Your numbers
Result
Estimates only — duties vary by state and city; verify current rates before you transact.
The costs loans don't cover
The headline price is never the real price. Stamp duty (4–8% by state), registration (~1%), GST on under-construction homes (5%), and one-time costs like interiors and brokerage all demand cash upfront — lenders finance none of them. On an ₹80 lakh home with 20% down, day-one cash can easily cross ₹24 lakh. This engine adds every component so the number that matters — what leaves your account — is visible before you commit.
How the 5-year rent-vs-buy verdict works
Buying builds equity but locks in big costs; renting is cheaper monthly but builds nothing. The engine nets both out over five years: owning counts your upfront cash, 60 EMIs and maintenance, minus the principal you repay and the appreciation you assume; renting counts escalating rent, minus what your upfront cash could earn invested. Neither side is morally superior — the verdict simply shows which path costs less under your assumptions, and flipping the appreciation slider shows how sensitive the answer is.
Rules of thumb worth keeping
Keep the EMI within about 40% of take-home pay (and total obligations within 50%); the 28/36 guide explains the conservative version. Hold an emergency fund after the down payment, not instead of one. And remember maintenance, property tax and repairs add 15–25% to the EMI over time — a home you can “just barely” afford on EMI alone is not affordable.
Questions, answered
How much stamp duty will I pay?
It varies by state — typically 4% to 8% of the property value, with several states offering 1–2% concessions for women buyers. The default here is a national ballpark of 6%; set the slider to your state’s rate for an accurate figure. Registration charges add about 1% in most states.
When does GST apply on a home purchase?
Only on under-construction properties: 5% without input tax credit for regular homes and 1% for affordable housing. Ready-to-move homes with a completion certificate attract no GST — toggle the switch to match your purchase.
What does the rent-vs-buy comparison assume?
It compares five years of owning (upfront costs, EMIs and maintenance, minus the loan principal you repay and the property appreciation you set) against five years of renting (your rent growing 5% a year, minus the returns your upfront cash could earn if invested instead). Change the appreciation and investment-return assumptions to stress-test the verdict.
Is the EMI all I should budget for?
No. Society maintenance, property tax, insurance and periodic repairs typically add 15–25% on top of the EMI. The upfront side is bigger than most buyers expect too — duties, registration and interiors can add 8–12% of the price in cash that loans do not cover.