Top 5 Lighting Ideas to Light Up your Rooms like never before

Not everyone understands how far proper lighting can go in enhancing and transforming the look and feel of interiors of a house or an office. A careful planning with respect to lighting can add a lot of aesthetic values to the looks along with serving its functional purposes. Any of the interior architects in Bangalore can vouch for the fact that a properly-lit room can offer a much peaceful and calm atmosphere.

If you have plans to change few bulbs here and there at your residence or office or if you are looking forward to an extensive overhaul of your space then consider these 5 lighting ideas that can literally transform your rooms for better.

1. Chandeliers- There are few things to chandeliers. They are clichéd, they are costly and they are still a must if you really want your living room to be beautifully and uniformly lit. Most people see chandeliers just as props to beautify their spaces, but these lighting objects are also very functional as they help you get rid of those corner shadows in the room. A crystal chandelier can add elegance or a metallic one can offer great visual treat. These light fittings often come with dimmer levels to use them as per your needs.
2. Recessed light fittings- If you don’t want your entire living room bright but just want to illuminate one particular section of it, then, recessed lighting is the answer for you. You can typically find fluorescent, halogen or incandescent bulbs outfitted in these lighting devices. There are usually dimmers attached to it that can be used for decreasing and increasing the illumination and thus changing the ambience in the room in less than a second.
3. Task lighting- Now you may confuse this with recessed lighting as these are also used for illuminating specific areas in a house but for specific tasks and not necessarily just to create pleasant ambience. Perfect examples would be lights above the dresser, study lamp, table lamps etc. They can be typically found in the form of pendants, portable lamps, track lights etc.
4. Funky cabinet lighting- Being in kitchen and preparing dishes can be all the more fun with some funky lighting embedded in different cabinets. It is practical and also one of the very smart ways of making your kitchen exciting. Whether it is the kitchen counter top, the cabinets or the exhaust, these light fittings can make your job simpler. Consult one of the home interior designers in Bangalore to learn more about these cool and practical lighting solutions for kitchen and other cabinets in your home.
5. Bedside lighting- A little lighting along the bedside can help all of us, especially if you like reading your favorite books right before sleeping. There are many options like bedside lamps, wall-mounted ones or floor lamps that you can choose from. All these often come with a dimmer to regulate the intensity of lighting.

While many home or office owners are driven by lighting options and solutions available in the market, many others approach it one space at a time. Hiring one of the best interior designers in Bangalore can help you get over this confusion.

The trends in home lighting solutions keep changing year after year, but at the end it boils down to how comfortable and peaceful ambience can they create inside the spaces you live in. Office lighting is equally important as right lighting can keep the workforce pepped up and in good mood, which in turn can help any business.

This is a guest post by Bharath Joshi

How to Apply for SBI Home Loan Online

State Bank of India (SBI) is the largest and one of the oldest public sector bank of India. It started its banking business in India in the year 1806 with a market share of 20% in deposits and loan in the banking sector. SBI has been ranked at the 232nd position in the Fortune Global 500 list of the year 2016.

SBI and its five associate banks have a comprehensive list of banking products and services that they offer to their customers through its wide-spread branches all over India. They offer products to residents as well as non-resident Indians. Apart, from banking products, SBI and its associates offer products like insurance, credit cards, fund management and investment in capital markets as well.

SBI Home loan:

SBI is one of the largest providers of home loans in India. With their comprehensive list of different kind of home loan products, they have something that meets everyone’s expectations. SBI was voted as “The most preferred home loan provider” by the consumers themselves in CNBC Awaaz Consumer Awards. The easy to avail, transparent and trusted SBI brand of home loans are better than any other home loan products in the market.

With a market cap of Rs. 190,000 crores and total outstanding loans of Rs. 11 lakhs crore as on March 2015, SBI stands at the leading position well ahead of the private sector banks in India. This is at least in part due to their innovative products and competitive interest rates.

Features of SBI home loan:

1. SBI home loan is available with minimal charges;
2. Interest is charged on daily reducing balance at very low rates in comparison to similar products available in the market;
3. They offer the loan with no prepayment penalties. So, if you have surplus money, you can prepay the loan anytime and reduce the interest burden at no extra charges;
4. Apart from loans, their home loan products come with other exclusive benefits as well;
5. No hidden costs and charges;
6. With such a widespread network of branches and the online facilities, the loan can be availed from any part of India easily.

How to apply for SBI home loan:

SBI home loan can be applied by visiting any branch of SBI as well as through the online route at just a click of the mouse. SBI recently started the online home loan application process which helps customers check their eligibility and find a quote in accordance with their requirements.

Firstly, the customer needs to fill an online form to get an instant e-approval. After that, the bank officials shall visit the customer to complete all the penalties. Also, the customers can upload all their documentation online. This has helped in reducing the processing time considerably and made the whole process customer-friendly.

SBI home loan products:

SBI offers a variety of home loan products designed to meet everyone’s requirements. Here are few of the home loan products offered by SBI:

• Home Loans: This product is offered for buying a new home, buying a pre-owned house, and for the construction of a house;
• Loan for earnest money deposit: This loan can be availed to finance the earnest money requirements to book a residential plot or a house property that us sold by government housing agencies or housing boards. This loan can be repaid by the housing loan availed from SBI later;
• Takeover home loans: this loan facility allows customers to shift their existing home loan from any other commercial, public, private, housing finance company or foreign bank to SBI;
• Tribal Plus scheme: this is a specialized scheme for people living in the hills or tribal area of Northeast India and areas around Bhopal, Lucknow. Chandigarh, Patna, and Bhubaneshwar;
• SBI Privilege Home loan: This home loan product is specifically meant for government employees;
• SBI Shaurya home loans: only defence personnel can avail a home loan under this category;
• Her Ghar: As the name suggests, this home loan variant is exclusively for women home owners and is offered at a concessional rate of interest;
• FlexiPay home loan scheme: Availing a loan under this scheme, help young professionals reduce their financial burden by repaying the loan in easy installments.
• NRI loans: SBI has special home loans to cater to the needs of NRIs.

SBI home loan interest rates:

SBI offers home loans at very competitive rates in comparison to other banks. Presently, it is offering home loan at the rate of 9.15% onwards depending upon the product you choose. Whereas, SBI home loan concessional rates that are offered to women start at 9.10% onwards.

Eligibility criteria and documentation required for availing SBI home loans:

Eligibility criteria and the documentation required depends upon the employment status of the person who is applying for the loan. Here are the requirements that are needed to be met for availing the loan:

• In the case of salaried employees:

If the applicant is serving as an employee with a company, then he needs to be 18 years of age to a maximum of 70 years to get their home loan approved from SBI. The minimum income should be at least Rs. 1.2 lakhs p.a. to avail a home loan between Rs. 5 lakhs to a maximum of Rs. 1 crore. The loan can be repaid in 5 years to 20 years. The applicant should be working for at least 2 years with the current organization in order to be eligible for the home loan.

• Documents required:

• Application form with photograph
• Residential and identity proof as accepted by bank
• Salary slips for the last 3 months
• TDS certificate, i.e. Form 16 of the previous year
• Salary Account statement for the last 6 months
• A cheque for the home loan processing fee.

• In the case of a self-employed person:

If the person is self-employed, then he can avail a loan when aged between 21 years to 70 years. Minimum annual income of Rs. 200,000 is required to be eligible for the home loan. A loan of Rs. 500,000 to Rs. 2 crores can be availed by a self-employed individual and this can be repaid within 5 to 20 years’ time. The applicant should have been in the same business or profession for at least last 3 years in order to qualify.

