Budget separately for down payment/margin, stamp duty, registration fee, legal/document costs, brokerage where applicable, society/association charges, fit-out and moving costs. Stamp duty and registration are state-specific and can depend on property value, transaction type, buyer category and local rules, so do not copy a rate from another state.
Build a closing-cost sheet before paying the booking amount
| Cost | Who quotes/verifies it | Financeable? |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | Sale agreement | Partly via loan subject to LTV |
| Stamp duty | Current state registration authority | Often borrower cash—verify lender |
| Registration fee | State authority | Verify |
| Legal/valuation | Lender/professional | Usually separate cost |
| Brokerage/society/other | Contract/local rules | Usually cash |
Use the correct valuation base
State rules can use transaction value, guidance/circle value or other prescribed bases. Verify the current state portal and obtain professional advice where the calculation is material. Under-budgeting duty can create a large cash gap immediately before registration.
Apply the sanctioned loan amount as your cash-need estimate
A ₹70 lakh sanction on an ₹80 lakh property does not mean you need only ₹10 lakh. Add all non-financed closing costs and retain an emergency reserve after completion. If registration costs force you into a personal loan or card debt, the house may be over budget.
Keep payment evidence
Preserve challans/receipts, registered documents, lender disbursement trail and seller payment acknowledgements. Do not pay unofficial “registration facilitation” cash outside documented channels.
Budget for post-registration ownership too
Property tax, maintenance, insurance, repairs and furnishing begin after the celebratory registration day. Include them in the first-year housing budget.
Decision rule: verify current stamp duty and registration charges on the official state source for the exact property, then add them to the cash requirement before deciding the maximum purchase price.