Buying your first home is exciting, and it's easy to let that excitement rush the paperwork. Here's the checklist we actually use with first-time buyers in Surat.
Get pre-clear on your budget including registration (roughly 7% of the deal value in Gujarat, including stamp duty and registration charges) and any society transfer or maintenance deposits — these add up fast and catch first-timers off guard.
Always check the project's RERA registration number on the Gujarat RERA portal, not just the builder's brochure. Compare carpet area, not just the "super built-up" number quoted in marketing material — the difference is often 25-30% and directly affects what you're really paying per usable square foot.
Visit the site at two different times of day if possible — traffic, noise and sunlight all change. Ask for the payment schedule in writing and match it against construction milestones if the project is under construction. Get a lawyer (or your broker's legal partner) to review the sale agreement before you sign, not after.
Confirm the property has a clear title with no pending litigation or loan encumbrance, and that all previous-owner dues (society maintenance, property tax) are cleared before the sale deed is registered.
None of this needs to be overwhelming — it's exactly what our team handles for every buyer we work with, start to finish.