• Documents required:

A majority of the documents required to be submitted by a self-employed individual are similar to those that need to be submitted by a salaried applicant. The documents that are specified to self-employed professional and businessmen are as follows:  

• Educational certificates
• Proof of business existence
• Certified copies of income statement and balance sheet for last 3 years
• Bank statements for last 6 months
• A cheque to cover the applicable processing fees

Presently, there are no processing fees on SBI home loans if it is being transferred from a different lender to SBI or if the loan is being granted for a SBI approved housing project.


This is a guest post by PaisaBazaar Team

Reasons Why Demonetization Has Brought about the Right Time to Invest in Real Estate

Much hype is created around the demonetization of the currency and its effects on the real estate sector. The fear that the real estate sector will suffer immensely as a consequence of this decision is, however, unwarranted. In fact taking long-term perspective in account will help us see that demonetization will actually bring some positive changes.

Thanks to the demonetization, India will witness transparency and organized ambiance. From a home buyer's view, this is a welcoming change, as it will place him in a stronger position with so many benefits to reap.

Top reasons why you must invest in realty sector (post demonetization).

• Demonetization has accelerated the flow of money into banks. This excessive money will allow the banks to give out a loan at a cheaper rate of interest. People can avail home loans with ease to build their dream homes.
• Projects that were earlier delayed on account of lower cash will now speed up. Increased cash flow with banks would also facilitate industries to avail loans at better lending rates than what was being offered earlier.
• Better liquidity has resulted in deflation, which in turn has given rise to price stabilization, hence making it a buyer's market. The Reserve Bank of India has more than enough expanse to lower the REPO rates now. If the banks have liquidity, it will help them convert the REPO rate into reduced borrowings for home loans. The rupee is also expected to become stronger in the coming few months, thus increasing the purchasing power of customers.
• Investment in infrastructural construction - Demonetization will lead to a surge in the percentage of money accounted for which will result in an increased collection of taxes. This means the government will have much more resources to invest in infrastructural constructions in India. This will be a win-win situation for the consumers who have invested in affordable projects on the outskirts of the town as they will get more connectivity.

Also, the transformation to cashless economy will make the home buying process all the more transparent and convenient. Therefore, if at all you are planning to buy new apartments in cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad or any other city, keep in mind that this is the right time. The Realty Sector has witnessed a slowdown in the past two years and prices of apartments have dipped by almost 10%.

This is a guest post by Dinesh Dawde

Step by Step Guide to Buying Property in Thailand

In our last post, we discussed why investing in Thailand real estate can prove to be beneficial for foreigners. With Thailand economy growing at steady pace and improvement in transport system in Bangkok area, the time is ripe for foreign investors to invest in Thailand real estate.

The country is strategically placed geographically and offers convenient trade with 3 largest economies of the Asian continent namely China, India, Japan. At the same time, Thailand is the gateway to the countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It also offers easy access into the Greater Mekong sub-region, where newly emerging economies such as Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Myanmar, Vietnam offer great business potential. By 2020, full-fledged logistical infrastructure along with superb physical infrastructure will be ready to accommodate businesses that want to enter the growing economies of East Asia, upper ASEAN (CLMV), and South Asia. In a nutshell, Thailand will act as a stepping stone for investors and businesses alike looking to invest in the region.

In this post, we will list down the step by step process to buy property in Thailand.

• Step 1: What kind of property a foreigner can buy in Thailand?

First thing first, as a foreigner, what kind of property that you can invest in? As per the Thai laws, a foreigner can buy condominiums which are freehold and these condos can be 100% in foreigner’s name. If a real estate developer in Thailand develops condominium project, then, 49% of this residential development can be sold to foreign buyers. However, Land properties such as; villa/house, bungalow cannot be owned in foreign buyer’s name. For foreigners looking to invest in land properties, company setup is an option (51/49 share).

• Freehold

As stated above, foreigners are allowed direct freehold ownership in Freehold condominiums. Foreigners can also invest by way of common property co-ownership with locals.

• Cap on Foreign investment in residential development (condominiums)

If a developer develops a condominium project (residential development) with 100 condominium units, then, at any given time, foreigners can hold maximum of 49 condominium units in that project and 51 units need to be held by locals.

• Leasehold

If a foreigner is looking for land properties, then, he/she can effectively use land with a leasehold tenure. He/she is permitted by law to own structures or buildings developed on that land. The maximum duration of such a lease is 30 years. The lease can be renewed upon expiration of 30 years lease term. However, if a foreigner has a registered company in Thailand, then, he/she may also buy land or a house built on land.

• Step 2: A typical buying process for foreigners looking to buy property in Thailand

1. To reserve a property, pay for reservation fee (generally 50000 THB).
2. In 1-2 weeks time period, sign the standard purchase agreement with the developer.
3. Once the purchase agreement is signed, the foreign buyer will need to make 30% of property value to the developer within 1 month.
4. If you are investing in a completed property, then, pay 70% final payment in 4 months. If you are investing in an under construction property, then, no further payments are made till the construction is complete.
5. Once the final 70% payment is made, the developer and foreign buyer will meet at the land department to legally register the condominium with the land department of Thailand.
6. Within 1 month, foreign buyer will receive the title deed and census registration.

Below is a detailed chart for a foreigner who is looking to buy a condo in Thailand:

• Step 3: Get the FET Form

An authorized financial institution (normally a Thai Bank) issues a FET form (Foreign Exchange Transaction). This FET form is an official statement by the authorized Thai bank of exchanging foreign currencies into Thai baht. Whenever a foreigner brings native currency to invest in Thai real estate, the authorized Thai bank exchanges that foreign currency to equivalent Thai baht and issues a FET form for the conversion of foreign currency into Thai baht.

The FET-form was earlier known as the Thor.Tor.3 (and pronounced as tor tor saam). The FET form is one among many other documents that are required when buying and registering foreign ownership of a condominium unit in Thailand as a non resident.

• Step 4: Paying for taxes when a foreigner buys the condominium in Thailand

When buying a property in Thailand, Taxes can always be negotiated between the parties in order to determine who pays for payable tax and duty. Generally, the Buyer will be liable for the Transfer fee and the remaining types of taxes are borne by the Seller.

Transfer taxes - The land department levies 2% of the property value which is based on the value registered in the agreement.

Stamp duty - A total of 0.5% of the registered value will be taxed.

Withholding tax - 1% of the appraised property value will be levied (explained below).

The total withholding tax payable shall in any case not exceed 20% of the total price.

How much of these taxes will be paid by the seller and how much will be paid by the buyer? Well, it shall be negotiated before going to the land department and it shall be explicitly written into the sales contract.

• Step 5: Paying for taxes when a foreigner is looking to sell the condominium in Thailand

Special Business Tax (SBT) is only payable if the property is sold within its first 5 years of ownership and is levied at the rate of 3.3% of the appraised value.

If one retains the property for more than 5 years, then, only stamp duty 0.5% + the 2% transfer fee are paid.

If the subjected property has been used as the principal place of residence of the seller, then, the seller is also exempted from SBT (Special Business Tax). However, the seller name must also appear on the household registration certificate for at least one year.

