These days CBD apartments are become increasingly more and more popular for home owners, investors and tenants alike.  The question is, what boxes should the apartment tick to make it a good choice for you, now and in the longterm?  What should you look for? What will keep buyers and tenants attracted to the property – now and even in years to come? 

To help choose the best investment for you, here are a few tips we suggest keeping an eye out for when buying an apartment in the CBD arena:

Suitable position

For the vast majority of buyers and tenants, an apartment’s appeal will boil down to location and ease of access to local amenities. Generally the best apartments are within walking distance of quality universities, shops, cafes, recreational facilities and public transport to appeal to the widest market.

“At HSBP we always say to investors, ‘put yourself in the tenant’s shoes… what is it they are looking for in the apartment they will call home?” says Hannah Schuhmann, Principal, HS Brisbane Property.

There are normally three key things quality tenants are looking for here:

The good news is when buying an apartment in the Brisbane CBD, each of those boxes are automatically ticked – something which is simply hard-pushed to find elsewhere, especially the suburbs.  

Know your neighbours

Aim to find an apartment block with a ratio of in access of 20% owner-occupiers. Why? In our experience, blocks with a higher proportion of owner-occupiers are generally better maintained, which overall can equate to greater demand, prospects and overall growth.

Property attributes

1. Appeal - Is the property attractive to lots of different buyer groups?
2.  Light - Look for an apartment that has an abundance of natural light. Any additional opportunity to bring in natural light is a bonus – e.g. a large glass windows, a balcony or sliding door.
3. Services - Check phone coverage, internet connection and services to make sure everything you, or your future tenant, may need is available at the location.

Remember you are not just buying an apartment, but buying into the entire building

1. A holistic view - Inspect the whole building, check out all the common areas, the foyer, site office (if applicable), pools, gym, lounge areas.  Really get a feel for the whole building so you can decide if it is the right place for you to live or invest in, rather than focusing purely on the apartment itself.
2. The bigger picture - Ask for the Community Management statement and Body Corp minutes to learn more about the property and its management and regulations.

Get to know the on-site managers 

Are the on-site managers in the building going to be an asset to your investment?  Will they ensure your property is kept at a high standard and that the property management needs such as finding and retaining good quality tenants are met and carried out in a way you are comfortable with?

So there you have it… that completes our top ‘most wanted’ list for buying a CBD apartment.  Here at HSBP we pride ourselves on finding the very best apartments that the Brisbane CBD has to offer. So if you want help selling your gem or you are on the hunt for something that ticks all the boxes, contact Hannah on 0419 782 133 – we would love to have a chat!