Planning for the deposit, not the price
A home loan will fund most of the purchase, but not the part that decides whether you can buy at all. Lenders typically finance a proportion of the property value; the balance, plus stamp duty, registration and interiors, has to come from your own savings.
That deposit is the real goal. Plan for it as a separate corpus with a firm date, and the loan becomes a decision rather than a scramble.
Things people forget to include
- Stamp duty and registration, which vary by state and are payable in cash.
- Interiors, fittings and moving costs.
- Maintenance deposits and parking charges in apartment projects.
- The EMI itself — check it against your income before committing to the purchase.