Buyer's Guide • 2026
Buyer's Guide • 2026
Aktualizacja: 21.12.2025 • Czas czytania: ~10–12 min
Buying a flat is one of those decisions where a single signature can cost you years of stress. This guide is for you if you want to buy safely: at a good price, with a well-calculated loan and without any ‘minuses’ in the documents.
Table of contents
- The buyer's budget: how much does the purchase really cost?
- Loans: how to prepare so you don't miss out on an opportunity
- How to read an advertisement and not be fooled by ‘pretty pictures’
- Legal status: what to check before signing a contract
- Negotiations: price is not everything
- Deposit, advance payment, preliminary agreement — differences
- FAQ
Would you like us to review the offer before signing?
Send us a link to the advertisement + location + budget. We will tell you what to look out for, what to negotiate and what documents to ask the seller for.
Contact View offers Mortgage loan
1) Buyer's budget: how much does the purchase really cost?
The price of the flat is just the beginning. Before you start viewing, calculate:
- notary and court fees,
- loan costs (commission, bank valuation, insurance),
- renovation/finishing + safety reserve,
- fixed costs: rent, heating, renovation fund.
Tip: set your budget so that you have room for negotiation and quick decisions (opportunities disappear in days, not weeks).
2) Credit: how to prepare yourself so you don't miss out on opportunities
The most common mistake buyers make: searching for a flat without verified creditworthiness. The result? You find a great deal, but then it turns out that the formalities are taking time and the seller chooses someone who can pay cash.
- Calculate the capacity (and the ‘instalment + 10–15%’ scenario).
- Prepare a list of documents for the bank.
- Set a maximum time limit for credit decisions.
If you want to take it easy: mortgage information.
3) Announcement: what is important and what is ‘marketing’
A good advertisement should clearly state: floor space, layout, floor, exposure, fixed costs, legal status, and date of delivery. If there are only superlatives and no specifics, ask for more information.
- ‘Close to the centre’ — how many minutes in reality?
- ‘After renovation’ — what was done and when?
- ‘No rent’ — what are the actual monthly charges?
4) Legal status: what to check before signing a contract
- land register: owner, mortgages, claims, easements,
- basis of acquisition (inheritance/donation/contract),
- whether someone is registered and under what conditions,
- arrears in payments (community/cooperative/utilities).
5) Negotiations: price is not everything
You can also negotiate:
- release date,
- what remains in the flat (appliances, fixtures),
- repairs before release,
- security provisions in the agreement.
6) Deposit, advance payment, preliminary agreement — quick differences
- Deposit — usually motivates both parties (there may be consequences if withdrawn).
- Advance payment — as a rule, it is refundable, but the terms and conditions apply.
- Preliminary agreement — organises the date, price, terms and documents for the deed.
Tip: never sign anything blindly. Every clause should make sense in your scenario (cash/credit/terms).
FAQ
Do I need to have my own contribution?
It depends on the bank's offer and your situation. It is safest to calculate the option with a deposit and reserve.
Is it worth buying a flat to renovate?
It is worthwhile if you realistically calculate the costs and time, and the purchase price allows for renovation.
Want to find a flat faster?
Write what you are looking for (city, size, budget). We will send you suitable proposals.
