What to Check Before Buying Property in Mumbai: Checklist

What to check before buying a property in Mumbai: A simple buyer checklist

Buying a home in Mumbai is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. You're investing your hard-earned money and your family's future. The real estate market here moves fast, and property prices in well-connected areas have climbed 5-7% just in 2026. But not every property is a good deal. Some have legal issues. Others have hidden costs.

This property buying checklist will save you from costly mistakes, whether you're a first-time buyer or buying a home for the second time.

Get your finances straight

Before looking at properties, organize your money.

Think beyond the property price

• Registration charges (2-5% of property value)
• Stamp duty (2-4%)
• Society maintenance charges
• Property tax
• Home loan processing fees

Most buyers forget these extra costs. Add another 8-12% on top of the actual price.

Can you afford the EMI? Your monthly EMI should be around 30-40% of your monthly income, maximum. Don't stretch too thin. If you earn ₹1,00,000 monthly, your EMI shouldn't exceed ₹30,000-40,000.

Know your tax benefits Section 80C and Section 24(b) of the Income Tax Act give you real savings when buying a house in India for the first time. Talk to a tax advisor.

Verify the legal side

Never skip legal checks.

Check RERA Registration Every project must be registered with MahaRERA. Visit maharera.maharashtra.gov.in and verify:

• Project completion timeline
• Authority approvals
• Pending litigations
• Developer's track record

Get the right documents 

For resale property:

• Original sale deed
• Occupancy Certificate (OC)
• Property tax receipts
• Society NOC
• Maintenance bill receipts

For new properties:

• Approved building plan
• Environmental clearance
• Municipal approvals

OC vs CC The Occupancy Certificate says the building is safe and ready. The Completion Certificate confirms construction followed approved plans. OC is what you need to legally occupy.

Red Flag Alert: About 3 lakh buildings in Maharashtra lack OC. Before buying, confirm the building has its OC. If not, you're taking a legal risk.

Check the developer

Who's building this? Will they deliver on time?

Ask these questions:

• How many projects have been completed?
• Were they delivered on time?
• Check reviews from existing residents
• Search online for complaints

Review the Builder-Buyer Agreement This document should clearly state possession date, payment schedule, penalties for delays, and your rights. Have a lawyer review it.

Location and connectivity

A great property in a terrible location is still a bad investment.

Think about your daily life:

• Distance from workplace
• Public transport options
• Schools and hospitals nearby
• Is the neighborhood safe?

Infrastructure changes everything - Mumbai Metro Line 4 is opening soon. Properties near metro stations appreciate faster. Check what new projects are coming to your area.

Visit multiple times - Go during rush hour, afternoon, and evening. Check traffic. Check parking. Feel the neighborhood.

Physical inspection

You're investing hundreds of lakhs. Actually, look at the property.

For under-construction:

• Check construction quality
• Are safety standards followed?
• Talk to other buyers
• Ask about delays

For ready-to-move:

• Check building condition
• Are amenities working?
• Check plumbing and electrical
• Talk to existing residents

Choose right configuration

• 1 BHK for single professionals
• 2 BHK for small families
• 3+ BHK for larger families

Red flags to avoid

Walk away if you see:

• Building without an Occupancy Certificate
• Ongoing litigations
• Property already mortgaged
• Builder with a delay history
• Unclear ownership
• Suspiciously low prices

Now, let me give some bonus information. Let’s talk about which are the top 5 projects in Mumbai. 

Top 5 Projects meeting these standards

Project 5: Godrej Reserve Kandivali

Premium quality with excellent Western Express Highway connectivity. 2-4 BHK flats with full RERA compliance.

Project 4: JP Codename StarLife

Strategic Mira Road location with modern amenities. Solid documentation and transparent buying a house in India.

Project 3: Nandivardhan Fortuna Blue

Lower Parel's premium location offers 1-2.5BHK apartments. Real estate due diligence is crystal clear with verified RERA registration P51900018299. Possession December 2025.

Project 2: Nandivardhan Park Pallazzo

South Mumbai luxury with 2-4BHK apartments (866-1584 sqft). Nandivardhan's 22+ year track record ensures quality. Perfect for investors earning rental income.

Project 1: Nandivardhan Monopoli

Dadar's ultimate investment. 40+ storey high-rise with Arabian Sea views. Location connectivity is unmatched, walking distance from three railway lines, upcoming Metro and Coastal Road. This is where real estate due diligence matters most because location appreciates with infrastructure.

Your action plan

Do this now:

• Write down your complete budget
• Check the project on MahaRERA
• Hire a lawyer to review documents
• Visit the property multiple times
• Talk to existing residents
• Calculate your EMI honestly
• Verify ownership and legal status

Don't rush. Don't let pressure force you. This is too important.

The best time to invest in property was yesterday. The second best? When you've done your homework and feel completely confident. Ready to explore premium residential projects? View our residential projects to see properties built by developers committed to transparency. Want to know what separates great developers from risky ones? Know your developer and make decisions based on facts.