Frequently Asked Questions

We cover all major localities in Kottayam district including Vakathanam, Chingavanam, Puthupally, Changanassery, Manarcadu, Thengana, Paruthumpara, Karukachal, Thottakadu, and surrounding panchayat areas.

Vakathanam is our primary focus area. If you're looking at a specific village or locality not listed, WhatsApp us — we likely have connections there.

For properties listed directly with Bennyz Realty, there is no buyer-side commission. Our service fee is paid by the seller. All charges are disclosed transparently before any agreement is signed.

WhatsApp us directly at +91 62825 74974 — that's the fastest route. Share your budget, preferred area, and what type of property you're looking for (house, plot, land). We respond within 2 hours during business hours.

Typically 4–8 weeks from initial agreement to final registration, assuming all documents are in order. This breaks down as:

• Legal/title verification: 1–2 weeks
• Sale agreement signing: Day 1–3 after verification
• Home loan sanction (if applicable): 2–4 additional weeks
• Registration at Sub-Registrar: 1 day (scheduled appointment)

For NRIs using a POA, add 1–2 weeks for the POA notarisation and adjudication process.

Yes — completely legally. Under FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) and RBI guidelines, NRIs and PIOs can freely purchase residential and commercial property in India, including Kerala.

Exceptions: Agricultural land, farmhouses, and plantation properties are not permitted for NRIs.

Payment must be in Indian Rupees (INR) through an NRE, NRO, or FCNR bank account. Foreign currency payments are not permitted.

No. Most NRIs complete the purchase without visiting India by using a Power of Attorney (POA) — a legal document authorising a trusted person in Kerala (family member, lawyer, or our recommended representative) to sign documents and complete registration on your behalf.

We handle the virtual property tours via WhatsApp video, document review online, and guide your POA holder through the registration process.

A POA is a legal document that authorises someone to act on your behalf. For property purchase, a specific/limited POA covering the property transaction is recommended.

Process:

• Draft the POA (we provide a template)
• Sign before a Notary Public in your country of residence
• Apostille the document (via FCDO in UK, State authority in USA, etc.)
• Send the original to Kerala
• Your representative adjudicates it at the Sub-Registrar office

Total time: approximately 1–2 weeks depending on your country.

All property payments must come from an Indian bank account in INR. The three account types available to NRIs are:

• NRE Account — Best option; fully repatriable (you can send money back abroad)
• NRO Account — For income earned in India; repatriation requires CA certificate
• FCNR Account — For foreign currency savings; convert to INR for payment

If you don't have an NRE/NRO account, your bank in India can help open one. Federal Bank and South Indian Bank have NRI-specific branches across Kottayam district.

Land prices vary significantly by locality:

• Vakathanam: ₹4–12 Lakhs per cent
• Puthupally: ₹8–25 Lakhs per cent
• Changanassery: ₹10–30 Lakhs per cent
• Chingavanam: ₹4–15 Lakhs per cent
• Manarcadu: ₹3–10 Lakhs per cent

Houses (3–4 bedroom) typically range from ₹40 Lakhs to ₹1.5 Crore depending on size, age, and location.

These are government charges paid at registration and are non-negotiable:

• Stamp Duty: 6% for male buyers, 5% for female buyers, of the property value
• Registration Fee: 2% of property value
• Total government cost: Approximately 7–8% of purchase price

Example: For a property valued at ₹50 Lakhs, expect ₹3.5–4 Lakhs in stamp duty and registration alone.

Yes. Most major Indian banks offer NRI home loans. Key details:

• Loan-to-value: Up to 80–85% of property value
• Repayment: Through NRE/NRO accounts only
• Tenure: Up to 20–25 years
• Required: 6–12 months salary slips + bank statements from your country

Federal Bank and South Indian Bank are particularly popular among Malayali NRIs in Kottayam due to their NRI-specific products and local branch presence.

The key steps for title verification in Kerala:

• Encumbrance Certificate (EC): Request from Sub-Registrar office for 30 years — shows all registered mortgages, transactions, and liens
• Patta and Chitta: Revenue records showing land ownership and classification
• Title deed chain: Trace ownership for 30+ years
• Court search: Check for pending litigation on the property
• Survey/Tax receipts: Confirm property tax is up to date

Bennyz Realty completes a basic document check on every listed property before it appears on our site.

An Encumbrance Certificate (EC) is an official document from the Sub-Registrar's office showing all registered transactions (sales, mortgages, gifts, etc.) on a property for a specified period. You can obtain it from:

• The Sub-Registrar office where the property is registered
• Online via the Kerala Registration Department website (keralaregistration.gov.in)

Always request an EC covering at least 30 years. Cost is nominal (₹200–500 depending on the period).

Many plots in Kerala are classified as agricultural land in revenue records. For residential construction, this land must be officially converted to residential/non-agricultural use via the Village Office or Tahsildar's office.

Conversion is a routine process but adds 2–4 weeks and ₹5,000–20,000 in fees depending on plot size. If buying a plot for construction, always check the current land classification and budget for conversion if needed.