7 Reasons for Investment in Chennai Real Estate

The real-estate industry is growing at a rapid rate in our country. The contribution of this industry to the national economy is significant. It chips in about 5% share to our GDP. The expansion of the real-estate sector can be attributed to globalization and the setting up of many MNCs. Within this booming sector, Chennai presents a stable and lucrative market to invest in. Let’s take a look at the factors that add up to make this city a prime real-estate location:

1. Ranked among top 12 cities
In a report by Candy GPS (Global Prime Sector), Chennai is positioned among the top 12 cities in the world to invest in real estate. Factors like market transparency, rational prices, and steady growth make this city ideal for investments.

2. Consistent appreciation of property value
The real-estate market in Chennai witnessed a 150% capital appreciation from 2009 to 2012. There is an overall positive outlook for this trend to continue, with the market value expected to increase by up to 10% year on year. These numbers alone give a strong cue for investing in the sector in Chennai.

3. Better employment prospects and flourishing trend of renting homes
The mushrooming of MNCs in Chennai has resulted in better job opportunities, which have further led to significant migration to the city. This trend has increased housing needs, which has hiked the real-estate value in the city. While some of the migrants move to Chennai permanently, there are those who do not have such long-term plans. They would rather purchase a house in the new city, stay there for a certain period, and then move elsewhere. In such a scenario, they choose to rent out their house and earn an additional income every month. Apartments in Chennai are, thus, a great investment.

4. Better investment returns
Increasing value, absence of depreciation, and no phase of depression have made Chennai an ideal city for real-estate investments. More people are now booking their homes and investing in properties in the city, thus propelling Chennai to the top of the real-estate list. This rise in demand has brought about an expansion in the housing sector. Also, a chunk of these investors are NRIs who were born in Chennai.

5. Developed infrastructure and public transportation
Usually, investors are weary of investing in cities that lack public facilities, especially a well-established transportation system. Chennai boasts of an integrated public-transportation network, including local trains and buses, which makes it an attractive real-estate market.

6. Education and health-care facilities
Be it for good education or advanced health-care facilities in the country, Chennai is a name that easily crops up in one’s mind. India Today has rated the city the best place in India for education, what with the presence of leading educational establishments. The city also has renowned health-care establishments. Recognizing these factors, a lot of people from across the country and abroad visit, and at times move base to, Chennai, which enhances the lucrativeness of the real-estate market in the city.

7. Choices across budgets
Those days are behind us when only IT professionals, NRIs, and foreign nationals sought to invest in Chennai. Today, real-estate investors have many options across budgets. They could opt for a small, affordable home or a luxury apartment in Chennai.

This is a guest post by Dinesh Dawde

Why investing in Thailand Property market can prove to be fruitful for Indians investing in overseas property market?

In October 2016, International Real Estate Expo was held in New Delhi – India. The purpose of the 3 day Expo was to showcase International Properties to Indian investors looking to buy property overseas. Real estate consultants and developers from Thailand, USA, UK, Cyprus, Dubai, Canada, Sri Lanka, and Australia participated in the 3 day event.

Indian nationals have been investing in properties abroad for plethora of reasons namely portfolio diversification, for studies of their children, holiday home to name a few. Singapore, Dubai, USA, UK have been the preferred locations. High Net worth Individuals, Strategic Property investors, Top level executives from India typically form the group of investors that are buying properties abroad.

On May 26, 2015, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) further liberalized Outward Remittance scheme for Indian Resident individuals. Under the scheme, an Individual can now remit US$ 250,000 per Financial Year (April-March) to overseas locations for the purposes of any permitted current or capital account transaction or a combination of both. Therefore many more properties are now under the reach of Indian investors.

According to a report published in October 2014 by US National Association of Realtors (NAR), buyers from India bought residential properties in USA worth 5.8 billion US$ during the one year period ending in March 2014. Similarly, in year 2015, data released by Dubai Land Department depicts that Indian investors carried out a total of 4089 property transactions estimated at 13 billion Dirhams. UK and Singapore also attract substantial real estate investments by Indian investors.

However, one location that hasn’t caught the fancy of Indian investors but can prove to be fruitful for Indian Property Investors is Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, and other cities in Kingdom of Thailand). Non Resident Indians (NRI) as well as domestic Indian investors can consider including Thailand Properties in their portfolio. Following are the benefits that an Indian Buying Property in Thailand can look forward to:

1. Thailand: A tourists paradise

No foreign power has ever colonized Thailand. Throughout its history, Thailand has been preoccupied with two things: overcoming regional divisions to consolidate central Thailand's power and attracting foreign wealth without allowing it to undermine internal stability. On the surface, the country's politics fluctuate continuously as successive governments attempt to balance regional and foreign interests. Yet Thailand's economic and cultural core remains relatively stable.

Thailand is the member of ‘The Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN). It is an alliance promoting economic and political cooperation by fostering dialogue among its ten members.

Thailand dominated as the most popular regional travel destination last year, with three of its cities making the top ten in MasterCard's Asia Pacific Destinations Index 2015.

   

2. Bangkok Transport Infrastructure

MRT system – Metro
BTS system – Skytrain
BRT system – Rapid Bus

3. Thailand – India historical relations

Thailand and India share a deep historical bond.

The Thai alphabet is derived from the Old Khmer script (akson khom), which is a southern Brahmic style of writing derived from the south Indian Pallava alphabet.

Thai vocabulary includes many words from Pali, Sanskrit ……especially in praying

During the 5th to 13th centuries, Southeast Asian empires were influenced directly from India and followed Mahayana Buddhism. The Mahāyāna and Hindu Khmer Empire dominated much of the Southeast Asian peninsula.

Theravada Buddhism was made the state religion only with the establishment of the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 13th century.

Hinduism played a strong role in the early Thai institution of kingship, and exerted influence in the creation of laws and order for Thai society as well as Thai religion.

Hindu influences, particularly shrines to the god Brahma, continue to be seen in and around Buddhist institutions and ceremonies.

The Ramakien is Thailand's national epic, derived from the Hindu epic Ramayana.

Popular celebrations in Thailand – Diwali, Navratri ( nationwide including the corporate entities), Ganesh Chaturthi.

Phahurat or Pahurat known as Little India - A Sikh community settled there more than a century ago and established a textile trading center that is still thriving. The golden-domed Siri Guru Singh Sabha temple is a landmark of Phahurat. The neighborhood is also home to South Asian Hindus and Muslims.

The number of tourists from India to Thailand is on the rise. In 2016, Expected number of Indian tourists to Thailand are 1.8 million.

4. Thai Economy and its growth

As per the World Bank Data, in 2015, Thailand’ population was 67.96 million, GDP (Gross Domestic Product) was 395.3 billion US$, GDP Growth rate was 2.8%, and inflation was -0.9%.

Economically, Thailand has been one of the great success stories of the ASEAN region. Smart policies adopted by successive governments have enabled the country to become an upper middle income economy.

 

5. Thai real estate and its prospects

Find below the detailed analysis of Bangkok realty market including supply, demand parameters and rental yields.

6. Easy Process to buy property and Liquidation or exit

• Reasonable investment entrance
• Growing rental market
• Growing tourist market
• Iconic buildings – innovative designs
• Thailand offers the highest rental return in South East Asia
• Easy buying and selling process – one stop service
• International banks present for transfer

Click here to read the Step by Step guide to investing in Thailand Property Market.

7. Portfolio diversification

As the saying goes - ‘Never put all your eggs into one basket’. One can diversify his/her investment portfolio by investing in various asset classes or if one has propensity to invest only in a particular asset class, then, geographical diversification certainly helps in risk mitigation. Investing in lucrative Thailand property market will certainly help in diversification of one’s investment portfolio.

