AZE.US
A growing number of buyers on the Absheron Peninsula are turning to so-called “broker-built” houses, attracted by their lower price and ready appearance. But real estate experts warn that such purchases can lead to major financial losses.
These houses are typically built in areas that do not have official property registration documents. While they may look neat and fully finished from the outside, specialists say the real problems often emerge only after the purchase.
The main concern is that many of these homes are built without proper construction standards. Within a few years, owners may begin to see cracks in the walls, serious repair defects and other structural problems that require additional spending.
Location is another major issue. Such houses are often built far from sewage lines, without proper drainage systems, and frequently in low-lying or outlying areas. That makes them especially vulnerable during heavy rain.
Recent flooding again highlighted the problem, with “broker-built” houses reportedly among the properties hit hardest.
Speaking to Bizim.Media, real estate expert Ramil Gasimzade said these homes often suffer the most during flooding because no serious building norms are observed during construction.
According to him, their foundations are often laid with river stones and cut stone rather than more reliable materials, meaning that even ordinary flooding can lead to subsidence or partial collapse.
He also said many of these houses are built in areas without sewage infrastructure and too close to one another. As a result, during heavy rain, basements and first floors can quickly fill with water, while removing the accumulated water becomes difficult. The dense layout also creates fire safety problems and can make emergency access much harder.
Gasimzade says buyers should not focus only on the lower purchase price. What seems like a bargain at first, he argues, can later turn into a much more expensive problem, especially when repeated flooding, repairs and safety issues begin to pile up.