What should you pay attention to when buying an apartment or house in Europe?

Editorial team: authors' team

If you are in the process of choosing an apartment or a house, it's important to pay serious attention to your initial emotions. Imagine walking into a space where everything looks perfect: cleanliness, order, and a stylish interior create the illusion of an ideal home that you can move into immediately. However, there are several critically important nuances that you should pay special attention to in order to avoid unforeseen financial costs and disappointment in your decision.

Problem with mold

Let's start the conversation with a problem like mold. Inspect your floors and ceilings, especially in corners and where surfaces join. If mold or moisture is found, it can be a signal that there are serious problems in that room. It is not uncommon for mold to occur due to prolonged inactivity of the apartment when it has not been ventilated. In some situations, simple cleaning and ventilation can solve the problem and it will disappear as soon as the apartment is used.

Nevertheless, mold often indicates deeper issues that could lead to significant costs in the future. Let's consider an example:

• Our subject in one of the photos is a new house in Switzerland, built in 2013, where there have been no residents before.
• We notice damp spots, which indicates a breach in the waterproofing.

Solving mold problems

To resolve this issue, complex work will be required, including digging into the walls, as the wall is embedded in the terrain and is completely underground. If problems arise externally, they are easier to fix: in this case, there will be no need to dig, but it will be necessary to dismantle the plaster and insulation, open the wall, restore the waterproofing, and then reinstall the insulation and carry out finishing work. All of this will not be cheap, and in our case, the costs for the work may amount to about19,000 francsApproximately18,000 euros).

Various cases of mold

It is important to note that mold, like the one pictured here, is not always a serious threat. It shows a renovated villa that has recently completed a major renovation. We insulated the walls, installed heating radiators and organized ventilation, which completely changed the climate in the house. Some time after the heating was turned on, condensation appeared on the walls, caused by a sharp temperature difference. One cleaning helped to eliminate this problem, and subsequently mold did not return.

On the other hand, another photo shows mold that has arisen due to increased humidity, and simple cleaning won't help, as it will reappear. Addressing such an issue will require more thorough intervention, including the installation of a dehumidifier or a ventilation system. However, even in this case, one should not rule out the possibility of hidden waterproofing problems that may require your attention.

General recommendations

In addition to mold, it is important to pay attention to many other aspects:

• Condition of the heating system
• Quality of windows
• Pipe condition
• Various technical details

All of this can significantly impact your comfort and financial expenses in the future, so it's worth carefully inspecting every detail before finalizing the deal. By taking the time and effort to make a thoughtful choice, you can avoid many troubles and disappointments down the line.

Underfloor heating in Europe

In a number of European countries, such as Italy and Switzerland, underfloor heating has become the primary method of heating spaces. Modern standards confirm that this method is quite effective for maintaining a comfortable temperature at home. According to established regulations, indoor temperatures in winter should not exceed 20°C with an allowable tolerance of 2°C, while the optimal temperature in bedrooms is around 18°C.

Adaptation to winter cold

What does this mean for the residents of these countries? You may have to adapt to the winter cold in sweaters and shoes, which is typical of the local culture. Getting used to this lifestyle may not be easy and will take some time.

In European homes, it's unusual to see people taking off their shoes when they come in from outside, and many prefer to dress warmly even in their own space.

Traditions in Russia

In contrast, in Russia there is a deep-rooted tradition of staying at home in light clothing and without shoes, as the temperature in living areas usually hovers around 24°C and sometimes reaches 25-26°C. To maintain such a comfortable climate, it is necessary to install radiators.

A simple floor heating system is not enough to heat a private house; although such a system may work more efficiently in an apartment, especially in private houses, its capabilities may not be enough.

An example with a villa in Switzerland

If your house or apartment has good thermal insulation, then a warm floor may be able to provide a comfortable temperature level, reaching 21-22°C. Let's consider the example of a villa in Switzerland, which was sold with only a floor heating system and one thermostat installed. However, we had to modify the system and install additional radiators.

I won't specify the costs of such changes, as this is a separate topic for discussion related to major renovations or new constructions. The main purpose of my message is to warn you about potential difficulties related to insufficient heating, which can be an unpleasant surprise when moving in.

Please pay attention to the thermostats.

Pay attention to the number of thermostats installed in your apartment. Often you will find that only one device is installed, which forces you to maintain a single temperature throughout the house, preventing you from dividing the space into zones with different heating needs.

This causes certain inconveniences, especially in bathrooms where more heat is needed, and it's not possible to change the settings. Moreover, if the apartment has different types of flooring, such as tiles and parquet, each will require its own temperature; otherwise, the tiles will always remain cold.