8. Double Taxation Treaty

As the name suggests, levying of tax by 2 countries on the same income is known as double taxation. Since, you will be investing in and operating an income generating property in Thailand, therefore, you must make sure that taxes are not paid in 2 countries on the same income. To avoid double taxation on same income, Government of India has entered into a double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) with several countries and Thailand is one of them. Here is a list of countries with whom India has double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA).

Finding out the best home for yourself

Ask the baby boomers in India, they would ‘tch-tch’ your decision of staying in a rented place. It’s always has been to buy your own place, and pay EMI instead of rent.

But this is no longer the truth for the Indian real estate market. Market studies have revealed that renting a house in Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and/or Kolkata is much cheaper and cost effective. Additionally, majority of demand for homes in India is from the middle class segment, whilst the developers are constructing the premium flats and apartments. To give you facts, currently, more than 69% of the unsold homes in Mumbai cost over Rs. 1 crore or more. This means unsold inventories and eventually crash of the real estate market in India. With buying safely out of option, here are few things that you can keep in mind when making the move to a new city and a new state:

• Getting a job: Before feverishly searching the online portals for accommodation, it is very important to get a steady job. The city is new, therefore, commute would always be a problem. For example, most people in Bangalore, like staying near to their work places mainly for the convenience of traveling. Therefore, before looking for a flat for rent in Bangalore, figure out the areas nearby your job location and then move in. 

• Looking for healthcare related services nearby: Most probably, you have moved in to a complete new state which has different weather from your home town. Additionally, you would be staying alone or in PG with strangers. The best thing to do is figure out nearby healthcare centres, hospitals, and clinics. For example, if you are looking for a home in Faridabad in the Delhi NCR region, make sure health facilities such as leading Hepatologist in Faridabad or General physician are nearby. And while you are at it, the house should be located at comfortable walking distance from the supermarket, the bazar, ATMs, clinics, etc. 

• Getting to know your own place: You have moved in a complete new city. Take some time to know the place. Don’t select the first flat that you see. The best way to understand whether the flat that you have chosen does not have any disturbing elements (like a noisy neighbor, bad neighborhood, etc.) is to visit the place at least twice (once in the broad daylight and another in the night) before taking the final call. 

• Strong bond with the owners of the flat: Once you have understood and done all of the above criteria, be sure to maintain a good rapport with the landlord. Under no circumstances should there be trust issues. They should be sure of handing over their property to you, and you should be able to take care of the place like your own. Ensure to ask your landlord about any additional costs that might be incurred before moving.

• Keep additional money: Lastly, keep some additional cash in hand. This is important as it is not only a new place, but you might need some last minute supplies.

Once you have followed this check list, you are ready to move in.

Finding homes can prove to be a taxing affair, especially if it’s the first time or to a city in which the majority of the population speaks a different language. Take the help of friends and colleagues who stay there and have some patience.


This is a guest post by Alvira Rehan

Ultra Luxurious Houses That Are owned By Big Pocket Celebrities in India

India is rapidly as well as continually growing country with rising economy as well as Big Pocket celebrities who are not just investing in their business for generating more and more revenue but are fully dipped into a luxurious lifestyle. They are investing a huge amount of their earnings in luxury. Not  just them, with the changing lifestyle, many people are looking for luxurious properties in Mumbai. Here is the list of some big pocket guys owning dream mansions in one or the other urban cities of the country. This is how the house of your favorite celebrity or a popular Industrialist looks like:

• House Name: Antilia

It is the most expensive home not just in India but in the world. The Owner of this ultra-luxurious dream house is none other than the filthy rich Mukesh Ambani. Antilia is spread over an area of 4 lacs Sq Ft. having 27 floors. The building contains amenities which only a few people can dream of. 6 floors in the building is just reserved for parking and 3 for the helipad. If a building has a separate 3 - helipad, then you can imagine the type of world-class amenities it stores.
Owner: Mukesh Ambani

City: Mumbai

• House Name: Abode

Anil Ambani, following his brother’s footsteps hold 2nd position when it comes to the luxurious houses in India. Currently under construction, he has named his sweet home as Abode worth Rs 5000 Crore, subject to rise based on needs and amenities he wants to fix in his Abode.

Owner: Anil Ambani

City: Mumbai

• House Name: Mannat

The second richest actor in the world and the King of Bollywood “ Mr Khan” owns one of the most expensive houses in India having an approximate worth of Rs 125 to 150 Crores. All his fans gather in Bandra, Mumbai, outside his residence with a hope to wave him “Hi !!”
Owner: Shahrukh Khan


City: Mumbai

• House Name: Ratan Tata’s Bungalow

Ratan Tata is the name almost everyone is familiar with. A Very well known and reputed industrialist owns a home worth Rs 125 to 150 Cr comprising the area of 15000 Sq Ft. with 3 storey building and an infinity pool at the top for a view that is breathtaking, something which a common people like us can’t even dare to imagine in our house.

Owner: Ratan Tata


City: Mumbai

• House Name: Naveen Jindal Mansion

Industrialist turned politician, Naveen Jindal is another filthy rich guy who owns an ultra- luxurious high-cost bungalow in Leafy Lutyens, Delhi. His property is also valued to be Rs 125 to 150 Cr.

Owner : Naveen Jindal

City :  Mumbai



Apart from this, there is a huge list of other filthy rich celebs in India who owns a house which feels like a resort. If even you are one of them and looking to own such kind of a house, QuikrHomes can help you in your search for the most magnificent and lavish house in Mumbai.


This is a guest post by Prakshi Agarwal.

Seventh Pay Commission and its impact on the real estate sector

The Union Cabinet’s implementation of much-awaited Seventh Pay Commission has given public sector employees and pensioners a big occasion to celebrate. The Central Government Employees will receive a hike of about 23.5% in their salaries. This increment in the earnings of the Government employees is bound to have a positive impact on the Indian real estate sector. The hike in the House Rent Allowance (HRA) is expected to increase the residential demand further.

Mentioned below are the highlights of the Seventh Pay Commission that will boost the real estate sector:

1. Higher purchasing power - The starting salary slag of Government employees is pushed from INR 7000 to INR18000. The topmost salary slag will be INR 2.25 Lakh per month. As per experts, the hike in the salary will increase the purchasing power of the employees, thus tempting them to invest in residential properties.
2. Increased loan eligibility - The rise in salaries will increase the loan eligibility as well as the repaying potential of the people. The high amount of loans will encourage people to invest more in properties.
3. Growth in economic development - Employees of some Central Government departments have already started getting the revised salary as per the Seventh Pay Commission. It means that in these departments the six month arrear will also be distributed during the current financial year itself. Receiving a larger amount together will also encourage individuals to make an investment in the residential sector. The increased investment in real estate sector means growth in the economic development of the country. It is obvious that rapid economic growth always works wonders for real estate sector.
4. Increment in gratuity- The earlier gratuity of INR 10 Lakh has been increased to INR 20 Lakh, and the HRA (Housing Rent Allowance) has been raised from a mere 7.5 Lakh to 25 Lakh. The increment in HRA is bound to bring more money in the real estate sector.
5. Benefits to Pensioners - Pensioners being a major chunk of beneficiaries of the Seventh Pay Commission will now have more funds at their disposal to invest. They can invest in a dream home that is away from the hustle bustle of the city.
6. Higher demand for affordable houses - The substantial hike in salaries of middle-class people might result in more demand for affordable residential properties. This is mainly because more middle-class people will have access to a significantly increased lump sum amount.

