Bathroom Storage Ideas for Indian Upper-Middle Homes
Elegant Bathroom Storage for Indian Home Buyers As an Upper-Middle-Class home buyer, you always want to design, declutter and enhance your bathroom spaces and make the very best of every square inch available. Storage is an important aspect that can’t be taken lightly! Be it an apartment in a high-rise building or an apartment or builder floor, the sizes of bathrooms are usually between 50 and 100 square feet. The spaces are usually less, considering that you need space for a water closet, a shower section and a wash basin in your bathroom. So, how do you use the space available to balance functionality and aesthetics perfectly? Here are some bathroom storage ideas you can consider while designing and planning your bathroom. The needs differ depending on whether you have less space or more in your bathrooms. Normally, you have at least 3 bathrooms in an upper-middle-class home. Some homes even have a powder room next to the dining or drawing/living room. So, not all bathrooms can have the same design look. Depending on the type of bathroom, and its utility, the choices can be different. Storage is an important element of that! The bathroom helps you store many items, like toiletries and bottles of shampoos/conditioners by different companies for varied purposes. With so many assorted items to store, smart bathroom storage tips help you get the most out of the available space in your apartment or a ‘builder floor’ in India. These ideas and tips work for tiny and big bathroom areas with a large vanity for maximum storage, and help you make the most of every square inch. After all, you will need everything in your bathroom to look tidy and well-organised so that every family member’s functional needs are met. Men’s needs are different from women’s. A lot depends on many things such as the needs, preferences, age etc. of your loved ones living in your apartment. Likewise, the earning younger couple in an Indian household with children in school/college would have different needs compared to their parents staying with them. The set of toiletries and grooming kits, needed for women and men of various age groups vary, and so do their storage needs. Children have different needs, and at times parents are required to watch over their children, the height and placement need to be such that children can reach some types of items. Plus, there could be items you would want to be out of reach of smaller children for safety purposes. If the bathroom is exclusively for adults, the needs differ, whereas women and children have different storage needs. All of them must be able to reach out to the items of need in the bathroom without a struggle. The storage must also be conveniently placed based on the height and age of the bathroom users. They must be easy to put back after use, and not difficult to open/close or pick from. Whether it is placement of your towels or organizing your toiletries, the bathroom needs to do everything efficiently. The key is to know who will use the bathroom, and explore their preferences, likes/dislikes, abilities, convenience, and overall functionality and aesthetics to make bathroom use and manage the storage conveniently and efficiently. Depending on the above criteria, you can pick on the ideas below that are only suggestive. Besides this, the tips and ideas allow you to open up your horizons and the expectations you have from yourself and your interior designer while designing your bathrooms. Plus, if you are buying a standalone building apartment or builder-floor, the builder may even accommodate your requests to change and incorporate design elements that you have picked from various sources. 1. Single-Vanity Bathroom Storage Ideas A single vanity right under a large wash basin works well as a storage and table for your wash basin. You could have several drawers on the upper part of the single large vanity, and open storage racks on the lower part. Here you could keep items like towels, toilet paper etc which are good for ventilation too. 2. Large Drawers Make It Easy to Pull Out You could also opt for large pull-out drawers with inbuilt dividers. Being below your bathroom wash basins, you could tie them up with the plumbing needs for the wash basin to fit and for water pipes to occupy some space. Clearly, you can store just about everything from your cosmetics to big-sized bottles viz. shampoos, conditioners, perfumes, and cosmetics. Being big, you can also add smaller partition drawers (both paper and plastic) to make them more decluttered, and easy to access. 3. Cabinets on the Wall: Use Vertical Spaces If you don’t have enough space on the wall where your mirror is hung above the wash basin, you can hang a cabinet on the adjoining to keep bottles, tubes, jars and other toiletries of different sizes. Such tall shelves give you great relief when space is a constraint, and give you a sense of spaciousness. Plus, accessing these items becomes easier. The cabinets’ handles should be placed so that users of different heights can easily access, open and shut the cabinet doors. 4. Standalone Storage Drawers If you don’t have vanity storage, you could use an old dressing table or chest drawers, provided it fits in the area of your bathroom. Of course, this is over and above your wash basin. You could even decorate it with a tray, full of curios like an elegant small lamp, assorted candles or plants. 5. Long Bathroom Shelves: Recessed Structure You could use the niches on the wall to store items, including niches behind the doors. This would allow you to organise many of your bathroom toiletries, towels, and clothes. You could create multiple shelves in these narrow spaces/niches to store many items conveniently. You could even label these shelves to give them a more structured look and feel. This works well for children’s and guest bathrooms. 6. Antique Furniture Repurposed as Bathroom
Stylish & Practical Bathroom Ideas for India’s Upper Middle-Class Home Buyers- Part 3
