Every buyer eventually faces the same fork: book early in a project that is not built yet, or pay more for a home you can walk into. Neither is the "smart" choice in general. Each is the right choice for a particular kind of buyer. Here is how they compare, and a quick way to decide.
Side by side
| Pre-launch / new launch | Ready to move | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Usually lower, launch pricing | Usually higher |
| GST | 5% on most homes (1% affordable) | None once the OC is issued |
| Wait | Often 3 to 5 years | Move in after registration |
| Construction risk | Yes: delays, changes | None: you see the finished home |
| Rent and EMI together | Often, for years | No |
| Payment | Spread over construction | Mostly upfront |
| Choice of units | Widest at launch | Whatever is left |
The case for pre-launch
Early buyers get the best pick of towers, floors and views, and launch prices that are often below later phases. A construction-linked plan spreads your payments over the build, which suits buyers who are still accumulating their down payment. For investors, the gap between launch price and the price at possession is where the return comes from.
We track 17 pre-launch and EOI projects right now. Our pre-launch guide explains EOIs and lists them all.
The case for ready to move
What you see is what you get: the actual flat, the finished amenities, the neighbours and the commute. There is no construction risk, no years of paying rent alongside an EMI, and no GST once the occupancy certificate is issued, which offsets part of the price premium. For families who need to move soon, it is usually the better choice.
We currently list 20 ready and near-possession projects across Bengaluru. See ready to move flats in Bengaluru.
A quick way to decide
- Paying rent and need to move within 2 years: ready or near possession.
- Can wait 4 years or more and want the best price: pre-launch with a strong builder.
- Still building your down payment: a construction-linked plan in a new launch.
- Low appetite for risk: ready, or a launched and RERA-registered project well into construction.
Near possession: the middle path
Projects one or two years from completion combine a visible, nearly built project with a shorter wait and some price advantage. These are the projects with possession in 2027:
| Project | Builder | From | ≈ ₹/sq.ft | Homes | Possession |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embassy Edge | Embassy | ₹65 Lakh | ₹10,691 | 1 to 3 BHK | December 2027 |
| Prestige Green Brook, Plots | Prestige | ₹1.62 Cr | Plots / Villas | March 2027 | |
| Prestige Autumn Leaves, Plots | Prestige | ₹2.55 Cr | Plots / Villas | March 2027 | |
| Trendcon Aurelius | Trendcon Infra LLP | ₹3.14 Cr | 4 to 5 BHK | June 2027 | |
| Mana Daintree | Mana Projects | ₹3.4 Cr | 4 BHK | February 2027 | |
| Mana Jardin Neo | Mana Projects | ₹3.68 Cr | ₹13,574 | 3 to 5 BHK | June 2027 |
| Prestige Glen Brook | Prestige | ₹3.82 Cr | 2 to 4 BHK | June 2027 | |
| Springs Row Houses | Sattva | ₹4.82 Cr | 4 BHK | September 2027 |
Browse by year: possession in 2026, 2027, 2028. Tell us your timeline on WhatsApp and we will shortlist across both.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to buy pre-launch or ready to move?
Pre-launch usually means a lower entry price and a longer wait, with construction risk. Ready to move means a higher price but no wait, no construction risk and no GST once the occupancy certificate is issued. Choose by your timeline and appetite for risk.
Do ready-to-move flats attract GST?
No GST applies to a completed home sold after the occupancy certificate is issued. Under-construction homes attract GST, 5% on most homes and 1% on affordable housing.
What is the risk in a pre-launch project?
The main risks are delay and change: plans, timelines and prices are not final until the project is RERA registered. Reduce the risk by choosing builders with a strong delivery record and paying only a refundable EOI before registration.
Can I get a home loan for a pre-launch project?
Banks usually lend once the project is RERA registered and approved by the lender. Before that, most buyers pay only the EOI token from their own funds.
