A no-nonsense checklist for first-time buyers in India — from verifying RERA registration to understanding stamp duty and registration costs.
Buying your first property is exciting — and overwhelming. Builders promise the world; paperwork arrives in triplicate; friends give conflicting advice. This guide cuts through the noise.
**1. Always verify RERA registration first.** Every legitimate project in India is registered under the Real Estate Regulation Act. Check your state RERA portal before paying any booking amount.
**2. Understand the full cost.** The advertised price is only the beginning. Add stamp duty (4–8% depending on state), registration charges (1%), GST (5% for under-construction), and maintenance deposits.
**3. Get a home loan pre-approval.** Know your budget before you fall in love with a property. Pre-approval letters also signal seriousness to sellers.
**4. Inspect beyond the show flat.** The sample apartment is always beautiful. Inspect the actual unit, check water pressure, sunlight direction and proximity to lifts and garbage chutes.
**5. Read the allotment letter carefully.** Super built-up area vs carpet area is the oldest trick in the book. You pay per sq.ft on super built-up; you live in carpet.
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