Buying A Ready To Move In Property: Pros And Cons

You get what you see: The biggest advantage of buying a ready to move in property is you get what you see (well, in most cases) and chances of getting duped by the developer or broker are few and far between. It is also for your eyes to judge whether the flat specifications and other amenities match the promised standards.

Verifiable legal status: Since the property is already completed, it is easy to check if the developer has obtained Occupancy Certificate and Completion Certificate or not. You should also get your lawyer to verify the Land Title to save yourself from any future hassles.

No service tax: The good news is that you don't have to pay service tax if you invest in a ready to move in property. The rate of this tax payable is around 5% so that's quite a bit of money you save.

Surroundings: Buying a ready property lets you have a feel of the community, gauge the kind of neighbours you will be living around with and then decide if you want to sign up or not. 

Savings on rent: Savings on rental income starts immediately. This is a big plus for those living in rented accommodations.

Cons of investing in ready-to-move-in property

Payment plans: There is no flexibility in payment and you need to pay at one go, including down payment, registration charges, stamp duty, etc.

More legal work and documentation: Generally, ready-to-move-in properties require a lot of legal work and paper work for property transfer and ownership vis-à-vis buying an under construction property. This is because a ready property would require multiple visits to Registrar’s office.

Inflated cost: Buying an under-construction property brings in a promise of handsome price appreciation till the time its ready for delivery. By the time it’s ready to occupy, the prices are already inflated leaving not much room for further increase.

Limits on modification: There is little scope of modifications and alterations to the layout. Minor internal modifications can be done easily but completely refurbishing a flat comes at a huge cost.

Limited choice: Buyers have restricted options when it comes to ready-to-move-in flats. Once you choose the project, there are bleak chances that you will get your preferred floor and view. So you either compromise or start the hunt all over again. Buyers also have to decide quickly because of the high demand and limited units. 

Inputs from- Harsh Roongta, SEBI Certified Investment Advsior