Legenda villas are described online in numbers that do not agree: about 300 to 700 square metres in one guide, larger plots in several listings, and individual villas advertised with land areas well above the stated range. A buyer who reads three pages can come away with three different villas in mind. The reason is rarely deception; it is that pages mix plot area and built area, count floors differently, include or exclude a basement and a roof, and describe standalone villas and townhouses as if they were one type. This guide explains how to read those numbers, what layouts are described for Legenda villas, how plot, built area and floors relate, which questions to ask about each villa and how to compare two villas fairly. It does not publish prices, and it does not invent sizes. Every figure you rely on must come from the plan and the contract.
For the compound overview, read our complete guide to Legenda.
- Legenda Villas at a Glance
- Standalone Villas and Townhouses
- Plot Area, Built Area and Total Area
- Why the Published Sizes Conflict
- Typical Layouts Described for Legenda Villas
- Reading a Floor Plan Before You Buy
- Gardens and Setbacks
- Pools, Roofs and Additions
- Basements and Lower Floors
- Finish Level: Semi-Finished, Finished and Furnished
- A Worksheet for Comparing Two Villas
- Questions to Ask the Seller
- Questions to Ask the Management
- How Villa Size Affects Running Costs
- Choosing Between a Smaller and a Larger Villa
- Comparing Legenda Villas With Other Compounds
- Measuring a Villa Yourself
- Ceiling Heights, Stairs and Circulation
- Orientation, Light and Privacy
- Structure and Changes You Might Want
- How Legenda Villas Age
- Mistakes to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions About Legenda Villas
- Conclusion: Compare Villas on the Same Basis
always ask for three numbers for every villa: plot area, built area per floor and total built area including basement and roof. Compare villas only after converting them to the same basis.
Legenda Villas at a Glance
| Aspect | What pages describe | What to verify | |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | |
| Types | Standalone villas and townhouses | Type in the contract | |
| Built area | About 300 to 700 square metres in some guides | Plan with total built area | |
| Plot area | Larger in some listings | Plot area on the plan | |
| Floors | Basement or ground, first floor, roof | Number and use of floors | |
| Garden | Private gardens in some villas | Garden size and boundaries | |
| Pool | Private pools in some villas | Licence and condition | |
| Finish | Semi-finished in older guides, finished in many resale listings | Inspection and specification |
Use this table to design your questions.
Standalone Villas and Townhouses
A standalone villa has open space on all sides, while a townhouse shares one or more walls with a neighbour. The difference affects privacy, noise, light and price. Published pages mention both types in Legenda, but listings often use "villa" for everything. Ask the seller to state the type in writing and look at the plan to see which walls are shared. If a wall is shared, ask about sound insulation and how a repair on one side affects the other.
Plot Area, Built Area and Total Area
These three numbers describe different things. The plot is the land. The built area per floor is the footprint or the area of a single floor. The total built area adds all floors, and may or may not include the basement, the roof rooms and covered terraces. A page that says "villa 400 square metres" may mean any of them.
| Number | What it means | Why it matters | |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | |
| Plot area | The land you own or hold the right to use | Garden, privacy, extension limits | |
| Footprint | The area covered by the ground floor | Garden space | |
| Built area per floor | The area of one floor | Room sizes | |
| Total built area | All floors added | Price per square metre, running costs |
Write all four numbers for each villa on a worksheet before you compare.
Why the Published Sizes Conflict
There are four common reasons. First, older guides quote the launch range, while later listings describe particular villas that sit outside it. Second, some villas have been extended, with additions that may or may not be licensed. Third, some pages add the basement and roof to the built area and others do not. Fourth, copy-paste spreads an early figure to many pages. Because of these effects, a range such as three to seven hundred square metres should be read as a starting point and checked against the plan of the villa you want.
Typical Layouts Described for Legenda Villas
Pages describe a layout that looks like this: a basement or lower floor with a bedroom, bathroom and storage; a ground floor with kitchen, reception and bedrooms; a first floor with bedrooms and bathrooms; and a roof with a laundry room and a bathroom. Some villas also have a guard room and a driver's room. Treat this as a general pattern; individual villas differ. Walk through each villa with the plan in your hand and mark every difference.
Reading a Floor Plan Before You Buy
Check the room sizes, the position of stairs, the location of wet areas and the direction of windows. Look for load-bearing walls that would limit changes, for ducts and shafts, for the position of the electrical panel and for the route of drainage. If you plan to change the layout, ask an engineer whether the walls you want to remove are structural. Do not rely on an agent's opinion.
Gardens and Setbacks
Gardens give Legenda villas their private feel, but garden size varies and some gardens have been reduced by additions. Check the garden area on the plan against the area on the ground. Ask whether the compound permits pergolas, sheds, pools or boundary changes, and whether approvals are required. Mark trees and irrigation lines, because they affect where you can build and plant.
Pools, Roofs and Additions
A pool, a roof room or a covered terrace adds value only if it is licensed and in good condition. Ask for the approvals in writing, inspect waterproofing and drainage and check that the structure can carry the load. A pool that leaks or an addition that breaches the compound's rules becomes your problem when you buy. If there are no approvals, price the risk of regularisation or removal, or walk away.
