Journey to Your New Home
On the way to your own home
Welcome to the home buyer’s journey – we’ll walk with you every step of the way.
Buying a new-build home doesn’t have to feel complicated.
On this page, we explain how the journey from reservation to moving in happens step by step – and how you can influence it along the way.
We’ll be by your side throughout the process to make sure your new home feels like home even before you step inside. Our goal is to make the home-buying journey clear, safe, and tailored to you.
1. Reserving an apartment
Our priority is to make sure your new home feels truly yours. The apartments in pre-marketing are designed with our customers’ wishes in mind – and you can still influence the details before making your purchase decision.
Interior finishes, equipment, and fittings can be customized together with our experts. If you don’t find an option that suits you perfectly, feel free to contact us – our sales team will go through the pre-priced customization options with you. Our goal is for your new apartment to feel like home even before you step inside.
Want to be among the first to hear about new Fira homes? Join the Kotona pre-list and get the chance to reserve your home before public pre-marketing begins.
What does pre-marketing mean?
Pre-marketing is the stage where the developer presents a planned new-build project before construction begins. The goal is to gauge interest and secure enough reservations before making the decision to start building.
Sometimes pre-marketing gives insight into what kind of apartments buyers want, and the project may still be redesigned before sales and construction start. This helps ensure the building meets buyers’ needs as well as possible, which increases the reservation rate. A higher reservation rate means the building gets permission to start construction faster – and your home will be ready sooner.
Making a reservation
When you find an apartment you like during the pre-marketing phase, you can reserve it by filling out the reservation form online or contacting a sales representative. A reservation gives you an advantage: you get to choose the best apartment for you before construction and official sales begin.
The reservation is confirmed with a formal reservation fee, which will later be deducted from the purchase price or refunded if you decide to cancel.
A reservation does not commit you to a final purchase yet – it simply gives you time to consider your decision in peace.
Apartments are reserved in the order of applications. If your preferred apartment is already reserved, you can join the waiting list. If you are the first to reserve, the apartment will remain reserved for you until the sales phase begins.


2. Buying a New-Build Apartment
Buying a new-build home moves step by step from reservation to signing the contract and finally to your home being completed. As a buyer, you have time to explore the property, review all documents carefully, and make decisions with confidence. Each stage is designed to protect you and ensure your new home meets your expectations. By reserving and buying early, you also have the chance to influence details like interior finishes and design choices.
Safe Home Purchase and Payment
The pre-marketing phase ends when the security documents and guarantees required by the Housing Transactions Act have been provided and the RS bank has signed the necessary documents. At that point, binding sales of the apartments can begin.
3. Choosing Materials and Making Custom Changes
As a buyer of a new-build apartment, you have the opportunity to influence your home’s interior during the construction phase.
Material choices
The developer offers a comprehensive interior design collection, where you can choose from included options or upgrade to premium products. Examples include:
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- Several color options for flooring
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- Wall paint colors
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- Kitchen cabinet doors, countertops, handles, and appliances
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- Bathroom tiles, fixtures, and taps and shower sets
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- Wardrobe materials
Selections are made through an online system within the schedule provided by the seller, usually right after signing the purchase agreement. If choices are not made on time, standard options will be installed in the apartment.
Shareholder modifications
The buyer has the right to suggest changes to the apartment, such as:
- Moving electrical outlets on light partition walls
- Adding extra cabinets without HVAC connections
- Using materials outside the standard collection from the same suppliers
- Building or leaving out light partition walls
Modification work is divided into three categories:
- Standard options: included in the purchase price
- Extra-cost options: pre-priced and easy to order
- Individual modifications: require a separate quote and approval
Progress of modification work
Once the purchase is complete, contact the person responsible for modifications as soon as possible. Going through all your requests at once makes planning and scheduling much smoother.
Agreements are made in writing using an apartment specification sheet, which you will receive from the modification coordinator. This sheet serves as a clear reference – it helps both sides understand responsibilities and costs.
Please remember to follow the given deadlines. If your requests come in late, it may no longer be possible to implement them.
Restrictions and approvals for modifications
There are some limitations to the changes you can make, including:
- The locations of the bathroom, separate toilet, utility room, and kitchen must remain the same.
- Water and drainage points must stay in their original positions.
- No changes can be made to load-bearing structures. This also applies to electrical outlets, door openings, and similar elements on exterior walls or walls between apartments.
- No changes can be made that affect the building’s exterior façade.
- Actions requiring a building permit are not allowed.
The developer and contractor will assess whether the changes are feasible. Modifications must not compromise the building’s safety, delay the construction schedule, or cause inconvenience to other residents.
Costs and Payment
Standard options that do not incur extra costs are included in the apartment’s sale price. Additional and custom modifications are billed separately and are not included in the apartment price. Payment for modifications must be made before the work is carried out.
Design your new home to reflect your style.
When you buy early, you have the chance to influence your home’s interior and layout – choose materials, colors, and details that make the home truly yours. All standard materials are included in the apartment price, and you can also select premium options or request custom modifications if you wish.
After signing the purchase agreement, you’ll receive login details for Fira’s resident portal, where you can explore a wide range of standard materials and make your selections easily online. The collection includes both the latest trends and timeless favorites – and best of all, they’re all included in your apartment price. You can pick a ready-made interior theme or mix and match materials to create your own personal style. If needed, our experts will help you find solutions that fit your taste.
We’ve also pre-priced a wide selection of material and modification packages tailored to your apartment type. Let’s make your apartment feel like home – together!


