Why invest in Real Estate?

Posted on August 3, 2015 by Anukampa

Real estate investment is simply the purchase of a future income stream from property. Here are some of the key reasons to invest in real estate.

Attractive and Stable Income Return- A key feature of real estate investment is the significant proportion of total return, accruing from rental income over the long term. This helps reduce volatility, as investments that rely more on income return, tend to be less volatile than those that rely more on capital value return. Real estate is also attractive when compared with more traditional sources of income return.

Gain more leverage- Real estate is one of the few investment vehicles where using the bank’s money couldn’t be easier. The ability to make a down payment, leverage your capital, and thus increase your overall return on investment is incredible.

You can pass it onto your kids- When thinking long-term for your investment, you don’t just have to think your lifetime – you can also think about your children. These investments can be passed onto your children either before or after you pass away.

It’s an asset you can use- Investment or not, your property is still just that – a property. So, should events take a turn which means you have to move into that property, you can (pending rental agreements, of course) whether for the short term or the long term – and, if things change again, you can move back out, leaving your investment intact.

Increased tax deduction strategies- Rental property affords investors with another incredible opportunity to convert personal expenses to potentially valid business deductions. Don’t forget that rental real estate is a business. This means that travel expenses to check on your properties and payments to family members who manage your properties (such as students away at college) can be deductible and increase the tax benefits when it comes to cash flow and the future sale of the property.

The tax write-offs against your other income- Depending on your classification as an Active Investor or Real Estate Professional and your income level, there is a good chance your rental property will not only give you tax-free cash flow, but an overage of tax deductions you can use against your other income. With that said, this is something you want to discuss with your tax professional before investing so your expectations are realistic.

Benefits of living in a gated community

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Anukampa

A Gated Community is a residential housing property, with a controlled and protected environment. It is built and developed to resemble a small township or neighbourhood, and is becoming an extremely popular option, among property buyers.

With the assurance of top quality, round the clock security system and protection from pollution and noise from the outside, the Gated community experience also pledges to keep your home environment calm, peaceful and safe.

Few of the benefits of living in a gated community are:

Feeling of Association

In a community, people live by associating with one another. The feeling of association is a common human feeling. This helps in establishing peace and harmony within a community. Without a feeling of association there will be chaos and disharmony in the society or community. Hence, this point plays an important role in making it lively and vibrant.

Security

The primary benefit of staying in a gated community is the security element. They are more difficult to access in comparison to standard communities and hence a reduced level of criminal activity is observed. Vehicles as well as pedestrians have to pass through gates often guarded by uniformed security officers. Often, residents and visitors use separate lanes to enter the community. While residents use issued computer cards to get access, the visitor’s authorization is verified via telephone.

Privacy

This is another benefit to living in a gated community. Because of the gates or walls surrounding the neighbourhood, it gives a more private, secluded feel to the neighbourhood. Residents don’t have to worry about people coming and going into a neighbourhood that is not their own.

Surroundings

The surroundings of a gated community are another reason why living in a gated community is so popular. It’s typically quieter living in a gated community. Since you are enclosed from the outside neighbourhoods and areas, you generally don’t hear a lot of traffic or noise. The landscaping is usually well designed and taken care of since most gated communities have a groundskeeper that cares for the lawns, trees and bushes.

Sense of community

The reason why many people choose to live in a gated community is that there is often a real sense of community when living in a gated neighbourhood. The kids all play together and the adults often get together for neighbourhood socials. Often times there is community pool and events are planned around the different holidays. People are often neighbourly and willing to help out their fellow community members.

Sense of togetherness

A gated community fosters a sense of togetherness. There is a feeling of unity and the neighbors tend to look out for each other and stand by each other at times of need. They also come together to fight for common causes, which is not usually seen in case of standard neighborhoods.

Exclusive amenities

Several gated communities have exclusive amenities and resources for themselves. Recreation rooms, swimming pools and private parks are facilities, which the old and the young residing in the community can indulge in. Often, community centers or events, which aim at involving group activities are organized to promote the families to come together and get to know each other.

These are a few of the reasons why living in a gated community is a good idea and works for many people looking to buy a home. There may be different types of gated communities such as those for the retired or those with young families. But with any gated community, there is a sense of security, privacy and exclusivity for it’s residents.

Decorating tips for your bedroom

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Anukampa

Whether you’ve just moved or are looking for a quick, little home pick-me-up, or perhaps something more significant, there are some well-known decor tricks that designers employ that you too can easily do with minimal effort and cost. Sometimes the smallest things make the greatest impact. Maybe you want to soften the walls, brighten your room, or add some warmth to your room. Take a look at these clever decor tips and see how they can inspire you!

