Below are my Top 10 tips and hints for purchasing your new condo; little things to look out for when shopping...

What are your tips?

1. Check ceiling heights of the model-suite

Ceiling heights in most condos are 8-feet, 8'6", 9-feet or 10-feet, but their model suites have 16+ foot ceilings to make the suite feel more airy. Often the ceiling is painted black, with lights dropped down to the actual height of the suite-ceiling.

Tip: Ask the sales-agent where the ceiling will start in the suite you are looking at.

2. Model Suites have upgrades

Often the model suite in a sales centre will contain upgrades that are not standard in all suites, such as back-splashes in the kitchen and hardwood flooring throughout. It is important to understand what you are purchasing, and know what extras and upgrades you will have to pay for.

Tip: The model suite will always have a sign indicating what "upgrades" are being shown in that model-suite. Look for this, and understand all the upgrades. Do not fear asking the sales-representative.

3. Know your floorplan, and study it!

Paper floorplans are not easy to walk through. What may appear to be an excellent layout to the lay-eye might be filled with inefficient space, doors that swing into odd locations, and small unusable rooms. A 2-bedroom 520SF suite is in fact very tight!

A well known architect does not mean great layouts!

Tip: Imagine yourself walking through the layout, and actually using the space. A Realtor experienced in pre-construction would be an asset to helping you walk through these layouts. Also, there is a great conversation on this, here: http://www.buzzbuzzhome.com/Forum/default.aspx?g=posts&t=240

4. Ignore furniture printed in paper-floorplans

What size beds and furniture are shown in the layout? You may think that there is room for a queen size bed, but there might be a double in the layout! Often floorplans have "condo-sized" furniture shown in the layout, making it hard to imagine full-sized furniture.

Tip: Imagine the floorplan with no furniture drawn in, and ask for room dimensions.

5. Is the builder reputable?

Tip: Check the TARION website, and see if there are any "chargeable conciliations" against the builder, "homes with claims", and if so how many dollars were paid in claims? Also, talk to previous purchasers.

6. How is the builder's customer service?

Every year JD POWER releases their "New Condominium Builder Customer Satisfaction Study". Check to see where your builder is.

Further, ask for references from their previous clients and don’t be shy to visit some of their recent buildings and ask past clients about their experience.

7. Have everything in writing!

Have you been promised something by the builder? Maybe a parking spot next to an elevator? Get it in writing. Get everything in writing. There are a lot of people involved in the sale of your condo-suite, and it may not be ready for a few years. You might remember a little promise, but there is a good chance that it will be forgotten by the builder.

8. Does the advert look amazing? Do your research...

Check the builders website and the building website. Read their blog to see what they are talking about. Check Twitter and Facebook to see what people are saying about them.

9. Walk the neighbourhood

Amenity maps are often askew and not to scale.

Tip: Make sure you check out the proximity to local amenities in person!

10. An "artists interpretation" is an interpretation from an artist!

Renderings and scale models are great and fun. But, remember.. they are an "artists interpretation". The end product

GREAT tips Matthew!

one MAJOR tip with pre-construction - plan your life with a plan B. Most condos are not built on time and with delays - life happens. I worked on a new construction project a few years back which was delayed twice and in the end was delivered around 6 years later. At the registration party at the condo it seemed like there were far too many owners with babies - well, life happened. People went on with their lives as they waited for their condo to be ready - so plan ahead - is a 520 sq ft condo going to be ideal for you 4 to 5 years down the line?

Yes, i agree with Matthew read up on the builder - its so key! Yes, the building looks fantastic and yes the location is superb but some builders have the reputation of building cookie cutter condos with very low budget finishes and that could make or break your home ownership experience! so know your builders - most builders are now moving onto blogs etc but some still aren't - so do your research. Visit their other properties. Some builders change their names when they work on the next project if something traumatic happened with their last building - so it may be tricky to find out. That's where a realtor can help you out.

Customer service is also key. Some builders are not known to provide good customer service after you sign the papers. And this matters when you come down to choose your colours and move in. It has to be a smooth transition from the moment you sign till you receive your keys.

And i agree with the room dimensions - the marketing plans or the ones attached to your agreement of purchase and sale don't necessarily have all the room dimensions - demand those! you NEED to know exactly what you are signing up for. And i have heard horror stories where room dimensions have been changed after construction so you need to make certain you have what you signed up for in your records.

you have 10 days to think about it - recision period or cooling off period. Use the time to do ALL your research - don't get caught up in the hype of VIP sales etc. - make sure this purchase is the right one for YOU! Walk around the property - sometimes the sales centre is located in a nice location than the actual site itself - check it out.

MK