4. Shareholders’ Meeting
We will invite you and the other buyers to a meeting once at least one quarter of the apartments in the housing company have been sold. In this meeting, you’ll get up-to-date information about the progress of construction and meet your future neighbors.
The meeting will also cover, as required by the Housing Transactions Act, the selection of a construction inspector and an auditor. The shareholders have the right to appoint an independent construction inspector for the building phase. This person monitors the quality of construction and ensures that the work follows the agreed plans and regulations. The inspector must be independent of the seller and contractor and have the necessary professional qualifications.
In addition, shareholders can choose a separate auditor during the meeting. The costs of these appointments will be included in the company’s budget and shared among all shareholders.
The meeting is also a great opportunity to ask questions about the apartments, the housing company, and the construction process.
5. Visiting Your Future Home
You can follow the progress of construction through the monthly Fira Kotona resident newsletter. This way, you’ll see your new home taking shape step by step. We make sure the project moves forward according to plans and schedule, and we keep you updated on the progress at the site.
When construction has progressed far enough, we will offer you the opportunity to visit the site in person during a guided site tour.


6. Apartment Inspection and Handover
Before moving in, you will inspect your new home during the move-in inspection, which usually takes place about 1–2 months before the moving day.
Any issues or defects will be noted and fixed before you move in. During the inspection, you will also get guidance on how to use the home’s appliances and receive important documents. You will go through the home together with our site manager, and it is very important to us that your home is handed over in perfect condition.
7. Moving into Your New Home
The sales agreement includes a two-month time frame for the apartment’s completion. We will inform you of the exact moving date as soon as it is confirmed, but no later than one month before the earliest estimated date.
About one month before your home is ready, we will send you a moving letter with important information about the completion and moving process.
Once all payments have been made and the apartment is finished, we will hand over the keys and you can move into your new home. At the same time, ownership will be transferred to you, and you can start enjoying your new home.
Inside your new home, you’ll find a home folder containing all essential documents, such as details of your material choices and any custom modifications. The folder also includes instructions for using key surface materials and appliances. Following the care and maintenance guidelines will help keep your apartment in excellent condition so you can enjoy your home for years to come.


8. General Meeting and Transfer of Administration
About three months after completion, a general meeting is held where the management of the housing company is transferred from the developer to the residents. This meeting is called the “handover meeting.” During the meeting, a board for the housing company is elected, and an interim financial statement is presented.
9. Annual Inspection
The annual inspection takes place 12–15 months after the building is completed. During the inspection, any defects or shortcomings are recorded and fixed. The builder is responsible for making these corrections so you can live worry-free.

Is there something you’re still wondering about?
We’re happy to help.

Inka Nummelin
Sales & customer service
+358 40 180 6294 inka.nummelin@fira.fi
Terhi Halonen
Developer Specialist | Licensed Real Estate Agent (LKV)
+358 40 6431 902 terhi.halonen@fira.fi