Real estate investment is one of the best investments in the current times provided you choose the right property. A poor property investment decision can take a toll on your financial health as a huge amount of money is involved in building this asset.
It is thus important to stay cautious at every step of your property-buying journey. To help you with the task, we have compiled an extensive home-buying process checklist that must be kept in mind before purchasing the property.
We have also provided a list of legal documents required for the purchase of property to help you sail smoothly through the process. Let us read on to find out.
Significance of Investing in a Property
Property investment holds significant importance for several reasons:
- Wealth Creation: Property investment is a popular avenue for creating and accumulating wealth over time. The value of real estate tends to appreciate over the long term, allowing investors to build equity and increase their net worth.
- Passive Income: Property investment can generate a consistent stream of passive income through rental payments. This income can supplement one’s primary earnings or serve as a retirement income source.
- Portfolio Diversification: Real estate offers diversification benefits to an investment portfolio. It often behaves differently from other asset classes like stocks and bonds, providing a hedge against market volatility.
- Tangible Asset: Real estate investments involve physical assets, such as land and buildings. Unlike stocks or bonds, investors have a tangible asset they can see, touch, and control.
- Tax Benefits: Many countries offer tax incentives and deductions to property investors. These benefits can include tax deductions for mortgage interest, property depreciation, and more.
- Inflation Hedge: Real estate often outpaces inflation, helping investors preserve the purchasing power of their capital. Rental income and property values tend to rise with inflation.
- Leverage Potential: Property investments allow for the use of leverage, where investors can use a portion of their own funds and borrow the rest through a mortgage. This amplifies the potential returns on investment.
- Retirement Planning: Owning property can provide financial security during retirement. Investors can downsize, sell, or rent out their properties to cover living expenses.
- Equity Building: Over time, property owners can build equity in their properties by paying down their mortgage principal. This equity can be tapped into for future investments or financial needs.
- Control and Decision-Making: Property investors have control over their investments. They can make decisions regarding property management, renovations, and when to buy or sell.
- Legacy Planning: Real estate can be passed down to future generations as part of an inheritance, creating a lasting legacy for families.
- Economic Stability: A robust real estate market contributes to economic stability by supporting various industries, including construction, finance, and home improvement.
- Rental Demand: In many urban areas, there is a consistent demand for rental properties. Investing in such areas can ensure a steady rental income stream.
- Asset Appreciation: Properties have the potential to appreciate significantly over time, allowing investors to profit from capital gains when they decide to sell.
- Financial Freedom: Successful property investment can lead to financial freedom, reducing reliance on traditional employment and providing more time and resources for personal pursuits.
Overall, property investment plays a vital role in wealth creation, financial security, and long-term financial planning for individuals and families. It offers a tangible and often stable avenue for building and preserving wealth while providing numerous financial benefits and opportunities.
Complete Checklist for Buying a House
Several factors need to be kept in mind while purchasing a property. Mentioned below is a complete home buyer checklist that contains all the necessary points you must consider to make an appropriate property-buying decision:
1. Set a Budget
One of the first things on your checklist before buying a flat is the budget. This is the stepping stone for any big investments and requires proper planning. To begin with, make a note of all your expenses and sources of income to compute how much amount you are likely to be left with each month after bearing all the essential costs for a comfortable living. Also, skim through your savings and other investments to assess the amount you can manage for a down payment. Now, set the budget accordingly.
2. Arrange the Finances
If you are planning to purchase a plot or an independent house, then the down payment would be huge. It is suggested to manage the funds before beginning with the property hunt to ensure you are on the right track. It is easier to get a home loan for buying an apartment however a lot of documentation and other formalities are involved in the process. It is best to consult a loan officer to get a fair idea about the loan you are eligible for, the rate of interest as well as the required property documents checklist. This will help you understand if you will be able to manage the monthly instalment easily or not.
3. Choose the Location
Choosing an appropriate location should come next in your home buying process checklist. Properties at certain locations prove to be more lucrative over time as they appreciate at a good pace. However, some locations do not develop as much and thus the rate of the property remains largely stagnant. The rent derived also depends on the location. Affording a property in a well-developed area is difficult for many people. Therefore, it is wise to choose the next best option – a locality that is likely to prosper a few months or a year or two down the line. You must do a thorough check and assess the scope of growth before investing.
4. Construction Quality
Whether you are purchasing an independent builder flat or one that forms a part of a residential society, it is crucial to assess its construction quality. Many builders construct houses that appear attractive from the outside, but the quality of material used in their construction is poor. Do not fall for such constructions.
5. Water and Power Supply
Even a lavish, fully furnished house cannot give you comfort if there is a scarcity of water and frequent power cuts in the locality. This can be extremely annoying especially if you choose to live in an independent home. This is because you won’t get any power back up and inverters cannot take up load for long hours. Thus, one of the first things you must check is the water and power supply in the area.
