Buying a home, especially your first one, is a big step and when you’re doing it in a city like Chennai, it can feel even more overwhelming.Hi, I am Aravind and I recently went through the entire process of buying an apartment here, and trust me, it’s a mix of excitement, confusion, and a whole lot of learning.
So instead of giving you textbook advice, I wanted to share a few real-world tips that I wish someone had told me earlier. These are based on my personal experience and are meant to help you avoid the common pitfalls new buyers face in Chennai.
1. Finalize Your Budget, Including the Loan Amount
Most people start their home-buying journey with a rough budget in mind, based on their income and how much EMI they can comfortably manage each month. But before anything else, it’s crucial to finalize your budget—including the loan amount you’re planning to take.
Start by calculating how much loan you’re eligible for and check if the EMI fits within your monthly expenses. Don’t just consider the base price of the apartment. Factor in all additional costs such as registration fees, GST, legal charges, interior work, and moving expenses. These can significantly increase the total amount you’ll need.
2. Set Your Preferences: Location, BHK Size, Building Type
Once you’ve finalised your budget, the next step is to define your preferences such as location (keeping in mind that not all areas may fit your budget), number of BHKs, and the type of apartment you’re aiming for, whether it’s a large gated community with amenities or a smaller apartment block with fewer units.
But here’s the truth: your budget will heavily influence these preferences.
When we started our search, we had a clear vision, a spacious 3BHK in a large community that was also close to our workplace. But after doing some real research and visiting properties, we realized that such options were far beyond what we could afford. So, we made adjustments instead of compromising on the 3BHK or location, we opted for a smaller-sized apartment in a limited community setup that was still close to our workplace.
In the end, we bought a compact 3BHK in a small-scale apartment complex, and we’re happy with it because it checked off the priorities that mattered most to us.
The takeaway? You need to prioritise what matters most and be ready to compromise on the rest. Unless you have an unlimited budget, you’re unlikely to get everything on your wish list. Focus on your top priorities and stay flexible with the rest.
3. Do As Many Site Visits As Possible
Now that you’re clear on your budget and preferences, it’s time to start exploring projects whether online, through real estate portals, social media, or word of mouth. Once you shortlist a few options, begin visiting the sites in person and do as many site visits as you can.
Site visits are one of the most important parts of the home-buying journey. They give you a real feel of the surroundings like nearby shops, schools, road conditions, noise levels, and even the vibe of the locality. You also get to inspect the actual build quality, layout, ventilation, and finish of the apartment, which you can never truly gauge from brochures or walkthrough videos.
👉 Don’t skip site visits — nothing beats seeing it with your own eyes.
That said, make sure you don’t waste time visiting every project out there. Stick to those that match your preferences and budget. Visiting properties that are far outside your criteria will only drain your time and energy.
4. Don’t Trust the Price on Banners & Walkthrough Videos
Don’t Get Fooled by Real Estate Ads: Here’s the Truth
Let’s be honest, one of the biggest traps in today’s home buying process is misleading advertising in the real estate industry. Over the last decade, Chennai’s real estate market has exploded, and with that, advertising gimmicks have also skyrocketed.
Coming from a marketing background myself and having worked with real estate brands, I’ve seen how this works behind the scenes.
You’ll often see hoardings or digital ads that say:
“2BHK starts from ₹70 Lakhs”*
Notice that little asterisk at the end? The fine print will quietly say:
Terms & Conditions Apply
What they don’t tell you upfront is that the ₹70 Lakhs is just the base price. Once you add in registration charges, GST, maintenance deposits, club house charges, car parking, and other hidden fees, the actual cost often jumps to ₹85–90 Lakhs in a gated community. Even in smaller apartment blocks, it could easily go up to ₹75–78 Lakhs.
💡 Pro tip: Whenever you see “starting from” prices, assume that it doesn’t include any add-ons and start your calculations from there.
About Those Fancy Walkthrough Videos…
Another common tactic is showcasing walkthrough videos of model flats, beautifully lit, professionally edited, with designer interiors, premium fittings, modular kitchens, and imported tiles.
