How to sell your property faster — and safely

Pricing, photographs, paperwork and how to handle buyers without exposing yourself to fraud.

Price it from evidence

Look at what similar homes in your locality actually closed at, not what they were listed at. The government's circle rate is the floor for registration, not a market price. A listing priced 10% above the street is ignored; one priced correctly gets enquiries in the first week.

Photographs decide the click

Shoot in daylight with the curtains open, from the corner of each room, after tidying. Include the building exterior, the entrance, the view and the parking. Five to ten honest photographs beat one glamorous one — buyers who arrive with wrong expectations do not come back.

Keep the paperwork ready

Buyers with a home loan need the title chain, tax receipts, society NOC and the approved plan; having these scanned and ready shortens the loan sanction by weeks. Never hand originals to a prospective buyer — share copies, watermarked if you like.

Screen enquiries

Ask the buyer's name, whether they are financing, and their timeline before scheduling a visit. Meet at the property during the day and let someone know. Do not accept any token in cash without a written receipt naming the property, the amount and the agreed price.

The token and the agreement

A small token (often ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh) against a receipt holds the deal while the buyer verifies documents. Move to a registered agreement to sell within a fixed period. Payments should be by cheque or bank transfer from the buyer's own account — a third-party payment is a red flag.

General information, not legal or tax advice. Capital gains rules depend on how long you held the property; speak to a chartered accountant before selling.