Ready Flat vs Ongoing Flat
This is usually the first real decision a flat buyer in Dhaka has to make, and it narrows the search more than any other filter. The two are not just different stages of the same purchase — they have different payment patterns, different risks, and they suit different situations.
What each one means
A ready flat is finished. Construction is complete, the unit can be inspected as it will actually be handed over, and occupation follows the paperwork rather than a build schedule.
An ongoing flat is still under construction. You are buying a unit that exists on plan and in progress, with payment normally staged against build milestones rather than paid in full at the start.
Payment
The staged payment structure of an ongoing flat is the main reason buyers choose it. Instead of arranging the full amount at once, payments follow construction, which spreads the cost over the build period.
A ready flat generally requires the funds to be available sooner. In exchange, there is no further payment schedule to manage and no dependency on a project continuing as planned.
What you can actually verify
With a ready flat you can check the finished thing: the real light at different times of day, the actual noise from the road, the state of the common areas, lift and generator, and whether the built size matches what is advertised.
With an ongoing flat you are assessing the developer's track record and the plan rather than the finished unit. That makes the developer's history of completing and handing over on schedule the single most important thing to check.
Which suits you
A ready flat suits a buyer who needs to move within a defined timeframe, wants to inspect exactly what they are buying, or is uncomfortable carrying construction risk.
An ongoing flat suits a buyer with a longer horizon who wants the staged payment structure and is willing to take on the risk that comes with a project still in progress.
Resale flats sit alongside both: previously owned, already complete, and often more negotiable because you are dealing with an owner rather than a developer.
Common questions
Is an ongoing flat cheaper than a ready flat?
Ongoing flats are often priced lower than comparable completed units, because the buyer is taking on construction risk and waiting for handover. Whether that holds for any two specific properties depends on the location, the developer and the building, so compare the actual listings rather than assuming.
What is the main risk with an ongoing flat?
That the project does not complete as planned, or does not complete on schedule. This is why the developer's record of finishing and handing over previous projects matters more than any other single factor when buying under construction.
Can I inspect an ongoing flat before buying?
You can usually visit the site and see the stage of construction, but you cannot inspect the finished unit because it does not exist yet. We can arrange a site visit for any ongoing listing.
What is a resale flat?
A resale flat is a previously owned unit being sold by its owner rather than a developer. It is complete and inspectable like a ready flat, and the price is often more negotiable because you are dealing directly with an individual seller.
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