Basements and Lower Floors
Some villas have a basement or a lower floor. Check ventilation, damp, drainage and natural light. A well-finished lower floor can be a good bedroom, an office or a gym; a damp one is a constant repair. Ask for photographs after heavy rain from previous years if the seller has any.
Finish Level: Semi-Finished, Finished and Furnished
Older guides describe most villas as semi-finished, while many current resale listings describe finished or furnished villas. The difference changes the price, the work you must do and the quality you can control. A finished villa may look attractive but hide old wiring, plumbing or air-conditioning systems. A semi-finished villa lets you design the finish, but you must budget and manage the work. Our finishing services scope guide and finishing budget guide explain how to turn a plan into a priced scope.
A Worksheet for Comparing Two Villas
| Item | Villa A | Villa B | |
|---|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- | |
| Type (standalone or townhouse) | |||
| Plot area | |||
| Footprint | |||
| Total built area | |||
| Floors and basement | |||
| Garden area | |||
| Pool and roof rooms | |||
| Licences for additions | |||
| Finish level | |||
| Cost to reach your target finish |
Fill every row from documents. A blank row means you are not ready to negotiate.
Questions to Ask the Seller
- What is the plot area and the total built area, from the plan?
- Which floors are included in the built area?
- Are there any additions, and are they licensed?
- When was the villa last renovated and what was replaced?
- Are service charges up to date?
- Why are you selling?
Ask for answers in writing.
Questions to Ask the Management
- Does the villa appear in your register with the same plot number?
- Are the additions recorded?
- What are the rules on changes to the facade and the garden?
- What are the service charges for this type of villa?
- Are there any claims or complaints against the villa?
How Villa Size Affects Running Costs
A larger villa multiplies costs: air conditioning, cleaning, garden care, repairs and service charges. A large plot with a small house costs more to irrigate than to heat. Estimate each line from quotations and neighbours' experience and include them in your budget, not only the purchase price. Our buying checklist includes a budget worksheet.
Choosing Between a Smaller and a Larger Villa
Choose by how your household will live, not by a number. A smaller villa on a good plot with a layout that works may be better than a larger villa with wasted corridors. Count bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, parking spaces and storage, and ask whether the rest of the area is useful. Consider how many years you plan to stay and whether you may want to extend.
Comparing Legenda Villas With Other Compounds
Legenda is a smaller compound than Royal City and has a different mix from Cairo Gate, Genova and Village West. Compare villa to villa, using the same worksheet, rather than compound to compound. Our comparison guide shows how.
Measuring a Villa Yourself
If the plan is unclear, measure the villa with a tape or a laser measure and compare your numbers with the plan. Measure each room, the width of the stairs, the ceiling height and the external walls. Differences of more than a few percent deserve an explanation, because they may reveal changes that were never recorded. Photograph each room with the tape in view, and keep the photographs with the plan.
Ceiling Heights, Stairs and Circulation
Floor area tells only part of the story. A villa with low ceilings, narrow stairs and long corridors can feel smaller than one with a better layout and less area. Check the ceiling height on each floor, the width and slope of the stairs and the route from the kitchen to the dining and reception areas. If an older relative will live in the villa, count the steps from the entrance to the bedroom and the bathroom, and ask whether a lift could be added.
Orientation, Light and Privacy
Orientation decides how hot or bright rooms are. Check which windows face the sun in the afternoon, whether living areas open to the garden and whether neighbouring windows look into your garden or rooms. In a compound with close villas, privacy depends on walls, trees and window positions. Visit at different times of day and in different seasons if possible, and note where shade falls.
Structure and Changes You Might Want
If you want to open a wall, add a bathroom or move a kitchen, ask an engineer first. Some walls are structural, some carry pipes and some hold electrical risers. Ask for the structural drawings, if they exist, and ask the engineer to mark which changes are simple and which are difficult. The answer will affect both the price you should pay and the budget you need after you buy.
How Legenda Villas Age
An established compound shows how villas age. Look for cracks around windows, damp stains on ceilings, worn waterproofing on the roof and old air-conditioning units. Ask the seller what has been replaced and when. A villa that has been looked after will have records; a villa without records needs a more careful inspection. Use the findings to adjust your price and your budget.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating built area and plot area as the same thing.
- Trusting a size in a listing title.
- Buying a villa with unlicensed additions.
- Ignoring the condition of a basement or roof.
- Paying for a pool or an addition without checking approvals.
- Comparing villas that have different floor counts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Legenda Villas
How big are Legenda villas?
Some guides quote about 300 to 700 square metres, while some listings show larger plots. Check plot and built area separately on the plan.
Are Legenda villas standalone?
Pages describe standalone villas and some townhouses. Confirm the type in your contract.
Do Legenda villas have private pools?
Some do. Check approvals and the condition of the pool.
Do Legenda villas have basements?
Some layouts include a basement or lower floor. Check damp and ventilation.
How many floors do the villas have?
Pages describe a basement or ground floor, a first floor and a roof. Check the plan of the villa you want.
Do I need an engineer to inspect a villa?
Yes. An engineer can check structure, waterproofing, electrical, plumbing and additions.
Does this guide list prices?
No. Prices conflict and change; ask for a written offer.
Conclusion: Compare Villas on the Same Basis
Legenda villas are easy to misread when numbers come without definitions. Use the plot, footprint and total built area for every villa, check additions and approvals and compare villas on the worksheet. Then continue with the prices and resale guide and the buying checklist.