In short: score each project from 1 to 5 on developer, location, product, payment plan and exit. Any project scoring below 3 on any one question drops off the list, however well it scores elsewhere. Then compare the survivors on total cost.
The scorecard
| Question | What to check | Red flags |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Completed projects, on-time handovers, quality of finished buildings, current pipeline | Little delivery history, repeated delays, many projects launched at once |
| Location | Infrastructure in place or committed, competing supply due nearby, end-user demand | Large volumes of similar stock handing over at the same time; reliance on promised but unfunded infrastructure |
| Product | Layout efficiency, usable area, orientation, views, specification, build details | Awkward layouts, large unusable areas, vague specifications |
| Payment plan | Amount due by handover, handover balance, total cost including fees, price per square foot | A generous plan hiding a high price; a large handover balance with no clear funding |
| Exit | Resale conditions before handover, comparable resale and rental evidence, likely tenant profile | Strict resale restrictions, thin comparable evidence, an exit that depends on prices rising |
How to score
- Gather the same information for every project: SPA draft, payment plan, floor plans, specification and handover date.
- Score each question from 1 (weak) to 5 (strong), writing one line of evidence for each score.
- Remove any project with a score below 3 on any question.
- Compare the remaining projects on total cost and on the amount due by handover.
- Decide on the evidence, then visit the show apartment to confirm, not the other way round.
The engineer's questions
From my civil engineering background, these are the questions most buyers do not think to ask:
- Who is the main contractor, and what have they built before?
- Is the quoted area internal, or does it include balconies and walls?
- Which specifications are committed in the contract, and which are "indicative"?
- How far has construction progressed, as reported through official channels?
Want this done for the projects you are considering? Book a consultation and bring your short list.