With about 6.3% Contribution to GDP, Real Estate sector plays a vital role in Indian economy. The path Real estate market in India has been treading for last two or more years is sluggish as the buyer’s sentiments are rock bottom resulting no fluctuation in prices and dimmer chances of capital appreciation in short-term. But there is silver lining this year in the form of some positive factors which are bound to give a boost to this sector.

1. Interest rate cut: This year witnessed two interest rate cuts of 50 bps in total by Reserve Bank and some more attractive cuts are expected which will certainly brighten the property prospects and a solid base will be established for a surge in demand may be by the end of current year or start of next year.

2. Liberalized payments: This period of inactivity has taught a crucial lesson to developers and they have converged on the path of easy payment plans to call buyers back to the residential home market. Such schemes are bound to enhance the demand.

3. Increase in number of affordable units: The general dilemma of an average Indian household whether or not to initially buy housing units much bigger than their present need has been taken care by the developers these days when they are coming up with more affordable units which will attract small families to buy property.

4. Government’s policies: The declaration of smart cities concept by the central government and their naming is bound to provide enough impetus to Realty sector which was otherwise in deep dumps during past years. The concept of smart cities has fascinated NRI and other communities and a jump in FDI is bound to take the sector to dizzying heights. A lot of money is going to be pumped in through private equity or seed funding. The government on its part has made foreign direct investment in such smart cities easier by carpeting the path for such investments.

There are numerous other factors such as the strengthening of infrastructure in the country and its rapid pace , enhanced industrialization etc. which will also  serve as an impetus to the growth of this sector. It is rightly said that there are periods of leans and highs in every sector and as the realty sector has seen lean periods, its leap to newer heights is inevitable.

The fashion and decoration trends tend to repeat themselves periodically. Like old fashion, living room decoration trends also returns back whenever you plan a revamping of the interior decor. These days the trend for retro interiors is back in the offing. The decor which was a trend during ‘60s and early ‘70s is back. Bright colours have returned and wallpapers, carpets, sofas, cushions et al bear the bright colour look. This brings livelier feel to the decor and as one has an entire range for overview the scope of experimentation has expanded. Here under some tips on the trend to make you abreast with it.

Walls: Walls can have funky and bold patterns using distinctive colours Peppy colours such as red, purple, yellow, orange and pink can be used to paint the walls.

Furniture: Retro furniture made from metal or steel of heavy gauge with pale shades having bright coloured palettes can be an ideal combination. Another alternative is to have wide sofas having tie-dyed fabrics. The cloth can have chequered designs or a detailed paisley prints. Though the barstools may have chrome barstools or side tables or stools made of plastic but the dining space should be made of wood to give a natural and fulsome look.

Floor: When taking a peep into retro style floors you will find they had wooden texture. You can experiment by giving modern tinge with use of retro styled vinyl flooring tiles. You can also make it vivid with different coloured terrazzo having checkerboard designs on them. Try complementing the floor with traditional throw or shag carpets.

Accessories: No decor of a living room is complete without accessories complimenting it. When one is designing the room in retro design, how can accessories be modern? Some retro accessories such as wall clocks and frame with looks of that era along with lava lamps, pendants fitted with lights or arc shaped floor lamps with huge lampshade were use used to go along with decor in that period. High up wall shelves designed as puzzle pieces can be used for keeping trophies, memorabilia and books etc. Traditionally designed vibrant coloured cushions and covers on furniture will give your living room an authentic retro look.

We have come up with our suggestions, what are yours to make retro look more attractive.

Vastu Shastra , an ancient Indian architectural science insists upon outlay of any constructed structure in such a manner that the inhabitant lives with maximum peace tranquility and prosperity. This science details about the placement of different rooms in a house or a factory or a business place or an office in such a manner that that the user of the place gets optimum benefit out of it. Vastu Shastra is still relevant in modern house setup.  It provides for spots where different utilities in the house should be located. Likewise,  specification regarding Kitchen to be placed in which corner of the house, placing of windows and doors, electric and electronic gadgets, gas cylinder, exhaust in an elaborate manner. A few of which are summarized below, so that the residents of the house lead a healthy and prosperous and a tranquil life.

