Buying property in Kerala as an NRI or OCI card holder involves legal due diligence that is more complex than a resident Indian purchase — not because the law imposes more restrictions (NRIs and OCI holders can freely buy residential and commercial property) but because distance and unfamiliarity with the Kerala property system create gaps that local buyers navigate instinctively. Title verification, encumbrance check, fair market valuation, FEMA-compliant payment, and proper registration are all steps that require local legal support to execute correctly. A defective purchase — unclear title, unpaid TDS, a PoA transaction that hasn't been updated to reflect the purchase — creates problems that surface years later when the NRI attempts to sell or transfer.
For detailed guidance on this topic specific to your circumstances, the office is available at luka@lukeandluka.in or +91 96057 61330, Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM IST. Remote consultations — by video call, WhatsApp or email — are available for NRIs and OCI holders in all time zones.