Because What You See in the Brochure Is a Lie. Always.
EduInvesting tears apart your dream home budget with Excel, sarcasm, and despair.
📸 Scene 1: The Salesman Said “Only ₹49.99 Lakh Sir!”
You: “Wow! That’s almost in budget!”
Builder: evil grin intensifies
By the time you move in, that ₹49.99 lakh flat has cost you ₹1.1 crore, 6 mental breakdowns, 17 cheques, and a lifetime of EMIs.
Let’s break it down. Line by bloody line.
🧾 Cost Breakdown – “Dream Flat” Edition
| 💸 Cost Head | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Sale Price | ₹49,99,999 |
| GST @ 5% | ₹2,49,999 |
| Floor Rise Charges | ₹2,50,000 |
| Clubhouse, Maintenance Deposit | ₹2,00,000 |
| Parking Charges | ₹3,50,000 |
| Stamp Duty (6%) | ₹3,00,000 |
| Registration Charges | ₹30,000 |
| Brokerage (if resale) | ₹50,000 |
| Loan Processing Fees | ₹10,000 |
| Interior & Furniture | ₹6,00,000 |
| EMIs Over 20 Years (₹35K/month) | ₹84,00,000 |
Total Cost: ₹1.11 CRORE
✅ Congratulations, you bought a ₹1.1 Cr flat that you thought was under ₹50 lakh.
🧠 But Why Does It Work Like This?
🏗️ Builders Sell “Base Price” Dreams
- Base price = clickbait
- Actual price = stress, tax, and hidden “plc” fees
PLC = “Preferential Location Charges”
Even if it’s next to the nala.
🏦 Bank Loans Make You Feel Rich
- ₹35,000/month EMI? “Easy bro”
- For 20 years? “Uhh… wait…”
You end up paying double the cost in total interest.
🧱 Interiors & Fit-outs = The Real Bloodbath
That flat is handed over like a skeleton.
You’ll need:
- ₹3L for modular kitchen
- ₹2L for wardrobes
- ₹1L for basic furniture
- ₹50K for plumber who ghosts you mid-job
🛠 Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You
| Thing | Cost |
|---|---|
| Society Maintenance Advance | ₹1L upfront |
| Generator + Lift Maintenance | ₹12K/yr |
| Pest Control | ₹2K/yr |
| Diwali Fund for Society | ₹3K/yr |
| “Extra” for possession letter | ₹15–50K (black money, unofficial) |
🧾 And Let’s Not Forget – TAXES on Everything
- Stamp duty, GST, registration — you’re paying the government to let you buy a house from someone else
- No GST on ready possession flats? Great. But those are 20–30% more expensive anyway.
🧘 But “Rent is Waste” Bro?
That’s what your uncle says, right?
Let’s math it.
| Scenario | Cost |
|---|---|
| Buy Flat | ₹1.1 Cr (with interest) |
| Rent Flat (same size) | ₹18,000/month x 20 years = ₹43.2L |
Even after 20 years of rent, you save ₹66 lakh.
And you didn’t pay:
- GST
- Stamp duty
- NOC
- EMIs during job loss
- ₹1.5L to Society for “Diwali function”
🎯 When Does Buying Actually Make Sense?
✅ You’re staying for 10+ years
✅ Property is undervalued or under-construction at rock-bottom rate
✅ You’re not depending on bank loan for 90%
✅ You won’t cry if prices fall 20% after you buy
😬 Real Case Example: A Flat in Pune
- Brochure Price: ₹48.5 Lakh
- Final Cost: ₹1.02 Cr (with all add-ons)
- Owner’s comment:
“Even the light bulbs weren’t included. The toilet seat was loose.”
💡 Final Verdict?
Buying a house can be smart.
But don’t fall for the “only ₹49.99 lakh” nonsense.
That’s not your budget.
That’s the opening bid for your wallet’s slow death.
