Category: Property Investment

Things to check before buying a property — 

Builder’s experience

The first and the most important thing to check while buying a house is the builder’s construction experience. Generally, every reputed builder has a list of completed, ongoing, and upcoming projects on his website. This can help the buyer get an idea about the number and type of projects that have been executed by the builder in and around the buyer’s target city.

Approvals and Legal Compliance

The buyer should ensure that the project has a clear legal title and all approvals, like environmental clearances, are in place. “The building’s plans will reflect the type of usage of space (commercial/residential). If the construction is not as per approved plans, then, the buyer should avoid such projects, as they may face difficulties in getting the occupancy certificate (OC). Once the buyer is satisfied with the plans, he should have a look at the construction quality.

Structural Stability

With respect to the building, buyers can ask the developer for a copy of the structural stability certificate, issued by the structural engineer, to be certain that the building has been designed and built as per the load estimated. One can also go through a few test reports, to understand the concrete and steel strengths of the materials used. Additionally, the buyer could ask about:

• The type and thickness of blocks used for construction

• The brand of cement used

• Whether a four-inch block has been used for an external wall (which is not advisable)

Specifications and Quality Check

Buyers should ensure that the specifications offered by the developer are endorsed in the agreement for sale. They should also examine:

• Whether the electrical load meets their requirements

• If waterproofing has been done in the bathrooms

A home buyer can even consult an architect for clarifications regarding the specifications. “Periodical site inspections by the buyer will really be helpful. These inspections, if carried out with the help of an experienced architect or engineer, can eliminate the possibility of issues cropping up later,” explains Anil Bhaskaran, urban planner, chief architect, and MD of IDEA Centre Architects.

Steps That Home Buyers Should Follow

Following all these precautions and finally investing in a property is not the end of the road. Buyers should put in as much effort into maintaining the house and its premises after the purchase. The residents’ association should be active in ensuring that every aspect of the building is being properly maintained, thereby preventing the building from deteriorating.

• Homeowners should never break or modify structural elements like beams or columns.

• Avoid making alterations to the plumbing system without the help of the building’s plumber, as any breakage could lead to seepage, which could make the building weak.

• Residents should consult a structural consultant every 15-20 years to obtain a structural stability certificate for the building.

• Annual maintenance contracts for lifts, diesel generators, sewage treatment plants, and filtration systems should be in place. Residents should also have provisions for servicing pumps and motors.

• Underground sumps and overhead tanks should be cleaned every six months to ensure clean water supply and prevent dirt accumulation inside the pipes.

• Painting and plastering should be redone as needed.

Conclusion

Thorough research before buying a property ensures a secure investment. From builder credibility to post-purchase maintenance, taking the right steps can prevent future risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why is the builder’s experience important when buying a property?

A builder’s track record helps assess the quality, reliability, and timely delivery of past projects.

Q. What legal approvals should a property have before purchase?

Ensure the property has environmental clearances, a valid occupancy certificate, and construction approvals.

Q. How can buyers check a building’s structural stability?

Request a structural stability certificate, review material test reports, and inspect construction quality.

The number of women home buyers in India is only likely to rise. Most women today play an active part in the home buying decision. Single or married, these women constitute about 30 per cent of property purchasers in urban India. Did you know women have certain benefits if they purchase a home in India?

Here are some of the advantages woman home buyers have in India:

• Leading Indian banks typically offer home loans at a lower interest rate to women home buyers. As women are more punctual in paying back loans and less likely to default on payments, banks are also keener on lending to women.

• According to the Narendra Modi government’s Housing for All Mission, women should be either co-owners or sole owners of affordable houses. The government decided that this should be so to empower women from low-income households.

• In many Indian states, women pay lower stamp duty. In Delhi and Haryana, for instance, stamp duty for women is two per cent lower. Stamp duty for women is often one-two per cent lower than it is for men. So, for many reasons, it is much advantageous for couples to buy their home in the name of the female partner. Even when property is gifted to the female partner, the stamp duty will be lower. You can get discounts in stamp duty by jointly registering property in the name of the women partner.

Also Read: Home Loan Benefits to Women 

• Women are also eligible of a tax deduction of Rs 2 lakh on the interest rate paid on home loans. If you and your husband are co-applicants of the home loan, both of you will be able to claim tax deductions on the interest rate paid, if the property is let out.

• Women are also allowed to deduct the interest rate paid against the mortgage loan against the net rental value when they rent out their home.

