Things to Consider Before Buying an Apartment in Nepal

Buying an apartment is exciting, but it's also a big decision. Before you sign any papers, you should think carefully about what matters to you. Let me walk you through the things you need to consider. 1. Location, Location, Location Where the apartment is located might be the most important decision. Think about your daily life. How far is it from your office? Can you reach your kids' school easily? Is there a hospital nearby? Are there shops and restaurants around? An apartment in a great location will always be easier to sell or rent out later. Even if you love the apartment itself, if it's in an inconvenient location, you'll regret it every single day. Also think about the future. Is the area developing? Are new roads being built? Will the neighborhood become more valuable, or will it stay the same? Areas like Naxal and Chabahil in Kathmandu are developing quickly, which makes them good choices for the future. Visit the neighborhood at different times of the day. Walk around. See how it feels. Talk to people living there. Do they seem happy? This matters more than you think. 2. The Building and Its Condition Don't just look at your apartment—look at the entire building. Walk around it. Check the stairs, corridors, and common areas. Are they clean and well-maintained? Is the building old and falling apart, or is it new and well-built? Ask yourself: How old is the building? Older buildings might have more maintenance problems Is the structure solid? Are there cracks in the walls? Any signs of water damage? Are there enough parking spaces? Do you have room for your car? How is the water supply? In Kathmandu, water is important. Does the building have good water supply and storage tanks? What about electricity? Does the building have good backup power? Load-shedding (power cuts) still happen, so a backup system is important Check during monsoon season if you can. This is when problems like leaks and dampness become obvious. 3. The Size and Layout Think about how you actually live. Do you work from home? Do you have kids? Do you have guests often? Do you like cooking elaborate meals? Do you need a study room or office space? The apartment should fit your lifestyle. A beautiful apartment that's too small or has a weird layout will frustrate you every day. Walk through the apartment and imagine your daily life there. Can you see yourself being happy and comfortable? If something feels off, it probably is. 4. Who Owns the Building? This is important but many people ignore it. Who is the developer or builder? Are they reliable? Have they completed other projects successfully? A good developer will make sure: The building is well-constructed Legal papers are correct Any promised facilities actually exist The management is professional Ask around. Talk to people who bought apartments in other buildings by the same developer. What was their experience? Did the developer deliver on promises? If the building is very old, find out who currently manages it. A good management system keeps the building running smoothly and properties valuable. 5. Legal and Ownership Papers This might sound boring, but it's super important. Make sure: The person selling the apartment actually owns it All papers are correct and official There are no legal problems or disputes The property was registered properly This is where a lawyer helps you. Yes, it costs money, but it protects you from serious problems. Don't skip this step. 6. The Amenities (Facilities) Modern apartment buildings often promise amenities like a gym, swimming pool, community center, children's play area, etc. Ask yourself: Which amenities are actually important to you? Does the building actually have these amenities working? Who maintains them? Do you have to pay extra to use them? Sometimes buildings promise amazing facilities but they're poorly maintained or rarely used. Ask people living there what they think about the amenities. 7. Maintenance Charges After you buy the apartment, you'll have to pay monthly maintenance charges. These cover the cost of keeping the building running, maintaining common areas, paying staff, etc. Ask: How much is the monthly maintenance charge? Is it fixed, or does it increase every year? What does it cover? How much have these charges increased in the past 5 years? A building with very low maintenance charges might be hiding problems. A building with rapidly increasing charges might be poorly managed. Find a balance. 8. The Price Of course, price matters. But don't just look at the price per square meter. Look at the total price. Can you afford it with your savings and a bank loan? Also compare: What are similar apartments selling for in the same area? Why is this apartment more or less expensive than others? Is the extra cost worth it for better location or new construction? Sometimes you're paying extra for a brand new building. Sometimes an older building in the same area is much cheaper but still good quality. Think about whether the extra cost is worth it for you. 9. Who Are Your Neighbors? You'll be living near these people, so the type of neighborhood matters. Is it mostly young professionals? Families? Elderly people? Mix of everyone? Think about: Will you feel comfortable living here? Are the neighbors friendly? Is the atmosphere calm and peaceful, or noisy? Do you share similar values with neighbors? You don't need to be best friends with everyone, but you should feel comfortable and safe. 10. Resale Value Even if you plan to live in this apartment forever, think about resale value. Will this apartment be easy to sell if you need to move later? Good resale potential means: Prime location Good building condition Reasonable price (not overpriced) Popular neighborhood Good amenities Avoid apartments: In areas that aren't developing In poorly maintained buildings That seem overpriced compared to similar apartments In very remote locations 11. Future Development What's happening around the apartment? Are there new roads coming? Will a metro pass nearby? Will new businesses open up? Buying in an area that's about to develop can be smart—your property will increase in value. But make sure the development will actually happen. Check with local authorities. Is there a plan? When will it happen? 12. Your Gut Feeling After thinking about all these practical things, trust your gut feeling. Does the apartment feel right? Can you imagine being happy there? Sometimes an apartment checks all the boxes on paper, but something about it just doesn't feel right. Pay attention to that feeling. You're going to spend a lot of time in this space—it should make you feel good. Before You Decide Make a simple list: Must-haves (things you absolutely need) Nice-to-haves (things that would be good but you can live without) Deal-breakers (things that would make you say no) Use this list to compare apartments. This helps you make a clear decision instead of getting confused by emotions. Visit the apartment multiple times. Visit at different times of day. Bring family or friends and get their opinions. Sleep on your decision—don't rush into it. The Bottom Line Buying an apartment is a big decision, but if you think about these 12 things carefully, you'll make a smart choice. The best apartment for you isn't always the biggest or most expensive—it's the one that fits your life, your budget, and your dreams. Take your time. Ask questions. Get professional help. And when you finally find the right apartment, you'll know it. That feeling of rightness is what you're looking for.