Grihapravesh…towards new beginnings.

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Anukampa

For some, this New Year has brought a lot of new beginnings in their life. January being a season of marriage has witnessed a lot of couples settling down and start a new life.

In our country, Griha Pravesh of a new home is considered to be one of the most auspicious rituals before entering into a newly built house. Once the house is ready, the family moves in on an auspicious day that is determined by the astrological charts. We congratulate everyone who has moved into their new homes.

Like marriage, for many people, owning a home is the fulfillment of their dream. As marriage showcases stability, prosperity and fertility in one’s life so does owning a house. As one moves ahead in the journey of life, having a stable home is an obvious need.

On this note it is very important for a newly wed couple to own a house that is built with the pillars of love and affection. Another benefit of owning a home is that it gives you complete control and freedom. You get the complete freedom of choosing which things to be placed where. Which wall to be hammered. And of course, it saves you from the hassle of shifting from one apartment to another. Considering the future aspect, your children will have a more secure surrounding to grow and cherish fond memories in their own home.

When starting a new family, the feeling of owning a home is a feeling of pride. It helps you in bringing steadiness in terms of giving security, luxury and comfort to you and your family desired for.

Therefore, in this phase of life when starting afresh, owning a home can play a vital role in bringing you and your family on a concrete ground.

Create your own Terrace Garden

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Anukampa

Gardens always have a special place in our lifestyles. But with cities growing upwards and spaces squeezing around, it’s difficult to have a garden of your own.

But if you have a terrace or an extended balcony in your house, a private terrace garden is easy to make! Terrace gardens not only add a touch of green to your home but also give you an opportunity to conserve the environment while showcasing your creativity! Growing plants also has a therapeutic value, which helps you relax.

Where the roof is strong enough to support the weight of top soil, it’s a great idea to add a lawn. The sight of a lawn outside the living room / bedroom in a modern apartment can be very striking and at the same time, relaxing.

Alternatively, you can use other hard landscaping materials like tiles and bricks to create a landscaped area and then plant your favourite plants in pots along the landscaping.

Add some colour by planting seasonal flowering plants. You can also match the flower plantation with the interiors of the room that leads to the terrace. This garden will offer you ample opportunity to showcase your creativity.

One thing to keep in mind is the drainage system. It should be such that when you water the plants, the floor or surrounding area does not become messy.

Having a garden in an apartment also calls for some responsibility. Like, while trimming your plants, watering them or performing other beautification and maintenance works, you should not disturb neighbouring houses or spill the shreds over to another balcony or down below in the common area.

Balcony gardens with a variety of potted and submerged greenery are a quiet oasis, showing how well nature can be adapted above ground. And if you are an organic freak, you may also want to pant some vegetables and fruits in it.

So, if you have a terrace or a reasonably sized balcony, don’t let this opportunity pass, to imbibe nature into your lifestyle!

Real Estate Terminology 5

Posted on January 3, 2016 by Anukampa

We have been talking about Property Terms, giving you insight on the terminology that sometimes get difficult to comprehend. Read on further to know more such terms.

Facilities management

The co-ordination of many specialist disciplines to create the optimum working environment for staff.

Fail rent

The rent determined by a rent officer (or, on appeal, by a rent assessment committee) under a regulated tenancy and registered.

FERA

An act to regulate certain payments dealing in foreign exchange, securities, the import & export of currency and acquisition of immovable property by foreigners. Under Section 31 (1) of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) of 1973, it is mandatory for foreign corporations, which are not incorporated in India to obtain permission from the Reserve Bank Of India (RBI) to acquire, hold, transfer or dispose off in any manner (expect by way of lease for a period not exceeding five years) any immovable property in India.

Fire certificate

A certificate covering matters of safety required under the legislation for hotels, boarding houses, factories, offices shops and railway premises, excluding those buildings containing less than a minimum number of employees.

Fitouts

Relate to the interior permanent furnishings required in a property including HVAC ducting, fire protection system implementation, establishment of workstations and telephone/computer cabling among others, in order to make the property fit for usage.

Flatted factory

An industrial building of more than one storey, usually with two or more goods lifts, and constructed or converted for multiple occupation. The building is subdivided into small, separately occupied units which are used for manufacturing, assembly and associated storage.

Freehold

Freehold property can be defined as any estate which is “free from hold” of any entity besides the owner.

Frontage(line)

The full length of a plot of land or a building measured alongside the road on to which the plot or building fronts. In the case of contiguous buildings, individual frontages are usually measured to the middle of any parting wall.

