1. Location - accessible to amenities, public transport but safe surrounding also
2.Building management - for security, management of common areas, prudent use of association dues
3. Community - this is important. If condo needs upgrading at maraming kuripot na neighbors, mabubulok nalang ang building, ayaw pa gumastos for maintenance
4. Not too crowded - I've seen condos na pinagsiksikan mga units na parang shoebox size. Horrible if neighbors start using the hallway to put their small chairs/shoe box etc
5. Ratio of lifts to units
6. Units per floor - not more than 5 siguro for privacy
7. Laundry area - there should be a dedicated laundry area for it to be livable and not be like a dorm
Kitchen siguro I can live with a smaller one since I seldom cook, but laundry mahirap walang sampayan. Ang pangit kaya ng condo whereby residents hang their laundry sa balcony (nag balcony pa sila) or sa sala.
I also don't like the idea of having a common laundry area at the roof top.
8. Parking - due to security reasons, for me parking should just be at the basement of the building. Kung baga lift lang ang pagitan ng unit ang parking. Though common in other countries, sa Manila, I don't like the idea of having a separate building for parking area ng mga cars.
Mas maganda talaga kung konti lang yung units per floor para di matraffic or di mahaba ang pila sa elevator pag rush hour. Medyo stressful din maghintay sa elevator pag feeling mo late ka na. Maganda tumira sa high rise building because of the view (if there's one). Ang concern ko ay kung titira ako sa ganung condo ay ayaw ko maghintay ng more than 10 minutes para makasakay sa elevator. It would only add stress to my life if I have to endure that daily.
Queueing to take the lift? That's unacceptable. 10min wait should never happen, or Kung mangyari man, once in 10 years. Grabe naman...
Though I've seen it in offices, huwag naman sa residence. You're only place to relax, ma stress ka pa?
Ni Hindi mo gustuhin bumaba dahil sa lift? Eh alangan naman magkulong ka lang sa unit.
Yung floor level was also my concern. Kasi pag Super taas, paano if there is a fire or emergency. Pag mababa naman, ingay ng kotse/jeep/dogs etc.
I think 8th-15th floor is fine.
Before you buy a condo unit, look around first. Icheck nyo yung mga inooffer ng bawat developer sa area na yun. Para alam nyo yung options nyo kung gusto nyo talaga tumira sa lugar na yun.
This is so true. For me also, I never believed in pre selling. Coz they give you the nicest model units, air conditioned etc. Pero naman.... A Friend of mine had to spend 1m+ just for the flooring, ceiling, basic tiles, cabinets kasi Super bare. Ni flooring yung tipong magaspang na gray.
Choose also the direction, if possible no afternoon sun, kasi mainit. Think where the windows will be facing. Saw one blog post before, She bought pre sell only to find out, when the unit was built, Yung window facing slums area. What a disappointment. May iba worse, facing cemetery pa.
Oh when I bought my unit, I went to the floor I like (built na kasi not pre sell), tested if I can hear the streets pa. if yes, akyat next level higher hanggang sa I'm happy with the 'sound-proofing' 😀
Para sakin there is no point saving 200k-500k in a pre selling kung ayaw ko talaga yung place vs sa Mas expensive pero Mas mahimbing tulog/ stay ko there.