Yield vs return: a Property Lab worked example
A worked example in the Property Lab: why a 3% rent yield, a home loan and a 10-year hold give very different results, and what would flip the verdict.
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Buying or selling property in India from abroad, in the right order. What to do, what to check, what it costs, and which questions belong with your lawyer and chartered accountant.
The route
Six steps, in order
Decide the goal
Home for family, rental income, long-term growth or a mix. The goal sets the budget, the city and how much to care about yield versus location.
Know the full cost
The price is one line. Duty, registration, GST on under-construction, brokerage, legal, and the cost of moving money all add up. Use the NRI Total Cost Calculator.
Check the project or the title
For new projects, the RERA checks come first. For resale, a lawyer checks the title chain. See the RERA 5-Check.
Sort funding and tax with advisers
Rules on how NRIs pay, borrow and are taxed are specific and change. We do not give tax or legal advice. Ask your chartered accountant and your bank. To be verified
Use a licensed local broker
Transactions go through licensed local brokers and your lawyer. A power of attorney is common but carries risk, so take advice before granting one. your lawyer to confirm
After purchase
Possession, a property manager if you rent it out, and a plan for the eventual sale and repatriation. Our seller's checklist is the other end of the road.
Start with these
Free for NRIs
NRI buying roadmap
The order of operations from goal-setting to possession, with the questions to put to your lawyer and chartered accountant at each step.
Get the guideTotal Cost Calculator
Everything on top of the price, in rupees and your home currency, with an editable exchange rate.
Open the calculatorProperty Lab
Compare an Indian property with one abroad on yield, bond spread and the 10-year picture.
Open the LabQuestions
What NRIs ask us
Can you buy the property for me?
No. We are not a licensed broker and do not hold a RERA registration. We explain what to check and introduce you to licensed local professionals where you ask us to.
How much tax will I pay?
We cannot say. It depends on your residence, the property and the transaction. Ask your chartered accountant. The calculator only holds a placeholder line for it. To be verified
Which exchange rate does the calculator use?
An illustrative starting rate that you should replace with the rate you will actually get from your bank or transfer provider. It is flagged to be verified.
Is it safe to send money before the agreement?
Treat any payment before you have checked the project registration and the contract with a lawyer as a risk. Our 5 RERA checks are the minimum before a token.
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