5 Things First-Time Buyers Get Wrong About Home Loans

Buying your first home is exciting, but the loan process trips up almost everyone at least once. Lenders look far beyond your salary slip — your credit history, existing EMIs, and even your job stability all factor into approval.

The single biggest mistake we see is applying for pre-approval too late, after already finalising a property. This puts buyers in a weak negotiating position and can blow past their booking deadline.

Another common slip: not accounting for the full cost of ownership. Registration, stamp duty, brokerage, and interiors can easily add 8–12% on top of the property price — budget for it up front, not as a surprise later.