1. Focus on the view-

A bedroom always feels nicer when the first thing you experience is a pleasant view out the window — as opposed to a view looking straight at the bed. If you’re designing a new bedroom or reworking an old one, try to come up with a layout that focuses on the vista — whether it’s something as stunning as a lake or as simple as your backyard.

2. Connect with the outdoors-

While this might not be feasible in all climates, connecting a room with the outdoors is a great way to make the space feel larger and admit more natural light. If your bedroom is on the ground floor, adding a set of French doors can instantly increase visual space.

3. Storage-savvy space-

In a small room, getting creative with storage solutions is key. This bed’s backrest slides up to reveal storage. On the headboard, you push in on a hinged panel to access a similar space.

4. Choose a Focal Point-

A beautiful piece of furniture becomes the focal point when angled into the room. This approach may be more efficient in your space, too.

5. Make Rest a Priority-

Your bedroom should be your retreat, a sanctuary for peaceful reading, writing, studying, as much as a resting place.

Advantages of having a garden in your apartment

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Anukampa

A touch of greenery amidst all the concrete is very appealing to the eye. In case of apartments, you can always go for small hanging gardens, which will add a spark to your balcony.

In addition to the common benefits of serving as a great place to relax, exercise or simply soak in the sun from the comfort of your home or even serve as a great space for hosting barbeque parties, here are some of the more commonly overlooked advantages.

1. Experience

The most important factor, which contributes to the overall look and feel of any home is the experience. To be specific, a visual experience is something, which lasts longer in the minds of people. Aesthetics are essential to any home and gardens probably top the list of things, which provide a visual long lasting impact on any person, as they are closely associated with natural fauna.

Not just a visual, but a mental experience also comes into play by the mood it creates. After a long and tiring day through the concrete jungle, returning home to the sight of that green is only second to that of returning home to your family and/or pet

2. Access to Fresh Produce

The vegetables and fruits we buy from the marketplace are prone to have remnant pesticides, which can be harmful to your health. A garden, on the other hand, can be a source of fresh produce, which is safe to consume. It might take a lot more effort to maintain the produce gardens though, but it sure is worth the rewards. You literally reap what you sow, in this case.

3. Impact on the Environment

The very word ‘garden’ instantly forces you to think of the environment. It doesn’t matter how big or small the garden is, it is sure to create an environmental impression.Plants absorb greenhouse gases through photosynthesis. They reduce the glares from buildings and absorb unwanted noises. It also helps in conserving energy. Pollution can also be minimized to a certain extent.

Gardening is also a way to provide habitat for different life forms. This attracts birds and insects, which are always an added pleasant sight in your garden.

4. Value of Medicinal Plants and In-house Gardening

In addition to growing fruits &vegetables or that rare botanical collection, many gardeners are known to grow medicinal plants, whose benefits are aplenty. Aloe Vera, for example, is a common home grown medicinal plant and is very helpful when it comes to healing, reducing risks of infections and also poor appetite.

If you are planning on growing plants within the four walls of your house, there are some amazing plants like peace lily and snake plant, which are very forgiving.

A healthy and peaceful surrounding is all one wants and having a landscaped garden is truly something to die for. There is no disadvantage, which would overrule the advantage though. Any home will surely look complete, beautiful and more with nature with the addition of a well-maintained garden.

Important points to remember by Tenant before signing a lease

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Anukampa

Landlords typically want all adults who will live in the rental unit, including both members of a couple, to sign the lease or rental agreement. Doing this makes everyone who signs responsible for all terms, including the full amount of the rent.

The landlord isn’t the only one who benefits when everyone signs on the dotted line. If you have roommates, you’ll want them to understand that they are bound by the landlord’s rules on guests, noise, pets, and so on, and that one roommate’s serious transgression can result in the ouster of everyone.

Before signing, be sure of the following:

•Establish a good relationship

Being polite and professional is the best way to develop a relationship with a prospective landlord and to create a successful rental negotiation. The way you conduct yourself during a property visit and in phone conversations is a reflection of you as a tenant.

•Think of your first visit as an inspection

Before signing a lease, make sure you really put it to the test. It’s important that your new home meets all of your criteria for function, safety and comfort.

The goal of the inspection is to identify all potential issues before signing the lease so that you can address these with the landlord.

