When buying commercial or residential property you would need to check for the following documents:

1. Market trends about prevalent rates of property in the vicinity and last known transactions
2. Identify the property you wish to purchase
3. Formulate commercial terms
4. Distinguish between terms and conditions of the contract which are negotiable and those which are fixed e.g. price, payment schedule, time of completion etc.
5. List your requirements with a reputed broker.
6. Ask for photocopies of the all deeds of title related to the property to be purchased. Examine the deeds to establish the ownership of the property by seller, preferably through an advocate. Ascertain the survey number, village and registration district of the property as these details are required for registration of the sale. Previous encumbrances and loans, if any, on the property must be cleared before completion of purchase of the property. The title of the Vendor to the property must be clear and marketable.
7. Finalise commercial terms of purchase of the property. Ascertain transfer fees, stamp duty and registration charges to be paid on purchase of the property.
8. Ascertain outgoings to be paid for the property i.e. property tax, water and electricity charges, society charges, maintenance charges.
9. Request Vendor to obtain, if applicable, consent, permission, sanction, no objection certificate of various authorities such as the (a) society (b) the income tax authority (c) Municipal Corporation (d) the competent authority under the Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act (e) any other authority.
10. Will you require a loan for making payment of the consideration amount? Ask for a pre-approval letter from the lending institution.
11. Permanent Account Number of Vendor and Purchaser under Income Tax laws Payment of stamp duty on the formal agreement or document for transfer of the property, signing by both the Vendor and Purchaser and registration
12. After payment of the entire sale price, take over legal possession of the property along with documents of title in original from the Vendor of the property

Change name of the holder of the property to the purchaser in the records of the society, Electricity Company, municipal corporation, Index II etc.
The liability of paying stamp duty is that of the buyer unless there is an agreement to the contrary. Section 30 of Bombay Stamp Act, 1958 states the liability for payment of stamp duty.

The following documents are required to be registered compulsorily under the Indian Registration Act, 1908:

1. Every time the immovable property is sold/purchased, the agreement needs to be registered.
2. Instrument of gift of immovable property;
3. Other non-testamentary instruments which purport or operate to create, declare, assign, limit or extinguish, whether in future or in present, any right, title or interest, whether vested or contingent, of the value of one hundred rupees and upwards to or in immovable property.
4. Non-testamentary instruments which acknowledge the receipt or payment of any consideration on account of creation, declaration, assignment, limitation or extinction of any such right, title or interest.
5. Lease of immovable property from year to year or for any term exceeding one year or reserving a yearly rent. But the State Government may publish an order in official gazette exempting any district or a part of a district or a lease that does not exceed the term of five years and the annual rent of which does not exceed Rs. 50/-.
6. Non-testamentary instruments transferring or assigning any decree or order of a court or any award when such decree or order or award purports or operates to create, declare assign, limit or extinguish, whether in future or in present, any right, title or interest, whether vested or contingent, of the value of one hundred rupees and upwards to or in immovable property.
7. Authorities to adopt a son that is not conferred by a will.

1. Carpet Area is the area enclosed within the walls, actual area to lay the carpet. This area does not include the thickness of the inner walls. It is the actual used area of an apartment/office unit/showroom etc.
2. Built up Area is the carpet area plus the thickness of outer walls and the balcony.
3. Super Built-Up Area is the built up area plus proportionate area of common areas such as the lobby, lifts shaft, stairs, etc. The plinth area along with a share of all common areas proportionately divided amongst all unit owners makes up the Super Built-Up area. Sometimes it may also include the common areas such, swimming pool, garden, clubhouse, etc. This term is therefore only applicable in the case of multi-dwelling units.

This break up is extremely essential as builders can place anywhere from 65% to 85% per cent of the super built area as carpet area. That means, if the price is quoted as 1,000 sq ft super built up area, the carpet area could be anywhere from just 650 sq ft to 850 sq ft. If this break up is not mentioned in the agreement, demand that the vendor/ builder mention it in the sale deed.

The valuation process evaluates the market value of the property. Demand and supply forces operating in the market, as well as other factors like type of property, quality of construction, its location, the local infrastructure available, maintenance, are all taken into consideration before the market value is decided.

The Sub-Registrar of the area, in whose jurisdiction the property is located, is the appropriate authority for knowing the market value of the property.

Market value of the property as ascertained by the stamp duty authorities on the basis of a ''Ready Reckoner'' which gives the per sq. mtr. value of each village, zone and sub-zone . The ready reckoner is normally published on 1st January of every year. The Stamp Duty is payable on the agreement value of the property or the market value whichever is higher
Usually different rates for stamp duty are applicable for residential and non-residential property. In Maharashtra, the rate of stamp duty is 5% for both residential and commercial property. However, for residential property there is a slab wise concession.

The registration fee in case of sale of immovable property is 1% of the market value or Rs 30,000, whichever is lower. There could be some additional charges for scanning of documents were the office of the Sub Registrar has been computerized.

A ready reckoner is published on the 1st day of January every year.

While the possession cannot be handed over until completion of the formalities, temporary arrangement could be made to have the apartment kept open for a few hours for the purposes of performing the pooja.

The Maintenance amounts are due from the date the apartment is ready for possession

Property taxes area due from the date the unit is occupied or the date of completion certificate whichever is earlier.

Legally, the actual area owned by the individual is the basis for calculation of maintenance charge.

You can get a Home Loan of up to 85% of the Total Consideration Value.