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A first-time buyer’s guide to home loans

Most home buyers fund part of their purchase through a bank or housing finance loan. The exact terms — interest rate, eligible loan amount, tenure — vary by lender and by your own profile, so this guide sticks to the general process rather than numbers that change often.

What lenders typically look at

  • Income and employment stability (salaried or self-employed, with supporting documents).
  • Existing loans and credit history.
  • The property itself — its legal clearances, RERA registration and approved plan.
  • Your own contribution (down payment) toward the purchase price.

Typical steps

  1. Get an informal sense of your eligible loan amount from one or more lenders before you finalise a project.
  2. Once you choose a unit, the lender will ask for the project’s legal documents (title, approvals, RERA registration) for their own verification.
  3. On approval, the lender usually disburses the loan in stages linked to construction progress, rather than as one lump sum, for an under-construction property.
  4. Compare offers from more than one bank or housing finance company — interest rates, processing fees and other charges vary.

Loan terms, rates and eligibility criteria change and vary by lender. Speak to your bank or a home loan advisor for current figures relevant to your situation. This page is general information, not financial advice.

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