The First Property I Actually Understood
A few years ago, I accompanied my father for a property registration. I was a twenty-four-year-old woman earning my own salary. I sat in the car until I was called in. Signed where I was told. Went back to the car. That was my entire involvement. Property was handled by the men in my family. It always had been. I didn't question it. Why would I? It felt normal.
Few months ago, I sat in a Lex Business Lounge before registering a flat in my name - Quiet, unhurried and with documents in front of me. I found myself thinking about the property papers I've signed without reading. There have been a few. I couldn't tell you what any of them said. I signed where I was told. I assumed someone else had checked. I used to think this was just my family. Then I talked to other women. Same story. Different houses. We sign. We trust. We don't ask. Somewhere along the way, we learned that property is something men handle. Something to be managed for us, not understood by us.
I've signed property papers before. But something shifted when I bought a flat with my own money. This wasn't a family transaction. I wasn't just a signatory on someone else's decision. My savings. My name. I wanted to understand what I was agreeing to. Most spaces don't give you that chance. Cramped offices. Rushed explanations. Paperwork thrust at you with a "sign here." These places are designed for someone who wants it over with. Not someone who wants to understand.
At Lex, I had both. Time and space. I sat with my registration document. I read every clause. When something wasn't clear, I asked. Someone explained — calmly, without rushing me. I understood every clause. I knew what mutation meant. I knew what would happen after registration and what I'd need to follow up on. I walked into the SRO and signed papers I had already read. No one called me in. No one pointed to a line. I was already there. I wasn't just a signature anymore.
Women are buying, investing, inheriting, leading — in our own names now. More of us than before. We want to understand what we sign.
That's the shift. And it's ours.
What should first-time property buyers check before purchasing?
First-time buyers should verify clear title, encumbrance certificate, approved building plans, RERA registration (for apartments), property tax receipts, and ownership chain. A legal title search is essential before any payment.
How do I verify if a property has clear title?
Verify clear title by checking the chain of ownership documents (minimum 13 years), encumbrance certificate, property tax receipts, and ensuring no legal disputes. Landeed provides title verification services to simplify this process.
What documents should I collect when buying property?
Essential documents include sale deed, previous ownership chain, encumbrance certificate, property tax receipts, approved building plan, occupancy certificate, RERA certificate, and identity proofs of seller. Keep original and certified copies.
Is home loan approval affected by property documents?
Yes, banks conduct thorough title verification before approving home loans. Incomplete documents, unclear titles, or legal disputes can delay or reject loan applications. Clean documentation speeds up the approval process.
What are common mistakes first-time buyers make?
Common mistakes include skipping title verification, not checking encumbrance, ignoring approved plan status, paying without registered agreement, missing RERA verification, and not budgeting for registration charges and taxes.
Back to Blog Page
.png)
