At a time when houses are deemed unaffordable by many Australians, apartments offer better value for your money. However, choosing one might not be an easy job, especially if you are a newbie to the property market.

To help you in your quest of finding the apartment that is right for you, Real Estate Institute of Australia president Neville Sanders advises buyers to make a list of must-have features in their future apartment. Aside from that, he also notes that getting a good lawyer is vital.

"Get a solicitor to look at the plan of subdivision and contracts to ascertain what you own individually, what you own collectively, what communal facilities you have access to, and what fees you are responsible for," says Sanders.

Meanwhile, CBRE chairman of Residential Projects Justin Brown says buyers should also review the project developer's track record, checking for their quality and performance. It is also important to make sure that the project has actually been approved.

When it comes to aesthetics, National Property Buyers director Antony Bucello tells his clients that size and natural light matter. "It needs to be big enough and have the right number of bedrooms to suit the number of people who will live in it," he says. "Choose an apartment that faces north for the best sun."

To better protect your investment, national spokesperson for Mortgage Choice Jessica Darnbrough says that buyers should steer clear of small apartments because they are risky investments. It is also important to avoid developments close to hazards. It also pays to compare a variety of loans, "to see which one best suits your circumstances."

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