Come back to continue reading about more Real Estate terms

Welcome Winters!

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Anukampa

With the inception of winters, the weather becomes gloomy and sad. Even a small window can brighten up your place. Get a perfect decor for your home in winters and brighten up your days.

Mirror Magic
If you don’t have enough space to add new lights, add a few mirrors adjacent to your lights. Mirrors create the illusion of more lighting sources, and doubles the amount of light that bounces around your apartment.

Wireless lights
Though candles are a great way to add light and style to your living area, consider more safer options like LED candles and battery operated lights. Not only are they safer from fire hazards, they can also be placed anywhere.

Don’t overdo
Now that you have new lamps, string lights and mirrors around the house, take some time to consider the proper placement of each piece to maximise the effect. Also don’t put all the lighting in one room and neglect other places. Put at least one light source near each corner of larger rooms.

Sticking to lighter shades
To keep your apartment as bright as possible, stick to light-coloured lamp shades. Darker lamp shades will filter out a considerable amount of light and may leave you sitting in the dark.

String/Fairy lights
These might remind you of the festive season, but they work well when it comes to adding more light to your house and also look pretty as a home decor idea. Simply string them around the window or adorn your book shelve with it. For a classier look, go for white ones rather than coloured.

Proper lighting not only provides enough light to your home during the dark hours but also adds up to your efforts of home decor.

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.

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.

UNPACKING AND SETTLING IN YOUR NEW HOME

Posted on May 14, 2015 by Anukampa

Moving into a new place comes with mixed feelings. Where on one hand you are excited about the new place, on the other hand you get bogged down by all the packing you have to do. But with a few smart moves, you can get done with all the packing you have to do and get quickly settled in your new place. So, here are some moving tips that will be great for you when you are shifting your home.

• Make a good list and plan at least a couple of weeks ahead. Making a checklist at least a week or two in advance is very important. A checklist will help you keep track of the things that you need to do and it will also bring new things to light. Organise your stuff and your boxes well so that it will be easy for you to get reorganised. Don’t just plan the move but also plan out what you will do post the move as it is also very important to give you a good start at your new place. Remember that a good plan means you have more than half your work already done.

• Collect packing materials beforehand and pack things in advance. Most people do not pay attention to packing materials like tape, boxes and wraps etc. and then end up with a mess when the moving day comes. It is advisable to have plenty of these things in stock before you move. It is also a good idea to do most of the packing yourself even if you have hired movers as they will not be as careful with your stuff as you will.

• Number or label your stuff appropriately and make an inventory. This is an important step in moving your home as you will also have no trouble post the move if you have labeled the boxes well and have an inventory for them. If you have hired the services of movers then they will also have an inventory of their own which you will need to check but it is always better to have your own lists and inventories as it will help you get reorganised quickly.

• One of the more common and grave mistakes that people make when they move is that they forget to update their address with the different services that they use. Remember to pre-inform your service subscriptions beforehand. For instance tell the phone, cable and the paper company beforehand that you are moving and discontinue the services if required. Many people incur extra costs because they forget all about their service subscriptions like the papers, cleaning, water supply and even electricity which can lead to trouble later for you.

• On the moving day, make a schedule and try to stick to it. If you have movers, then be specific in your instructions to them. Ask them to arrive on time and you try and be ready before they arrive so that you can direct things easily. Perform a check of your stuff before they leave and supervise the movers so that they do not handle things too rough. Take care of the more delicate stuff yourself and always remember to set the example for your movers too. Choosing the right movers is also important so do your research in that area beforehand too.

What is Vaastu Shastra? Why should my building be Vaastu compliant?

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Anukampa

Vaastu Shastra is an ancient science, which helps one to get the natural benefits freely offered by the five basic elements of the universe in which we all live. These basic elements are Akash (Sky), Prithvi (Earth), Paani (Water), Agni (Fire), and Vayu (Wind). Vaastu Shastra can be applied by keeping in harmony with these basic five elements of nature.

Sometimes, one might feel that the wheel of family life is not moving smoothly and there is lack of peace, harmony, affection and well being in one’s family. One should always choose a house that is Vaastu Shastra compliant, to expect good results and well-being gradually and steadily.

