5 Home Loan Tips for Under Construction Projects

When a home loan is requested for a property that is currently under development. Bankers will provide it directly to your builder. Until he gives you the house key after construction, the builder will continue to pay interest on this loan sum. Only after taking possession of the home can the customer (the ultimate investor in the property) enjoy the benefits of home ownership and EMI payments. Based on the success of the property, banks will release payments for these ongoing initiatives.

Therefore, if you are eager to own a home and unwilling to pay EMI and rent on an existing house at the same time, investing in these types of projects is generally safe. An agreement between the financier and the builder will specify when the bank will release loans and at what phases of the project. The agreement may provide that it will take effect when 25% of the project is finished or after the second story is built.

It goes without saying that taking out a loan on a project that is still under development has advantages if you are a real estate investor. The following advice will assist you in maximising the return on your investment:

Be Savvy When Bargaining with the Builder:

Even though the builder’s price seems to you to be extremely affordable, make sure you are negotiating a deal. Most contractors will provide a price quote to the general public after taking into account any requests for discounts. If you strive to establish a good relationship with the builder. You might be able to negotiate a few thousand or even a lakh.

There is more justification to bargain with the builder if the house or apartment that has been given to you is on the eighth or tenth floor. If future buyers cannot easily access the property, you won’t have much resale value.

Restructure Your Payment Schedule:

There is always an area for restriction, even though the builder might introduce you to a specific pre-planned payment schedule. You shouldn’t be prepared to pay the builder until you see actual progress on the project. All have every right to get in touch with the bank or lender as the prospective owner of the home and inform them of the development’s progress. You might ask the bank to hold off on giving the builder the next instalment until the project is finished in accordance with the agreement if the construction is not going as planned.

Ensure the builder possesses a Commencement Certificate (CC):

even before agreeing to any contract for such ongoing construction projects. Verify that the builder has all required paperwork and permission to start the project. Each function of such projects should be required to get a Commencement Certificate (CC) in order to begin the procedure.

Contact the Lender to Check if the Loan Is Approved:

Even though the builder has provided you with all essential paperwork and is willing to discuss any more details about the project, it is the purchasers’ responsibility to get in touch with the financier/bank to find out if the loan is granted and the builder’s creditworthiness. The buyer has every right to investigate the credibility of the builder. With the aid of an advocate, conduct in-depth research on the project, and the property.

Property Value Appreciation:

You may have gone into a contract to buy a project that was still under development. With the expectation that the value of the property would increase once the construction was finished. Sometimes the property may not have increased in value as you had hoped. But it is best to wait for a longer length of time to reap the true benefits of land value appreciation. 8–10 years is a reasonable timeframe to gain a good appreciation, regardless of the type of land investment. Avoid making snap decisions and maintain composure. Home loan

Do not sign any documents before carefully reading and comprehending them because purchasing a home is a significant financial commitment. Spend some time reading over the details of the ongoing projects to understand how they will benefit you and the builder. Make a comparison between the builder’s estimate and the actual value of the property in the area. You can use this information to bargain with the builder about the cost of the property.

Always notify the builder and banker of any problems. Seize the chance to purchase a project that is still being built so you can modify the home to suit your needs. Most contractors will be prepared to make some simple adjustments to your space. There can be extra costs if the modification request exceeds the budget. A very good relationship with the builder and banker must be maintained above everything else. Do not irrationally postpone any payments.

Tax Benefits for Home Loans on Construction Property:

Tax benefits may be claimed for a home loan acquired for a property that is still under construction. But only after receiving the builder’s occupancy certificate or after taking possession of the property.

A home loan in India for a project that is still in the planning stages often has two phases. The “pre-construction period” includes the time from when the loan was obtained until the beginning of the home’s construction. The “Prior Period” is the period up until the completion of the construction or the completion of the acquisition. PPI refers to the interest that is paid throughout these two time periods in relation to the loan (Prior period Interest)

Under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, a home loan for a property that is still under construction. May qualify for tax savings of up to INR 2 lakhs on annual interest payments. And up to INR 1.5 lakhs on principal payments. It’s crucial to note that this tax benefit cannot be used if mortgage payments are being made during the pre-construction stage.

There are several purchases where the borrower is not required to make any EMI payments for loan repayment. Tax deductions are not applicable in such circumstances. According to Section 24 of the IT Act, a property that is still being built would not be eligible for any tax benefits for the interest paid on EMI.

Points to be noted:

• Interest from the pre-construction period may be deducted starting after construction is finished in up to five instalments.
• This time period is referred to as the “Prior Period” until the construction is finished or an acquisition is made.
• Pre-construction refers to the time between borrowing the funds and starting construction on the house.
• PPI, or “Prior Period Interest,” is the term for the interest that must be paid to the lender up until the borrower takes ownership of the property.
• One is not entitled to tax deductions if they pay the lender back the main sum during the pre-construction phase.

Under Section 80C of the IT Act, all tax deductions are permitted. But only if the payment is made, regardless of the year for which it is made. Even if the borrower hasn’t taken out a loan. The amount paid for registration and stamp duty is still eligible for tax deductions under 80C. It is equally vital for the borrower to provide a house construction completion certificate from the builder in order to benefit from any tax deduction benefits.