But here’s the catch, none of those are part of your actual apartment unless you pay extra for them. What you see is not what you get.
These videos are designed to create a dream-like impression, but it’s up to you to ask what’s actually included in the standard unit.
So, if you’re starting your home-buying journey, be alert and don’t get carried away by flashy ads. Always dig deeper, ask for the full breakdown of costs, and don’t assume that the ad price is the final price.
✅ Complete Cost Checklist for Buying an Apartment in Chennai
When a builder says “Starting from ₹XX Lakhs,” be sure to ask for a detailed cost sheet that includes:
💰 Core Apartment Costs
- ✅ Base Price / Agreement Value
- ✅ Floor Rise Charges (Extra charges for higher floors)
- ✅ Facing Charges (if the unit is east/north facing)
- ✅ Preferred Location Charges (PLC)
🧾 Government & Legal Charges
- ✅ Stamp Duty & Registration (Usually ~7% to 8% of Agreement Value)
- ✅ GST (Goods & Services Tax) (Usually 5% if under-construction)
🚗 Facility Charges
- ✅ Car Parking Charges (Open/covered/multiple)
- ✅ Clubhouse or Amenity Charges
- ✅ Corpus Fund / Maintenance Deposit (1-2 years upfront)
🧹 Other Hidden Costs
- ✅ Legal Fees / Documentation Charges
- ✅ Water, Electricity, and Sewage Connection Fees
- ✅ Generator or Power Backup Charges
- ✅ Advance Maintenance Charges
5. Avoid Booking an Upcoming Apartment (Unless You’re Ready to Wait)
Be Cautious with Pre-Launch & Under-Construction Projects in Chennai
Pre-launch and under-construction apartments in Chennai may seem attractive especially because they’re priced lower than ready-to-move-in homes. But here’s the reality:
🚧 Delays are very common, and in some cases, projects get pushed back for years.
🌀 You won’t truly know how the final layout, amenities, or open spaces will turn out until much later.
📉 Even reputed real estate brands have delayed projects for years. yes, you probably already know which ones I’m talking about! 😅
What’s the safer option?
If you’re a first-time buyer, it’s always better to go for a project that is at least 80% completed or fully ready-to-move-in. That way:
- You know exactly what you’re getting
- You can physically inspect the flat, common areas, and surrounding locality
- There’s more confidence in timely handover
But here’s the twist:
In Chennai, apartments – especially in popular areas get sold out during launch itself. So, getting your preferred unit in a near-completion stage can be tough.
💡 What’s the smart move?
Do your homework on the builder.
- Check previous projects
- Look for reviews and feedback from past buyers
- Understand their track record on delivery timelines
When you’re making one of the biggest investments of your life, it’s always better to go with a builder who delivers on time, not just promises.
6. Research the Builder Online Deeply
Ok, this will be interesting. Yes, I never bought a home before but reading online reviews is one of my habit in general which helped me to escape from many non reliable builders even though their brochures looks great, their walkthrough video look great.
A good-looking brochure doesn’t mean the builder is trustworthy.
Go beyond Google reviews. Join Chennai-based real estate forums, Facebook groups, or subReddits where people actively share their experience with builders.
You’ll find real gems like:
- “This builder delays handover by a year”
- “Poor plumbing quality – leakages after 6 months”
- “Clubhouse was never constructed as promised”
What If the Builder Has No Online Presence?
While filtering out projects, online reviews can be a great starting point. That’s how I personally eliminated many builders , just by reading real buyer feedback across Google, forums, and property portals.
But here’s the catch:
Not all builders especially small-scale ones have an online presence or reviews.
That was exactly my case. We were looking at a limited apartment project, just 3 floors and 6 units in total. The builder wasn’t a big name, and there was hardly any online review to trust.
So what did we do?
Luckily, one of our relatives had already purchased a flat from the same builder in an earlier project. We asked them directly about their experience from construction quality to handover time. The feedback was positive and reassuring, which gave us the confidence to go ahead.