Vaastu Shastra is the traditional Indian system of architecture and design of Vedic origin. Vaastu means the dwelling of humans and Gods. Many Vaastu rules are derived from ‘Vaastu Purusha Mandala’, which is depicted as a man lying with his head pointing northeast, in a grid of usually 64 squares. The different directions and sectors are assigned to different Gods and Guardians. It aims at providing guidelines for proper construction. Vaastu orientates, places and dictates the proportions of every detail in building lines, skylines, elongations, levels, slopes, water (underground and overhead), kitchen, bedrooms, toilets, staircase, heights of ceilings and roofs, entrances, loci of doors and windows, compound walls and so on. Vaastu is affected with positive power of three elements: the earth, the water, the fire (the sun).

Vaastu Shastra cannot be directly linked with prosperity. It only suggests ways in which we can live in tune with the laws of nature so that we can be healthy and peaceful and work efficiently. The ancient texts of Vaastu Shastra have probably claimed to bring prosperity, as an indirect consequence of being able to perform well at home and work.

Importance of location while buying a house!

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Anukampa

Whether you are purchasing your home as an investment, a lifestyle upgrade or both, one of the most important decisions you will make is where you want to live. Your home’s location will help determine not only the future value of your investment, but also many aspects of your everyday life.

Here are some factors you should consider carefully when selecting a location.

Geographic Location

The part of the city you choose to live in will have a major impact on your lifestyle. Particularly if you want to stay in your home for a long time, make this decision very carefully, taking into consideration the factors that are most important to you, like proximity the city centre, connectivity, distance from airport / railway station, etc.

Neighbourhood

Within a particular area, different neighbourhoods will have different characteristics. You’ll want to pick the one that is the closest fit to your lifestyle and personality – a place where you’ll feel comfortable and where you are likely to get along with your neighbours. You’ll also want to try to live close to the places you visit frequently, like grocery stores, your job (if you plan to keep that job long-term), and, if you have kids, the schools you want them to attend.

Safety

For most people, safety is a top consideration. You’ll often pay less to live in an area with higher crime, but if you’ll have to live in fear or if you one day become a victim no price discount will be worthwhile. It may also be harder to resell your home or get a good price for it if you decide to sell.

Proximity to Work

The length of your daily commute can have a significant impact on your disposable income, quality of life and how much time you get to spend at home with your family. How long of a commute can you endure? Are you planning to stay at your current job long-term or do you expect to switch jobs in the near future? If you plan to stay at your current job, how close to work do you want to live? If you plan to switch jobs, what are the job prospects in or near the area where you’d like to live?

Proximity to Friends and Family

The best home may not feel very homey if you live too far away from your friends and family to see them on a regular basis. On the other hand, your friends and family might end up moving at some point, so make sure this isn’t your only reason for choosing a location.

Proximity to Leisure Activities

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? If you love to go out to eat, you might not be happy living somewhere with few restaurants. On the other hand, if your favourite thing to do is stay home, you might have more choices available to you when it comes to this aspect of choosing your location.

Visit During the Day and at Night

What a neighbourhood looks like on paper and how you feel when you’re in it is not necessarily the same thing. Sometimes little details can make a big difference. For example, some neighbourhoods have narrow roads, lots of cars parked on the street or distinctive architectural features that may not suit your taste. If these things aren’t what you envisioned in your ideal neighbourhood, you may not want to live there no matter how great the statistics may be.

How to apply for home loan?

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Anukampa

Now that you are well aware of the types of loans and EMI options and have decided on the one that’s best suited for you, let us take a look at the procedure to apply for a loan. It is fairly simple and quick:

Step 1: Submission of loan application form with relevant documents.

Step 2: Verification of the respective property and its supporting documents. This step takes 5 to 7 working days.

Step 3: Around the 7th day, the loan is sanctioned, if all criteria are met and documents are in place.

Step 4: Original property documents to be submitted, followed by which the loan agreement is signed.

Step 5: The loan cheque is disbursed in 10 to 15 working days.

The important documents to be submitted for approving the home loan are:

•Identity proof

•Residential proof

•Properly filled loan application form

•Photograph

•Sale agreement

•Last 6 months bank statement

•For business applicants documents describing the type of business, and IT returns.

•For salaried applicants last 3 month’s salary slips and From 16A.

Costs incurred while applying:

For a Home Loan, the basic registration charges, transfer charges and stamp duty costs are added to the cost of the home.

Some other charges include:

•Processing charge or booking fee – paid to the lender when you apply for the loan. It could be fixed or a percentage of the loan amount.

•Pre-payment penalty – if the loan is repaid before the agreed duration, some lenders may charge a penalty, up to 2% of the amount pre-paid.

•Miscellaneous costs – there could be a documentation or legal fee, also known as “application fee”.

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