Buying a home is the largest financial decision most families make — and it's a decision that ties you to a builder, not just a building. The reputation, the systems, and the documentation behind the project matter as much as the brochure that brought you in. As a developer that has been building in West Pune since 2011, we've seen what separates a smooth purchase from a difficult one. Here are the five things every buyer should verify before signing a booking form.
1. RERA Registration
The Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) is the most important consumer-protection mechanism in Indian real estate. Every project being sold pre-completion must be RERA-registered in Maharashtra, and the registration number must be displayed on every marketing material and contract.
What to do: search the project on the MahaRERA portal, confirm the carpet area, completion timeline, and approved plans match what the builder is showing you. If anything is missing or mismatched, ask for a written explanation before you book.
2. Builder's Track Record
Past performance is one of the strongest predictors of future delivery. A builder with multiple completed projects, on-time possession history, and properties you can actually visit is a different proposition from a first-time developer with only renders to show.
What to look for:
- How many projects have they delivered, and where
- Have past projects been handed over on time
- Talk to residents of completed projects about construction quality and post-sale support
- Check Google reviews, RERA complaints, and Co-operative Society feedback
3. Construction Quality and Materials
A floor plan looks the same on paper whether the structure is built with premium materials or cut-rate substitutes. The difference shows up five years later, when one home is still tight and the other has settling cracks and water issues.
Ask the builder about:
- Structural design — RCC frame, seismic compliance, slab specifications
- Brand and grade of cement, steel, plumbing, and electrical fittings
- Waterproofing approach (especially terrace and toilet zones)
- Quality control during construction — is there a site engineer present, what testing is done
Visit a completed project from the same builder and inspect a 4–5 year old unit. That tells you more than any specification sheet.
4. Location and Approvals
A great home in a poorly approved location is a financial trap. Before booking, verify:
- Land ownership and title documents (preferably reviewed by your own lawyer)
- Commencement Certificate and Building Plan sanction from the local authority (PCMC, PMC, PMRDA)
- Zoning compliance — is the plot zoned for residential use
- Environmental and fire NOC where applicable
- Access — is the road in front of the project a planned/legal road
5. Payment Schedule and Documentation
Indian real estate payments are usually milestone-linked under RERA — for example, 10% at booking, 20% at slab completion, and so on. Be wary of any builder that demands large upfront payments before construction begins, or pressures you into off-the-record cash transactions.
Before you sign:
- Read the Agreement for Sale carefully — your lawyer should too
- Insist on bank-traceable payments only, with proper receipts and GST
- Confirm the carpet area in writing matches the RERA filing
- Get the possession date, penalty clauses for delay, and warranty terms in the agreement
The Builder Side of the Story
A good builder welcomes these questions. We've found that the buyers who do this diligence become the best customers — they understand the work involved, they trust the process, and they refer us to family and friends. If you're evaluating a project in Kiwale, Ravet, or Tathwade, we're happy to walk you through every one of these checks in person, with documents in hand.
