Need and Price
When considering buying an apartment, the first step is to evaluate your needs and price range and compare them with the current market possibilities to narrow down the areas and types of property that you will be looking at.

Locality
Look at the area surrounding the complex or building. Is it already developed, or are there any undesirable neighbors such as a factory, grave yards or unacceptable business?

Title and Documents
When you purchase an apartment, it is better to make a title and document search conducted. Before buying any property, look at the approved layout plan, approved building plan to ensure that the floor that you are buying is approved, ownership documents etc. And it would be better if a competent advocate does it. Please remember, it is better not to do it yourself.

Stamps
The stamps should be purchased in the name of any one of the executors to the Instrument. The liability of paying stamp duty is that of yours unless there is an agreement to the contrary.

Undivided Share of Land
Take explanation on the calculation of the undivided share of land when you register the sale deed which transfers an undivided share in the land into the apartment in your name. This sale deed is registered prior to handing over, after atleast half payment is received. The contract value for the apartment covers the cost of the undivided share in land and the cost of construction of the apartment.

Encumbrance Certificate (EC)
Ask the seller to get an ‘encumbrance certificate’ for the past 31 years because liabilities that are not settled in 30 years are automatically extinguished. If the certificate shows outstanding liabilities like a mortgage, ensure the liability is taken care of before buying the property.

Area
Get details of the Carpet Area that is the area of the apartment / building which does not include the area of the walls and the Built up Area that includes the area of the walls. Also get details on the Super Built up Area that includes the built up area along with the area under common spaces such as the lobby, lifts, stairs, etc. The area of the apartment quoted by the builder is this super built-up area. The area for which you are paying the money.

Future thought
Do not buy a smaller unit thinking that you can always buy a bigger one later. Banish the thought forever. If you can’t afford a bigger house now, you won’t be able to do so after 5 years either. Property rates are doubling every two years whereas the salary is not. And once you get settled in a house, it is almost impossible to shift. Looking ahead 10 years, you’d have kids who would need a room of their own. Your parents might come to stay with you. You might acquire a ton of household stuff which you’d have to put somewhere. So buy the biggest house you can afford. Look for one with atleast 3 bedrooms with a total area of about 1500 sqft. It might pinch a little now but will sure come in handy later.

Watch the Market
If the apartment matches your dream home, don’t lose it just because you want to pay below the current fair market price. Don’t wait till next year while we've had a few of years of little growth, the apartment prices have really picked up. For most established houses, expert forecasters are expecting price increases of 5-10% during the next 12 months.

Specifications
Check specifications given in the agreement and the sale brochure. Whether the same are actually provided on the ground or not.

No Objection Certificate (NOC)
Ensure whether NOCs from the concerned authorities have been obtained.

Power of Attorney (PoA)
If the seller has a PoA for the property, and proposes to use it to transfer the property to you, check whether the PoA is registered with the Registrar.