India, June 2 -- Buying the first home is exciting, but it can come with surprises that do not show up in brochures or site visits. In a post on Reddit, a homeowner shared his personal experience of dealing with common yet overlooked problems in both new and resale flats, regardless of the builder's reputation. These included a lack of natural sunlight, recurring black mold, and units located too close to the entrance or exit of basement parking areas, which can lead to constant noise and a lack of privacy.

Another Redditor offered a practical solution: the only reliable way to know if an apartment is truly livable is to rent in the same building for at least a year. This approach gives prospective buyers time to experience the day-to-da...