PricePinner
When you compare two flats in Sweden, look at the monthly fee (avgift) as carefully as at the price.
What the fee pays for
The fee goes to the housing association. It pays for the building's costs: loans, maintenance, insurance, and often heating and water.
Why it changes the price
Buyers think about the total cost per month: loan cost plus fee. If the fee is high, they bid less. If the fee is low, they can bid more.
So a flat with a high fee often sells for less than a similar flat with a low fee.
Watch out for low fees
A very low fee is not always good. Sometimes the association has kept the fee low and has not saved for big repairs. Then the fee can go up a lot later.
What to check
- The fee per square metre per year, compared with similar flats.
- The association's debt.
- Planned repairs, such as new pipes or a new roof.
In the game
When you guess a flat, think about the fee if you know it. Two flats on the same street can sell for different prices because of it.