How to choose the right floor while buying a new apartment

A home-buyer, before settling on an apartment, would usually take into account a number of factors including price of the property, location, reputation of the builder, built-in amenities and more. When the apartment is in a highrise building, as is the case more often than not nowadays, particularly in metro cities, one compelling factor which tilts the needle for the buyer is often which floor the apartment sits on.



However, the floor preference varies from customer to customer. While some would stick to the lower floors, others would prefer going as high up as they can, while many would like to sit somewhere in-between. Both higher and lower floors have their pros and cons, and the home-buyers should try to make an informed choice based on the criteria that matter to them the most. These would typically include factors like view, ambient noise, accessibility, security arrangement and more.

Here are some of the elements to consider to zero in on your ideal floor:

# View: The upper floors of a highrise apartment tower are likely to offer a better view. So if a scenic perspective from your balcony or your windows is what you pine for, go for the higher floors.



# Ambient noise: Another reason to choose a higher floor is to insulate yourself from the street noises and all the commotion that is likely to be caused by residents and visitors coming in and going out, starting their cars, vendors, etc.

# Privacy: A higher floor is again a great choice if you are someone who loves peace and quiet, more so if the highrise is in a crowded location. From your higher perch, you can cut out the din below.

# Natural light & ventilation: As you go higher up in a tall building, you get more daylight washing into your apartment, whereas the lower floors could be much darker, necessitating the use of artificial lights even during the day. Also, the menace of rodents and insects would be much less on the upper floors.

# Power consumption: It is generally assumed that you will consume more electricity if you are living on a higher floor. This comes from the notion that upper floors get more heated and you end up using your air-conditioners more. However, this is not always the case, since higher floors are often breezier. So ponder a bit on that.

# Rental income: Although it is normally perceived that lower floors yield better rental incomes, it really depends a lot on the climate of the region, India being such a vast country, with diverse weather conditions. For instance, while in a hot place like Delhi-NCR, the preference might be for the ground or lower floors, in a cooler city like Bangalore, higher floors would be more in demand.

# Security arrangement: Generally upper floors are deemed safer and more secure, since security at the lower floor levels can theoretically be breached with more ease. Also, higher floors are likely to protect you more from intrusion.



# Access to apartment: For those home-seekers averse to waiting for the elevator, the lower floors perhaps hold out more attraction since they can easily use the stairs instead.

# Family situation: For families with elderly members or small children or with anyone who might have a mobility issue, a lower floor might be a more convenient option. This applies to those with a fear of heights as well.

# Structural issues: It has been seen that the top and ground floors of a highrise might be victims of water seepage and drainage issues due to certain structural deficiencies. Bearing this in mind, many buyers opt for the middle floors.