Hi Sir,
I'm 34 unmarried female with partial responsibility for parents (they have pension) but full responsibility for another adult forever who is 36 years old at this time due to certain medical issues.
My goal is to be able to buy a house in metro like Pune/Bengaluru where current prices have skyrocketed to 1.2 cr, in the next 2-3 years.
My current savings and income is 13 L in FD, 7L in PPF, and 4L in MF. Current salary is 1.5L per month where my expenses are 20k monthly rent, 10-15k in total for other expenses like food/living etc.
Monthly MF investment is 35k and 12.5k for ppf and i save as and when possible for FD.
At this time slightly worried if I'll be able to purchase a home at all. Also I do not have any other loans, please help.
Ans: You are doing a good job managing your income, savings, and responsibilities.
Your goal to buy a house in a metro is clear.
But we need to go step-by-step to see if it fits into your bigger financial life.
We also need to check the long-term impact of such a decision.
Let’s analyse everything in a simple, structured, and detailed way.
Let’s look at your money from a 360-degree view.
Let us begin.
Income and Expense Control
Monthly salary of Rs. 1.5 lakhs is a strong base.
Your rent is Rs. 20,000 and other expenses are Rs. 15,000 max.
Total expenses are around Rs. 35,000 per month only.
This gives you a very good surplus of Rs. 1.15 lakhs monthly.
That level of saving shows strong discipline and financial maturity.
This is very positive especially as you have responsibilities too.
Current Investments and Asset Mix
Rs. 13 lakhs in fixed deposits is a safety cushion.
Rs. 7 lakhs in PPF is useful for long-term stability.
Rs. 4 lakhs in mutual funds is a good start for wealth creation.
Monthly SIP of Rs. 35,000 is aggressive and well placed.
PPF investment of Rs. 12,500 monthly is also consistent.
You are spreading risk and ensuring short and long term goals.
However, fixed deposits will not beat inflation in the long run.
Understanding the Housing Goal
Your target home budget is Rs. 1.2 crore in a metro.
This is a huge goal considering your current savings.
With 13L FD + 7L PPF + 4L MF = Rs. 24 lakhs total now.
It is hard to buy a home of Rs. 1.2 crore fully from this.
You may need to take a home loan of Rs. 80 lakhs or more.
Loan EMI on this amount will be around Rs. 65,000 to Rs. 70,000 monthly.
This can affect your MF SIP and other savings.
You also need to pay 10% to 20% down payment upfront.
That is around Rs. 24 lakhs minimum, which is what you already have.
But if you pay it all, there will be no emergency fund left.
Home Loan and EMI Risk Assessment
Taking such a large loan will bring financial pressure.
Your current surplus will drop quickly with EMI payments.
You may have to stop or reduce your SIP and PPF.
That will impact your long-term financial independence.
You are also responsible for one adult dependent lifelong.
So you need a strong safety net for medical and lifestyle costs.
A home loan will reduce your flexibility for that.
Your job is in the private sector, which can have income uncertainty.
Why Owning Property May Not Be Best Now
Buying a house looks attractive, but comes with hidden costs.
Stamp duty, registration, maintenance, repairs, interiors, property tax, etc.
These can total up to 10%-12% of home value over time.
Buying locks up your capital and reduces liquidity.
Rent is only Rs. 20,000 now, which is manageable.
You also have freedom to move for job opportunities.
Home ownership can tie you down, especially early in life.
Better to delay this until other goals are secure.
Investment Strategy Review
Mutual funds help you beat inflation and grow wealth.
Continue with your Rs. 35,000 SIP as long as possible.
Don’t reduce SIP to save for property down payment now.
PPF will build your tax-free corpus, so continue with Rs. 12,500 monthly.
Your fixed deposits can be slowly reduced.
Shift them into short duration mutual funds for better returns.
But keep Rs. 3 to 5 lakhs aside as emergency fund always.
Don’t go fully into equity without having a buffer.
Real Estate as Investment? No.
Property as investment has low liquidity.
Difficult to sell quickly if needed.
High cost of buying and selling.
Price appreciation not guaranteed.
Better to build wealth using mutual funds with Certified Financial Planner.
Action Plan for Next 2 to 3 Years
Delay home buying decision for now.
Focus on building Rs. 40-50 lakhs liquid net worth.
Keep SIP + PPF going without stopping.
Shift part of FD to balanced or hybrid mutual funds.
Review SIP portfolio yearly with Certified Financial Planner.
Build emergency fund for 6 months expenses minimum.
Create term insurance of Rs. 1 crore if not yet done.
Take health insurance for yourself and dependent.
Avoid ULIPs or investment insurance products.
Avoid index funds as they don’t beat market always.
Regular mutual funds via Certified Financial Planner give better support.
Avoid direct plans as they give no guidance or help.
When Should You Buy A House Then?
When you have minimum Rs. 35 to 40 lakhs corpus ready.
When EMI is less than 35% of your salary.
When you have 6 to 12 months emergency fund set aside.
When your SIP and PPF can continue without stopping.
When job and income feel stable for long term.
Till then, stay in rent and grow your investments.
You can invest even with property in mind.
Create a “home goal fund” in short to medium mutual funds.
Add lumpsum to this if salary rises or bonuses come.
Review property market every year with your Certified Financial Planner.
If property prices fall or income increases, reassess.
Extra Steps You Can Take
Avoid lifestyle inflation. Keep expenses simple.
Don’t buy car or other EMI-based assets now.
Keep salary hike savings 100% for investments.
Increase SIP every year as income grows.
Protect your dependent with medical cover and estate plan.
Consider creating a Will for your assets.
Keep updating your plan every year or with life changes.
Finally
You are doing very well at this stage of life.
Your savings rate is excellent.
Your investment approach is balanced and smart.
Buying a home now is not right timing.
It may reduce your long-term growth and flexibility.
Delay home purchase for 2 to 3 years minimum.
Use this time to strengthen your investment base.
Let your SIPs and PPF grow your net worth.
Use Certified Financial Planner for regular reviews and guidance.
Stay focused on what matters – stability, growth, peace.
House can wait. Financial freedom cannot.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment