Buying a property: viewings and checks
The costliest buying mistakes happen between the viewing and the deposit. Use the checklist below at every viewing and check the documents before you pay. If you want to see a specific property or need help with the search, send us an enquiry.
What to check
1. Before the viewing
- Set a total budget: price, fees, taxes and renovation
- Check what the bank will lend before you search
- Pick 2–3 areas and your must-haves
- Ask for area, floor and ownership documents in advance
2. At the viewing
- Damp, cracks and signs of leaks
- Windows, installations and the building's common parts
- Orientation, noise and parking at different times of day
- Whether the real layout matches the floor plan
3. Before the deposit
- Encumbrance certificate from the Registry Agency
- Who the owner is and whether there are co-owners or heirs
- For new builds: stage of construction (Act 14, 15, 16)
- A written preliminary contract with clear terms and dates
Read in detail
- Viewing a flat: a practical checklist for buyersA structured viewing saves later surprises — here is what to focus on before you make a decision.
- Buying a flat in Sofia: checks before paying a depositBefore paying any sum to reserve a property, check ownership, encumbrances and exactly what the contract says about refunding or forfeiting the money.
- Mortgage and down payment: plan the whole budgetThe budget for a mortgage-funded purchase is more than the price of the flat — see what sums you actually need to have ready in advance.
- New-build property: what lies behind ‘Act 16’‘The building has Act 16’ does not automatically mean it can be lawfully occupied — understand the difference between the protocol and the use permit.
- The property market in 2026: how to read the dataNational indices show a general trend, but say nothing specific about your property — here is how to read them sensibly.
Real projects from our portfolio
Next step
Your enquiry goes straight to our team. We will contact you to clarify the details; no automated replies are sent.