Thinking of Buying a Home in Delhi NCR? Start Here.
Buying your first home is a major milestone and one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. But for many, it quickly becomes overwhelming.
From unfamiliar terms like RERA, circle rates, and title deeds, to conflicting advice from family, brokers, and friends it’s easy to feel lost.
This practical property buying checklist is designed to help first-time homebuyers in Delhi NCR make informed, confident decisions. It won’t replace a lawyer or a chartered accountant, but it will help you:
- Ask the right questions
- Know what documents to verify
- Understand red flags before it’s too late
Let’s walk through the 10-step guide to buying a home the smart way.
Step 1: Set a Realistic All-In Budget
Before looking at properties, define your total budget not just the listed price.
Checklist:
- Include base price of the property
- Add stamp duty and registration costs
- Factor in parking, club membership, society fees
- Plan for interiors, furnishings, and appliances
- Keep a 5–10% buffer for unexpected expenses
- Get pre-approved for a home loan to know your actual buying power
This ensures you avoid wasting time on homes that exceed your financial comfort zone.
Step 2: Verify Title and Ownership
A beautiful house means nothing if the legal title isn’t clean.
Checklist:
- Ask for the Title Deed or Sale Deed
- Match seller’s name with the document and their ID
- Examine past ownership through the chain of documents
- Confirm plot size, boundaries, and survey numbers match the physical site
- Have all documents reviewed by a real estate lawyer
This step protects you from future disputes or ownership issues.
Step 3: Check for Loans, Liens, and Legal Issues
Ensure the property is free from encumbrances or hidden liabilities.
Checklist:
- Request the Encumbrance Certificate (EC)
- Ask if a mortgage exists and how it will be cleared
- Check for ongoing disputes, family claims, or stay orders
- Verify payment history of property tax and utility bills
If encumbrances exist, get clarity on how they’ll be resolved before closing the deal.
Step 4: Confirm Legal Approvals & RERA Status
Especially for under-construction or builder floor projects.
Checklist:
- Verify RERA registration on the respective state portal
- Request the building’s RERA certificate, sanctioned layout plan, and land ownership papers
- For ready-to-move properties, ask for the Completion Certificate (CC) and Occupancy Certificate (OC)
For builder floors:
- Confirm adherence to sanctioned floor plan
- Ask about stilt parking, FAR utilization, and future redevelopment rights
Step 5: Understand Freehold vs Leasehold
In Delhi, both property types are common.
Checklist:
- Clarify if it’s freehold (full ownership) or leasehold (government lease)
- For leasehold plots:
- Check lease period
- Review ground rent terms
- Ask about eligibility and cost of freehold conversion
This impacts resale value, financing, and ownership transfer ease.
Step 6: Inspect Construction Quality & Amenities
Don’t let polished interiors distract from structural issues.
Checklist:
- Check for seepage, wall cracks, or water stains
- Tap tiles to detect hollow or loose spots
- Test all doors, windows, locks, and railings
- Check plumbing and electricals, including the MCB board
- In apartments or builder floors:
- Inspect lift, staircases, parking, and terrace
- Ask about power backup capacity and generator charges
Step 7: Evaluate Layout, Natural Light & Ventilation
These are things you can’t change later and they affect daily living.
Checklist:
- Is there sufficient sunlight in the living areas and at least one bedroom?
- Is the flat cross-ventilated for airflow?
- Are bedrooms well-placed for privacy?
- Does the kitchen have an efficient layout with adequate storage?
If Vastu is important to you:
- Check entrance direction and room placements
- Use it as a preference filter, not a deal-breaker
Step 8: Research the Neighbourhood & Connectivity
A great house in the wrong location can become a regret.
Checklist:
- Visit during peak traffic hours to test actual commute
- Check proximity to metro stations, main roads, hospitals, and markets
- Walk around after sunset to assess:
- Noise levels
- Street lighting
- Parking availability and safety
- Inquire about upcoming infrastructure (e.g., new metro lines, roads, malls) that could impact property value
Think beyond the present plan for 5–10 years down the line.
Step 9: Carefully Review All Legal Agreements
The paperwork is where many costly mistakes are hidden.
Checklist:
- Read the Agreement to Sell or Builder-Buyer Agreement in full
- Confirm total price and detailed payment schedule
- Check penalty clauses for delay (from both buyer and seller)
- Look for a separate annexure listing fittings, brands, parking, terrace rights, etc.
- Review cancellation policy, escalation clauses, and layout deviation rules
- Always involve a real estate lawyer before signing
Step 10: Complete Registration, Mutation & Handover Smoothly
Don't consider the deal done until all ownership is legally transferred.
Checklist:
- Draft and register the Sale Deed with proper stamp duty
- Take handover through a formal Possession Letter
- Apply for mutation in municipal records (to transfer ownership on paper)
- Update utility accounts: electricity, gas, water, property tax
- Digitally store all documents and payment receipts in a secure location
How Rent A Roof Helps You Through This Checklist
You don’t need to navigate all these steps alone.
When you work with Rent A Roof, our team ensures that most checklist points are already pre-screened before you even visit a property.
We help you:
- Shortlist clean-title homes in trusted South Delhi and NCR pockets
- Coordinate with legal, lending, and seller teams for smoother transactions
- Evaluate multiple homes not just on specs but long-term fit
With our end-to-end support, you avoid the overwhelm and stay focused on what truly matters: finding the right home for your life and future.
Conclusion
Buying a home in Delhi NCR can feel like a maze but it doesn't have to be.
With a well-structured checklist and the right guidance, you can confidently move from:
“I hope this is the right choice...”
To
“I know this is the right home for me.”
Let Rent A Roof help you make your home-buying journey simpler, safer, and smarter because your peace of mind is the real possession.
