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TL;DR Beyond basic questions like "Is the price negotiable?", ask about who lives in the area, what comes with the apartment, monthly ownership costs, rental demand, government support available, realistic timelines, what happens after settlement and who can help with your legal/finance needs. These questions reveal whether a property genuinely suits your lifestyle and budget. |
Buying an apartment, especially off-the-plan, often feels straightforward… until you’re in the sales centre, nodding along as the salesperson points out the beautiful finishes and city-fringe location.
But inside? You're thinking, “Is this really the right fit for me?”
Sound familiar?
If you’ve found yourself Googling “what should I ask a real estate agent before buying a home?”, you’re definitely not alone.
Because when it comes to buying property, especially new or off-the-plan, most first home buyers, upsizers, downsizers and new investors all share the same worry: making a (potentially expensive) mistake.
The good news is you don’t need to be a property expert to avoid one.
You just need to ask smarter questions.
Sure, the usual ones like “Can I negotiate?” or “How close is it to the CBD?” are important. (FYI: Glenside is just 2km from the city, tick!)
But going a little deeper gives you a clearer picture of how well a home suits you now and into the future.
When you dig deeper, you uncover far more useful information that genuinely matters.
And better insight = better decisions.
So, let’s take a look at 9 smarter questions to ask when considering a new apartment at Glenside, or any off-the-plan home.
Before getting too excited about finishes and floorplans, step back and ask who this apartment was actually designed for.
Every suburb has its own demographic.
Some are packed with young families and tricycles on footpaths. Others attract professionals who want low maintenance. Some are full of retirees who've downsized but preferred to stay in their community.
Glenside is home to a diverse community, from families to downsizers, professionals and first-home buyers seeking a premium location and low-maintenance lifestyle.
Ask the Sales Consultant who typically buys in the development and why. Are you buying into a neighbourhood that reflects your lifestyle and life stage?
The apartments here are purposefully designed to appeal to people who value quality, convenience, and connection, and knowing that can help you decide whether it’s a match for you too.
This question moves you past the pretty ‘first impression’ stuff and into the practical reality of homeownership - because, let’s face it, every home needs maintenance eventually.
Unlike established homes, new and off-the-plan apartments typically cruise through their first decade without any major issues. With modern materials, brand-new appliances and warranties in place, many future costs are easier to anticipate, which really matters if you're stretching your budget or would rather spend your weekends doing literally anything else than managing repairs.
This might sound obvious but you’d be surprised what’s considered optional in an established property (like blinds, light fittings, or appliances).
With an off-the-plan apartment at Glenside, you get a full list of what’s included, and it’s part of your contract, so there’s no guesswork about what’s included. Better still, Glenside also offers a selection of optional upgrades, so if something isn’t part of the standard inclusions but is important to you, it may be available as an upgrade.
Still, it’s smart to be specific, ask about everything from air conditioning to appliances, flooring, tapware and joinery. And if you have your eye on something extra, ask whether it's available as an upgrade.
Remember: your mortgage repayment is only one part of the story.
That’s why this question is so important.
At Glenside, all apartments are managed under a body corporate, so be sure to ask the sales consultant about the estimated strata fees.
You will also need to consider council rates, insurance, utilities, and Wi-Fi costs.
Add it all up. That's your real monthly cost of ownership.
The good news? Glenside’s energy-efficient design, quality insulation, and modern construction standards mean lower energy bills over time, which can really add up. Plus, the walkable location might even reduce your transport costs.
Even if you're planning to live in this apartment yourself, this question matters.
Why? Because life changes.
You might need to relocate for work, move in with a partner or have a family situation that means you need to move out.
If you need to rent your property out for a period, you probably want to know there's actually demand for it.
So it’s smart to ask a local real estate agent how quickly similar apartments rent in Glenside, what they achieve per week and who the typical tenants are.
Strong rental demand gives you options and financial flexibility when circumstances change.
For investors, obviously this one's critical. But honestly? It's useful information for everyone.
It takes thirty seconds to ask this question, but could save you $15,000 or more.
While agents aren’t financial advisers - and they’ll always recommend seeking independent advice - they will know which government grants and schemes are eligible for an off-the-plan apartment.
At Glenside, that includes things like:
The key to understanding what you’re eligible for depends on knowing whether the type of property you're looking at might qualify.
It’s worth knowing what’s out there, so you can go armed with this general information when speaking with your mortgage broker or bank who can give you a more detailed breakdown.
Off-the-plan apartments usually take longer to settle than existing homes, that’s because you're often purchasing before or during the construction phase.
It’s important to ask when construction is expected to finish, what factors might impact that timeline, and how you’ll be kept updated along the way.
Build timeframes can shift due to factors like weather, material supply or trade availability, this is completely normal in the construction process. The good news? At Glenside, our dedicated customer service team will keep you informed at every stage.
Most buyers are so focused on getting to settlement that they forget to ask what happens once they sign a contract.
Start by asking questions that clarify the immediate next steps.
Ask about the cooling-off period in SA, the process for progress updates, and what support is available post-settlement.
In South Australia, you have a two-day cooling-off period after you receive a Form 1 - that's your opportunity to back out if you need to.
With established homes, buyers are often left to manage everything on their own once settlement occurs. But when purchasing a Glenside apartment, Cedar Woods provides a structured handover process and a 90-day defect period, so you have support if anything needs attention once you’ve moved in.
It’s another benefit of buying new, you’re not alone after the keys are handed over.
If you’re new to buying property, finding a good mortgage broker or conveyancer can sometimes feel like throwing darts blindfolded at the telephone book (remember those?).
You don't know these people, and a dodgy Google review from 2021 doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
So to help cut through the noise, why not ask the agent who they see most buyers working with.
They won't give you financial advice - that's not their job - but they'll know which brokers and conveyancers their clients actually use and trust, especially those with experience handling off-the-plan contracts.
You’ll still need to do your own research and get multiple quotes – that’s non-negotiable. But starting with a few names that other buyers have had success with is a clever move.
You don’t have to fire off all nine in one go.
Just choose the ones most relevant to where you are in your journey.
Jot down the answers and follow up anything important by email so you've got it documented.
At Glenside, we welcome your questions. Buying a new home is a huge decision, and we’re here to help you make it with clarity, confidence and support.
We know that buying a new home can feel overwhelming at first.
That's normal - it's a complex process with big money involved, and most people only do it a few times in their entire life.
But we also know that people who ask the right questions when buying don't just make better decisions. They make confident decisions.
Again, you’re not trying to become a property expert overnight, but it’s important to understand that every property comes with compromises.
The trick is figuring out the compromises you can actually live with, and which property is going to best support your budget, family, timeline and lifestyle by asking relevant questions before committing.
We’re happy to talk you through every step, from timing and inclusions to what makes Glenside’s location and design so unique.
Visit our Sales & Information Centre at 220 Fullarton Road, Glenside
or head to our Apartments for Sale page to explore current availability.