Bengaluru entrepreneur shares 5 things to check before buying your first property. ‘These can be dealbreakers if missed’

Buying a first home involves intense financial planning, overwhelming anxiety, and endless dealer negotiations while navigating home loan approvals, legal documentation, and site inspections. Securing that dream apartment requires rigorous due diligence on local zoning regulations, hidden maintenance costs, and builder reputation to avoid lifelong regret. If you are stepping into this high-stakes decision, Bengaluru entrepreneur Nirupa Shankar has shared some million-dollar advice. In a recent Instagram entry, the Brigade Group director highlighted 5 non-negotiable rules every prospective homebuyer must pay attention to before signing on the dotted line.

Road access and width

Evaluating the entryway and front road dimensions of a property is essential prior to purchase. The total width of the adjoining street serves as the primary determining factor for permissible structural dimensions and maximum allowable floor space during construction. A narrower access point can drastically restrict building allowances, making clear access measurements critical for long-term project planning.

Proximity to drains

Natural drainage networks traversing through a site dictate mandatory unbuilt boundary zones to preserve municipal drainage ecosystems. Buffer distances scale proportionally with the category of the stormwater channel, demanding a fifteen-meter restriction for primary drains, ten meters for secondary paths, and five meters for tertiary channels. Neglecting these offset distances can shrink usable construction land significantly.

Regulated buffer zones

Surrounding environments like natural waterbodies, protected ecological reserves, or government military installations impose stringent regulatory setbacks on adjacent real estate. Because mandatory non-buildable clearances fluctuate considerably based on the specific body of water, forest zone, or defense station nearby, prospective owners must evaluate property-specific spatial guidelines prior to acquisition.

High-voltage infrastructure clearances

The presence of overhead high-tension electrical cables across or near a site triggers required safety clearances to manage grid hazards. Mandatory build setbacks vary directly with the underlying grid capacity and voltage ratings running through those power lines. Failing to account for powerline corridors can restrict buildable land area and compromise site safety.

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Traditional paths and passages

Traditional public pathways, historically utilized as ancestral footpaths or bullock cart routes, represent legal encumbrances that require specific setback margins. Even though these legacy transit lines can sometimes be realigned, buyers must maintain mandatory offsets on the property. Identifying these recorded access ways prevents unexpected space restrictions or legal complications.