A site visit is where the brochure meets reality. Most buyers walk in focused on the view from the balcony and walk out having forgotten to check the things that actually matter a year later. Here's the checklist our consultants walk every client through.
1. RERA Registration Number — Verify It Yourself
Don't take the sales team's word for it. Every RERA-registered project has a public registration number that you can verify on the state RERA portal. Check the promised possession date listed there against what you're being told in person — discrepancies are a red flag.
2. Carpet Area, Not Just Super Built-Up
The number on the brochure is almost always super built-up area, which includes shared spaces like lobbies and stairwells. Ask specifically for the carpet area — the actual usable space inside your walls — since this is what RERA requires developers to disclose and it's the number that matters for your daily life.
3. Actual Construction Stage vs Promised Timeline
If the project is under construction, walk the site (or ask for recent dated photos/videos if it's not accessible yet) and compare progress against the possession date you're being quoted. A stalled or slow-moving site with an aggressive possession promise is worth extra scrutiny.
4. Total Cost, Not Just The Headline Price
Ask for a full cost breakup in writing — base price, PLC (preferential location charges), club membership, GST, stamp duty, registration, and any maintenance deposit. The headline per-sq-ft number rarely reflects the final cheque you'll write.
5. Connectivity At Different Times Of Day
A route that looks fine on a Sunday site visit can be a very different experience during Monday morning traffic. If possible, do a second visit — or at least drive the route yourself — during a weekday peak hour before you commit.
Bonus: Bring These Questions
- What's the current occupancy rate if the project is partially delivered?
- Who manages the clubhouse and common areas — the developer or a third-party facility manager?
- What's the maintenance charge per sq ft, and has it increased in past years?
- Is there a penalty clause in the buyer agreement if possession is delayed?
We accompany clients on every site visit specifically to ask these questions on their behalf — it's easy to get swept up in a well-staged sample flat and forget the fundamentals.
Planning a site visit soon?
Let our team join you — we'll ask the questions that matter before you commit.
