India, April 11 -- Planning to buy an apartment in a gated community by a real estate developer? While a monthly maintenance charge of around Rs.5,000 may seem affordable, especially with a steady income, buyers should consider that such costs can become a burden during unemployment or after retirement without a regular pension.

Most homebuyers focus on the purchase price, but forget that recurring charges like maintenance (CAM) can significantly increase the true cost of ownership. It is important to evaluate the property's lifetime cost, not just the upfront price.

This means accounting for all ongoing expenses, including monthly maintenance fees, GST, property taxes, and future repair and upkeep costs.

Homebuyers should evaluate a p...