• In poverty alleviation schemes in Indian states, women’s names are included in the land titles of the plots that the government allocates to low-income households.

Conclusion

Women in India have multiple financial advantages when buying a home, from reduced loan rates to tax benefits. These incentives make homeownership more accessible and rewarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do women get lower home loan interest rates in India?

Yes, many banks offer lower interest rates on home loans for women to encourage property ownership.

Q. How much stamp duty discount do women get in India?

In states like Delhi and Haryana, women pay 1-2% lower stamp duty than men.

Q. What tax benefits do women home buyers get?

Women can claim a tax deduction of up to ₹2 lakh on home loan interest, and co-applicants can claim deductions separately.

Here are several simple methods to cool your home:

1. Use water bucket.

A simple trick involves using a bucket of water. Dip the bottom hems of your curtains into the bucket and leave the fan on. The water slowly seeps upwards through the fabric and the breeze will carry the coolness into the room

2. Keep things dark. 

• Getting away from the glare of a hot summer sun and into a shaded space is relaxing.
• Buy cotton curtains in the darkest color possible to block sunlight effectively.
• Ensure the curtains have a thick lining to prevent fading from sunlight.
• Dark green or brown are good color choices for effective heat absorption.
• Keep the curtains drawn shut from morning to maintain a cooler indoor temperature.
• A room shielded from sunlight all day will stay relatively cooler.

See also: Go Green with Eco-friendly Home Décor Solutions

3. Use the bathroom 

Keep your bathroom door ajar, pour a few litres of water on the floor and let the breeze do its job again

4. Leafy plants, too, can work wonders. 

If you have some large decorative or potted plants around, move them closer to your windows. They will absorb most of the heat and create a cooling effect around them

5. Leave the fridge alone. 

You may be tempted to reach for cold water and ice-cubes frequently, but opening and shutting the refrigerator multiple times, increases the load and temperature on its motor. This, in turn, increases the ambient temperature in your house

6. Take a look at lighting. 

From LEDs to fluorescent lights, there are many cool lighting options available, so there’s no reason to continue using hot incandescent bulbs. Similarly, switch off all electrical appliances, especially the TV, when not in use. Even a mobile charger emits heat

7. Buy a dehumidifier. 

You will breathe much easier, once the intense humidity is reduced. You can check online sites for the best deals

8. Cotton is king. 

Summer is no time for fancy satin or silk bedsheets, or for faux leather upholstery. Buy at least one set of crisp cotton bedsheets, in white or pastel shades. If your couch is upholstered in any fabric that’s not cotton or linen, buy some sofa covers or throws that are made of cotton

9. Open up at sunset. 

If you throw open your windows at the right time, you will get the benefit of the cool evening breeze. This will lower the temperature of your home and make it more comfortable for the night ahead. Also, open up every internal door in your house, including kitchen cabinets and bathroom, bedroom and closet doors. 

This will help, to dissipate the heat that is built up during the course of the day and reduce the overall temperature. Remember to close these doors as soon as the next day dawns and the sun is up again.

Conclusion

These easy and natural tricks can help you stay cool all summer without relying on air conditioning. Try them and enjoy a fresher, more comfortable home!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can I cool my home naturally without an AC?

Use thick, dark-colored curtains, place potted plants near windows, and allow airflow in the evening to cool your home.

Q. Does keeping my curtains wet really help?

Yes! Dipping the curtain hems in water allows cool air to circulate as the fan blows through the damp fabric.

Q. Why should I reduce fridge use in summer?

Opening the fridge frequently makes the motor work harder, releasing heat into your home and increasing indoor temperatures.

What is the ideal age to invest in real estate? This question has popped up in many heads, while the one in their mid-twenties are relatively free from responsibilities and have spare money to invest. The one in late 40s or 60s consider investing in real estate more of a liability than an asset. The scale of correctness of these ideologies however may differ. Here is what market experts have to say about investors’ age & real estate.

Pros and Cons of Investing in Your 20s

Investing in mid-20s
This is the time when an individual starts earning and has spare money even after saving a part of it. Though today’s generation is well aware of various investment tools, offering good returns, the top preference remains real estate, especially when the returns are similar when compared to other avenues. Just that owning a property gives an investor a sense of confidence and stability.

• But, on the hindsight, owning a property at an early age means that you have a financial liability on you for the next two decades.

• Since investing in real estate requires investors to stay disciplined, financial planning at an early stage of career can be cumbersome and inaccurate.

• Recession, job change, medical emergency etc. can be a few reasons which can bring financial strain, hence, taking an investment-heavy responsibility at such a young age can restrict your lifestyle.

