How To Buy A Scam Free Home

A comprehensive guide to buying a home in India, the right way.

A home is perhaps the most significant purchase one will ever make. Yet, most home buyers take the plunge without any knowledge of the real estate industry and the underlying processes. The consequences range from buying the wrong property to losing one’s life savings in an instant.

Most such pitfalls could be easily avoided if one has access to the right information. Unfortunately, there was no reliable guide that prepared the home buyer thoroughly. Until now.

How To Buy A Scam-Free Home equips you with all the knowledge you need to purchase your dream home without encountering trouble. It demystifies the notoriously opaque industry and bridges the significant awareness gap that has long plagued consumers.

About the Author: Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal is a first-generation real estate entrepreneur and educator. His first business, The Green Cottage, is a Mumbai-based real estate brokerage company specializing in primary residential transactions and land deals across Maharashtra. He’s also the Founder & CEO of Edstate Learning, India’s first educational platform focused on real estate. He creates real estate content on Instagram (@realestatewithmayank) for an audience of over 800K followers as of July 2024.

What to expect from the book

The book is organized into three parts and the chapters broadly represent the chronological order in which you face issues. Each chapter goes deep into the problem and gives you actionable insights on how to navigate it. Below is a quick snapshot of what each part offers.

Part 1: Getting Ready To Buy

Part 1 primes you for the home buying journey you’re about to undertake. The chapters in this help you understand some of the nuances of real estate as an industry and set the right expectations about home buying.

It covers the perceptions that are currently dominant about real estate as an industry, the oft debated question of buying v/s renting, the financial readiness to even consider buying a home, and an introduction to the types of homes one can buy along with the pros and cons of each.

You’re equipped with the necessary information so you can begin the buying process from a position of awareness. 

Part 2: Evaluating

Part 2 is where you start the buying process. We go through the various aspects of evaluating different options in a systematic manner. There are many important but hidden factors that become critical once you start living in a home, but get missed in the evaluation process by most people. 

It covers how to plan your budgets the right way, how to begin the property search, things to be mindful of when visiting shortlisted properties, working with brokers and agents, and helps you understand the different areas and layouts.

The goal here is to ensure that you evaluate every option thoroughly and make a very well informed decision considering all possible parameters.

Part 3: Buying and After

Part 3 is where you conclude the buying process. It’s the most important section when it comes to safeguarding yourself from potential mishaps. Here, we dive deep into everything that must be done so you close the buying process smoothly. 

It starts with the negotiation part, then navigates the home loan mechanics and the due diligence one must conduct for any property they have chosen to buy. We end with a chapter on maintenance and society bye-laws which contains essential information pertaining to living in the house after you’ve bought it.

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The entire book is laced with stories and anecdotes, and care has been taken for it to be easily readable by the layperson. At the same time, the author has ensured that no chapter is devoid of depth and knowledge. 

If you wish to buy a home at any point in this lifetime, this is a book you must read.

Advance praise for the book

“Mayank Agarwal sheds light on the process of buying ‘scam-free’ homes through the lens of new-age homebuyers. He explores the intricacies of home ownership, highlighting cautionary tales and critical criteria for formulating an informed choice. An excellent resource for homebuyers, investors, or anyone simply interested in learning about the Indian real estate landscape.”

Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani in his Foreword

“This book needed to be written, and I’m glad it was Mayank who decided to do it. He’s one of the most well-rounded and forward-thinking real estate entrepreneurs I know, and his book is unsurprisingly comprehensive and relevant. Not a page without something useful.”

Rizwan Sajan
Founder & Chairman, Danube Group

"Real estate can be an intimidating space, but this book is very well articulated and easy to understand. It’s a treasure trove for anyone who wishes to own a house in this lifetime. A much needed book.”

Sandeep Runwal
Managing Director, Runwal Group

“Finally, a book that makes the home buyer’s job easy. This will guide you through the entire process of buying a house and save you from the numerous pitfalls along the way. Thorough, useful, and very well written.”

Nayan Shah
CEO & MD, Mayfair Housing

“Comprehensive piece of work - simply put for an end user. It can make the intimidating process of buying a house much easier to go through with the comfort of an able guide by one's side. I'm glad Mayank has done a huge favour to millions in India.”

Sarthak Ahuja
Bestselling Author: Daily Coffee & Startup Fundraising, Founder’s Office

“This book is truly the home buyer's guide for making their most important purchase. Mayank has simplified a complex matter through his words.”

Vishal Bhargava
Real Estate Columnist at Moneycontrol

“Mayank has masterfully broken down the entire journey of home buying into its simplest parts. Every chapter is insightful and practically relevant. If you ever plan to buy a house, miss this book at your own peril.”

Aditya N Shah
Director, Mayfair Housing