. This is not inherently risky, but it demands sharper questions than buying a completed home.
Well informed buyers do not ask more questions. They ask better questions.
Here are the ones that truly matter.
When Is Completion Realistically Expected
Completion dates are estimates, not guarantees.
Ask
What is the projected completion window
What delays have occurred on similar projects
What contractual protections exist for delays
Whether compensation mechanisms apply
Time uncertainty directly affects financial planning.
What Exactly Am I Paying For
The price rarely tells the whole story.
Clarify
Stamp duty implications
Service charges
Ground rent if applicable
Parking or storage costs
Upgrade pricing
Utility and running cost expectations
Total cost determines real affordability.
How Does the Pricing Compare With Resale Stock
Off plan prices often include future optimism.
Compare against
Nearby completed flats
Recent resale transactions
Price per square foot realities
Ask what justifies any premium beyond location and quality.
What Incentives Are Included and Why
Incentives are rarely random.
Ask
Which incentives are available
Whether they are time limited
If they affect valuation outcomes
Whether pricing already reflects them
Value should exist with or without incentives.
What Makes This Unit Better Than Others
Not all units perform equally.
Question
Aspect and natural light
Floor level
View protection
Noise exposure
Layout efficiency
Proximity to lifts or plant rooms
Position within a building shapes resale behaviour.
Can I See the Exact Floor Plan and Dimensions
Brochure layouts are often idealised.
Confirm
Internal area measurements
Ceiling heights
Window placement
Storage provisions
Furniture feasibility
Design flaws cannot be corrected easily later.
What Are the Service Charge Projections Based On
Service charges can rise significantly.
Ask
What is included
Which amenities drive costs
How comparable buildings perform
Whether major expenses are anticipated
Running costs influence liquidity and resale appeal.
What Is the Developer’s Delivery History
Developer reputation is critical.
Investigate
Previous schemes
Build quality consistency
Completion reliability
Post completion issues
Resale performance of past projects
Past behaviour predicts future experience.
What Happens If Market Conditions Change
Markets rarely move in straight lines.
Ask
How valuation risks are handled
Whether contract flexibility exists
Deposit exposure scenarios
Mortgage approval dependencies
Financial resilience matters more than optimism.
How Many Similar Units Exist
Supply affects future value.
Understand
Total unit count
Number of comparable flats
Future competing developments
Uniqueness of your chosen unit
Scarcity supports pricing strength.
What Legal Commitments Trigger at Exchange
Off plan purchases involve staged commitments.
Clarify
Deposit structure
Exchange timelines
Refund conditions
Assignment restrictions
Completion obligations
Small misunderstandings create large problems.
What Protections Exist for Specification Changes
Specifications sometimes evolve.
Ask
Whether layouts can change
What tolerance limits apply
Your rights if materials differ
How disputes are resolved
Visualising the finished product requires certainty.
What Will Resale Buyers Care About
Think beyond purchase excitement.
Consider
Layout practicality
Light quality
Service charges
Location desirability
Transport and amenities
Competing supply
Future demand determines long term value.
Final Thought
Buying off plan is not about trusting the developer or the brochure. It is about reducing uncertainty through disciplined questioning.
Every unanswered question becomes a future assumption.
Every assumption carries risk.
The smartest buyers approach off plan purchases like investments rather than attractions.
Clarity compounds.
So does regret.