NRI Dilemma: Should I Buy a Flat in Hyderabad Now or Rent First After Moving Back?

ok so this has been going on in my head for like 3 months now and wife and me keep going in circles so posting here

we’re in iowa, been here almost 11 yrs. planning to move back to Hyderabad around june-july 2027, mainly bcoz parents are getting older and honestly we want kids to grow up near family. elder one will be in 4th std by then, younger one in 1st

my question is simple (or not lol)

do we buy a flat NOW while im still NRI and earning in dollars, or rent for some months after landing and then buy?

my thinking for buying now - down payment is easier from here, and we shift once and done. nobody wants to move twice with 2 kids and all the luggage

but problem is im picking a place from 13000 km away?? my dad has gone for 2-3 site visits but he’s 68 and he likes everything he sees haha. video calls only show so much. and i have no idea how traffic / water / school commute really is in these areas now, hyd has changed a LOT since i left

renting first makes sense logically but my wife says prices will go up by then and we’ll regret it. idk if that’s true or just what everyone says

few things im stuck on -

anyone who bought before coming back, did it actually work out? was the area what u expected

the whole NRE/NRO account changing thing after u return, how much of a headache was it

loan as NRI vs after becoming resident, does it matter much

how did you check the builder from abroad, other than RERA site? i check it but half the time not sure what im looking at

school first or house first?? everyone gives me different answer

also CA told me something about RNOR status and that the date we land matters for tax. still trying to understand that properly so if anyone has gone through it pls share

sorry for the long post. any real experience would help, good or bad. will try to sum up whatever people say for others in same boat