Buyers considering buying a flat in China should thoroughly research the project's location, building quality, and the country's tax system before signing a sales and purchase agreement, property agents say.

Alan Chiang Sheung-lai, the head of residential property DTZ in China, said home-seekers tempted to buy units in uncompleted properties on the mainland were especially vulnerable to the possibility that show flats might not truly reflect the reality of finished apartments.

Chiang said investors and end-users should also take into account whether the property was in an area where units were actively traded, in order to ensure an exit from the market if necessary.

South China Morning Post