Hello Folks, • Which website did you use (or have used) while hunting for a flat (rent/buy)? • Have you paid brokerage charges while doing the same? If not, then how do you avoid it? • Any other things to keep in mind while flat hunting?

I used nobroker, direct contact with flat owner.

the price of flats mentioned on sites like housing, magicbricks etc usually do not include charges that a new project has. For eg: gas pipeline charges, clubhouse or other maintenance charges, some society fee, GST, And also tend to exclude the stamp duty and registration although that’s common knowledge. So factor those in and maybe call the builder in case it’s a new project you are looking at

Magic bricks and nobroker mostly. There is 99Acres as well but MB seems to have a larger user base. We paid brokerage for our current place - look out for decent, professional brokers. I know a few now and they tend to have places which are not listed on any site. Unfortunately, anyone can become a broker - there is no certification - so the market is full of people just riding the wave. If the broker is unprofessional, late, etc. then best not to deal with them. They are also supposed to take care of 100% of the paper work. If you are looking for a longer term lease or buying a place, having a broker might make sense and save time and also open up places which are not on websites. Else for shorter term leases, (1 year) it may not be worth it.

I am starting my search to rent a flat in the coming few months, preferably 2BHK. No broker isn't showing much properties for the same in Pune, but MB (as you rightly said) shows tons of properties. On MB, the brokers have a profile right? Where we can see their reviews/ratings?

@quick-judge-84214 Don’t bother with those ratings and reviews — I don’t think they may bother updating that. Just judge them on the way they talk on the phone, etc. DM me with your location - I may be able to introduce you to my broker if you are in the area and he can help out

1. Personal contacts (friends living in the same building you want a flat in) 2. Physically going around the area you want a flat in and looking at to-let boards 3. Flats and Flatmates FB groups. 4. No broker I feel (1) and (2) might be a bit more work but have been very effective for me.