IT-specialists are ready to invest in housing: who, where, how much, and how to avoid getting into trouble? Checklist for checking developers

As dev.ua found out, there are a lot of IT professionals ready to invest in residential real estate these days. We found out which properties IT professionals are ready to invest in, and compiled a detailed checklist that will help those considering buying new housing in the capital and Kyiv region avoid buying a pig in a poke. We also asked experts from the developer Intergal-Bud, which, according to NV and LUN, is the most dynamic developer in Kyiv and the capital region, to talk about the currently available options for new housing.

What do the IT people want?

According to a survey conducted by dev.ua among IT professionals, 80% of those surveyed plan to invest in real estate, and 13,3% are already investors.

At the same time, the determining factors for choosing an investment object are the location of the building and the reliability of the developer.

Most professionals are interested in residential properties. Interest in investing in commercial real estate is much lower.

IT-specisalists are willing to invest relatively small amounts in real estate these days. That is, buying housing on installments from a developer is an interesting option for many.

Regarding the purpose of the investment, a significant proportion of respondents assume that, in addition to living in the apartment, they will probably rent it out, receiving passive income.

At the same time, potential investors are mainly considering investing in real estate in Ukraine, while interest in properties abroad is determined solely by investment conditions.

Among the biggest risks that potential investors in housing see are problems with documents, stopping construction, being misled by the developer, unprofitable investment, or choosing an unreliable developer.

Dream apartment: how not to be disappointed

According to analysts at Intergal-Bud, housing is most often purchased by male IT specialists aged 24–38. And the greatest demand is for three-room apartments costing $60,000–80,000.

It’s no secret that when choosing housing, you need to understand a lot of nuances that need to be checked before making a deal. dev.ua talked to an expert on commissioning finished housing in a new complex so that living here is as comfortable as possible and without unpleasant surprises. We have created a detailed checklist that will help the buyer avoid unpleasant surprises.

Features of the house design

Kateryna Kozlovska, chief architect of Intergal-Bud, assures that most new houses are currently built using monolithic-frame technology. She assumes that the main load of the building is borne by the concrete frame — vertical columns and horizontal floor slabs. The walls perform mainly a protective, not a load-bearing function, so they may visually look thin.

«That is why it is not so much the size or thickness of the walls that is important, but the strength and reliability of the frame itself,» Kateryna convinces.

This, she says, opens up a number of advantages:

• Flexibility in planning. Apartments can be designed with convenient zoning without the rigid restrictions inherent in brick buildings.
• Modern architecture. Thanks to this design, it is possible to install larger panoramic windows, better insulation, and comfortable natural lighting.
• Strength and safety. The reinforced concrete frame ensures earthquake resistance and durability of the structure.
• Comfort. Energy efficiency and sound insulation are achieved not by the thickness of the brick, but thanks to technologies: insulation, proper selection of materials.

Soundproofing in comfort and business class homes: how is it implemented?

High-quality soundproofing is a key element of comfort in modern housing, especially in the comfort and business class segments. To achieve it, solutions are used at several levels, says Kateryna.

Design solutions:

• Inter-apartment walls: are built of heavy materials (brick, ceramic block) with a thickness of 250–380 mm — this provides high sound insulation.
• Soundproofing inserts: at the joints of walls and ceilings to minimize the transmission of structure-borne noise.
• Floating screed: A layer of polystyrene foam or similar material under the screed prevents the spread of impact noise between floors.

Engineering solutions. Insulation of communications: pipes, ventilation ducts, risers are placed in special shafts or niches with noise-absorbing finishing.

Individual solutions for residents. Additional measures: after moving in, residents can improve sound insulation by installing acoustic panels, partitions, suspended ceilings with a soundproofing layer, etc.

Sewerage, drainage, water supply

Vyacheslav Lisovol, head of the engineering department at Intergal-Bud, says that developers of new residential complexes usually build networks and finance the modernization of infrastructure (collectors, substations, etc.) on their own, compensating for the lack of funds in local budgets. «Connection is carried out according to clearly calculated technical conditions without harming existing subscribers,» he assures. However, the expert does not hide the fact that sometimes problems arise with the connection.

Before commissioning, developers carry out commissioning work and system testing. In particular, explains Vyacheslav, pipes are pressure tested for tightness, heating and pumping equipment are checked, all systems are checked by the general contractor and specialized contractors before the building is put into operation.

