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Should I Sell My 1 BHK to Repay My New Home Loan?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8292 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 30, 2025

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Deepak Question by Deepak on Jan 29, 2025Hindi
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I have a purchased a 2 BHK house in Ulwe Navi Mumbai which is under construction & may get possession by Dec2026. For this home loan is 74 lacs & emi is 66K per month. I also have another 1 bhk in same area which is loan free, so my question is what should be my approach for future? Should I sell my 1 BHK (the value could be 50 lacs), once I get the possession of new house to repay the loan on new house OR I should continue to pay EMI give this old 1BHK on rent (Rent could be 12K/month) by this way I can also save capital tax gain, please suggest. The property rates are going to be on higher side in future in this area since this is the area where Atal setu & Airport is being constructed, please advise. Thanks.

Ans: Understanding Your Current Situation
You own two properties in Ulwe, Navi Mumbai.

1 BHK: Loan-free, market value Rs. 50 lakhs, potential rent Rs. 12K/month.

2 BHK (Under Construction): Home loan of Rs. 74 lakhs, EMI Rs. 66K/month, possession by Dec 2026.

You believe property rates will rise due to infrastructure projects like Atal Setu & Airport.

Key Factors to Consider
1. Loan Burden & Interest Cost
Your EMI of Rs. 66K/month is a significant financial commitment.

Over 20-25 years, total interest paid can exceed Rs. 70-90 lakhs.

Selling your 1 BHK and prepaying part of the 2 BHK loan can reduce this burden.

2. Rental Income vs Loan Cost
Rental income: Rs. 12K/month (Rs. 1.44 lakhs per year).

EMI: Rs. 66K/month (Rs. 7.92 lakhs per year).

Your rental yield is just 2.8% annually, while the home loan interest is around 8-9%.

Keeping the 1 BHK does not provide strong financial benefits.

3. Capital Gains Tax on Selling 1 BHK
If sold after holding for more than 2 years, you qualify for long-term capital gains tax (LTCG).

LTCG tax is 20% with indexation benefit.

Reinvesting in your 2 BHK loan is NOT eligible for capital gains tax exemption.

To save LTCG tax, you can invest in capital gain bonds (under Section 54EC).

4. Future Property Value Appreciation
Future appreciation is uncertain. While infrastructure development helps, property cycles do not guarantee constant growth.

Navi Mumbai’s market is already seeing a high supply of properties. Short-term gains may not be significant.

Holding an extra property is only beneficial if the price rise is higher than loan interest + maintenance costs.

What Should Be Your Approach?
Option 1: Sell 1 BHK and Reduce Loan (Recommended)
Sell the 1 BHK after possession of the 2 BHK (to avoid uncertainty in under-construction delays).

Use Rs. 50 lakhs to partially prepay the 2 BHK loan.

Loan burden reduces significantly, EMI can reduce by nearly Rs. 35K-40K per month.

Invest the remaining capital gain in tax-saving bonds to avoid tax.

Option 2: Retain 1 BHK & Continue Paying EMI
Keep 1 BHK for rental income (Rs. 12K/month).

Continue paying full EMI of Rs. 66K/month.

Property value may or may not rise as expected.

Low rental yield & high EMI stress make this a weaker option.

Final Insights
Financially, selling the 1 BHK and reducing the loan is better.

Lower EMI = More financial flexibility for future investments.

Holding both properties only makes sense if appreciation is very strong.

If selling, plan capital gains tax exemption wisely.

Real estate is not the best long-term investment compared to equity & mutual funds.

Reducing home loan burden improves cash flow & future financial security.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8292 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 12, 2024

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i had purchased 1 bhk flat for 41 lakh and its 40years old building in bhayander and we are paying 18k emi and we stay in rented flat and its rent is 20k . what should i do should i sell my flat and try to buy another low cost flat
Ans: Here's a breakdown of your situation to help you decide whether to sell your flat and buy a lower-cost one:

Financial Analysis:

Selling Costs: Consider agent fees, taxes, and other selling costs that might reduce your profit from selling.
New Flat Costs: Factor in the cost of a new flat, registration charges, and potential renovation expenses. Will the new flat's EMI be lower than the rent you're currently paying?
Market Conditions: Is the Bhayander market currently good for selling flats? Are there affordable options available for buying?
Benefits of Selling:

Lower housing cost: If you can buy a lower-cost flat with a lower EMI, you'll free up some cash flow.
Consolidated Investment: Selling your current flat can free up capital that you can invest elsewhere, potentially for better returns.
Benefits of Keeping:

Equity Building: You continue to build equity in your current flat, which appreciates in value over time (although this depends on market conditions).
Familiar surroundings: You avoid the hassle of moving and can stay in a familiar location.
Here's what you can do next:

Research Market Rates: Find out the current market value of your flat and the cost of similar flats you'd like to buy.
Calculate Net Proceeds: Estimate the net amount you'll get after selling your flat (deducting selling costs).
Compare EMI vs. Rent: See if the EMI on a new flat (including potential renovation costs) would be lower than your current rent.
Consider Long-Term Goals: Think about your long-term plans. Do you plan to stay in Bhayander for a long time, or might you move in the future?
Consulting a Real Estate Agent: A local real estate agent can provide valuable insights into the current market conditions and help you navigate the selling and buying process.