The sale of residential properties is expected to increase gradually by the end of this year. The implementation of the RERA bill will also encourage the buyers to invest in the realty sector. Also, the new launches in various areas will give the buyer more options to choose from.

A report by Neelkanth Mishra, Prateek Singh, and Ravi Shankar of Credit Suisse suggests that the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission will have a huge impact on the properties in small towns as compared to the ones in the main cities. This is mainly because more than 80% of the Central Government employees are located in tier II and III cities.

As per the experts, now is the right time to invest in the real estate sector. The expected surge in the realty sector in the coming times might just bring you the wonderful stroke of luck you need. The development of properties in Devanhalli town in Bengaluru makes it a great option for investment.

The experts also believe that along with the housing sector, the transportation sector too will receive a boost. It is seen that people with more disposal incomes tend to spend more on things like food and transportation.



This is a guest post by Pooja Shet

Bengaluru, the top performing city in the real estate market

If you are looking to acquire a new home in Bengaluru, then you are at right place at the right time. Post the drop in the overall real estate market; Bengaluru sturdily held its number one position in India in the first six months of 2016. This course is expected to go on for the rest half of the year with the new launches likely to rise by 4 percent in comparison to the last six months of 2015.

The Knight Frank's "Indian Real Estate Residential and office" for the period of January-June 2016 stated, Bengaluru's residential territory witnessed 13 percent boost in new launches and 18 percent boost in sales on a year by year (YoY) basis in comparison to the first half in 2015. Although, the major parts of the country's realty market were quiet in all segments, Bengaluru's prime locations such as Richomond Road, Lavelle Road, Malleshwaram, Bannerghatta, Hebbal, Whitefield, Electronic City, Marathahalli and Indiranagar witnessed a considerable rise of 23 percent in new launches in the first six months of the year 2016. It is advisable to invest in apartments in Bannerghatta road and apartments in Richomond Road. The investors’ interest in quality properties has seen a swell in the first half of 2016 in comparison to the first six months of 2015 that witnessed poor sales.

“However, due to the slackening of the premium housing markets in the past year, the weighted average price growth YOY in the premium segment saw a marginal decline of 1 percent in first half of 2016, as compared to first half of 2015,” the report said.

When it comes to pricing, the prime residential segment in Bengaluru has seen a gradual hike in its average price in the past one year in comparison to the price hike in the overall city that stood at 3 percent. The prime housing saw a decline of 1 percent.

The realty sector experts foresee the overall weighted average price in Bengaluru to have a slow growth of 3 percent in the last six months of the year 2016 in comparison to the second half of 2015, accounting to the quantity of reserve that requires to be offloaded.

Despite the slump in the realty sector, the residential real estate sector in other cities are going to see a ray of hope due to the recent development of policies such as REIT, land acquisition, real estate regulator, and smart cities. All these measures play a vital role in encouraging the key players to invest in new projects.

The real estate market is ripe especially for NRI investors due to the depreciating value of the Indian rupee in the past few years. Other favorable factors include the stable political reign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the easy availability of loans, and the growing economy.

Also, as the urban population of the nation rises, there is going to be more and more demand of residential as well as commercial properties that will give a great boost to the overall realty sector.

This is a guest post by Deepak Yewle

16 Super Uber Tips on Finding the Perfect Flatmate

It’s probably one of the most serious problems dogging the 21st century working professionals in the country. In fact, it’s pretty much like finding a new boyfriend/girlfriend, only a little more complicated.

Why is that? Well, because you can part your ways with your partner when things go awry, but it’s not as simple with a flatmate. Since you will have signed a lease agreement, you will need to stick with them till the contract runs out.

In this article we give you with some of the best tips in order for you to come out victorious in your quest for finding the best flatmate.

• 1.    Go Beyond Your Friends List

Just because you enjoy hanging out with a friend or an acquaintance, doesn’t mean they can actually be a good flatmate. For all you known, they might have the world’s worst in-room habits that could drive you over the edge. So, go beyond the first impression and actually find out what a person is like.

• 2.    Look Online

Finding a flatmate on the internet has become extremely simple. You will just need to post in one of the many Facebook groups and can find one within a few hours.

• 3.    Interview Them

No, we don’t expect you to go full John McClane on them, you will just need to ask them what they are looking for and what they are comfortable with.

• 4.    Find Someone Like-minded

Find someone that has a same a similar perspective of the world as you. Are they metalheads? Do they love Megadeth and Motorhead? Or are they more into pop music? Knowing these things is absolutely essential if you want to live in harmony.

• 5.    Are They Ready to Contribute?

In the ready/not-so-ready to mingle world, you will need to know if your flatmate is ready to do the household chores same as you. This is extremely important because chores are often the first things that could lead to a rift in your relationship.

• 6.    Understand What It’s Like to Have a Flatmate

No matter how platonic a relationship, getting a flatmate is still a major responsibility that needs to be taken seriously.

• 7.    Do Good unto Others

Find and find out if they are ready to help you out in case of emergencies.

• 8.    Have The Right Apartment

The kind of apartment you have chosen also plays a role in the type of flatmate you will find. To find the perfect place, check some of the property management firms like Zenify, who curate some of the best rental property in Bangalore.

• 9.    “What Do You Expect from Me?”

Having a flatmate is a two-way street. If you want them to be a certain way, you will need to be the same too. So, ask them what they expect out of a flatmate.

• 10.    Someone in The Same Profession

While this isn’t customary, it can do you a world of good because at the end of a busy, tiring day, you will need someone you can talk to, who can actually understand what your problems are.

• 11.    Meetup

Once you have found a potential roommate, fix a meet and talk to them over a cup of coffee or a drink just to get a feel of what they are like.

• 12.    Talk Money

One of the most important aspects required to lease flats is money. So, bring the money topic up with them and discuss whether they are comfortable with the money they are paying.

• 13.    Assess Their Lifestyle

Imagine a runway model living with a desi sanskaari person—it’s not always the best combination. This is why you need to assess their lifestyle and find out if it is in line with yours.

• 14.    Communicate

Communication is important aspect in a flatmate relationship. Figure out how open they are in voicing out their concerns.

• 15.    Find References

Sometimes a friend of a friend of a friend will know someone that’s looking for a flatmate. Try and find a good reference, one that actually trust.

• 16.    Get It in Writing

You might have talked about a million things, but unless you get them written in a lease agreement none of them ever really matter.

All in all, getting a flatmate is quite like every other relationship you have had in your life. At the end of the contract, you might even walk out with a life-long friend by your side. So, be very mindful before you choose one.


This is a guest post by Chandni Lal

Decoding Hinjawadi – The Locality that's Revolutionized Western Pune

Pune is such a laid-back city, it's easy to it call home. Located on the Deccan Plateau and 560 meters above sea level, it enjoys impeccable weather all through the year. However, it's not just the temperature that makes Pune cool, but also the people and its blend of traditional values and modernity. The infusion of these two elements brews a vivid cosmopolitan attitude that defines this city.

In 2001, India's first six lane high-speed Expressway was built, connecting Pune with its larger & more famous cousin, Mumbai. One could say it was the beginning of a revolution, one that influenced the transformation of Pune from an education city to a bustling IT hub.

The western side of Pune is exceptionally beautiful and surrounded by hills and lush greenery. Owing to its proximity to the Expressway, this area enjoys better connectivity that catalyzed an explosion of urbanization. The western suburbs began to garner the attention of builders that were eager to cater to the needs of professionals working at the busy IT parks in Aundh, Hinjawadi and Nagar Road.