•Document any existing damage prior to moving in

Once the landlord has given you the option to rent the apartment, make sure to document any pre-existing damage before signing a lease. If there is anything that the landlord did not agree to fix from your initial visit inspection such as stained carpeting, broken blinds or missing tiles in the shower, make sure this damage is documented in your lease as pre-existing.

•Know what’s included

Some rental properties include utilities, cable and parking within the monthly rental cost, while other properties do not. This can impact your monthly budget and make an otherwise affordable apartment, not so affordable.

•What’s Your Out Clause?

It’s important that you read the lease termination section of your lease agreement carefully so you understand the implications of breaking your lease early and your obligation of notice when you choose to move out at the end of a lease term.

•Get It In Writing and Read Every Word

Before sealing the deal and signing your name on the dotted line, be sure that your lease agreement incorporates all the points you’ve discussed with the landlord around any improvements that have been guaranteed, any pre-existing conditions and any revisions to policies that may be set forth in the standard lease agreement.

Make sure you sign the lease or rental agreement at the same time as the landlord and that you get a copy then and there. This assures both sides that no changes can be made after only one party has signed.

Points to remember by landlord before renting out your property- Part1

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Anukampa

Renting your house out can be a fun and profitable venture. But just like any business endeavor, becoming a landlord carries some risks. You’re entrusting a major asset—your home—to people who you likely don’t know well, and who are not nearly as invested in its maintenance as you are.

You should typically have all adults who will live in the rental unit, including both members of a couple, to sign the lease or rental agreement. Doing this makes everyone who signs responsible for all terms, including the full amount of the rent.

Further, check this list before renting out the property-

1. State of the property

Before you decide to rent your property you must ensure that your property complies with certain minimum standards under the law (e.g. free from damp, in good structural repair, hot and cold water, adequate means of heating and ventilation, appliances in good working order, electrical wiring, gas, pipes in good repair).

If your property looks like it has been well looked after and respected it is likely that your tenants will treat it with respect and at the end of their lease (or tenancy under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004) the property will be in a reasonable good condition.

2. Get your paperwork ready beyond the lease agreement

There are a number of forms you’ll need to have on hand before renting your house out. These include rental applications, credit check authorisation forms, any disclosures your state requires, move in checklists, move out forms, and various notices to tenants.

3. Run a background check

A background check will give you a detailed report of the tenant’s past. Several companies offer investigative services for a fee, and will provide you with an eviction history, criminal history, credit history, and various public records. You can also get their background checked for any criminal records from your local police station.

4. Tenancy deposit scheme

For your peace of mind, your estate agent is able to hold the tenant’s deposit (usually 2 months’ rent), which can be used at the end of the tenancy to pay for any damage to the property. The deposit will be registered with a recognised deposit protection scheme, in accordance with The Housing Act legislation, within 30 days. This will ensure that any disputes between you and your tenant or agent will be easier to resolve.

5. Terminating rental agreements and evictions

Landlords typically must begin terminating a lease by providing written notice, and can generally do so only if the renter has violated the law or the lease agreement. As long as the agreement itself is legal, violations such as failure to pay the rent or keeping a pet despite a no-pets clause are generally grounds for termination. Depending on the circumstances and the state’s laws, a notice of termination may simply inform the tenant they have a limited time to move out or present them a deadline to remedy lease violations, such as paying owed rent.

Will Repo Rate Cut benefit Real Estate buyers?

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Anukampa

Repo Rate is the rate at which the central bank of a country (Reserve Bank of India in case of India) lends money to commercial banks in the event of any shortfall of funds. It is used by monetary authorities to control inflation.

A cut in Repo Rate has a positive influence on the Real Estate Industry in the following ways:

Firstly, it will boost affordable housing: Gaurav Gupta, General Secretary, CREDAI-RNE says, “Such rate cuts are helpful for housing projects falling under the affordable price segment. Home loan interest rates impact the home buying decision of middle class buyers the most as they hugely depend on financing.”

Secondly, it will reduce EMIs: The reduction in the repo rate will help reduce the EMIs of homebuyers and lessen their burden, as they are already loaded with various other taxes.

Thirdly, for the real estate sector, it will improve sales figures: The rate cut is anticipated to revive buyer sentiments and bring back some to the market, resulting in improved conversion rates and sale volumes as more potential customers will think of buying homes due to reduced interest rates.

Last, but not the least, it reduces interest rate on home loans: While the Repo Rates have been cut for the third time in this fiscal year, home loan interest rates have been cut only once. But this cut, might just force banking institutions to revise interest rates again.

This is why the real estate industry, along with investors and homebuyers look forward to Repo Rate cuts eagerly.