Ultimately, the decision depends on your financial situation, risk tolerance, and future plans. By carefully considering the factors mentioned above, you can make an informed choice.

..Read more

Janak

Janak Patel  |31 Answers  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Feb 21, 2025

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Hello Sir, I am 48 years old working in a software company with the monthly income of 2.5lakhs. I have 2 independent houses in which I am planning to sell one for 1.6crores and take one flat with 1.4Cr to save capital gains. below are my queries 1. Can I use remaining 20lakhs for registration, car parking to save LTCG? 2. If not, I have other house with home loan of 80Lakhs. Can I prepay the 20Lakhs for other house to save LTCG? 3. the existing house sale might conclude by April 2025, and new flat registration I am expecting in 2026 April. so the full amount to the builder will happen only in April 2026, can I keep the amount in savings account or do a short term Fixed deposit? what are the tax implications on this amount as by the time we file the income tax this deal will not close.
Ans: Hi Karunakar,

You have an House property (independent house) valued at 1.6Cr which you intend to sell and use the amount to purchase another House property (flat) with value of 1.4Cr.
You have raise multiple queries and before responding to them, I will try to explain the capital gains on house property.
Capital Gains = Sale value - cost of acquisition - cost of improvement - expenses incurred for sale (e.g. brokerage).
So first calculate the Capital gains on selling the property, as you mentioned you are selling it for 1.6Cr, so reduce it by the acquisition cost, etc.
Once you have the Capital gains amount, that is the amount you need to re-invest in another property to save tax on it, in your case the Flat (value more than the CG) can be purchase within the next 2 years and no tax will be payable.
So lets assume out of 1.6 Cr, you have CG of 1Cr, then 1Cr reinvested in another property i.e. for your flat cost of 1.4Cr, you will have no tax payable.
So its not the full value of sale, its only on the Capital gains that you need to worry for paying taxes.
The remaining amount of 60lakhs in above example can be utilized as per your requirement.
Responses
1. & 2. You can use any amount above the capital gains for any purpose you see fit - like parking, registration, loan or any other form of investment.
3. If the sale will conclude in April 2025, and your payment of the capital gains towards new flat will be April 2026, then you need to invest the capital gains amount as per below -
- if you are sure of purchase of flat, then within 6 months of sale date invest the amount in "Capital Gains Account Scheme CGAS)" in authorized banks. Amount will be kept in a special FD for 2 years and you can withdraw anytime to pay for your new property.

Within 6 months from sale of property or before tax filing for FY of sale date, i.e. FY25-26 filing date 31 July 2026, whichever is earlier, you need to make a decision.
If you are not planning to purchase another house property, then reinvest in specific long term capital gain bonds from NHAI, REC, some others, these bonds have lock-in of 5 years
If you decide to purchase another property, deposit CG in CGAS as mentioned above.

Interest earned on these deposits in taxable (under head of Other income).

Thanks & Regards
Janak Patel
Certified Financial Planner.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8292 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Mar 07, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 07, 2025Hindi
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"I own a property in a prime location in Bangalore, within a gated society, and it is within walking distance from an IT SEZ. This property generates a rental income of Rs 50k per month. I also have another property near a SEZ in another metro city, which is also in a gated society and provides a good rental income. I intend to keep this property for my daughter. Currently, I am planning to construct a house in my home capital city for my own stay, along with three additional flats for rental income. I have sufficient funds for the construction. I do not have any loans and, apart from the construction expenses, I have additional investments worth more than 1 crore in mutual funds, stocks, fixed deposits, and provident funds. Given my financial situation, would it be wise to sell the property in Bangalore and earn interest or should I continue earning rental income and the future prospect. Thank you
Ans: Your financial position is strong. You have multiple income sources and no loans. You are also constructing a new house with rental units.

The key question is whether selling the Bangalore property is a better financial decision. Let’s analyze from different angles.

1. Financial Stability and Liquidity
You already have a steady rental income from multiple properties.

Your investments are diversified across mutual funds, stocks, fixed deposits, and provident funds.