. The kitchen in a house is ideally to be placed in the South-Eastern corner of the house as it is said to be governed by fire element. If not possible, North West corner of the house can be another option.

. As the food cooking process is done in Kitchen which involves gas stove in modern setups, it is necessary to ideally place Gas stove in such a manner so that food cooked on it provides full benefits to residents. The gas stove should be placed in the south-east direction of the kitchen and the person cooking food on it should be east facing.

. Water and fire are opposite and repellent to each other. This is why it is recommended to have sinks and taps opposite to the place where the gas stove is kept. The best location for sinks and taps to be installed is north-east corner of the kitchen, away from the stove.

. Modern Kitchens incorporate Refrigerators in them. Vastu Shastra advice that refrigerator should be placed at a place which is minimum one feet away from the south-west corner of the kitchen, Never place the refrigerator in the north-east corner of Kitchen.

. Windows and exhaust fan as per Vastu Shastra should be placed in the east of the kitchen. Ventilators if any should be placed at the southern end of the kitchen.

. Electronic equipment is a must for any modern kitchen setup. Ovens, Microwaves heaters are few of the plethora of electronic equipment that graces a kitchen. As most of these appliances have fire element in them, therefore, they should be placed in the south or south-east direction of the kitchen. It is prohibited to place them in north-eastern direction of the kitchen.

. Vastu Shastra has recommended directions for storages in the kitchen. It will be beneficial to have cupboards for storages built in south or west walls of the kitchen. Always avoid north and eastern wall to make cupboards for storage.

. As the northeastern corner of a place incorporates water element. It is advisable to place drinking water vessels including RO in this corner.

.  Vastu Shastra also specifies the flooring, use of color in the kitchen. Ceramic, marble or mosaic tiles are recommended for the kitchen as they are hard and easy to clean. Food cooked in a congenial and happy environment conveys liveliness to one consumes it. Thus, it is advised to get the kitchen painted in vibrant colures as Yellow, Rose, and Chocolate etc.

There are much more Vastu norms for a kitchen which may be are practically difficult to incorporate in a modern kitchen but these practical tips will help you in making your kitchen Vastu friendly.

A solid Infrastructure base is necessary for a country’s rapid development. For a leap in a country’s GDP Infrastructure development plays a vital role. Real estate sector, being a major ingredient of Infrastructure base of country caters the residential and commercial needs of a country.

Real estate sector contributes around 7% to GDP of India. India’s growing Infrastructural needs are subjected to rise in retail, hospitality and commercial subsectors. After the introduction of business reforms in India, urbanization coupled with easy financing option brought a boom in the sector and real estate sector surged ahead at an astronomical pace with NCR Mumbai and Bangalore, being the cities who led the real estate revolution in the country. Large scale activities hit the sector and many new players joined the league.

Resultant, the supply factor increased sharply in context to demand factor of the sector. There was an oversupply situation in most of the cities which created a glut-like situation. This situation created a platform for Government’s attention and intervention to revive the sector and to create a regulatory authority through Real Estate Regulation and Development bill. The introduction of Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), changes in SEZ policy, easing of external commercial borrowing norms and enhancement of limits for listed NCD’s are other positive steps taken by the government for the benefit of Real estate sectors. There were changes in context to Real estate sector made in Companies Act 2013, some of which implicating the sector are:

• Depreciation
• Consolidated Financial Statement (CFS)
• Dividend
• Financial statements authentication and board’s report Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Restriction on noncash transactions involving directors
• Loans and Investments by the company
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Audit Committee, Nomination and Remuneration Committee.
• Establishment of Serious Fraud Investigation office (SFIO)

The Industry estimates are that the Indian real estate market in FY 17 may grow to approximately US $ 140 billion. This will be possible if the government eases the FDI norms for the sector which include 100% FDI in Multi Brand Retail Sector too.

The Real estate Regulation and Development Bill after gaining the assent of both houses of Parliament will soon become an Act. The present government’s initiative to boost the infrastructure sector and serious contemplation of the authorities to look into the just demands of the sector will certainly bring back the golden days for the sector in future.