Site Visit Checklist: 15 Things to Check Before Buying a Flat

A site visit is the one time you can tell the difference between what's promised and what's real. It's easy to get swept up in a nice lobby and a cup of coffee, so go in with a plan. Take photos. Ask questions. Don't feel awkward asking to see paperwork.

Before you leave home

• Shortlist two or three projects so you can compare them in the same weekend.
• Note each project's RERA number and look it up beforehand.
• Decide your budget, and the EMI you'd be comfortable paying every month.

At the project

Here's the list we suggest to everyone we take on a visit.

1. Walk through the sample flat, then ask how closely your actual unit will match it, especially finishes and ceiling height.
2. Ask exactly which tower, floor and facing you're being quoted for.
3. Drive the approach road. Notice traffic, noise and how far you are from the main road.
4. Compare construction progress with the latest RERA update.
5. Look at what's being built in the common areas: lobbies, lifts, parking, landscaping.
6. Ask about water, power backup and security.
7. Find out the density: how many towers, how many flats per floor, how many lifts per tower.
8. Get the cost sheet and payment plan in writing.
9. Ask about the possession date and what happens if it slips.
10. Check the developer's track record by visiting a completed project nearby.

After you get home

• Compare the all-in price per carpet sq. ft. Don't compare brochure rates.
• Go back at a different time of day. Evenings show you the noise, light and traffic that mornings hide.
• If you can, speak to someone living in a finished project by the same developer.
• Sleep on it. A good offer can wait a couple of days.

Sample flats are staged, and that's okay

A sample flat is dressed to look its best: clever furniture, perfect lighting, a mirror in just the right place. That's fine, but don't judge your future home by it. Look at the actual room sizes, the ceiling height and where the windows and doors fall. If you can, carry a small measuring tape or use a phone app and check that your sofa and bed would really fit.

Questions to ask the sales team

• Which exact unit and floor are you showing me, and what's its facing?
• What's included in the price, and what's extra?
• When is possession promised, and where is that written?
• What are the monthly maintenance charges likely to be?
• Which banks have already approved loans for this project?

Pay attention to how the answers come. Clear, specific replies are a good sign. Vague answers and 'we'll send it later' are worth noting.

What to carry

• A notebook or your phone for notes, photos and the RERA number.
• A government ID, in case the sales team needs it for the visit register.
• A measuring tape, if you want to check room sizes.
• Your list of questions. It's easy to forget them once you're inside.

Take someone with you

A second pair of eyes helps. Family members notice different things: one looks at the kitchen, another at the lift lobby, someone else at the road outside. If you can't bring anyone, send them your photos and notes afterwards and talk it through.

Trust your senses

Numbers matter, but so does how a place feels. Stand on the balcony. Listen for traffic. Check whether the lobby feels cramped. Open the windows and doors, and look at how the light moves through the room. These small things shape your daily life far more than most brochure features.

Quick Answers

This article is general information to help you plan, not legal, tax or investment advice. Images are artistic impressions. Prices, approvals and timelines change, so please confirm current details on the project's RERA page and with the sales team.