1️⃣ The Ground Floor Tells the Truth

When you enter the building, observe:

• Is it clean?

• Is it properly lit?

• Are there visible damages?

• Is there a smell of humidity?

The entrance is the mirror of management quality.

If it feels neglected,
do not expect the rest of the building to function well.

As discussed in
“The Importance of First Impression: What the Ground Floor Reveals”,
first signals are rarely accidental.

2️⃣ The Common Expenses Ledger Speaks

Ask to review:

• Outstanding debts

• Historical balances

• Extraordinary contributions

If you notice:

• systematic delays

• significant unpaid fees

• long-standing conflicts between owners

then the building has a culture problem.

And culture does not change easily.

3️⃣ The Composition of Residents

Discreetly find out:

• How many units are owner-occupied?

• How many are rented?

• Are there short-term rentals?

A building that is 80% rental
has a different long-term dynamic
than one with 80% owner occupancy.

Stability affects:

• maintenance decisions

• capital improvements

• long-term value preservation

4️⃣ Infrastructure Never Lies

Check:

• Elevator condition and age

• Electrical panels

• Basement (moisture, leaks)

• Roof insulation

If a 30–40-year-old building has not undergone major maintenance,
the bill will eventually arrive.

And usually sooner than expected.

5️⃣ The Energy Behavior of the Building

It is not enough for the apartment to be renovated.

If:

• the building has thermal losses

• the windows are outdated

• there is no external insulation

the living experience — and operating cost — suffer.

As analyzed in
“New Build vs Old Property: What You Really Pay Over Time”,
the structure of the building determines long-term cost efficiency.

6️⃣ The “Mentality” Factor

This cannot be measured on paper.

But it shows:

• On notice boards

• In small damages left unrepaired

• In common area cleanliness

• In how residents interact

A building functions at the level of its weakest link.

If chronic neglect exists,
value erosion is slow — but persistent.

7️⃣ Year of Construction Matters

Buildings from:

• 1960–1980 → different seismic standards

• 1980–2000 → transitional construction era

• Post-2010 → modern specifications

This is not only about age.

It is about:

• seismic codes

• concrete quality

• mechanical and electrical standards

The Big Mistake

Falling in love with the apartment
and ignoring the building.

Over a 10–20 year horizon,
the building impacts value more than the interior layout.

Conclusion

Before buying, ask:

• Does the building function properly?

• Is there financial discipline?

• Is there a culture of maintenance?

• Would I feel comfortable here for 15 years?

Because you are not buying square meters.

You are buying infrastructure, community, and behavior.

The Role of Poli Real Estate

At Poli Real Estate, properties are evaluated not only at the unit level, but at the building level.

Because a good apartment inside a problematic building
is not a good investment.

Want a professional building evaluation before you commit?

Contact Poli Real Estate for a pre-purchase building assessment.