Real Estate Contracts: What You Need to Know Before Signing

When you buy or sell property in India, the real estate contract, a legally binding agreement that outlines the terms of a property transaction. Also known as purchase agreement, it’s not just a formality—it’s the only thing standing between you and a costly mistake. Without a solid contract, even the best deal can turn into a legal nightmare. Many buyers think the agent or builder has their back, but in reality, no one else is legally responsible for protecting your interests except you—and the contract.

A real estate lawyer, a professional who reviews, drafts, and negotiates property agreements. Also known as closing attorney, it isn’t optional in India’s complex market. They check if the title is clean, if the seller actually owns the land, and if there are pending lawsuits or unpaid taxes. In cities like Patna, Aurangabad, or Jalandhar, where land records are messy and scams are common, skipping a lawyer means risking your entire investment. A title search, the process of verifying legal ownership and uncovering liens or claims on a property. Also known as property title verification, it is part of every good contract review. Without it, you could end up buying land someone else already sold—or worse, land that’s part of a government dispute.

Real estate contracts aren’t one-size-fits-all. In Nagpur, they include clauses about soil testing and water access. In Gurgaon, they detail possession timelines tied to RERA deadlines. In Jalandhar auctions, they spell out who pays for court clearances. The contract tells you when the money changes hands, what repairs the seller must make, and what happens if the deal falls through. It also defines penalties for delays—something many buyers overlook until they’re stuck paying extra rent because the builder missed the deadline.

Some contracts hide fees in fine print: processing charges, documentation costs, or fake "maintenance deposits." Others skip essential details like the exact plot number or the builder’s registration number. A good contract leaves nothing to guesswork. It names every party, lists every document attached, and includes a clear path for dispute resolution. If the contract doesn’t mention RERA registration, walk away. If it doesn’t list the property’s survey number, it’s not valid.

And don’t assume a notarized paper means it’s legal. Notarization only proves someone signed it—it doesn’t prove the terms are fair or accurate. That’s why so many buyers in Thane, Raipur, and Indore end up in court years later. They trusted the broker. They signed quickly. They never had the contract reviewed by someone who works for them, not the seller.

The posts below give you real examples—how a buyer in Jalandhar avoided a scam by spotting a missing clause, how a seller in Pune lost money because their contract didn’t specify possession date, and how an investor in Guntur used a lawyer to fix a contract that was missing key legal references. You’ll see what’s in a real contract used in India, what red flags to watch for, and what questions to ask before you ever hand over a rupee.