How to Buy a Flat in Dhaka
The order below is roughly the order things happen in practice. Buyers who get the early steps right — particularly budget and area — spend far less time viewing properties that were never going to work.
1. Set a realistic total budget
The asking price is not the total cost. Registration fees, stamp duty, and any service or utility connection charges sit on top of it, and they should be part of your number from the start rather than a surprise near the end.
Ask for a full cost breakdown on any property you are seriously considering. We will provide one for any listing on the site.
2. Decide ready, ongoing or resale
This narrows the search faster than anything else. Ready flats are complete and inspectable. Ongoing flats are under construction with staged payments. Resale flats are previously owned and often more negotiable.
If you are unsure, the ready-versus-ongoing comparison covers the trade-offs in detail.
3. Choose areas, not just one area
Prices move sharply between Dhaka neighbourhoods, and holding out for a single area can cost you more than the area is worth to you. Shortlist two or three that work for commute, schools and family, then compare across them.
Consider what is actually near the building rather than the area's general reputation — the specific road, the access, and what is within walking distance.
4. View properly
Visit at more than one time of day if you can. Check the light, the noise from the road, the water pressure, the lift and generator, and the state of the common areas — those tell you how the building is actually managed.
Confirm the built size against what was advertised, and be clear on whether parking is included rather than assuming it is.
5. Check the documents before committing
Ownership documentation, approvals for the building, and — for an ongoing project — the developer's record of completing and handing over previous projects.
This is the stage where problems are cheapest to discover. A seller who is reluctant to produce documents at this point is telling you something useful.
6. Negotiate, then complete
Most asking prices in this market carry some room, though how much varies with the property and the seller's situation. Resale is typically more negotiable than a developer's price list.
After agreement, the process moves through booking, agreement, registration and handover. We will tell you where you are at each stage rather than leaving you to guess.
Common questions
What costs come on top of the asking price?
Registration fees, stamp duty, and any service or utility connection charges are separate from the property price. Ask for a full breakdown on the specific property before committing, because the total varies with the property and the transaction.
How much can I negotiate on a flat in Dhaka?
It varies with the property, the seller and how long it has been on the market. Resale flats are typically more negotiable than a developer's price list. We can tell you where there is room on a specific listing.
What documents should I check before buying?
Ownership documentation for the property and approvals for the building. For an ongoing project, also look at the developer's record of completing and handing over previous projects. Check these before money changes hands, not after.
How do I arrange a viewing?
Every listing has a visit request form. It sends your preferred date and time to our team over WhatsApp, and we confirm the appointment with you directly.
Ready to look at properties?
Browse verified listings across Dhaka, or tell us what you need and we'll come back with what fits.