💡 Tip: If you’re considering a lesser-known builder, always:
- Try to visit their previous projects
- Talk to existing flat owners
- Check how long they’ve been in the business and how many completed projects they have
This kind of offline verification is just as important if not more than checking online reviews.
7. Not All Projects Are Available Online
In the beginning, I relied heavily on online real estate portals and official builder websites to find ongoing and upcoming projects in Chennai. And to be honest it was helpful, but only to an extent.
💡 If you’re looking for big gated community projects, you’ll find plenty of options online. These builders do heavy marketing on real estate platforms, run social media ads, and even partner with property consultants.
But here’s what most people don’t realize…
If your preference is limited-unit apartments say under 15 flats or 3 to 4 floors max you won’t find most of them online.
That’s when field work becomes crucial.
What’s Field Work in Home Buying?
It simply means getting on the ground and exploring street by street in your preferred area. Walk around or drive through neighbourhoods you like. Keep your eyes open for boards, banners, or construction activity that’s how you’ll find hidden gems.
That’s exactly what we did.
After finalising our preferences, we knew big communities were out of our budget, so we shifted focus to limited-unit apartments.
We explored our preferred locality street by street, and to our surprise, we discovered 6 to 8 small-scale ongoing projects, none of which were listed online!
Many of these were built by local developers who don’t do aggressive digital marketing but they offered great quality and competitive pricing.
Eventually, we filtered based on location, layout, builder feedback (through offline checks), and booked a home we genuinely felt happy with.
CHECK MORE PROJECTS ON CHENNAIPROPERTIES.IN
Common Mindsets People Have During the Home Buying Process (And Why You Should Avoid Them)
1. Visiting Just 1 or 2 Projects and Making a Decision
Many people feel overwhelmed or lazy and think, “Okay, this looks good enough” after visiting just a couple of apartments. But in reality, there could be better options, better pricing, better UDS, or better locations, just a few kilometres away.
🔍 Tip: Don’t settle early. Try to visit at least 6–8 projects before shortlisting.
2. Feeling Pressured to Decide on the First Visit
It’s very common to feel emotionally attached to the first property you see especially if it’s staged well or the builder speaks convincingly. But never make a decision during the first visit. You may not know what you’re missing until you explore more.
💡 Advice: Take time to revisit with a fresh mind and compare it with other options.
3. Thinking “Price Will Go Up, I Should Hurry”
Yes, prices do go up. But FOMO (fear of missing out) is a real trap in real estate marketing. Booking out of fear can lead to compromises you’ll regret, especially on location, builder credibility, or apartment size.
🧘 Mindset Shift: Let data and priorities guide your decision, not panic.
4. Focusing Too Much on Interiors or Model Flats
Model flats are usually fully done up with premium tiles, furniture, false ceilings, and lighting. It’s easy to fall for them. But remember you’re only getting an empty shell unless you pay more.
🎯 Stay grounded: Focus on layout, UDS, construction quality, and legal clarity — not just visual appeal.
5. Assuming Big Builders = No Risk
Even big brands in Chennai have delayed projects by years. People often assume branded builders are safer, but delivery delays and miscommunication still happen.
🔎 What to do: Always check reviews of that specific project, not just the brand name.
Final Thoughts: Take Your Time. It’s Your Home, Not a Race
Buying a home — especially in a city like Chennai — is one of the most emotional and financially significant decisions you’ll ever make. From budget planning and setting preferences to exploring every corner of your desired location, every step requires patience, clarity, and a bit of legwork.
And most importantly…
Don’t Rush, Take Your Time
You’ll hear it a lot: “Only two units left,” or “Prices are increasing next week.” Builders and agents may try to create urgency but remember, it’s okay to walk away if it doesn’t feel right.
💡 It’s better to lose one deal than to regret one.
Trust your instincts, do your research, and don’t let pressure cloud your judgment. The right apartment, the one that matches your budget, lifestyle, and long-term needs is out there. You just need to be patient and persistent.
✅ Hope this guide helped you see things more clearly from a real buyer’s point of view. If you’re planning to start your home search soon, keep these tips handy they’ll save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.
All the best in finding your dream home! 🏡✨