“Pre-launch price, only for the first 50 buyers.” Hyderabad buyers hear this every week. Some pre-launch offers are genuine. Many are a way to collect money before approvals exist. These eight red flags help you tell the difference.
1. No approval number
If the seller cannot give you an HMDA or DTCP approval number, the layout is not approved yet. “Approval is coming” is not an approval. Read HMDA vs DTCP approvals.
2. No RERA registration
Layouts that fall under RERA must be registered before they are advertised or sold. Search the project on TG-RERA. No record, no money.
3. Agricultural land with no conversion
If the land is still recorded as agricultural, it needs NALA conversion before it can be legally plotted.
4. Pressure to pay today
“Price goes up tomorrow” is a sales tactic, not a fact. A genuine project will still be there after you verify the documents.
5. Cash-only or personal-account payments
Payments should go to the promoter’s company account against a receipt that names the plot.
6. Vague plot numbering
If you are told your plot “will be allotted later”, you do not yet own anything specific.
7. No bank tie-ups
Banks check approvals before lending. If no bank will finance plots in the layout, ask why.
8. Buy-back or guaranteed-return promises
Promises of guaranteed appreciation or buy-back are rarely enforceable. Treat them as a warning sign.
A good deal survives verification. A bad deal needs you to skip it.
What to do instead
Ask for the approval number, RERA number, survey number and link documents in writing, and run them through our document checklist. If you want a second pair of eyes, contact REAL Investors.