01 The five fundamentals
Know your EMI ceiling before you walk into a property. A ₹50 L home you can afford to occupy is better than a ₹1 Cr dream you'll be house-poor in.
Spend time in the neighborhood at different times of day. Check schools, hospitals, market access, and commute to work. A good property in a weak location will be slow to appreciate.
If you might rent it out later, ask locals what monthly rental is on comparable homes. A 0.5% gross yield is weak; 0.8–1% is healthy. The math will tell you if your property will work as an investment.
Look at sold prices in the neighborhood over the last 2–3 years. Is the neighborhood appreciating? Are sales steady or slowing down? Buying into a falling market is expensive learning.
A ₹50 L property might cost an extra ₹5–7 L once you add registration, stamp duty, and taxes. Build these into your budget before you negotiate on price.
02 A word on timing