Buying a house is often about more than its size, price or interiors. The location can have just as much influence on everyday life. A flat may look perfect during a property visit, but living next to a railway line, a dumping yard or a busy wedding venue could bring problems that become difficult to ignore once the family moves in. This is the point made by realtor Lokesh Khandelwal, who runs the Instagram account @thepropertygyaan. In a video, he listed five locations that homebuyers should think carefully about before purchasing a property. His list includes areas near railway lines, dumping yards, marriage gardens, dirty drains and high-tension electricity lines.“If you want to ruin your life, then take a house in these five places that I am going to tell you,” he said at the beginning of the video.
Near a railway line
Khandelwal’s first warning was about buying a home close to a railway track. He said the sound of passing trains could become a regular source of disturbance for residents. In some locations, he added, people may also notice vibrations inside their homes when a train passes. For someone visiting a property during the day, the noise may not seem like a major concern. But frequent train movement, particularly at night or during early morning hours, can affect the comfort of people living nearby.
Close to a dumping yard
The second location on his list was a dumping yard. Khandelwal said the smell from accumulated waste could make everyday life uncomfortable for families living nearby. He also warned about possible health concerns for both children and adults. The actual risks depend on the nature of the waste, how it is managed and the distance between the dumping site and residential buildings. However, persistent odour and poorly managed waste are practical concerns that buyers should investigate before making a decision.
Next to a marriage garden
A marriage garden or wedding venue may appear harmless during a property visit, particularly if no event is taking place at the time. But Khandelwal said residents could face repeated noise disturbances when functions are organised. He specifically mentioned loud music and DJs playing at night. Referring to restrictions on noise levels, he said that even when authorities intervene, the disturbance may already have affected residents’ sleep.For families living close to such venues, it is worth checking how frequently events take place, how late they continue and whether the building has any effective sound insulation.
Beside a dirty drain
Khandelwal also advised buyers to avoid properties located next to open or dirty drains. He pointed out that some residential societies are built right beside drains or even above them. According to him, the smell can make life uncomfortable for the entire family and may raise concerns about health. Buyers should therefore check the condition of nearby drains, how wastewater is handled and whether the area experiences waterlogging during the monsoon.
Close to high-tension electricity lines
The fifth location he flagged was an area close to high-tension electricity lines. Khandelwal described these lines as hazardous and claimed that they could “absorb all your energy”. That particular explanation should not be treated as a scientific fact.The World Health Organization says electric and magnetic fields are present around power lines, but its assessment does not establish that exposure to low-level electromagnetic fields causes adverse health effects. However, the physical safety of buildings near overhead lines is a separate and important issue. India’s Central Electricity Authority regulations prescribe minimum clearances between electrical conductors and buildings, depending on the voltage of the line. Buyers should check the applicable clearances rather than relying on a general distance or an Instagram claim.Khandelwal ended the video by advising prospective buyers to check their surroundings before finalising a property. His larger point was that a house should be evaluated not just by what is inside it, but also by what is happening around it.
What did social media users say?
The video also prompted viewers to add locations they believe homebuyers should be cautious about. One user suggested avoiding properties close to a courthouse, saying that the area could face constant traffic congestion. The user also pointed out that vehicles might be parked right outside residents’ gates, creating regular inconvenience.Another commenter added areas near cremation grounds and drought-prone land to the list, writing: “Premium side of Instagram… adding near a cremation ground and drought-prone land.”A third user agreed with the realtor’s advice and offered a practical suggestion about checking a property’s surroundings before buying it. “100 per cent fact. And one more thing: before buying a house or land to build one, either visit the place during the rainy season or, if you are in a hurry, ask the people living there. If waterlogging is a problem or the drainage system is not proper, it can create a lot of difficulties,” the user wrote.For prospective homebuyers, the suggestions point to a simple precaution. Visit the neighbourhood at different times of the day, check it during or soon after rainfall if possible, speak to people who already live there and look beyond the property boundary before making a long-term commitment.