Despite the rapid urbanization that Pune has witnessed in the last decade, the area of Hinjawadi still retains its tranquility and solitude. Thanks to the Special Township Policy Act of the Maharashtra Government, the suburb has a modern infrastructure with a deluge of luxury gated communities. These integrated townships encourage residents to work closer to where they live, with more convenience and a better way of life. The gated townships of Hinjawadi ensure that the suburb still retains its calm demeanor and open spaces, while adding impressive buildings and towers to the skyline.

In the coming years, Hinjawadi is set to become even more popular. The area will soon be incorporated with a proposed metro line that will ease travel through the city to a great extent. The area is also favored to experience steady price appreciation, which makes it an enticing investment opportunity for home buyers.

Life Republic, a popular township located in the neighborhood, is easily one of Pune's most vibrant townships. It presents a life of glamour and convenience set amidst a 400 acre sprawling community. The modern township has one objective, which of being a delectable and vibrant address in Hinjawadi. Featuring the best of amenities, the project is a haven for lively spacious homes with a contemporary attitude and aesthetic.

The layout of Life Republic begins with a wide boulevard that traverses through the mega-township. The project is also packed with premium lifestyle and entertainment options like fine dining restaurants, a multiplex, high-street stores, a mall, clubs, wedding and party venues, community centers and academies, lake-front recreation and much more.

Apartment towers are surrounded with ample green cover, and the project features artistic installations with an abundance of green open spaces. Life Republic also encompasses organic farming, an agro institute and fresh vegetable market. The plenitude of green cover here creates a pollution-free and pleasant environment.

At Life Republic, you experience a lifestyle that's unique to your preference but tailored to create an urban habitat where everyone’s needs are answered.

Townships like Life Republic are bringing a new premium lifestyle to Hinjawadi. It's this transformation that is shaping the future of real estate in Pune and in India.

This is a guest post by Gaurav Mishra

Commercial office market shines in real estate sector

Although the residential market continues to dip, stable lease rentals, high absorption levels, worldwide investor’s interest and insufficient supply have paved the way for commercial real estate market.

Unlike the disintegrated residential sector, a few distinguished developers, with the support of investors, are building quality office spaces in the central cities.

The chief operating officer of JLL India said, “While demand for good quality office space remains high, absorption will be lower this year because there isn’t adequate supply in the market. Also, demand is high but relevant supply, which depends on location and other advantages, is restricted. We expect the sector to continue to do well.”

As per the property advisory CBRE, Bengaluru is riding high on the demand and the supply of office space and the vacancy level of its office buildings is the lowest. In Pune region, the scarcity of good supply has led to many people showing interest in Grade B buildings as well. One of the worst hit areas was the National Capital Region, grabbing only 37% of the 5 million sq. ft of office space or leasing.

Post the economic dip in 2008, many builders ceased to invest in capital-intensive projects and started showing interest in the residential market. The next few years saw many large apartment projects, resulting in a glut. The market, therefore, experienced a slowdown in the year 2012-2013.

The leading developers in building office projects are RMZ Corp, Embassy Group, Panchshil Realty and DLF Ltd. Most of these names have the support of global investors. Over 80% of the commercial office spaces are occupied by information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services (ITES) clients, the left ones are for the e-commerce firms and banking and financial services.

Panchshil Realty, backed by Blackstone group has added 5 million sq.ft of a new area in Pune for three projects. The Panchshil Reality Chairman Atul Chordia said, “We lease around 1.5 million sq. ft. office space every year, so we just have to keep building because the demand is high.”

DLF doesn’t have any residential launch this year, but the largest developer of India as per the market value plans to cover two-three million sq.ft office area in its lease/rental portfolio. The real estate giant seeks to repeat its success in developing a nearly 30 million sq. ft commercial portfolio over the past decade.

DLF has begun to work on a 2 million sq. ft office project in Gurgaon this year and is also going to cover 1 million sq.ft of the IT Park in Chennai. Chennai is seeing an investment from DLF in the commercial market, and increased investment in apartments in Chennai OMR by the House of Hiranandani.

K. Raheja Corp group based in Mumbai is also planning to spend about INR 2000 crore in purchasing land and building 6 million sq. ft of office space in the area of Navi Mumbai.

Vinod Rohira, the MD, and chief executive of commercial real estate and REIT, K Raheja Corp said,“ Growth and consolidation, particularly in the IT and ITES sectors, are driving the demand for big commercial office spaces. Demand for commercial real estate is growing at 20-22% on a year-on-year basis,”

The year 2016 is likely to observe two massive private equity investments in the commercial sector. While DLF is in the course of selling a 40% stake in its lease assets arm to get about $2 Billion, another $1 Billion investment is being invested by Brookfield Asset Management Inc. to purchase the office and reality assets of Hiranandani Developers in suburban Mumbai.

Like the developers switched focus to the residential market post the financial crisis of 2008, the commercial office projects are gaining popularity now. Some developers are rearranging their portfolios to build more office spaces.

Bijay Agarwal, MD of Salarpuria Sattva Group said, “While entry barriers are low in residential and there are too many developers, office development is not easy and as a result, we have a few serious developers building good projects,”

This is a guest post by Deepak Yewle

The 5 Craziest Haunted House Stories of All Time in India

Bam! A thunderstorm roars with scary intensity, seemingly taking the electricity with it.

Backup generators stop functioning and the temperature in the room seems to drop by 10 degrees, making it unnaturally cold. You know you are all alone in your apartment. But you get the sneaky feeling that you aren’t.

Sounds like the clichéd (and poorly written) horror movie plot, right?

Wrong!

These are some of the stories from people that have lived in or around some of the haunted houses in India.

But where are these houses, you ask? Here are the tales of some of the craziest haunted house stories the internet has heard of so far.

• The Vrindavan Society - Thane

Constructed by Raheja Developers, The Vrindavan Society is a luxury apartment complex with over 100+ apartments in the Thane region of Maharashtra. To this day, all the houses here are occupied (thanks to those irresistible ‘flats for rent’ placards). However, people here live in constant fear and are even worried to step out of their homes after dark.

Curious to know why? It was reported that a man living in this complex committed suicide. Ever since that fateful day, residents and night watchmen claim to have witnessed some paranormal activity almost every day of the week.

In fact, one of the night guards has a strange incident to narrate: during one of his late-shifts, while he was nodding off in his chair, a tight slap jolted him back from his sleep, almost toppling him off his chair. He summoned a few of his colleagues to check if an intruder had entered the premises.

However, after searches proved futile, residents concluded that this was the handiwork of the unnamed man that died within these quarters.

• House No. W-3, Greater Kailash, Delhi

As the legend goes, two elderly couples used to live in this rental property. Unexpected events saw them being murdered in cold blood by unknown assailants. But even after their death, the couples’ spirits have supposedly lived on in this place.

Passersby and other locals have complained that they’ve often heard muffled laughter, strange voices, and soft whispers coming out of the house; this has left the witnesses baffled and very, very scared.

• D’Souza Chawl, Mahim, Mumbai

Among the many haunted places in Mumbai, D’Souza Chawl takes the cake, and has even been reported several times in the media. According to local lore, the spirit of a deceased lady roams the corridors of D’Souza Chawl at odd hours of the night.

Supposedly, the lady fell in the only fresh-water well in the vicinity and succumbed to death and hasn’t found the peace she was looking for.

• Grand Paradi Towers, Mumbai

Located in one of the poshest areas in Mumbai, this complex has sadly played witness to over twenty suicides over the last decade. These unnerving stories begun with the suicide of a couple, followed by the jumping of their children and grandfather a year after that.

