Guides & FAQs
A few things worth knowing before you sign anything — written plainly, not in legal jargon.
Guides
Buying your first home in Hyderabad
What RERA actually protects you from
The Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TS-RERA) exists to stop exactly the problems that used to be common in Hyderabad real estate: projects that never got built, carpet areas that shrank between brochure and handover, and buyer money spent on something other than construction.
- Every project above a minimum size must be registered with TS-RERA before it's marketed — look up any registration number on rera.telangana.gov.in.
- Developers must park 70% of buyer payments in a dedicated escrow account, usable only for that project's construction and land cost.
- The carpet area quoted at booking is legally binding — it can't quietly shrink by the time you get your keys.
- Real estate agents and brokers must hold their own RERA agent registration.
Before booking anything, ask for the project's RERA number and cross-check it yourself — it takes two minutes and tells you the promised possession date, the sanctioned layout and any past complaints.
Documents to check before you book
- Title chain / parent documents — proof the seller or developer actually owns the land, going back multiple transfers.
- Encumbrance Certificate (EC) — usually for the last 30 years, confirming the property is free of loans or legal disputes.
- RERA registration certificate and the RERA-approved layout/floor plan (not just the marketing brochure).
- GHMC/HMDA approvals for the layout, and the Occupancy or Completion Certificate for any ready-to-move property.
- Bank home-loan sanction letter, if you're financing — and confirm the project is on your bank's approved list.
Stamp duty & registration, in plain numbers
In urban Hyderabad (GHMC and municipal limits), registering a property currently costs roughly 6% of the property value: about 4% stamp duty, 1.5% transfer duty and 0.5% registration fee — charged on the higher of your agreement value or the government's guidance value.
- Budget for this on top of the property price — it's not optional and not negotiable.
- Rates and guidance values are revised periodically — confirm the current figure on the IGRS Telangana portal before registration day.
- Telangana does not currently offer a discounted rate for women buyers, unlike some other states.
A first-time buyer's checklist
- Set your real budget including the ~6% registration cost and moving expenses — not just the flat price.
- Get a home-loan pre-approval before you fall in love with a specific unit; it tells you your real ceiling.
- Shortlist by corridor first, then by project — don't anchor on the first site visit.
- Visit at different times of day; traffic, noise and construction dust vary a lot by hour.
- Check the builder's actual delivery record on past projects, not just this one's brochure.
- Read the RERA-approved floor plan — confirm carpet area, not just the "super built-up" number.
- Most under-construction pricing has room to negotiate on floor-rise and PLC charges — always ask.
Home loan basics: what banks look at
- Credit score — most banks want 700+ for the best interest rates.
- Income documentation — salaried buyers typically need 3 months of payslips and Form 16; self-employed buyers need 2–3 years of ITRs and bank statements.
- Loan-to-value ratio — banks typically finance up to 75–90% of the property value, so plan the rest as your down payment.
- Approved project lists — buying in a project your bank has already vetted speeds up sanction significantly.
- EMI-to-income ratio — most lenders cap your total EMIs at 40–50% of monthly take-home income.
General information, not legal or financial advice. Rules, rates and processes change — confirm with a RERA-registered professional, a property lawyer or your bank.
FAQ
Common questions
About Livarea
Is Livarea a builder, or a broker?
Neither, exactly — we're an independent advisory and authorised marketing associate for the developers listed on this site. We don't construct anything ourselves, which means our recommendations aren't tied to moving one specific project's inventory.
Does it cost me anything to work with Livarea?
Typically no — advisories like us are usually compensated by the developer, not the buyer. We'll always confirm this upfront for the specific project you're considering, so there are no surprises.
Is Livarea RERA registered?
Yes. Livarea Properties is registered with TS RERA as a real estate agent, registration number A02500005244. You can verify it on the Telangana RERA website.
Which areas of Hyderabad does Livarea cover?
Our deepest knowledge is in West Hyderabad: Kokapet, Neopolis, Financial District, Gachibowli, HITEC City, Kondapur, Kukatpally, Narsingi, Rajendra Nagar, Kollur and Puppalaguda. If you are looking elsewhere — Secunderabad, Kompally or Uppal — tell us and we will say honestly whether we can help.
How can I contact Livarea, and can I book a visit or video call?
Call or WhatsApp +91 70200 39986, or email livareaproperties@gmail.com. Every project page lets you request a site visit or video call for a date and time — it is a request, and we confirm the slot with you on WhatsApp.
How do site visits actually work?
We accompany you, coordinate timing directly with the developer's sales team, and there's no cost or obligation to book anything. Most buyers visit 2–3 shortlisted projects before deciding — we'd rather you compare properly than rush.
