Buying Property in India vs USA vs Canada: Key Document and Cost Differences
A high-level comparison of document requirements, stamp duty, registration, closing costs, and land transfer tax across the three markets—without legal advice.
Why document and cost structures differ
Property transactions are governed by local law. In India, state-level stamp duty and registration dominate; in the USA, closing costs and title insurance vary by state; in Canada, provincial land transfer tax and legal/notary involvement are the norm. Knowing the structure—not just the numbers—helps you plan timelines and budgets.
Documents: what to expect
India typically requires sale deeds, encumbrance certificates, NOCs, and RERA-related docs where applicable. In the USA, expect purchase agreements, title reports, and state-specific disclosures. In Canada, lawyers or notaries handle closing; you'll see transfer documents and provincial filings. Proforma Studio's Country Guides and document templates are built around these patterns.
Costs at a glance
Upfront costs include stamp duty (India), registration fees (India), closing costs and title insurance (USA), and land transfer tax plus legal fees (Canada). Proforma Studio's country-specific proforma adds these into your total investment so you can compare deals across markets.
Use this inside Proforma Studio
Create a deal in your target country to see the right currency, date format, and cost assumptions. Use the Country Guides for checklists and the Transaction Timeline to track milestones. This guide is informational only; consult local lawyers and agents for your transaction.