Ever since then, there have also been reports of maids and children falling to their deaths on multiple occasions. Just what the reasons behind this are, we don’t know.

• GP Block, Meerut

A lot of haunted places are abandoned, and GP Block in Meerut is no exception. This place has been so unnerving that people have supposedly even stopped passing by the building. According to reports, several of the locals have witnessed the sightings of ghosts: 4 drinking men illuminated by the presence of a single candle.

Initially, the story was discarded but upon further prodding by some youngsters, it has become apparent that the 4 men were in fact spirits and not a group of friends. There have also been tales of a woman in a red sari who accompanies these men and walks around in the dark.

So, next time when you are looking to lease flats be sure to do a recon and verify that the building doesn’t have an eerie, dark paranormal story behind it. Better yet, pick one of the convenient property management services, or log on to zenify.com to find the house of your choice.

• References:

http://www.holidify.com/blog/most-haunted-places-in-india-asi-list/

• Image References:

https://pixabay.com/static/uploads/photo/2013/10/24/01/45/haunted-house-corner-200065_960_720.jpg



This is a guest post by Chandni.

Unitech Project Delays in Gurgaon

Project delays in Gurgaon. Many buyers are left in lurch. Home buyers had invested their hard earned money in some of the Unitech Projects; however, project delays have taken its toll on these buyers. Many are paying EMIs as well as monthly rents. What is the solution?

Revival of the residential real estate market this year

From the past few years, India’s residential real estate market has experienced a slowdown. Thanks to the macroeconomic indicator and measures taken by the Indian government to bring transparency, this sector is all set to rebound.

It is believed that apartments in Whitefield (Bengaluru), apartments in OMR (Chennai), and apartments in Kondwa (Pune) are great for investment, at the moment.

Ashwinder Raj Singh, the CEO, residential services, JLL India, said,“India’s residential property market has been going through turbulent times for past few years. However, things are looking up now with changes in the economy and various initiatives announced by the government.”

Factors like low demand, high inventory levels, and limited fund flow has dwindled sales in the sector, affecting the new establishments.

As per a recent report by JLL, the novel residential venture launches witnessed a reduction by 6 percent in the first quarter of 2016 over the last quarter of 2015.

Overall sales of residential properties declined in the financial year 2015-16 compared to 2014-15. As per recent reports, 1,58,211 units were sold in the financial year 2015-16 as opposed to 1,61,875 units sold in the financial year 2014-15, which is a decline of 2.2 percent.

A ray of optimism was seen in the otherwise hopeless situation with the rise of sales in the first quarter of 2016.

Specialists believe that the implementation of the Real Estate Act will give a positive drive to the feeble sector by reviving the spirits of the buyers through manifold initiatives.
One of the best initiatives taken is that the aggrieved party has the right to claim the amount at the prescribed rate along with the interest if the possession is not given.

Shveta Jain, the managing director, residential services, Cushman & Wakefield said, “The Real Estate Regulation and Development Act 2016 will encourage investments from foreign and domestic financial institutions and protecting the interest of the home buyers. Mandatory disclosure of projects, including details of the promoter, project, land status, clearances, approvals, etc. would increase the credibility of developers and would protect consumer rights as well.”

Ashwinder Raj Singh of JLL states 5 points for the road ahead for the realty sector:

• The expectation of good monsoon, recovery in the economy, decreased inflation, and the fact that the rates of residential properties are on a hike again has brought a shift in the trend. Also, the combination of an improved regulatory environment of the realty sector and progressive Government schemes like AMRUT, Housing for all by 2022 and Smart Cities are starting to create a positive influence. Moreover, factoring in banks’ passing on of interest rate cut advantages to the end user; the residential department is on the path of regrowth. 

• At the end of the financial year 2015-16, the rates were stagnant or at a modest rise. While Lucknow witnessed a hike of 16.1% in the prices in third quarter 2015, NCR witnessed a price ascent of 5% during the second quarter of 2015. Moving forward, rates are expected to rise moderately.

• The establishment of the Real Estate Regulatory Authority to ensure timely delivery of the real estate projects and bring more transparency in the dealings with builders has build trust in the market, motivating the buyers to invest again. A credible start has been indicated by the affordable housing segment, with this division seeing heightened traction on the outskirts of the leading cities. Of the entire sales, more than half the properties were marked below Rs. 5000/sq ft in the financial year 2015-16.

• International factors have an effect, but India’s present low-interest rates and low inflation rates along with moving economy will encourage development in the residential realty sector in the mid-to-long term.

• The encouragement that the latest Union Budget is providing to both, the demand as well as supply side has improved the funding for the real estate industry. It has also helped in clearing problems on REITs. More impressive signs of recovery should be evident during the last quarter of the year 2016 or by the first quarter of 2017.

This is a guest post by Deepak Yewle

5 Top Affordable Rental Locations in Bangalore for Working Professionals

Bangalore has a number of IT and business parks where thousands of working professionals earn their livelihoods. But with the traffic situation in the city escalating to new heights every passing day, it doesn’t make neither financial nor logical sense to move to areas that aren’t close to your workplace.

However, there’s one more concern you need to address- the cost of living. Not every rental property close to these IT hubs come cheap, courtesy of the rising price of rental houses in Bangalore.

 (Picture Source – Pixabay)

Besides, not everybody can afford to buy a luxury apartment or live in a villa in this expensive city. So here are the top 5 affordable locations in Bangalore, you and every other working professional should know about.

• Whitefield

If you’re particularly in the IT industry, living anywhere in the Whitefield vicinity is the best decision you can make. For starters, you can find houses for rent at as little a budget as Rs. 7000 per month, which come semi-furnished with modular kitchen, geysers and the like. Another important aspect about Whitefield is that it’s a little far away from the fast-paced life of the city and sees relatively less traffic. Basically moving to Whitefield can save you a lot of money and time, which you’d otherwise spend on commute.

• Marathahalli

With plenty of tech parks and other employment hubs in its vicinity, Marathahalli is yet another locality that sees a vast majority of working professionals looking for an abode. You will get houses or flats for rental as little as Rs. 6000 per month, depending on the choice of area. Places like Prestige Tech Park, Ecospace, and Divyasree Technopolis are just a few of the well-known IT hubs in and around the area.

• KR Puram

With easy connection to ITPL and Marathahalli, KR Puram is slowly becoming the most sought-after locality in Bangalore. Besides, this area isn’t too far away from the city either. Located along the fringe of National Highway 44 (Bangalore to Hyderabad), this locality also offers you some respite if you’re looking to go for a long drive on a lazy weekend. Rents around here start from Rs. 6,000 per month for a 1 BHK and can go up to Rs. 20,000 per month based on your choices.

• Horamavu

Located along the Outer Ring Road stretch that connects Marathahalli and the Old Madras Road region to Bengaluru International Airport and Tumkur Road among others, Horamavu happens to be the least chaotic locality to live in. Close to Manyata Tech Park, which is at a distance of about 5 km from here, Horamavu offers a great place to relax and enjoy. Rent around the area start from Rs. 7000 per month for 1 BHK and can go as high as Rs. 30,000 per month depending on a house of your choice. It is close to several leisure places like Kammanahalli, an area that happens to be the most attractive proposition around here.