You have sufficient funds for the new construction.

There is no immediate need to sell for liquidity.

Keeping the property may provide stable, passive income for years.

2. Rental Income vs. Alternative Investments
Rental Yield Analysis
Your Bangalore property generates Rs 50,000 per month, or Rs 6 lakh per year.

If the property value is Rs 2 crore, the rental yield is 3% per year.

Rental yield in prime locations is typically between 2% to 4%.

Comparing with Interest or Market Investments
If you sell the property for Rs 2 crore and invest in fixed-income options, you may earn:

Fixed Deposits: Around 7% per year (Rs 14 lakh per year).

Debt Mutual Funds: 6% to 8% per year (Rs 12-16 lakh per year).

If you invest in mutual funds or stocks, potential returns can be 10% to 12% per year (Rs 20-24 lakh per year).

These returns are higher than the current rental yield of 3%.

Selling and investing can generate better cash flow than rental income.

3. Capital Appreciation Potential
Bangalore's real estate market has shown strong appreciation over the years.

Prime locations near IT hubs tend to see price growth.

If property prices rise faster than market investments, holding it may be better.

If growth is slow, selling and reinvesting in financial assets makes more sense.

Research the expected appreciation for the next 5-10 years.

4. Tax Implications of Selling
Capital Gains Tax
If you sell, you will incur long-term capital gains tax.

The tax is 20% on gains after indexation.

You can reduce tax by reinvesting in another property under Section 54.

If not reinvested, your net proceeds will reduce due to tax.

5. Diversification and Risk Management
You already have multiple real estate assets.

Real estate is illiquid and requires maintenance.

Selling and reinvesting in liquid assets increases flexibility.

If rental demand declines, income may be affected.

If you want to reduce real estate exposure, selling is a good option.

6. Future Rental Demand and Market Trends
Bangalore’s IT sector drives rental demand.

If IT jobs continue to grow, rental demand will stay strong.

Remote work trends may affect demand in the long term.

Check vacancy rates and rent growth trends before deciding.

7. Personal Preferences and Lifestyle
If managing rental properties is a hassle, selling may be better.

If you prefer stable and passive income, keeping the property is fine.

If you plan to use the property in the future, holding makes sense.

If you prefer liquidity and financial flexibility, selling is better.

Final Insights
Your financial position allows flexibility in decision-making.

If capital appreciation is strong, holding the property is beneficial.

If rental growth is slow, selling and reinvesting in financial assets may be better.

Consider tax implications and reinvestment options before selling.

If you prefer liquidity and higher returns, selling is a good option.

If you want stable rental income, keeping the property is fine.

A Certified Financial Planner can help with tax-efficient investment planning.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4465 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 27, 2025

Career
Jee main 2025,my son got 95.2%tile,71104 rank ,ews rank 10111,home state punjab ,can he get cse,ece,data science,it, branch in any nit,iiit,gftis or which branches he will get in these institutes .
Ans: Varinder Sir, Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Here is, How to Predict Your Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main Results – A Step-by-Step Guide.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories both Home State (HS) i.e. State you belong to & also Other State (OS).
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in, separately for HS & OS Categories for a quick reference.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.

Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4465 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 27, 2025

Career
My son got 93.4 percentile jee main . He got eee bit mesra and cse in srm ktr which prospect is better?
Ans: Sharmistha Madam, prefer BIT-M-EEE. Explore more options for your daughter as back-ups by knowing the JoSAA Counselling Opening & Closing Ranks of last year. Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories both Home State (HS) i.e. State you belong to & also Other State (OS).
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in, separately for HS & OS Categories for a quick reference.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.

Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'

Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories both Home State (HS) i.e. State you belong to & also Other State (OS).
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in, separately for HS & OS Categories for a quick reference.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.

Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your admissions!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know more on 'Careers | Health | Money | Relationships'.

...Read more

Prof Suvasish

Prof Suvasish Mukhopadhyay  |598 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 27, 2025

Career
I have already appeared for the JEE Main and secured a 95.15 percentile, which is close to the previous year's cut-off. My query is whether it is possible to select both options JEE and NFATso that if I do not qualify through my JEE score, my application can be considered based on my NFAT score instead. If selecting both options is permissible, could you please guide me on how to do so while filling out the application form? Your assistance on this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Ans: No, candidates cannot apply using both JEE Main and NAFT scores for the same admissions. JEE Main scores are used for admissions to engineering programs at NITs, IIITs, and other participating institutions, while NAFT scores are used for admissions to NAFT-affiliated universities. These are distinct admission processes, and only one set of scores can be used.

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

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