Some will say that an apartment on the first floor is a very dubious purchase. It is believed that in low-lying rooms it is damp, cold, dangerous and you can constantly hear noise from the street, but many people will not agree with this opinion.
What are the pros and cons buying an apartment on the first floor - let's find out in this article.
What are the disadvantages of an apartment on the first floor
The stereotype about the first floors has been instilled since Soviet times, which is not surprising. In the buildings of the 60s and 80s of the last century, such apartments were considered illiquid, and in new buildings they were used as office premises. Currently, apartments on the first floors cost less than housing located above. Many residents explain this among the disadvantages. Let's note the most common of them.
Noise from the street
Screams of children from the playground, lively conversations of residents on the benches near the entrance — all this brings discomfort and prevents the windows from being fully ventilated. And if they go to a busy highway, then loud music and the sound of the engine running from the cars are added to all the noise. However, despite this drawback, apartments on the first floor can be comfortable, since the noise problem is easily solved due to high-quality double-glazed windows. You can ventilate the rooms at a quiet time, for example, late at night or early in the morning.
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robbers
The room on the first floor is easy to climb into, which attracts petty thieves. Several decades ago, when thinking about whether it is worth buying an apartment on the first floor, you first had to find out if there were bars on the windows. They protected against burglars, but at the same time greatly spoiled the appearance of the window. Today, the situation has changed, as in many cases the owners or the developers themselves order lattices from experienced craftsmen according to a unique project. Therefore, such protection easily turns into a sophisticated design element. In addition, a large selection of anti-impact glass and alarms is currently presented for the organization of the safety of residents.
Dirt and dust
Exhaust from the operation of cars, constant dust on the windows are unpleasant disadvantages of an apartment on the 1st floor, since all this inevitably gets into the room, so you often have to do cleaning. However, you can easily deal with this disadvantage if you install a supply ventilation unit that will clean the incoming air. Some equipment is provided with a cleaner-disinfectant, which additionally destroys all harmful microorganisms.
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Basement
This is a significant minus, which determines the fact why apartments on the first floor are cheaper than others - the basement.
- During six months, the floor can be almost icy, so many homeowners organize floor heating - underfloor heating.
- Unwanted smells, as well as rats, cockroaches or other unwanted "guests" enter the apartment.
Residents of old buildings often face these problems, they are solved by renovating the premises. Before buying an old apartment, you should ask your neighbors if there are any inconveniences due to the basement. However, when deciding whether to buy an apartment on the first floor of a new building, buyers do not think about such a drawback, since all communications are in new condition, and the cleanliness of the basement is usually monitored by the staff of the service company.
Openness of the apartment on the first floor
Studying the pros and cons of an apartment on the first floor, many people do not like its low location — everything that happens in the room can be exposed to neighbors and citizens passing by. You can protect yourself from curiosity with the help of curtains or window film, which creates the effect of visibility from only one side: you can see what is happening outside, but you cannot. By the way, the low location of apartments is observed only in old buildings. In relatively modern buildings, the first floor is located higher than usual.
Extraneous smells
If smokers live in the house, the unpleasant smell and smoke will definitely end up on the first floor. In order not to quarrel with neighbors, the problem can be solved by installing supply ventilation with special filters that clean the air of cigarette smoke.
What are the advantages of an apartment on the first floor
Thinking about whether it is worth taking an apartment on the 1st floor, you must carefully study all the advantages of such an acquisition. One of the significant ones is the cost, which is lower due to the listed disadvantages. Experts also talk about other advantages:
- Quick availability. Parents of small children will especially appreciate this advantage. If the elevator breaks down, carrying the stroller up the stairs is difficult and long. The first floor will also be convenient for the elderly, because it is not necessary to spend a lot of strength to overcome the stairs.
- No neighbors from below. Those who do not know whether to buy an apartment on the 1st floor will like the fact that there is no neighborhood, because there is no need to be afraid of a threatening knock on the door due to the trampling of children at a late hour or a sudden burst sewer pipe.
- The possibility of commercial use of the premises. The first floor is perfect for creating a small shop or an office. To do this, you need to transfer the apartment to a non-residential fund, later it can be rented out for a long time at a high price.
Is it worth taking an apartment on the first floor: how to make a decision?
Considering the pros and cons of an apartment on the 1st floor, many are still inclined to buy such real estate. It can become a source of stable income and, if desired, comfortable housing, bypassing all the disadvantages. In any case, the final decision rests with the buyer. Subscribe to our updates real estate portal and receive the latest publications from the real estate agency THE Capital.