• Kaggadasapura

If you’d looked around Kaggadasapura over a decade ago, you’d either have seen acres of empty barren lands or under-construction apartment projects. But now this area is a major hub for working professionals. It is strategically located close to Bagmane Tech Park, which happens to be one of the most beautiful workplaces in the city with its own lake. It is also close to key parts of the city like Indiranagar and Domlur. You can find houses for rent around here starting from Rs. 6500 per month. In case you’re looking to lease flatsor apartments instead of renting, you can also find several interesting options to choose from.

Overall, these 5 prime localities are teeming with budget-friendly houses that you can choose from to improve your experience of staying in Bangalore.

This is a blog post by Chandni Lal

DLF Launches Mall of India in Noida

DLF officially launches Mall of India in Noida, Part of Delhi NCR region on 27 April 2016. The shopping mall is located in upscale Sector 18 market of Noida. The mall comes up with a retail area of 2 million square feet. The Mall has 18 anchor stores.

The shopping mall will be easily accessible from South Delhi, Lutyen’s Delhi, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad. The mall offers 7 levels of excitement with enough parking space offering 3 levels of basement parking. The mall is expected to generate footfall of 3 million shoppers per month.

There are 330+ brands and 82+ kiosks brands. 40% area is dedicated to Food and Beverages segment with about 1000 seating capacity in the food court. There is also 7 start DT cinema experience for visitors with a capacity of 2000 viewers.

Find below the complete details of DLF Mall of India:

Dlf mall of india in noida delhi ncr region from Green Realtech Projects Pvt. Ltd

Buying your Dream Home in Kolkata

Buying a home is every individual’s dream. The feeling of owning a property is priceless, unmatched compared to other types of investments such as stocks or gold. Therefore, there has been a steady rise in demand for good properties in the real estate market, especially in certain fast-developing cities like Kolkata. Real Estate in Kolkata, India for instance has been booming, with buyers spoilt for choice with the increased number of luxury flats, 2 BHK flats, 3 BHK flats, duplexes and compact studio apartments on the list of real estate offerings.

Before you start looking for your dream home, here are a few things you must know.

• Your requirement

First and foremost, decide on the size of apartment you require. Whether you need a studio apartment, a 2 BHK flat, a 3 BHK flat or an apartment with more space. This decision will obviously depend on the size of your family, if you live on your own or have children, your lifestyle and how much time you spend at home on an average. There may also be several other considerations like whether you need a gymnasium or a community hall in the complex, and in such a case, buying luxury flats in Kolkata that come with various amenities, would be a wiser option.

• Your budget

The next very important consideration is the budget. Know your budget and choose properties accordingly. When budgeting, consider all additional expenses such as property registration costs, legal expenses, stamp duty and taxes. If you are opting for a bank loan, it is important to consider the down payment amount. Most banks require a 20% of the total property value as down payment, in addition to loan processing fees and charges. Arrange the funds in advance so that the entire process of buying a property becomes faster and simpler.

• Car parking

These days, buying a car park along with your apartment is almost imperative. Check if you need a covered car parking facility or an open car park. It goes without saying that a covered car park often costs a little more than an open car park. Once decided, it is important to include this in your budget too.

• Preferred location

When deciding on buying your dream home, another important thing to consider is its location. Make sure the property is located close to your workplace and the school, if you have a family with children. What’s more, opting for a property in an area that is well-connected with public transport and has amenities like market, hospital, library etc. is sure to fetch you good returns in case you decide to sell your flat in the future. Neighborhood is also a very important factor. Residential complexes in Kolkata with both budget and luxury flats offer a two-fold benefit - the convenience and amenities of city living and the comfort of a tranquil locale.

• Resale or brand new?

While location is of great importance, another thing to consider while investing in real estate is the age of the property. First decide, if you would like to buy a resale property or a brand new place. Old properties sometimes can be bought at a much lower rate and can be refurbished in the future to restore the past glory. Then again, new buildings offer modern amenities like club house, community halls, kids’ play area and much more.

• Know the developer

Do your research and opt for a property that is being developed by a reputed builder. Renowned real estate groups not only use good quality materials, but also guarantee timely possession, easy transparent transaction and even compensate the buyers in case of delayed construction. This gives the home buyer complete peace of mind.

Once this initial filtering has been done, the process of settling for that one perfect property to fit all your needs will become much simpler and quicker.

Summary: Buying your dream home is never easy. To make sure you choose a property that perfectly fits all your needs, we have listed out a few pointers. Follow these and make the right choice.

Author Bio: One of the leading players in the real estate market, Ideal Group takes pride in its rich portfolio of world-class ongoing and upcoming residential projects in Kolkata. The Group has truly embodied their tagline "Pillars of Trust" and won the trust of countless customers.

Real estate Regulatory bill and the path forward

The real estate market in India has witnessed a hulking transformation in regards to development in the recent times. Many policies and schemes have been introduced by the Indian government to improve the condition of the real estate sector. The latest development is undoubtedly the implementation of RERA in each state. This has led the market experts to maintain optimism that the real estate market's reputation will enhance.

One of the industry experts, Mr.Surendra Hiranandani believes that the year 2016 will see the buyer influencing the industry dynamics. He says “The real estate sector has witnessed a mixed bag of trends in FY 2015. Tough lending norms from banks and financial institutions, project delays, and cost escalations have proven a dampener. However, Easing of FDI norms, housing for all, steps towards setting up of a regulatory body, focus on smart cities development, softening of interest rates, considerable progress towards implementing REIT have certainly helped in building positive sentiments in the real estate industry”. He further added, "Given the recent policy changes, FY 2016 would primarily be a buyer-driven market, with buyer strongly influencing the industry dynamics. Builders with strong track record in terms of not only delivery but also maintaining excellence in quality and design will have an edge with the discerning buyer.

To build on the positive developments in real estate industry, what would be critical is industry friendly policies such as single window clearance, easy project finance options for developers and passing of RBI rate cut benefits by banks to home buyers."  

Another industry guru claims that RERA will be instrumental in revolutionizing the way the properties are built, sold, and bought. The prime objective of this bill is to establish a regulatory body, which safeguards the interests of consumers. This regulatory body will be responsible for addressing the disputes of the buyer to maintain the reputation of the industry.

The primary benefit that the bill offers to the buyer is that it mandates the registration process for any real estate project with RERA. It is essential for all the agents, who are willing to sell any property, to register themselves with this authority. It also requires the revelation of all the details related to the registered deals like the land status, layout plan, details of varied approvals, and promoters. The bill aims to reinforce the pact between the builders and buyers and act as an accelerated court to resolve altercations. The bill also restricts the developer from changing the plan without the consent of at least two-third of the buyers.

The bill is introduced to keep a watch on the builders and sellers. It gives an arduous responsibility to the builder of registering and disclosing information on a regular basis through a portal, which is maintained by RERA.

The bill also mandates the registration of brokers with the State regulatory authority, which was a much-needed step taken by the government. This will give the real estate brokerage sector more transparency. Also, working in an organized manner will make this sector all the more profitable.

Growth in the real estate sector has a lot to do with the broker’s skills and his/her ability to cater to the needs of the customer. Training will play an important role in the industry to acquire accomplished brokers as opposed to amateurs.

These are some of the challenges of the real estate bill 2016. Apart from these, there are other shortcomings of the bill that need to be covered by the future amendments. For instance, the bill is restricted to only buying and selling of properties and does not consider the problems the builders face when it comes to approval bottlenecks. Also, the need to keep 70% of the collection in an escrow account is likely to create problems for the builders with limited resources. Though this is a good move, there are chances of an unwanted price hike that would ultimately affect the end buyer.

This is a guest post by Deepak Yewle