The Times Australia
The Times Real Estate

.
Men's Weekly

.

Downsizing to An Apartment? What to Put on Your Checklist


Downsizing from a home to an apartment offers plenty of upsides to your lifestyle, however, it is no easy task. The challenges of leaving a long-term family home and parting with items that may no longer fit into a smaller residence can be daunting and very emotional. Armed with a checklist and a plan, you can ensure your new apartment is safe and hidden expenses are easily avoided.

Apartment inspection checklist


Whether it is your first apartment purchase or you are entering a retirement phase and looking to relocate to the apartments for rent in Lansing, it is important you don’t take the look of your potential new home at face value. Yes, it may be presented in pristine condition, but there are plenty of ways homeowners can cover up cracks, and stage furniture to disguise flooring instabilities. Here’s how you can avoid a costly mistake.


Book a pre-purchase building inspection


Whilst many consider a pre-purchase inspection unnecessary for an apartment due to its typically smaller size, there are significant benefits to ticking this off your checklist. Regardless of the age of your intended apartment and whether it is part of a strata or body corporate, a building inspection carried out by an independent professional is a must.

A separate strata report will provide you with details of noticeable concerns in relation to the common property and the structure of the building itself. However, an inspection of the apartment may identify issues with the internal area or surroundings that have not been detected or previously reported.


What does an apartment inspection report cover?


When you organise an independent pre-purchase apartment inspection it ought to include all internal areas of your apartment or unit including the immediate exterior also.

Apartment Interior

As with a regular home inspection, your apartment will be inspected in detail, room by room. Any defects or concerns will be documented including the presence of rising damp, cracks in the walls, water pressure concerns, and electrical faults. Let’s not forget the presence of termites that can potentially be located within the walls of a building, even if you are not on ground level.

Apartment Exterior

The immediate exterior of your intended apartment will also be inspected. 


Get to know the complex


It is also recommended to take time to visit the complex yourself at different times of the day to gauge the noise level and regular comings and goings. After all, an apartment building can be smaller than a home so living in close proximity to your neighbours is a significant factor to consider. And if you plan on bringing a companion with you, ensure pets are allowed. We all know how precious it is to have our furry friends by our side.

Whilst you are at it, seek a copy of the most recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) minutes to assess for yourself what has been noted and what concerns, if any, might already have been raised by the residents.

It pays to be vigilant and treat the purchase of your new home, whether it be an apartment or a unit, like you would any new residence. An independent pre-purchase property inspection will give you peace of mind, and depending on what is found, it could even provide you with bargaining power to negotiate a lower price. Put yourself in the driver's seat and organise an inspection before you buy.

Property Times

Choosing the Wrong Agent Is the #1 Regret Among Aussie Property Sellers

Selling your home is often one of the largest financial transactions you’ll make, and for many Australians, it’s also one of the most emotional. A new survey of Australian home sellers has revealed that their number one regret is having not selected...

Vietnam's "Gold Coast" Emerges as Extraordinary Investment Frontier and Australian Inspired Way of Life

$2 Billion super-city in Vung Tau set to replicate Australia's Gold Coast success story A culturally metamorphic development aptly named "Gold Coast" is set to reshape Vietnam's southern coast below Ho Chi Minh City, becoming a major investment...

First Home Buyers in Melbourne: 3 Key Statistics Proving Why Home & Land Packages Are Your Best Bet in 2025

Stepping into the Melbourne property market for the first time can feel like navigating a maze without a map. Prices, deposits, and decisions stack up fast. But here’s the good news: home and land packages are helping first home buyers get ahead in...

Off-the-Plan Sales Launched for $22 Million Ultra-Luxury Project ‘Vellora’ Set to Redefine Luxury Living in Brisbane’s St Lucia

A new standard of architectural distinction and elevated living is taking shape in one of Brisbane’s most coveted riverside suburbs, with off-the-plan sales officially launching for Vellora last night at an exclusive buyers’ event at The Powerh...

Times Magazine

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Science Behind Reverse Osmosis and Why It Matters

What is reverse osmosis? Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that removes contaminants by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane. This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through while blocking impurities such as...

Foodbank Queensland celebrates local hero for National Volunteer Week

Stephen Carey is a bit bananas.   He splits his time between his insurance broker business, caring for his young family, and volunteering for Foodbank Queensland one day a week. He’s even run the Bridge to Brisbane in a banana suit to raise mon...

Senior of the Year Nominations Open

The Allan Labor Government is encouraging all Victorians to recognise the valuable contributions of older members of our community by nominating them for the 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards.  Minister for Ageing Ingrid Stitt today annou...

CNC Machining Meets Stage Design - Black Swan State Theatre Company & Tommotek

When artistry meets precision engineering, incredible things happen. That’s exactly what unfolded when Tommotek worked alongside the Black Swan State Theatre Company on several of their innovative stage productions. With tight deadlines and intrica...

Uniden Baby Video Monitor Review

Uniden has released another award-winning product as part of their ‘Baby Watch’ series. The BW4501 Baby Monitor is an easy to use camera for keeping eyes and ears on your little one. The camera is easy to set up and can be mounted to the wall or a...

The Times Features

Running Across Australia: What Really Holds the Body Together?

How William Goodge’s 3,800km run reveals the connection between movement, mindset, and mental resilience As a business owner, I’ve come to realise that the biggest wins rarely com...

Telehealth is Transforming Healthcare Services in Australia

It has traditionally not been easy to access timely healthcare in Australia, particularly for people who live in remote areas. Many of them spend hours on the road just to see a...

Launchd Acquires Huume, Strengthening Creative Firepower Across Talent-Led Marketing

Launchd, a leader in talent, technology and brand partnerships, has announced its acquisition of influencer talent management agency Huume from IZEA. The move comes as the medi...

Vietnam's "Gold Coast" Emerges as Extraordinary Investment Frontier and Australian Inspired Way of Life

$2 Billion super-city in Vung Tau set to replicate Australia's Gold Coast success story A culturally metamorphic development aptly named "Gold Coast" is set to reshape Vietna...

Choosing the Wrong Agent Is the #1 Regret Among Aussie Property Sellers

Selling your home is often one of the largest financial transactions you’ll make, and for many Australians, it’s also one of the most emotional. A new survey of Australian home se...

Travel Insurance for Families: What Does it Cover and Why it’s Essential

Planning a family trip is exciting, but unexpected mishaps can turn your dream vacation into a stressful ordeal. That’s where travel insurance comes in—it’s your safety net when ...