An under-construction property is usually cheaper than a ready one, but it carries delivery risk. Managing that risk is mostly a matter of disclosure and of structuring payment so that it tracks progress.
1. Verify RERA registration and timeline
Confirm the project on the state RERA portal, read the declared completion date, and check that quarterly progress updates are being filed. A timeline revised more than once is worth questioning.
2. Read the builder's delivery history
Past delivery is the most useful indicator of future delivery. Where disclosed, review whether the builder completed earlier projects on time and to plan.
3. Prefer a construction-linked payment plan
A construction-linked plan releases payment in stages tied to construction milestones, which aligns your outlay with progress. It generally protects a buyer better than a plan front-loaded with payments.
4. Confirm the carpet area and specifications
Ensure the agreement specifies carpet area and the agreed specifications, and that the delay clause is clear.
5. Use the dedicated account protection
RERA requires that a defined share of buyer funds be held in a project-specific account. Understanding this helps you see how your payments are meant to be used.
6. Plan for the Occupancy Certificate
Do not take possession until the Occupancy Certificate is issued. Build this into your expectations from the start.
The lower price of an under-construction unit is the compensation for the risk. These steps are how you keep that risk in check.