How to avoid the "Dolinskaya effect" when buying an apartment?
An expert mentioned a way to avoid some kind of "Dolina effect" when buying an apartment. What is that exactly? What should I pay attention to if I'm planning to buy a place?
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Here's a nuance that people often miss: you absolutely need to visit the apartment at different times of day and on different days of the week. During the day there might be noise from neighbors upstairs, in the evening you hear shouting from the street, and at night bass from music in the neighboring apartment. Same goes for natural light - what looks like a bright room with open curtains during the day might turn out to be half-dark in reality if the windows face north or are blocked by neighboring buildings.
It's also important to see the apartment in its normal condition, without all the bells and whistles. Ask the owner not to do a deep clean, not to turn on all the lights, and not to air it out an hour before you arrive - take a look at the actual smells, how dark it really is, the state of the walls under the posters. Also inspect the corners, ceilings, baseboards, and check for dampness and mold. Everything might look great visually, but then you find out the radiators take up half the room, the ventilation doesn't work, or there's a hidden moisture problem.
The main thing is don't buy an apartment based solely on a visual inspection and pretty interior, especially if the property has been specially prepared for showing! That's the whole point of this "effect" - a beautifully decorated apartment can hide serious problems with utilities, walls and foundation condition, moisture. A fancy renovation can mask literally everything, and you'll end up buying a pig in a poke loaded with hidden defects.
Be sure to get an independent inspection before buying! Hire a specialist who will check the electrical system, plumbing, heating, condition of load-bearing structures, signs of mold, dampness and cracks. Ask to view the apartment at least several times - come at different times of day to assess natural lighting, soundproofing, and how active the neighbors are. Don't hesitate to open cabinets, peek behind radiators, check if the plumbing works properly.
Study all the apartment's documentation - plans, inspection reports, renovation history. Talk to the neighbors, ask about problems in the building. And most importantly - don't rush! If a realtor is pushing for speed, that's a sign you definitely shouldn't hurry. A calm analysis of all the factors will protect you from a very costly mistake.
When I was looking for a place to live, I noticed that during showings they often turn on all the lights, open the curtains, and even make coffee - they create a really cozy atmosphere. Then you come back another day in normal light and realize the apartment is gloomier and more cramped than it seemed. Come view it at different times of day, especially during the day with natural light, and definitely on weekdays - that way you'll see what life in the building is actually like: who your neighbors are, how much noise there is, whether sunlight gets into the rooms or if it's always dim.
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