The first-time home buying guide for Delhi NCR

Start with the total cost of ownership, not the headline price. Stamp duty, registration, GST on under-construction units, parking, club membership and interiors routinely add a meaningful percentage to the sticker figure.

Verify the project's HARERA registration and check the promoter's declared completion timeline. A registered project gives you a documented recourse if delivery slips.

Pre-approve your home loan before you shortlist. It sharpens your budget, strengthens your negotiating position, and shortens the gap between offer and agreement.

Finally, visit at different times of day. Traffic, water pressure, noise and parking behave very differently on a Tuesday evening than on a Sunday morning.