Advantages of living in an apartment

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Anukampa

Residents of the city are increasingly choosing to buy apartments over land or independent houses. These are several advantages that apartments enjoy over bungalows. Here are a few:

1. Location

Location is the key when it comes to homes and apartments as no one wants to live in a high-crime neighborhood or an area that is far away from work. Location is also one of the factors that most directly affect the price of a building. It’s easier for an apartment complex to afford a desirable location than for a single house.

2. Lifestyle

Another upside of the location is the lifestyle apartments frequently offer. Being close to the action means that everything is literally at your doorstep, from schools, hospitals and restaurants to malls and theatres, sporting facilities and parks.

3. Maintenance

When it comes to an apartment, expect less maintenance than with a house. First off, they tend to be smaller, meaning less upkeep and cleaning. In new developments, it should also mean you’re moving into a brand new facility built to the very latest safety and construction requirements. Likewise, any maintenance issues with the building at large will be handled by the society.

4. Amenities

Things like a swimming pool, tennis courts or a fitness room are things that many people would like in their homes, but may not be able to afford. However, it’s easily available in many apartment complexes – particularly larger ones – as it is easier to have them as common amenities in the premises than in individual houses.

5. Security

An apartment complex offers a certain amount of security – not just anyone can get in. Good buildings have guards at the door, and CCTVs monitor car parks, lobby and possibly hallways or communal areas.

Apartment living offers some wonderful benefits and is definitely a lifestyle worth considering.

How to prepare your home for the Rainy Season?

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Anukampa

Don’t we all love the rains… sitting by a window or balcony, sipping on a cup of steaming hot tea with our favourite snacks! But rains can bring some trouble too; especially if your home is not prepared for it – such as roof leakage, water stagnation around the house, moisture seeping through the walls, etc. So it is always advised to prepare your home well before the monsoon arrives and take safety measures from all perspectives.

Below are some tips to help protect your community and prevent water damage and numerous untimely emergency calls:

•Balcony- Ensure proper drainage in balconies. This is the most prominent area, prone to rainwater leakage!

•Roofs- Have roofs and flashings evaluated for damages and check for areas that can be sensitive to leaks such as edge metals. Get proposals for repairs before the rain.

•Rain gutters- Have your rain gutter cleaned of leaves and debris. It is wise to have this done once post autumn and again just before the monsoons.

•Windows and Doors– Check to make sure your doors and windows close all the way with no gaps. This is a very easy way for water to enter and cause leaks, especially on the higher floors. Check for water intrusion around the doors and windows. Look for cracking and stained drywall.

•Pools- Have water levels lowered in pool & Jacuzzi before rain storms. Clean all community and pool floor drains. Store all flyaway items such as umbrellas, trashcans, awnings, and lightweight pool furniture. If you are residing in a residential society, make sure the maintenance staff covers it.

•Electrical– Have all power boxes and exposed electrical wires secured. Any exposed wiring may cause a short circuit or shock.

With the changing climatic conditions, sudden showers have become quite common these days. Thus, it is a good idea to keep your home monsoon-safe at all times!

Why to have a landscaped garden?

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Anukampa

Nothing is more rewarding than to hear the chirps of the birds and the gush of the tree leaves whenever the wind blows. Imagine this scene right outside your building—complete with the greenest plants, colourful flowers, and rich soil. A landscaped garden gives you more than enough reasons to feel inspired and nurture nature. Your garden becomes a haven both for you and for your plants.

Beauty and appeal—these are the top advantages of having a landscaped garden. You can enjoy the vibrant hues and well-trimmed grass, as well as the orderly plant box and relax in your yard.

Here is a list of the key advantages of landscaping your garden:

Save energy: Shrubs, bushes, hedges, and trees can protect your home during extreme climates. It can shield you from the freezing winds in winters and it they can also absorb the heat of the sun in the summer months. You can save on costs and energy as you do not have to totally depend on your home’s air conditioning system.
Environmental benefits: Plants in the garden can reduce air pollution because of its ability to absorb carbon dioxide and provide more oxygen in the environment. This offers a safer and healthier environment for you and your children to live and play in. It can also help in lessening noise pollution as it can help in blocking out noise.
Increase the value of your property: Buildings with a well-landscaped garden can add more value to your home. With today’s cities growing as concrete jungles, great value is attached to open spaces, green landscapes and natural beauty.

Living in a healthy, peaceful, and abundant neighborhood is truly a dream come true for a lot of people. Having a landscaped garden in your society allows you to live that dream!