Under Construction / Ready to Move In

When’s the “right” time to buy a home?

It’s a question every homebuyer faces, and the answer is rarely as simple as it seems.

Real estate projects have three key stages: pre-launch, under-construction, and fully completed.
Each comes with its own mix of opportunity, risk, and reward — and knowing the trade-offs can save you years of financial stress (or regret).

🏗 Pre-launch

The earliest stage, often when the builder announces plans but hasn’t started full-scale construction.

  • Pros: Lowest prices (20–30% below final rate), huge appreciation potential if the builder has a strong track record.
  • Cons: Highest risk — delays, design changes, or even cancellations are possible.

🔨 Under-construction

Strikes a middle ground. You’re past the uncertainty of early plans, prices are still reasonable, and you can often customise interiors before handover.

  • Pros: Balanced pricing, some customisation options.
  • Cons: Construction delays still exist, though less likely with reputed developers.
Under Construction vs Ready to move in

🏠 Fully completed

The safest bet. You see exactly what you’re buying, you can move in immediately, and there’s no waiting game.

  • Pros: Certainty, immediate possession, no surprises.
  • Cons: You pay the market’s peak price, with most appreciation already baked in.

So, what’s the best stage?

There’s no universal “best.”
It’s about matching the stage to your risk appetite, cash flow, and timeline.

  • If you’re chasing maximum returns and trust the developer → Pre-launch can be a goldmine.
  • If you want balance → Under-construction is the sweet spot.
  • If you value certainty above all else → Completed homes are your comfort zone.

💡 The key insight

It’s not just when you buy — but why you’re buying.
An investment mindset and a personal-use mindset will lead you to very different answers.