Normally you'd scan newspaper classifieds, trudge to several brokers, view properties, consult a lawyer etc. If you're an NRI or planning to buy property in another city, you'll also have to rely on friends and relatives for help.

Online, all of this is accessible to you a few clicks away at property sites like hdfcrealty.com, indiaproperties.com and sampatti.com. You can locate properties for rent or purchase, find a buyer, read up on property law, apply for a home loan online and even find architects and decorators to take care of remodeling!

Find a home If you think apartments and homes found on property sites are really expensive, a glance at the listings on most of them will prove you wrong. Also, you'll find everything from plush bungalows and row houses in premium locations to one-room houses on city outskirts to commercial property and agricultural land.

A search through the database at HDFC Realty according to location, type of property, area and budget will throw up a decent amount of choices along with details of price, deposit, rent, etc. When you register, HDFC Realty assigns you a customer relationship manager from your city or the city closest to you, to answer all your queries. You can bookmark properties, mail him for more details and arrange a visit to the site.

Apart from residential and commercial property IndiaProperties also lists jungle or farm land and plots for hospitals, factories, educational institutions, etc. You will find fairly comprehensive details, sometimes including a photograph of the property and contact details of the owner or broker. You can also scout for upcoming projects and constructions by builders in different cities or read up on property news.

Sampatti too lets you browse properties and get in touch directly with the owner or broker. If you live overseas, they can organise a virtual tour of the property.

Sampatti and IndiaProperties even have paying guest listings and details of hostel accommodation. IndiaRoomFinder, part of the AbodesIndia network, lists paying guest accommodation and temporary shared accommodation opportunities for college students, tourists and executives.

Most sites allow users access after free registration. However, IndiaProperties and Sampatti require brokers, builders, buyers and sellers to pay to list their properties or property requirements. All brokerage settlements are done between the buyer, the seller and the broker, without involvement from these Web sites. On the other hand, listings on HDFC Realty are free, but once you identify a property, you pay them brokerage charges.

Home finance

Find yourself short of the moolah? Home finance is just a click away. Do make sure you read this guide before you shop around! Most property sites will offer you a wide range of options for loans and insurance. EMI calculators and loan eligibility calculators will help find out the approximate loan amount you could get.

You can either let the sites take care of it or get the loan yourself through a finance portal or offline bank. Amit Awchat of HDFC Realty says that while their service offers loans only from HFDC there's no compulsion for homebuyers to apply for an HDFC loan if they are purchasing property listed on the site: "They can opt for a loan from wherever they wish."

Legal eagle

Taxes, stamp duty and property wrangles are enough to tie you up in knots. Find out about these issues online at law sites like Laws4India and LegalPundits.

Most property sites have an expert helpdesk and you can pop them a question on legal or financial issues. If you buy or sell a property with HDFC Realty, they help out with the paperwork. You could also go through the service directories and find a lawyer, consultant or broker to help you.

Decorate your home

Well, the papers are signed and the deal's done. But wait, there's more! You can plan your home décor online. Paint and tile calculators, room plans and interactive room designers help you plan redecorating while you can get hold of a contactor or decorator or even source building materials and furnishings online.

All these sites also have information on Vaastu and Feng Shui as well as consultants to help you do your décor according to Vaastu principles. Also check out this Feng Shui tool, if you want to do it yourself.

Home buying is definitely an offline activity but with the Net you can keep legwork down to a minimum!

Helpful resources:
Sify Real Estate
India Real Estate Directory
Return2India
Accommodation Times
Property Times
AbodesIndia
Lafarge-India Home Buying Guide