Electricity accounting

Additionally, it is important to pay attention to the amount of electricity available for your home. In some cases, it may be impossible to increase the capacity originally planned for your apartment or house, and you may not have enough available kilowatts for all your needs. This is critically important to consider during the design phase to avoid potential issues later on.

Energy passport in Italy and Switzerland

In Italy and Switzerland there is a system called "sarta energetica", which can be translated as "energy passport". This document offers information on how to efficiently use the kilowatts of electricity allocated to you.

An example with a villa in Switzerland

Let's consider the case of a villa in Switzerland, with an area of about 260 square meters, for which 27 kilowatts are allocated. This amount seems sufficient to ensure the normal functioning of all systems. However, the 2 kilowatts designated for air conditioning do not provide the necessary power — this is only enough to operate one outdoor unit for 1-2 split systems. At the same time, a central air conditioner requires at least 5 kilowatts to function properly, which means that the owner will only be able to maintain a comfortable climate in two rooms.

Alternative solutions for air conditioning

We were able to offer an alternative solution — the installation of a ventilation system with cooling functionality.

Water heaters in residential spaces

In some houses, water heaters are installed to heat water and distribute it throughout all rooms. The pipeline connecting the water heater to various points ensures a constant circulation of liquid, allowing users to access hot water at any time.

Ring system

When using a ring system, you don't have to wait long: just open the tap, and hot water will flow immediately. In contrast, a linear system connects the boiler directly to the tap, and in this case, the user has to wait a bit for the hot water to reach the point of use. For example, the distance from a boiler installed in the garage to a tap on the second floor can make you wait up to 20 seconds.

In the image below, you can see examples of such a water supply scheme in a villa located near the picturesque Lake Como in Italy. This is very important to consider for those who are planning to build a new home or a major renovation of an existing one.

Modernization of the water supply system

Modernizing the water supply system in already constructed buildings can require significant costs and may sometimes be impossible. However, if there is an opportunity to build from scratch or carry out a major renovation, I strongly recommend discussing the implementation of a ring system with your engineer. Please note that not all plumbers will actively suggest this option, as some may not be aware of modern solutions. This requires special attention.

Checking the water flow

Additionally, I want to suggest conducting timely checks of the water flow. If you turn on the tap and the flow is weak, it may indicate problems in the circulation system. It's also important to pay attention to the condition of the windows:

• They should open without difficulty;
• To be in good working condition;
• To avoid distortions.

Inspection of the electrical panel

The inspection of the electrical panel should not be overlooked either. If it looks outdated, there is a high likelihood that you will need to upgrade the electrical supply in your home, as modern standards and technologies are constantly evolving.

Condition of walls and foundations

The condition of the walls and foundation is one of the main factors to pay attention to. When buying a property, it's important to carefully inspect them for cracks. Vertical cracks should be taken particularly seriously, as they may indicate significant issues. Although horizontal cracks are less critical, they should not be ignored either.

I don't intend to delve into a detailed analysis of all types of cracks and their consequences, but it's important to understand: if you notice such defects, especially vertical ones, be sure to consult a specialist before making a purchase. Investing in professional services will pay off in the long run.

This warning is especially relevant for those considering the purchase of historical villas or houses older than 60 years, although risks can also exist in modern buildings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, let me introduce myself. My name is Nikita Kasyanov, and I am an architect as well as one of the founders of the architectural bureau Archventil. We have been involved in design and construction in countries such as Italy, Switzerland, France, and the United Kingdom for six years, and our experience in the Russian market exceeds ten years.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I want to emphasize that buying real estate is an important and serious step that should be approached with full responsibility and attention to detail. At first glance, ideal conditions may hide serious problems—from mold to lack of heating and electricity. I hope the tips provided in the article will help you avoid the common pitfalls that many buyers face.

Key aspects when buying real estate

• Condition of the premises:You should carefully inspect the walls, floors and ceilings for signs of dampness and mold, as their presence can signal serious structural defects.
• Heating system:Know that good living conditions in your new home during the winter depend directly on the proper adjustment of the heating system. Sometimes you may need additional radiators to achieve the necessary warmth.
• Electricity:Make sure you have enough dedicated power to avoid unpleasant surprises in the future.

Buying real estate is not just a matter of comfort and coziness, but also an important financial step. I recommend that you carefully analyze all aspects, think through every detail, and not be afraid to ask questions. It's always better to get detailed information at the purchasing stage than to face significant expenses later on. Be attentive and wise in your choice, and your new home will become the true haven you've always dreamed of.