Little Piece of Heaven : The Fine Tooth Unit Comb

So after I have vet through potentials with my 4 broad criteria, it's time to thin the list further with the finer comb. Some are really close contestant. There was a time where I can't decide between 2 units and had to seek second opinion. And so, much like X Factor, here comes the elimination round.

1. Floor - Carpet, tiles or timber wood. My ideal floor is timber but it is not meant to be for me. My floor is fully carpeted except for wet areas and bathroom of course. It's compromise. Some developments offered upgrade at a price like budget airlines. Tiles are often the most expensive and carpet is the cheapest. Should you need to compromise like me, it's best to ask the agent of any potential restrictions if you want to renovate in the future. If fate is kind, perhaps in a few years I will have enough money to change carpet to timber. For now compromise.
2. Type of appliances. Very important you are staying because if they are not energy efficient, you will pay more electrical bills. Most buildings comes with at least 5 stars energy rating now. Important to ask of the appliances provided e.g. dishwasher, oven..etc..
3. Type of stove - induction (electric) or gas. After the Manhattan gas explosion, having induction might not be so bad after all. I actually prefer a gas stove as it is more cost efficient. However sometimes these things need to be evaluated with other factors such as -is the house predominantly run on electric or is the heating gas?. Sometimes you can get discount if everything is on electricity. My stove is induction. Aunty said it is not too bad, just have to choose induction cookery. FYI I did reject a few other units as they have electric stove.
4. Projected body corp fees (maintenance fees). Most can only give you an indication but there are clues if you know where to look e.g facilities like gym, swimming pool, elevator can grossly inflate your body corp. Mine has nothing but a small green strip around it and projected fees is around $1000p.a. It's the cheapest that I can find.
5. Density. I reject any units that has more than 15 neighbors. The highest that I have encounter is around 70+. More units could mean lower body corp but more headache during body corp meetings.
6. Height of ceiling. Actually I stopped asking after 2nd viewing as most agents either bluff their way through or honestly told you they don't know or it is the standard height that a ceiling should be. You just want to ask this to ensure they don't squeeze the building into Hobbit size.
7. Acoustic rating of walls. Also stopped asking as most don't know or will just said it's the standard building rating. Just want to ensure you don't want to hear your neighbor a little to clearly.
8. Heating and cooling system. Most be reverse cycle. For a small unit, it's sufficient though aunty said if you got the top floor, you could possibly install the evaporator tower and have evaporated cooling instead. More cost efficient. However having the top unit opens up for extreme heat and also cold. I prefer sandwich in the middle.
9. Location of compressor and heating cassettes. If it's on the balcony it means lesser space on balcony. Mine is one compressor on balcony so the 11m sq needs to be shared a bit with the compressor.
10. Any connected facilities. If yes, you might want to check if combine or separate meters. Might sound stupid but Bit's investment unit has a combined water meter. He said every Body Corp meeting also got one Old Biddy that want to contest water bill.
11. Is decking fenced up. This is only if you are getting ground unit. You want privacy.
12. Security features. In this day and age, there surely is some form of security measure such as card tagging etc. Just ask to know what security measures are there.
13. Location of bins area. Especially important if the building incorporates a rubbish chute. One of the higher density units that I was looking at has it. Very important not to get the unit next to it. My bins are located outside the building.
14. Window Glazing . Double glazing is best but not all will get it due to the obvious cost. If you are getting a unit right next to the track, by law double glazing is mandated. So if you are getting a such a unit, do double confirm. There was one unit that I was interested - superior to my current unit in every way except for the location right next to train track. Don't care about the double glazing, had to drop it as I can't stand the constant chuu chuu sound not to mention the air horn.
15. Completion date? The most outstanding feature that put my current unit above all else is it will be ready in June. Lesser risk of developer running away. Completion date is usually 12 - 18 months. Anything more than 24 months I would be vary. Won't even look at it.

See how many hurdles my unit had to go through just to get shortlisted. Every criteria that I have mentioned must not be evaluated separately but as a whole package. Just text is also boring hence a glimpse of my future heaven.

My unit is at the back for more privacy and quiet so can't see it from here. They are now having weekly inspections. I am seriously tempted to turn up every week just to see how my unit is progressing but that will freak the agent out.

Patience and have an egg. It's Easter!