6. Need for Furnishing/Renovation and the Cost Involved
Whether the property requires furnishing/ renovation or not is another point that needs to there on your checklist before buying a flat. Some flats are semi-furnished while a few are fully furnished. The cost of these flats may be higher compared to raw flats however investing in such a property can save you time, effort, and money spent in dealing with labourers, contractors, and architects.
7. Parking Facility and Other Amenities
At the time of choosing a house, it is imperative to check the availability of parking spaces. If you opt for a flat in a residential society then the parking facility mostly comes as a part of the deal. You may, however, choose to purchase an extra parking space depending upon your need and budget. However, if you are planning to purchase an independent house then you should take a closer look at the available parking spaces before finalising the deal. Also check, whether essential amenities such as a school, park, hospital, bank, gym, and market are located nearby.
8. Traffic Situation
The traffic situation in and around your locality during peak hours is also an important factor that requires consideration. Whether you are planning to reside in this property or rent it, considering this point is very important.
9. Builder Reputation
Unfortunately, there are many builders in the market that make false promises. Many of them do not deliver the property on time while others do not cooperate when it comes to completing property documents, some others do not offer good quality construction, and so on. Thus, it is important to do a thorough background check to know the builder’s reputation before finalising the deal. It is always suggested to go for a builder who has goodwill in the market.
10. Registration and Stamp Duty
If you think that you need to gather funds only for purchasing the property then here is a revelation. You are required to pay the registration charges and stamp duty too. A substantial amount needs to be paid for the registration and stamp duty. Find out how much you are expected to pay based on the location and property you are planning to purchase. This point should thus form a part of your home buying checklist.
11. Additional Cost Involved
It is best to seek professional help when it comes to purchasing a property. This helps avoid a lot of hassle and saves time. However, you need to pay a substantial amount to the real estate agent/ agency. You may also require paying money to home inspectors, notaries, lawyers, and other such professionals. This expense must also be considered. If you are opting for an independent flat then you may have to spend on security services also. Besides, property tax needs to be paid annually.
12. Legal Guidance
Since purchasing property involves a substantial amount as well as risk, it is important to seek legal guidance in this matter. You must know about all the laws and legal documents required for the purchase of property to ensure a smooth process and avoid any issues later.
13. Tax Planning
You can avail of tax benefits on your home loan however it is important to understand the applicable terms and conditions to make the most of this benefit.
14. Check the Resale Value
This is another important point on the checklist for buying a house. You must pay special attention to the resale value if you are buying the property for investment purpose rather than inhabiting it and plan to sell it sooner or later.
15. Property Insurance
It is suggested to get insurance for your property so that you have something to fall back on in case it incurs any sort of damage. You will come across various home insurance policies from different banks/ finance companies. You must understand the cost and formalities involved before purchasing the property.
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Property Documents Checklist
So, after considering all the above points you have finally decided to purchase a property. Now, depending upon whether it is a commercial property or a residential one, you shall be required to produce several documents. It is better to understand the required documentation beforehand so that there is no scope of getting stuck after finalising the deal. Here is a run through the property documents checklist:
Sales Deed
This is the most important document while purchasing a property. It is transferred by the seller to the buyer stating clearly the transfer of ownership of property. Once, this formality is complete you will become the legal owner of the property. This document is registered with the registrar. It comes in handy while taking a home loan and at the time of resale. It must thus be kept safely.
Allotment Letter
The buyer is allotted this letter by the builder at the time of applying for a home loan. This letter comprises information related to the down payment made by the buyer. This assures that the loan being asked by the buyer is reasonable.
Khata Certificate
This certificate is proof that the construction of the property has been done as per the approved plan and that the property finds a mention in the municipal record. Also known as extract, this property document is required at the time of taking a home loan and also during the registration process.
Possession Letter
A copy of the possession letter is required by the buyer as it is proof that the property has been delivered.
Payment Receipt
The original payment receipt must be obtained from the seller.
NOC
Several NOC certificates are needed at the time of purchasing the property. These include the electricity supply, water supply, and various other approvals from the government.
General Power of Attorney
The buyer appoints a legal representative for his property. This person is given the right to make all the property-related decisions on the behalf of the buyer. General Power of Attorney is provided to the representative by the buyer.
Rectification Deed
This property document is required to make modifications in the Principal Clause if the need arises. It is also referred to as a supplementary agreement.
Copy of Building Plan
An approved building plan by the statutory body must be obtained by the buyer. This document is a confirmation that the construction is done following all the legal norms.
Occupancy Certificate
This certificate is provided after the completion of the construction when the property is ready for occupancy.
Other Documents Required
Some of the other property documents required in the process include mutation register extracts, joint development agreement, encumbrance certificate, and completion certificate.
Takeaway
Purchasing property involves several steps and requires proper planning. It is important to prepare an extensive home buying process checklist and consider it before making this investment. Setting a budget is the first step. The steps that follow include arranging funds, assessing home loan eligibility, consulting a real estate agent, looking for a suitable property in a good locality, checking the parking facility, essential amenities, construction quality, and understanding the tax clauses, documentation, and registration process among other things. All these steps have been explained in detail in the article. We hope this proves to be helpful when you go for purchasing the property.
