The New Development Viewing Checklist — 60+ Checkpoints Before You Sign Anything
Walking into a new development show unit without this checklist is like signing a lease without reading it. You get swept up in the excitement, the glossy finishes, the friendly sales consultant — and you walk out without asking a single hard question.
This checklist fixes that.
The New Development Viewing Checklist gives you 60+ structured checkpoints across 6 categories to work through every time you visit a show unit or development site. Print it. Bring it. Fill it in on the day.
What is covered:
Category A — Developer & Legal Verification: NHBRC registration, planning approval, deposit protection, conveyancing attorney confirmation. Check these before you assess anything else.
Category B — Show Unit & Finishes Assessment: Confirm which finishes are standard vs upgrades, what appliances are included, and whether what you see is actually what you get.
Category C — Unit Layout & Physical Inspection: Natural light, bedroom sizes, noise, views, parking, storage — the things you only notice when you are standing inside.
Category D — Financial & Cost Assessment: Purchase price, transfer duty, occupational rent, levies, rates — your true monthly cost before you commit.
Category E — Body Corporate & Common Areas: Security, pet policy, Airbnb rules, managing agent, special levies — the costs most buyers discover after moving in.
Category F — Timeline & Final Assessment: Completion date, penalty clauses, cooling-off period, and a 6-category developer scorecard to guide your final decision.
Who this is for: Any South African first-time buyer viewing new development show units who wants to ask the right questions, avoid the common traps, and make a decision based on facts rather than sales pressure.
What you receive: Instant download PDF. 6 pages. Print-friendly. Bring it to every viewing.
The guarantee: 7-day money-back guarantee. Not useful? Full refund within 7 days — no questions asked.
Your first property is closer than they told you. — Zandi
