Know before you sign.

Under the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, a project generally must be registered with the state Authority before it is marketed — a common exemption is where the land is under 500 sq m or there are eight apartments or fewer, though states read this differently. Every advertisement for a registered project must carry its RERA number.

Any broker facilitating a sale in a registered project must hold a RERA agent registration number. Sale must be quoted on carpet area — the net usable area inside the flat — not super built-up.

A RERA number confirms registration; it does not guarantee construction quality, timely delivery or price appreciation. Always confirm the number on your state's official RERA portal before you commit. Read the full RERA & compliance guide →

Co-broking is two brokers closing one deal — one brings the client, the other the inventory. The split is negotiable but is most often shared equally; agree it in writing before introductions are made.

Record who introduced whom and when. A clear trail — the heart of a network like this — is what prevents the two most common disputes: a client being poached, and an argument over who is owed what. Keep every introduction and update on the record, not in a private chat.

The price on the listing is rarely the amount that leaves the bank. Add:

• Stamp duty — usually ~5–7% of value, varying by state, city cess and buyer gender.
• Registration — commonly ~1% (some states cap it, Tamil Nadu is higher).
• GST — 1% (affordable) or 5% on under-construction; nil on ready homes with a completion certificate.
• Brokerage — typically ~1–2% on a sale, or about one month's rent on a letting.
• Ongoing maintenance and property tax.

Rates are indicative and set by state circulars — confirm the current figure. Size it up in the Stamp duty & all-in cost tools →

The standard conversions to square feet are fixed: 1 sq yard (gaj) = 9, 1 sq metre = 10.76, 1 cent = 435.6, 1 ground = 2,400, 1 acre = 43,560, 1 hectare = 107,639.

Bigha, biswa and katha are the trap. They vary enormously by state and even district — a bigha can be anywhere from roughly 1,500 to 27,000+ sq ft. Never assume a single value; confirm the local definition every time. The Area & rate converter → handles the standard units and deliberately leaves bigha out for this reason.

• Title — a clear chain of ownership, ideally reviewed by a lawyer.
• Approvals — sanctioned plan, and the occupancy/completion certificate for a ready home.
• Encumbrance certificate — confirms no unpaid loans or charges on the property.
• RERA status — verify the project/agent on the state portal.
• Dues — property tax, maintenance and utility bills cleared to date.
• Possession — what is being handed over, and when.

These are the checks a good broker walks a client through — the difference between a safe purchase and a costly one.

Buying isn't automatically better than renting. Over your holding period, weigh the EMI and down payment against the rent you'd otherwise pay — but also count the home's appreciation and the equity you build, against the return you could earn by investing the down payment instead.

The honest answer depends on your city's yields (Indian metros run a low ~2–4% gross), expected price growth, and how long you'll hold. Run your own numbers in the Buy vs rent tool →