You know what’s worse than overpriced homes?

Homes that never get delivered.

Welcome to the story of thousands of Indian homebuyers stuck in delayed real estate projects.

Also Read: How to Raise Money from Your Property?

Why does this keep happening?

Why are so many people still falling for it?

Let’s break it down:

1. Builders launch too early:

• Many developers start selling homes before getting complete approvals from the local municipal authority and RERA .
• These are called pre-launches and they look tempting because of the low prices and early-bird deals.
• But without government clearances, the project can’t legally proceed and if those approvals take time, so does your home.

2. Your money builds the building:

• Instead of using their own funds, builders often use customer payments to fund construction.
• Which means: if sales slow down, so does the work.
• It’s like building a train track while the train’s already moving.

3. Penalties don’t really protect you:

• RERA says builders must pay a penalty if possession is delayed.
• But in reality? Most buyers don’t file complaints, they wait.
• Builders know this. They know the fear, the fatigue, and the emotional investment that keeps most buyers from taking legal steps..
  In the end, you’re left paying both your money and your peace.

How do we do it directly?

At Housiey, I’ll be the first to admit—we’ve also listed delayed projects in the past.

Sometimes unknowingly. Sometimes because the builder said, “Work has resumed, it’s all fine.”

But now, we’ve started building stricter filters:

• Projects under a red flag list won’t be promoted—even if they pay us.
• Additionally, we’ve begun showing buyers the actual RERA possession dates, not what the builder tells us.
• We ask tough questions—publicly. Even if it means builders push back.

So, how do you protect yourself?

• Never book a project without RERA approval.
• Ask for actual clearance docs, not fancy brochures.
• Look up the builder’s past delivery record. Google is your friend.

Buying a home is emotional.

But make sure your decision is backed by logic, not just hope.

Because delays don’t just cost time, they cost peace.

This article was written by Ankit Agarwal, the CEO of Housiey