01 / Real Estate
Start with the project identity
A polished brochure can make almost any project look convincing, but your first task is to identify exactly what is being offered. Write down the project name, developer, location, plot or unit type, booking amount and the company receiving the payment. These details should match across the application form, payment plan, receipt and any official communication. If the salesperson uses different names for the project or asks you to pay a separate individual, pause and ask for written clarification.
Ask whether you are buying a plot, an apartment, a commercial unit or only a future allocation. These are different products with different risks. Request the unit number, floor, size, facing and total price in writing. A clear booking document should also explain what happens if the promised unit is unavailable, the project changes or you decide to cancel.
02 / Real Estate
Check ownership and approvals
Ask the seller for current written evidence of land ownership, development permissions and the approvals relevant to that location. The approving authority can vary by area, so confirm which authority has jurisdiction over the project. Do not rely only on a logo printed in a brochure or a verbal statement that approval is in process. Verify the document number and status through the relevant authority or a qualified property lawyer.
Approval does not automatically mean every marketing claim is approved. Compare the sanctioned plan with the unit, tower, block or phase being sold to you. If a project is marketed in phases, confirm that the approval covers the exact phase you are considering. Keep copies of the documents you reviewed and note the date because project status can change.
03 / Real Estate
Visit the site and test the location
A map pin is useful, but a physical visit shows what the brochure cannot. Travel to the site at a realistic time of day and check the approach road, surrounding development, drainage, traffic, public transport and nearby services. Confirm that the entrance being shown is actually available and that any claimed road connection exists on the ground.
For apartments or mixed-use projects, look at construction activity, access for residents, parking arrangements and the distance between the sales office and the actual building site. Take your own photographs and compare them with the images used in marketing. Computer-generated elevations can explain the design, but they do not prove current construction progress.
04 / Real Estate
Read the payment plan as a contract
Do not judge affordability from the booking amount alone. Calculate the total payable amount, confirmation payment, monthly or quarterly instalments, possession charges, development charges, utility charges, transfer fee and any escalation clause. Ask which charges are fixed and which can change. A payment plan should also state the due dates, late-payment consequences and refund or cancellation policy.
Use a traceable payment method and pay only to the account named in the official documents. Collect a signed receipt for every payment. If a discount is offered, ask for the final net price in writing before paying. Verbal discounts, free features and guaranteed returns are difficult to enforce when they are missing from the signed agreement.
05 / Real Estate
Assess delivery and resale realistically
Ask for evidence of earlier completed work, not only a list of announced projects. Review delivery history, construction quality, maintenance arrangements and how the developer handled delays. If the project is still early, understand that timelines may move and build that uncertainty into your decision.
Rental income and resale value depend on demand, supply, access, management, completion and the wider market. Treat projections as scenarios rather than promises. Compare recent asking prices and actual completed properties in the surrounding area. Before signing, have a qualified lawyer review the documents and use independent professional advice for any decision that involves a significant amount of money.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Is an approval logo in a brochure enough?
No. Ask for the current approval document and verify that it covers the exact project, phase and unit type being offered through the relevant authority or a qualified lawyer.
What should I receive after paying a booking amount?
You should receive a traceable receipt and written booking record showing the payer, project, unit or allocation, amount, date and the company that received the payment.
Can a property project guarantee rental return?
Treat return figures as projections unless a clear, enforceable agreement explains the amount, duration, conditions and responsible party. Independent legal and financial review is advisable.