Electricity and heating

The electricity networks that supply homes must be transferred to the balance of DTEK or other power system operators. «But full transfer is possible only after all technical conditions are met. Partial transfer is possible in stages, if this is provided for by the project documentation, technical conditions and connection agreements,» notes Lisovol. However, this point should be kept under control.

If the networks are not transferred to the operator, then residents, says the expert, pay for the consumed resources at the residential tariff.

Vyacheslav also said that there have been cases of delaying the transfer of networks in order to make a profit. «This practice existed when commercial tariffs were applied due to non-fulfillment of technical conditions. Now it is legally stipulated: even for untransferred networks, the tariff must be residential. Developers no longer have the opportunity to manipulate tariffs,» the specialist assures.

Fire protection system (smoke extraction, extinguishing, alarm)

According to Vyacheslav, all fire safety systems must be installed, tested, and handed over for maintenance before moving in. The inspection is carried out by three bodies: the contractor, an independent specialized company, and the operating company.

They check:

• pressure in systems,
• operation of smoke exhaust valves,
• sensor response,
• dispatching operation,
• behavior of elevators in fire mode,
• availability of fire equipment.

If, after the facility is put into operation, deficiencies are discovered, the operating company will be responsible for this.

Commissioning

The system of commissioning of facilities has now become digital and transparent. This procedure is carried out as follows: An inspector visits the facility, checks the compliance of the project, documentation and the actual condition. Then, any comments, if any, are recorded in the electronic system, and after the deficiencies are eliminated, the developer is issued a certificate of readiness.

After assigning an address to a facility, in addition to scheduled inspections, there are mechanisms for residents to contact them, fire department inspections, and the financial responsibility of the operating company.

Urban design of residential complex and special parameters

The issue of aesthetics and quality of the living environment remains relevant even in wartime. According to Oleksandr Matyukha, head of the design department at Intergal-Bud, there is a demand for high-quality modern design in residential complexes, and this trend is inevitable.

«Why is the process of creating good design inevitable? Because competition forces companies to raise the stakes. When one company offers modern and aesthetic solutions, others are also forced to keep up in order to remain competitive. People are not ready to put up with low quality or economy on improvements,» Matyukha notes.

Currently, important elements of a house are also autonomy (in case of a power outage) and the presence of a shelter in the residential complex for safety purposes.

How and for how much to buy good housing from the best developer in Kyiv and the region

Intergal-Bud is one of the largest Ukrainian developers, currently implementing 11 residential projects in the capital alone. In addition to Kyiv, the company is actively building in Lviv, Chernivtsi, Zhytomyr, and is also involved in projects in Hungary. Among the current offers is the suburban residential complex Ozernyy Gai Gatne (Gatne village, Svobody Street, 1), located just 15 minutes from the Teremky metro station, next to a picturesque lake. The special feature of the complex is apartments with personal shelters, which can be accessed directly from the first floor. In peacetime, these premises can easily be converted into a home theater, gym, or game room. Prices start at $828 per m².

If you prefer apartments with a view, then pay attention to the Holosiivskyi residential complex (Kyiv, 37 Vasylkivska St.), which is located 2 minutes from the Vasylkivska metro station. This is a modern residential complex with a stylish facade and two parking lots. The complex is in operation and ready for occupancy. Prices start from $1,581 per m2.

It is most profitable to invest in apartments at a low stage of readiness. For example, in the Sky Avenue residential complex (Kyiv, Svyatoslav Khorobryho St., 11B), located in Solomyanets, prices per m2 currently start at $893 per m2. A feature of the residential complex is a wide promenade for walks and the concept of a «yard without cars.»

Currently, the Sky Avenue residential complex has houses both in the early stages of construction and with a high degree of readiness. The cost of housing in them with 100% payment is as follows:

Residential complex «Syretski Sady» is a modern comfort-class project located in the Podilskyi district of Kyiv, on Ivan Vyhovsky Street, 10d. The complex consists of ten multi-storey buildings (12–24 floors), built using monolithic-frame technology using energy-efficient materials. A feature of «Syretski Sady» is its well-thought-out infrastructure: fruit orchards, a pedestrian alley, children’s and sports grounds, recreation areas, as well as a school and kindergarten on the territory of the complex. Convenient transport interchange — you can reach the «Syrets» metro station in 15 minutes.

And here is the price calculation using the example of a one-room apartment in the Syretski Sady residential complex (buildings 10 and 6):

Sales of apartments in a new project in the Obolonsky district will start very soon. Traditionally, it is at the beginning that you can purchase housing at the most favorable prices.