1 October 2026
Buying an apartment is easiest when you do the steps in the right order. Most expensive mistakes happen when a buyer pays first and asks questions later. This guide walks through the sequence we recommend for anyone looking at an apartment in Savar DOHS, Dhaka.
1. Set a realistic total budget
Start with the full cost, not only the headline price. Add registration and related government costs, utility connection fees, the share of generator and lift costs, furnishing, and the monthly service charge after handover. Ask your lawyer or bank for the current figures rather than relying on rules of thumb.
2. Decide the unit size that fits your household
Compare compact and large plates against how your family really lives. A three-bedroom unit around 1,350 sq ft and a four-bedroom full floor around 2,700 sq ft behave very differently in daily life and in monthly costs. Our guide to choosing between them walks through the trade-offs.
3. Shortlist roads and buildings, then visit in person
Location inside a planned society matters: access, road width, distance to the gate and to daily needs. Visit at different times of day. If you live abroad, ask for a live video walkthrough and a trusted relative to attend the visit.
4. Read the document file before any payment
Ask to see the mother deed and deed chain, mutation and khatian, the approved building plan, land tax receipts and the soil test report. Take copies to your own lawyer. Our seven-document checklist explains what each paper proves.
5. Get a written payment schedule
The schedule should state the total price, each instalment, what the booking amount adjusts against, and the handover month with the consequence of delay. If something was promised verbally, it belongs on paper.
6. Sign, register and mutate
Once the agreement is signed and payments follow the schedule, the sale is registered through the proper authority and the record is updated in your name. Your lawyer should supervise this stage and give you certified copies for your file.
7. Inspect before handover
Walk the unit with a checklist: finishes, plumbing, electrical points, doors and windows, the lift and generator. Record snagging items in writing and agree a date by which they will be fixed.
If you would like a second pair of eyes on any step, our Savar DOHS desk answers questions in Bangla and English — whether or not you buy from us.
