True Cost of Buying a Home in India

The sticker price is only the starting point. Buyers also pay statutory charges, financing costs, moving costs and the long arc of interest over the loan tenure.

Upfront costs

Down payment, stamp duty, registration, TDS, processing fee, legal verification, valuation fee and initial maintenance deposit can all arrive before possession. Under-construction property can also involve GST.

Long-term costs

The EMI includes interest. Over 20 years, interest can rival or exceed the original loan principal. Small changes in interest rate or tenure can change total repayment dramatically.

Living-ready costs

Interiors, appliances, curtains, modular kitchen, wardrobes, parking, shifting, brokerage and society transfer charges are often ignored until late in the process.