Studio, one bed or two bed: which one should you actually buy?

So rather than tell you which one is "best", here are the real numbers for all three at IRIS Tower, and what we've noticed about the people who end up buying each one.

First, the numbers

• Studio (350 sq ft): 57.75 lakh total. Rs. 577,500 to book, then Rs. 57,750 a month, plus Rs. 144,375 every six months.
• One Bed (450 sq ft): 74.25 lakh total. Rs. 742,500 to book, then Rs. 74,250 a month, plus Rs. 185,625 every six months.
• Two Bed (670 sq ft): 1.17 crore total. Rs. 1,172,500 to book, then Rs. 117,250 a month, plus Rs. 293,125 every six months.

All three are on the same four-year plan, so the split doesn't change, only the amounts. The full breakdown is on the payment plan page.

Who buys the studio

Mostly people buying their first property. Some are young professionals tired of paying rent. Others are parents who want to put something in their child's name early.

At Rs. 57,750 a month, it's the easiest of the three to keep up with. Be honest about the space, though. At 350 sq ft, living, sleeping and cooking all happen in one open room. That's fine for one person and workable for a couple. With a child, it gets tight fast.

Who buys the one bed

The one bed is only 100 sq ft bigger than the studio, but that extra space is a bedroom with a door. It sounds small. It isn't. You can have a friend over without them sitting next to your bed, and you can work in one room while someone sleeps in the other.

It costs Rs. 16,500 a month more than a studio. Newly married couples tend to land here, and so do buyers thinking about renting it out later, since it suits both singles and couples.

Who buys the two bed

Families, almost without exception. If you have children, or your parents stay with you for weeks at a time, the 670 sq ft two bed is really the only option of the three.

It's also the biggest commitment, at 1.17 crore. The month to plan around is the half-yearly one. That month you pay Rs. 410,375 in total, not Rs. 117,250.

A few honest questions before you choose

Who will be living there when you get the keys? Possession is a few years off. People often buy for the household they have today, then find they've outgrown the flat before it's even finished.

Can you handle the six-monthly payments? Most people can manage the monthly figure. The half-yearly months are where people struggle. Add both together and look at the total.

Are you buying to live, or to rent out? If you plan to rent it out, don't take anyone's word on rental income, including ours. Ask a couple of local dealers what similar flats nearby actually rent for.

Come and see them

Honestly, a floor plan on paper only tells you so much. Most people make up their mind within five minutes of standing in the space. Our site office is in Al Kabir Downtown on Raiwind Road, or you can get in touch to find out which units are still available in each size.

And whichever size you go for, read our checklist on buying a flat on installments before you pay anything.