Home Buying in India: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

When you're buying a home in India, a country where real estate is one of the most common ways families build long-term wealth. It's not just about picking a location or liking the view—it's about understanding how loans, laws, and timing affect your money over decades. Many people jump into home buying without knowing the difference between a ready-to-occupy property, a home you can move into right away and an under-construction property, a home still being built, often cheaper but riskier. The first saves you waiting; the second can save you lakhs—if you know what you're doing.

One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is how you pay for it. Home loan interest rates in India, can swing by full percentage points depending on your credit, lender, and when you lock in. A 0.5% difference might sound small, but over 20 years, it can mean paying over ₹5 lakh extra. And don’t forget tax breaks: Section 80C, a tax deduction rule that lets you claim up to ₹1.5 lakh on your home loan principal repayment, is one of the most powerful tools Indian buyers overlook. Combine that with stamp duty, registration fees, and legal paperwork like rent agreements, which often get confused with sale deeds but serve completely different purposes, and you’re looking at a checklist longer than most people expect.

It’s not just about the house. It’s about the system around it. The Model Tenancy Act, a national law meant to protect both tenants and landlords, affects how you’ll use your property if you ever rent it out. And if you’re buying in Mumbai or any big city, you’ll need to know how much your domestic help costs—because even the best home needs someone to keep it running. The same people who clean your floors and cook your meals also know which neighborhoods are safe, which builders are honest, and which deals are too good to be true.

There’s no single right way to buy a home in India. But there are plenty of wrong ways—like ignoring loan terms, skipping legal checks, or assuming new projects always mean better returns. The posts below cover exactly what you need to avoid those mistakes: how to compare lenders, what to ask builders, how to use your PAN and Aadhaar for smooth paperwork, and why some properties that look cheap end up costing more in the long run. Whether you’re looking at a ready flat in Gurgaon or a plot in Pune, this collection gives you the real, practical details most guides leave out.

Subvention Schemes in India: How Builder Payment Plans Work and What Risks You Face
Subvention Schemes in India: How Builder Payment Plans Work and What Risks You Face

Subvention schemes in India promise zero EMIs until possession, but hidden risks like project delays, builder defaults, and retroactive interest can leave buyers with debt and no home. Learn how to spot safe plans and avoid costly traps.