I am a developer. How can I partner with Livarea?
Use the For Builders page. Share your project, stage, RERA status and units left to sell. If it is a fit, we agree terms and the scope of exclusivity in writing before we start marketing. We do not guarantee sales volumes.
Buying basics
Should I buy an under-construction or a ready-to-move home?
Under-construction homes usually cost less per sq.ft and come with staged payments, but you wait for possession and carry delivery risk. Ready-to-move homes cost more but you can inspect the actual unit, move in sooner and avoid GST on the sale of a completed property. Choose by your timeline and risk comfort.
What questions should I ask before buying property in Hyderabad?
Ask for the RERA registration number, the approved layout or building permission, the title documents, the payment schedule against construction stages, the promised possession date, and the full cost sheet with every charge. Then ask what happens if the project is delayed or you want to cancel.
Is it a good time to buy in Hyderabad?
Nobody can time a property market reliably, and anyone who promises otherwise is selling something. A better test is whether you have a stable income, a down payment plus buffer for registration costs, an EMI you can carry comfortably, and a plan to hold for at least 5 to 7 years.
Villa or apartment: which should I buy?
A villa gives you more space, privacy and a share of land, but costs more, sits further out and needs more upkeep. An apartment is cheaper per head, usually closer to offices and schools, with shared amenities and security. Choose by budget, commute and how much space your family really needs.
Resale or new construction: which is better?
New construction gives you a fresh unit, modern amenities, staged payments and RERA protection, but you wait for possession. Resale gives you an actual home you can inspect and often a faster move-in, but you inherit older fittings and the paperwork needs more checking.
How do I choose a locality in West Hyderabad?
Compare commute, schools and hospitals within a short drive, road and metro connectivity, the developer's delivery record in that area, price per sq.ft against likely rent, and how much new supply is coming. Our Localities page puts the price bands side by side.
Rent or buy in Hyderabad?
Rental yields in Indian cities are usually low, so buying rarely beats renting on pure cash comparison in the first few years. Buying makes sense when you plan to stay 7 years or more, your EMI is manageable, and you value stability. Try our Rent vs Buy tool with your own numbers.
Costs, loans & legal
What are stamp duty and registration charges in Hyderabad?
For a sale deed, Telangana charges roughly 6% of the registered value: about 4% stamp duty, 1.5% transfer duty and 0.5% registration fee. Rates, surcharges and minimum values change, so confirm current figures with the registration department before you book.
What costs should I budget beyond the listed price?
Add stamp duty and registration (about 6%), GST on under-construction property, parking, floor-rise and preferential location charges, maintenance deposit and corpus fund, and loan processing fees. Ask for a full cost sheet before paying any booking amount.
How much down payment do I need?
Under RBI norms banks lend up to 90% of the property value for loans up to ₹30 lakh, 80% for ₹30–75 lakh, and 75% above ₹75 lakh — so your minimum down payment is 10% to 25%, plus about 6% for stamp duty and registration.
What if I need to cancel a booking later?
RERA requires cancellation and refund terms to be spelled out in the builder-buyer agreement, but the specifics — timelines, deductions — vary by developer. Read that clause carefully before signing; we can flag anything that looks unusual.
How do I convert sq.ft, sq.yards, guntas and cents?
1 sq.yard = 9 sq.ft. 1 gunta = 121 sq.yards (about 1,089 sq.ft), and 40 guntas make 1 acre (4,840 sq.yards or 43,560 sq.ft). 1 cent = about 435.6 sq.ft. Our Area Converter does this instantly.
Can NRIs buy property here?
Generally yes — NRIs can buy residential property in India under FEMA guidelines, with restrictions on agricultural land, plantations and farmhouses. Repatriation of sale proceeds has its own rules; use a chartered accountant for the tax side.
Staying safe
How do I check whether a Hyderabad project is RERA registered?
Search the project name or its registration number on rera.telangana.gov.in. Check that the promoter name, approved layout and completion date match what the seller told you. Livarea's own TS RERA agent registration number is A02500005244.
What are the red flags and common scams?
Watch for a project with no RERA number, a price far below the market, pressure to pay in cash or to book today, unclear title, missing approvals, a verbal promise that is not in the agreement, and a seller who will not share documents.
Can I negotiate the price?
For new projects the base price is mostly fixed, but you can often negotiate the payment plan, parking, floor-rise or other add-ons, and timing offers. Resale usually has more room. Arriving with your loan pre-approved strengthens your hand.
Can I buy without an agent?
Yes, you can approach a developer's sales office or a private seller directly. For new projects the price is generally the same either way, since developers usually pay the agent — but confirm this for the project you are considering.
Last reviewed October 2026.
