If you have the required finances, ready-to-move-in is the ideal option for an enduser. This property would be significantly more expensive than at the launch stage but the buyer is protected against time and cost over-runs and also the EMI payment during the period when the house is under construction.

For an investor who wants regular rental returns from his property investment, a readyto- move-in property brings in immediate rental income which even helps pay back the loan secured to buy the property.

If you are a new investor with limited finances, look for an under-construction property with a suitable payment plan and keep a horizon of 2-3 years for possession. But make sure you go for a reputed builder.

When you purchase a house at the pre-launch or launch stage, the buyer pays small sums linked to the progress of construction but also has a longer wait period before the asset is liveable or starts paying for itself. This option is good in new and evolving growth areas on the peripheries of cities where infrastructure itself is under development and there is a wait period before it is liveable. Since, both infrastructure and housing are being developed at the same time, the user gets the advantage of moving in when both are ready. It also comes cheaper as property values are always lower when the infrastructure in the area is under development. The downside of this type of property is that possession will happen only after a minimum of 24-36 months. During this period you would have to shell out a monthly rental for the place of stay and the EMIs for the new property.

Inputs from MagicBricks.com