New Delhi, April 23 -- Buying a house may be a dream, but getting a home loan can feel like a maze-filled with paperwork, fine print, and financial jargon. The good news? It doesn't have to be that way. With digital portals, smarter tools, and a few insider tricks, navigating the home loan process today is easier than ever-if you know what to watch out for.

In recent years, applying for a home loan has become much smoother, especially with private banks going digital. Most now offer online portals and standard document checklists, making the process faster-often completing disbursals within 15 days. In contrast, public sector banks like SBI and Bank of Baroda still rely on physical paperwork and can take 30-60 days, particularly for prop...