How to prepare for your first meeting with a developer? A practical guide for homebuyers

14.11.2025

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How to prepare for your first meeting with a developer? A practical guide for homebuyers

Buying a house or an apartment is one of the most important decisions in life. It’s not something you handle by clicking “Buy now”, like when ordering new shoes online. It’s a conversation, analysis, emotions and a huge responsibility. That’s why it’s so important that the first meeting with the developer is well thought out and well prepared.

This is your time, your money and your future home – make sure every minute of the conversation matters. You will spend your time, so don’t waste it. Write down questions, doubts, things that are important to you. And remember – there are no stupid questions. Every detail matters because it concerns your life.

Start with yourself: define your needs and lifestyle

Before you walk into the developer’s office, take a moment to reflect on your daily routine:

Home layout
- How do you work, rest and eat?
- Do you need an extra room, e.g., for remote work?
- Do you dream of an open kitchen rather than a small separate one like in an apartment block?

Future plans
- Are you planning to grow your family?
- Do you want to have pets?
- Do you need more space for growing children?

Orientation to the sun
- Do you prefer sunny mornings or darker bedrooms for longer sleep?
- Do you want the garden/balcony in full sun or more in the shade?

Your daily routine
- Do you have “queues” for the bathroom?
- Do you dream of a quiet gaming corner?
- Does the lack of space for bikes, a stroller or tools bother you?

When you know and write down your real needs, it becomes much easier to assess whether a given investment actually matches them.

Garden or balcony? Think about how you want to use your outdoor space

In Novisa Development projects, most units are houses or apartments with gardens. Each garden is different – just like our clients.

Questions worth asking yourself:
- Do you want just a terrace and a place to relax, without additional gardening work?
- Do you plan to plant flowers or have a vegetable patch?
- Will you create a play area for your child – a sandbox, swings?
- Should the garden be a place for grilling and meals with loved ones?
- How much time do you really want to spend maintaining it?

Not everyone needs a 200 m² garden – perhaps 20–40 m² for a hammock or a deck chair will be perfect. It’s a space that should suit you.

Check the developer – this is the foundation of trust

At your first meeting, make sure the developer is reliable.

What to ask?
- How long has the company been on the market?
- How many developments has it completed?
- Can I see previous projects – ask for names of the estates and their addresses.
- What opinions do residents of earlier estates have?

Novisa Development has been on the market for 25 years and has built hundreds of houses and apartments, where the company’s own employees also live. This experience provides safety and confidence in the process.

A list of practical questions for the developer

Here are the topics worth discussing during the meeting:

Organization of the estate
- Will a homeowners’ association be established?
- What will the monthly maintenance fee be and what does it include?
- How will the common areas be managed?

The garden
- What can be planted?
- Are there any installations that need to be considered?

Formalities and costs
- What is the payment schedule?
- How are the client’s funds secured?
- What are the notary costs?
- Is a mortgage advisor available and is the service free?

At Novisa Development, mortgage advisory services are free of charge.

Service providers and utilities
- What installations are included?
- Who will be the providers of the internet, electricity and other utilities?

Ownership form

This is especially important for foreigners – it’s worth confirming beforehand.

Customisation options and turnkey finishing
- Can custom alterations be made?
- When should they be submitted and what are the costs?
- Does the developer offer turnkey finishing?

Do not hesitate to ask – this will allow you to plan your home so that it suits your lifestyle and budget.

The property purchase process – step by step

An example of the purchase process at Novisa Development:

1. Consultation with an advisor
2. Reservation agreement
3. Mortgage and development agreement (with expert assistance)
It is normal not to know how a mortgage for a property under construction works.
That’s why we prepared a separate article: [What does a mortgage for a property under construction look like?]
4. Possible custom alterations and payment schedule
Learn more about custom alterations at Novisa Development here.
5. Handover of keys
6. Transfer of ownership

Summary – prepare your questions, don’t be afraid to talk

The meeting with the developer is the moment when you have the right to:
- ask about every detail,
- request clarification of unclear matters,
- verify the quality of the investment and the purchase terms.

A well-prepared list of questions gives you certainty and peace of mind – and buying a home should be exciting, not stressful.