See also: Go Green with Eco-friendly Home Décor Solutions

Investment Challenges & Benefits in Your 40s & 60s

Investing in 40s
Investment at the age of 40 would mean more responsibility where you cannot afford to go wrong with the choices you make. Apart from this, not much time is left for the buyer to repay the loan as several banks restrict finances to a certain age keeping in mind the capability of the borrower to pay back the amount. The credibility of such buyers is more when compared to younger ones as the investment portfolio of a 40-year-old investor is much stronger than those who have just started investing.

Investing in 60s

• Getting finances from the bank at the age of 60 is no more a tough job. However, for the approval of the home loan, the person should have a strong understanding of the real estate market and other investment avenues along with various investment portfolios.

• At this age, an investor should only invest in real estate to boost his existing property portfolio, even after retirement.

Since there is no ideal age to own a home, the young generation is experimenting with a different kind of lifestyle where they prefer to stay on rent, without any liability, and travel across cities in search of better job opportunities. The investment is more on maintaining a lifestyle.

On the other hand, if you have a home during retirement it can prove to be a financial boon for you in times of emergency. This can also keep you away from the stress of paying monthly installments and rather invest in experiences. So if you have been staying on rent all your life, owning a home at 65 is a perfect decision, at least one tangible item that can be passed on to your future generation isn’t a bad idea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Is it better to buy property in your 20s or 40s?

Buying in your 20s provides long-term financial security, while buying in your 40s offers more stability and investment experience.

Q. Can a 60-year-old get a home loan?

Yes, banks offer home loans to senior citizens, but eligibility depends on income, assets, and financial stability.

Q. Is renting better than buying a home?

Renting offers flexibility, while buying ensures long-term security and asset appreciation. The choice depends on financial goals.

Duplex apartments are the ‘it’ thing in the real estate market. Though they have become a common sight now, but not all qualify for giving a quality & pleasurable lifestyle. Trimurty Builders have come up with Trimurty’s Ariana – Apartments Designed to Enjoy a Lavish Lifestyle. In it, they have options of 2BHK, 3BHK, 4BHK, 3BHK Duplex, and Penthouses. It is the first project in Jagatpura to offer 3BHK Duplex apartments.

Importance of Vastu in a Duplex Home

Like every other space, the 3BHK Duplex homes should also consider Vastu, as it’s both the living & non-living that radiate energy. Every home, big or small, breathes & has a unique aura.

• Earlier, all this was just considered a hypothesis, but with instruments such as Thermo Aura and Lecher Antenna conducting studies in this field, one can surely say that a house radiates energy.

• Trimurty would like to share with you some Vastu tips that’ll provide a positive aura to a duplex home.

Vastu Guidelines for Key Areas in a Duplex

1. Staircase

Staircase plays a vital role in duplex houses. As per Vastu Shastra, the ideal place for positioning a staircase is South, South-West, and North-West. Stairs in the Southeast direction lead to legal problems.

Remedy for this Vastu Dosha

• Choose any colour belonging to the red family.

• In the Southeast direction, apply nine cranial stones.

• North is also not a good location for a staircase. If shifting is not possible, ensure nothing is stored beneath the stairs.

• As a remedy, apply a light yellow colour beneath the stairs.

2. First Floors

• Balconies in the upper floors should be positioned in the North, East, or North-East.

• Bedrooms and study rooms should be positioned on the first floor, as these personal spaces demand peace and calm.

• One should avoid placing heavy things on the first floor.

• Doors and windows should be placed in the North and East.

• The ceiling height of the first floors should be less when compared to the lower floors.

3. Puja Room

The ideal place for a puja room is North-East, East, or North. It must be placed in the centre of the home. The reason why a puja room should not be placed on the first floor is that it becomes difficult for the elderly to go to the temple.

Conclusion

Following Vastu principles for your duplex apartment can create a balanced, peaceful, and prosperous living space. Proper staircase placement, first-floor design, and a well-positioned puja room can significantly enhance positivity in your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Where should the staircase be in a duplex as per Vastu?

The best directions for a staircase are South, South-West, or North-West. Avoid Southeast or North to prevent legal or financial issues.

Q. Which direction is ideal for a puja room in a duplex?

The puja room should be in the North-East, East, or North to enhance spiritual energy and positivity.

Q. What should be avoided on the first floor of a duplex?

Avoid placing heavy furniture or items, and ensure balconies face North, East, or North-East for good energy flow.