Episode 72: The Price of a Dream House : When a Middle-Class Couple Buys a Flat on Pre-Launch and Watches It Vanish
Series: Broken by Burden: Financial Survival Strategies for the Troubled Mind
Date: 08 Sept 2025
🎭 A Flat That Never Became a Home
Ramesh and Deepti were a couple in their early 30s, married for five years and living in a 1BHK rented flat in Vasai, Mumbai.
Ramesh worked as a sales executive for a tiles company. Deepti, a schoolteacher, taught mathematics at a nearby municipal school. Their combined income barely crossed ₹50,000 per month, but their dream was modest—not a villa, not a duplex, just a home they could call their own.
Every evening, Deepti would scan real estate ads while sipping tea, circling listings with a red pen.
Then one day, on a billboard near the station, a golden promise stood tall:
“Pre-Launch Offer – Pay ₹5 Lakhs and Book Your 2BHK in Just ₹29.99 Lakh!”
Future Nest Builders: RERA Applied | Near Upcoming Metro Station | Possession in 24 Months
They attended the sales office that Sunday.
Ramesh (wide-eyed):
“2BHK in Malad for under 30 lakh? Is this even real?”
Sales Executive (smiling):
“Sir, today’s the last day. We’ve sold 68 out of 70 units already. Don’t miss this chance.”
Deepti (cautious):
“But the RERA number says ‘Applied’ not ‘Approved’…”
Sales Executive:
“Madam, paperwork takes time. But trust me, we’ve done three other successful projects in Pune. You’re getting early-bird benefits.”
Ramesh (after a glance at Deepti):
“We’ll take it. Let’s make this dream come true.”
🏚️ The Collapse of a Dream
They paid ₹5 lakhs from their savings. Took an EMI-linked home loan for ₹24 lakhs. Moved in with Deepti’s parents temporarily, excited for their future.
Every month, they visited the site.
First month – only leveling of land.
Third month – a boundary wall came up.
Sixth month – a signboard changed: Site Closed Until Further Notice.
No more phone calls. No customer service. The website vanished.
They rushed to the RERA website—the project was never approved.
They went to the builder’s office—locked, furniture removed.
They visited the local police station—50 other families had already filed FIRs.
🧠 Character Psychology
- Ramesh: Desperate to offer his wife a better life. Wanted dignity through ownership. His mistake wasn’t greed—it was blind trust in advertising and peer pressure.
- Deepti: Cautious, but ultimately supportive. Felt guilt for not pushing back harder.
- Builder (Mr. Mahesh Jindal): A master manipulator who disappeared after collecting over ₹3.2 crore from multiple families.
“We didn’t lose just money,” Deepti told her mother one night, “we lost our peace, our weekends, our laughter…”
🗣️ Conversations that Broke Hearts
Ramesh (quietly):
“Deepti, maybe we should stop paying the EMI now. What’s the point?”
Deepti (calm but pained):
“And ruin our credit score too? Ramesh, we’ve already lost a home. Let’s not lose our future.”
Ramesh’s friend (sarcastic):
“Bro, didn’t I tell you? Pre-launch is just a sweet word for ‘give money and pray.’”
Deepti’s father (angrily):
“I should’ve checked the papers myself. We gave our daughter to you, not her tears.”
💡 What This Story Teaches Us
- Pre-launch = Pre-risk
Never invest in a real estate project without RERA approval. If it sounds too good to be true—it is. - EMIs can become silent burdens
Ramesh and Deepti paid ₹17,800 every month for nothing but air. - Always involve a lawyer
Before signing any builder agreement, even a booking form, have it reviewed legally. - Dream responsibly
Buying a house is emotional. But it must be financial and legal first.
🛠️ Practical Financial Advice
- Verify RERA registration on the official website.
- Do background checks on the builder—Google past projects, lawsuits, or reviews.
- Avoid fully upfront payments in pre-launch. Ask for construction-linked plans.
- Keep digital proof—email trails, payment receipts, call logs—everything matters if legal action becomes necessary.
🌱 Where They Are Now
Two years later, Ramesh and Deepti have still not recovered the money. The case is stuck in court. The builder has declared bankruptcy. The plot is now a dump yard.
But there’s a small ray of hope. A consumer rights NGO is now helping them gather all victim families for a class-action suit.
Ramesh took up an evening MBA to understand finance better.
Deepti now holds awareness workshops for young married couples in her school community.
“We’ll have our home one day,” Deepti tells herself.
“But it’ll be on truth, not brochures.”
🔜 Next Episode Teaser:
In the next episode, a daughter working abroad keeps sending money to her aging parents in Bihar. But after years of virtual relationships, her mother breaks down one day:
“We wanted your presence, not just your presents.”
A story of guilt, sacrifice, and the emotional cost of economic migration.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This blog series reflects real financial and emotional challenges faced by individuals and families. The characters and events are fictionalized to protect privacy but inspired by true societal patterns. The series is not a substitute for professional legal or financial advice. Always consult certified advisors before making large financial decisions.
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