# Ready to Move vs Under Construction Flat Chennai 2026 -- Which Is Better? This is the most asked question by first-time buyers in Chennai. Ready-to-move (RTM) flats and under-construction projects both have merit, but the right choice depends on your financial situation, timeline, and risk tolerance. ## Quick Comparison | Factor | Ready to Move | Under Construction | |---|---|---| | Price | 10-20% higher | 10-20% lower | | GST | None (if OC obtained) | 5% (or 1% for affordable) | | Delivery Risk | Zero | Medium to High | | Loan EMI | Starts immediately | Pre-EMI or moratorium | | Rental Income | Immediately | After possession (18-36 months) | | Customisation | Limited | High | | PropScore Impact | Generally higher | Depends on builder track record | ## When Ready to Move Wins ### You Are Paying Double Rent + EMI If you are currently renting and buying a new flat, every month of pre-EMI period on an under-construction flat means you are paying both rent and pre-EMI interest simultaneously. On a 60L loan at 8.75%, pre-EMI is ~43,750/month -- plus your existing rent. ### You Need to Avoid GST Ready-to-move flats with an Occupancy Certificate (OC) attract **zero GST**. Under-construction flats attract 5% GST. On a 70L flat, 5% GST = 3.5L extra. [Filter Ready-to-Move flats on Propspedia](https://propspedia.in/properties?city=CHENNAI&status=READY_TO_MOVE) ## When Under Construction Wins ### Budget Constraint Under-construction units are typically 8-15L cheaper than RTM equivalents in the same project and locality. ### Long Investment Horizon If you are buying purely to invest, under-construction allows you to participate in price appreciation during the construction period. A project that takes 24 months to complete often sees 15-20% appreciation by handover. ## How PropScore Handles RTM vs Under-Construction PropScore scores under-construction projects on a different rubric: - **Builder delivery track record** gets 3x weight for under-construction - **RERA quarterly update frequency** is checked -- builders who skip quarterly filings lose points - RTM projects generally score higher because delivery risk is eliminated [Browse by Status on Propspedia](https://propspedia.in/properties) ## FAQ **Q: Is it safe to buy under-construction in 2026 given past builder defaults?** A: Post-RERA, large-scale defaults are less common because RERA mandates builders to maintain a separate escrow account with 70% of collections ring-fenced for construction costs. High PropScore builders (80+) on Propspedia have demonstrated track records of on-time delivery. **Q: Does home loan interest vary between RTM and under-construction?** A: The rate is the same, but for under-construction, banks disburse in tranches linked to construction milestones. You pay interest only on the disbursed amount (pre-EMI) until the full loan is disbursed.