Houses: how to find a house or row house to buy or rent
A house is the plot, the utilities and the condition
When you look for a house, the price depends on more than the size. The plot, the distance from the city, the water, power and sewage arrangements, and the state of the roof and the foundation all count. Two houses of the same size can differ a lot in price, because one has municipal water and sewage and the other has a borewell and a septic tank.
So begin with the section: you need houses for sale, long-term rent or row houses and duplexes.
How the options differ
- An independent house — more space and privacy, but you bear the running costs yourself.
- A row house — shared walls, a smaller plot, usually easier with security and upkeep of common areas.
- A duplex — two homes under one roof; check how the plot and the documents are divided.
- Rent — give the term, whether pets are allowed, and who pays for electricity and water.
If you take a row house, ask about shared costs: upkeep of the grounds, security, garbage collection, fees to the management company. For a duplex, check whether the plot is legally divided and whether there are separate meters. These things are easy to miss, and later they become a source of arguments with neighbours.
What to put in your request
- Purpose — buy or rent, and for how long.
- Location — city, outskirts, area, distance to work or school.
- House and plot size — in sq ft and sq yards.
- Rooms and floors.
- Utilities — water, sewage, electricity, internet, piped gas, power backup.
- Condition — needs renovation, renovated, furnished.
- Budget — a range and the way you will pay.
- Extras — garage, boundary wall, access road in the rainy season.
Example: “Looking for a house to buy near Karachi, 1,300–1,600 sq ft, plot from 2,400 sq ft, municipal water supply, 3–4 bedrooms, in good condition. Budget up to Rs 33,000,000, ready to come for a viewing.”
What to look at when comparing offers
Make sure you compare like with like: the area on the documents, not “by word of mouth”, the condition of the roof and walls, the water and power arrangements, and an occupancy certificate. For a rental, ask about the agreement, the deposit and who is responsible for routine repairs. Owners reply in the chat, and you can see what exactly they offer, along with reviews about them.
Before buying, it is sensible to check the documents for the house and the land with a property lawyer. This is not a formality: in the private sector, extensions without approval are common. It is better to view the house in person.
A word about the season. In the rainy season you see whether the roof leaks, whether the road floods and how the house copes with damp, and in the hot months you see how well it stays cool. If you look for a weekend home to live in all year, check whether there is an all-weather road, regular garbage collection and an internet connection.
Also find out the running costs: electricity, water, garbage, upkeep of the plot. Sometimes a “cheap” house becomes expensive because of the monthly costs.
How it works on BlaBlaPrice
You write one request, and owners and agents compete for it by improving their terms. The system shows the offer that is best on the merits first. Your phone number stays hidden until you choose whom to open it to. More on the “How it works” page, and you can create a request here. If a more compact home suits you better, look at apartments.
