In this guide
Start with the property, not the pitchVerify the ownership chainUnderstand which authority approved whatVisit, measure and comparePut protections in the agreementA sensible order of workBuying a site is not one decision. It is a chain of decisions: who owns the land, what was approved, whether the plot on paper matches the plot on the ground, and what your agreement actually protects.
Start with the property, not the pitch
A good first conversation should produce facts you can independently check: survey number, plot number, layout name, approving authority, seller name, title documents and a clear location on the ground.
Words such as “approved”, “clear title” and “loan available” are conclusions. Ask for the records behind them.
Verify the ownership chain
The current sale deed is only the end of the story. A lawyer typically traces how title moved over time, checks whether each transfer was valid and looks for gaps, competing claims or restrictions.
Understand which authority approved what
An approval should be tied to a specific plan, authority and date. The name printed on a brochure is not enough. Match the sanctioned layout to the site being shown to you.
| Question | Useful evidence | What it does not settle alone |
|---|---|---|
| Who is selling? | Identity and executed title documents | Whether the whole title chain is clean |
| Is the layout approved? | Authority order and sanctioned plan | Whether your plot matches the plan |
| Are taxes paid? | Current official receipts | Legal ownership |
| Are transactions registered? | Encumbrance Certificate | Unregistered claims or every possible dispute |
Visit, measure and compare
Documents and the physical site must describe the same property. A survey can help confirm dimensions, boundaries, access and encroachment concerns. Visit in daylight and after rain if possible; neighbourhood realities rarely fit inside a brochure.
Put protections in the agreement
Before paying a meaningful advance, make sure the agreement records what will be verified, what the seller must supply, the deadline and what happens if due diligence reveals a material problem.
Slow down before the advance, not after it.
A sensible order of work
- Collect the property identifiers and core documents.
- Commission independent legal review.
- Match approvals and records to the physical plot.
- Resolve questions in writing.
- Negotiate an agreement with clear protections.
- Complete registration and post-registration record updates.