NRI buying property in India: 7 things to check before you send money
Seven checks for an NRI before the first transfer: what you may buy, RERA registration, carpet area, title, the payment route, the agreement and total cost.
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Market guide
Mumbai and Navi Mumbai
The island city, the suburbs and the Navi Mumbai corridor. What changed recently, what to check before you pay, and the numbers worth running.
How the market is shaped
Two Mumbais, joined by a bridge
Mumbai's older core is a narrow strip of land where space is the scarce thing. Much of its supply comes from redevelopment of old buildings, and many resale homes sit in societies with their own paperwork and rules. Navi Mumbai across the harbour has newer, planned nodes and more new-launch inventory. In January 2024 a long sea bridge, and in December 2025 a second airport, began to tie the two together.
Neither fact tells you what any particular building or project is worth. They tell you which questions are worth asking.
Dated public facts
What we can state, with the source
Each fact below is taken from the named source and checked on 26 October 2026.
| Fact | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Link) is a 21.8 km sea bridge, about 16.5 km over water and 5.5 km on land. | Inaugurated 12 Jan 2024, opened to traffic 13 Jan 2024 | MMRDA, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu) overview; Prime Minister's Office, Atal Setu inauguration, 12 January 2024 |
| Reported project cost of about ₹17,840 crore. | 2024 | MMRDA, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (Atal Setu) overview |
| Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) was inaugurated, and commercial flights began on 25 December 2025. | Inaugurated 8 Oct 2025; operations from 25 Dec 2025 | Adani Group media release, Navi Mumbai International Airport opening, 25 December 2025; India Today, NMIA begins flight operations, 25 December 2025 |
| The RBI policy repo rate stands at 5.50% after the 7 October 2026 MPC decision. | 7 Oct 2026 | RBI press release, MPC resolution, 7 October 2026 |
These facts describe infrastructure and the rate environment. They are not a price forecast for any area.
Before you pay
What to check in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai
Registration
For a new or under-construction project, find it on the MahaRERA (Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority) site: the registration number, the promoter, the stated completion date and the project's escrow account. See the RERA 5-Check.
Area, in carpet terms
Compare on carpet area, not on a "super" area that includes shared space. Our post on carpet vs super area shows how much it can change the price per usable foot.
Resale and redevelopment paperwork
For resale, ask a lawyer to check the title chain, the society's documents and any redevelopment agreement. Ask for the occupation certificate where one is applicable. which certificates apply to your building
Costs and numbers
The price is not the whole cost
Maharashtra levies stamp duty and registration on the agreement value, and an under-construction purchase attracts GST. The current rates change, so we show them as editable inputs flagged To be verified in the NRI Total Cost Calculator. Check them with the state's registration department and your chartered accountant.
Next Hot Opportunity
The Navi Mumbai airport and sea-link corridor
Our sample entry walks through how we structure one: the facts, the risks and the questions. It is clearly labelled sample.
Questions
Quick answers
What should I check first when buying in Mumbai?
For a new or under-construction project, check that it is registered with the state real estate authority and compare the registration number, promoter, stated completion date and escrow account. For a resale, ask a lawyer to check the title chain and the society's documents.
Why compare Mumbai flats on carpet area?
Carpet area is the net usable floor area that the RERA Act, 2016 uses. A larger super area includes shared space, so the price per usable square foot can differ a lot from the headline rate.
Do Atal Setu and the Navi Mumbai airport mean prices will rise?
No one can say that from public facts alone. They describe infrastructure, not the value of any particular building or project, and this page is not a price forecast.
What does it cost on top of the price?
Stamp duty, registration and, for an under-construction purchase, GST, plus brokerage and legal fees. Rates change, so the NRI Total Cost Calculator shows them as editable inputs that are flagged to be verified with the state registration department.
From the Insights
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