Click here for Part 1 & Part 2 In this article, we shall continue to explore how you can be clear about your expectations and sense of aesthetics around your bathroom. The article is meant for an upper-middle-class homeowner in India who wants more than something ordinary. This article aims to gather and trigger ideas about what you can do to enhance the functionality, beauty and overall look of your bathroom as per your unique tastes and preferences. The ideas and suggestions themselves are likely to trigger a sense of preference and make choosing and wanting different options for bathroom design, materials and accessories/fittings clearer. So, spending some time on a refreshing new way to look and recreate your dream bathroom is good. While you may have the help of an interior designer, being well-prepared and having a range of options always pays! Even your interior designer will be happy. Also, if you are buying an apartment from a standalone building builder, then this will be even more helpful. Many standalone builders are more than happy to accommodate your customisation requests, be it the bathroom or other parts of your dream home. Hence, it’s a good idea to build on your taste, preferences, priorities and expectations of how your bathrooms should be. The more you expect from yourself, the better will be the outcomes! Let’s get exploring… 16. Choose Compact Pieces When space is a constraint, use smaller sinks (wash basins). However, do not make them too small in width i.e. from the tap (faucet) to where you will stand. There you surely need at least 11 inches of clear space to use it effectively while washing hands or rinsing your mouth etc. Small shower walk-ins too save on space. 17. Consider Closed Storage to Stay Organized To give a semblance of a good, hygienic and well-organised view, you could also go for closed bathroom storage. A linen closet (basically a small wardrobe in the bathroom for clothes/towels etc.) can work wonders. Else, you could place a vanity with drawers/door underneath the wash basin or attach to it like a frame, or even a tabletop. 18. Curved Surfaces Release Space By using curved spaces, you could release some space in the bathroom. Every curve releases a few square inches. And, in a bathroom, every square inch matters! 19. Stylish Shelves Look Terrific & Save Space Sleek shelves give you that extra space that’s so important. Plus, open shelves also don’t let moulds develop because the ventilation is always good. 20. Choose a Wall-Mounted Tap/Faucet It’s so modern looking, easy to clean and very convenient. 21. Creative Storage- A Must Look for any dead space, and tell your builder to add a niche or a ledge. You can even look at making an in-built linen closet (wardrobe). 22. Vanity Washbasins, Ladder for Towels Look Beautiful & Save Space The vanity below an under-mount wash basin looks good. You can put more towels on it compared to a towel bar. The looks of a ladder make the bathroom contemporary and modern besides being functional. 23. Get rid of your Bottles Not every bottle in a bathroom is put to use. Decluttering is the best solution. Put away things or toiletries that are used sparingly. 24. Lights in Bathroom Niches and Ceiling A spotlight in a bathroom niche gives a very expansive look to a bathroom. Plus, the bright light you get is worth a sight! 25. Get a Wall-Mount Water Closet It not only looks attractive but is very space-saving. Cleaning under the WC gets easier. The top portion of the concealed water tank of the WC can be used as a ledge to keep items and even a small green pot. 26. Tile Patterns Leave Scope for Creativity Interesting patterns make your bathroom stand out. You can use various combinations of dark and light patterns to make it look beautifully different. Need not just go with ceramic tiles. 27. Natural Accent Colours Go Well with White Bathrooms It’s so calming when you pair your white bathroom with natural pastel shades. It gives a very coherent look. You can also use different art and/or wall hangings or wall paintings to accentuate your bathroom walls. 28. Go Unusual You can break the mould to choose different things with different shapes. For instance, an uneven mirror, an unconventional wash basin or even a water closet looks very refreshing. This adds a certain character and depth to your bathroom like nothing else! https://in.pinterest.com/pin/365213851023799995/ 29. Use Brass For Class They make any bathroom look plush and classic with a vintage and rare look that’s hard to beat. 30. Go For a Single Colour Boldly Single-colour themes can be equally impressive. They break the mould in a very unconventional way! 31. Get A Mirror with Built-In Storage A built-in storage mirror is truly multifunctional. 32. Using Spaces Above the Water Closet Toilet This is the best place to utilize for curios and storage. It can be used in many ways that are space-saving. 33. Towel Racks Not A Must for Super-Small Bathroom Instead, you could just use a small handle or a hook. A towel rack is over-rated, and certainly not a must-have! 34. Keep Things Simple In Your Powder Room If you don’t have much to store, don’t clutter the powder room. It has a limited function for a small spaced area in your house. 35. Paint or Wall-papers: Evocative Neutrals Tell a Story Neutral colours like beige are so calming and relaxing. You can never go wrong with a serene-looking tranquillity staring at you through your bathroom, dining, drawing kitchen or bedroom walls. 36. Pendant Light Gives You a Magical Feel Go beyond the sconce lighting! A decent pendant light can steal the show in one glimpse! 37. Mirrors All Around on Many Walls This makes any room feel bigger and much fun. However, you have to be very sure when you use it. 38. Match Your Hardware & Bathroom Accessories You need to
RERA Telangana: Impact on Homebuyers in Hyderabad (Part 1)
RERA Telangana: Impact on Homebuyers in Hyderabad (Part 1) Telangana Real Estate Regulation Act (RERA) is a boon and has REGULATED the Real Estate sector! Both ‘promoters’ (builders), as well as ‘agents’, are now brought under the legal purview of the regulatory authority. This means PEACE OF MIND!! To explain RERA with an analogy- RERA is to Real Estate what IRDA or TRAI is to the Insurance and Telecom sector! Simply put- they PROTECT THE CUSTOMERS’ INTERESTS! RERA gave the much-needed deterrence mechanism to the real estate sector. RERA Telangana made the Real Estate industry transparent and trustworthy. What does a regulatory authority do? RERA Telangana Why did we adopt RERA at all? RERA- a relief was born! How RERA helped the growth of Hyderabad / Telangana Real Estate Overall, the growth of Telangana State has been augmented with the implementation of RERA Telangana since 2017! Telangana RERA has benefitted the Economic growth of the State. Telangana Real Estate has grown giving investment returns to investors. All this is because business and returns are possible only on a foundation of trust, transparency, and well-regulated Government controls. The real Estate Business has only gotten better in Telangana, and especially Hyderabad with TS-RERA. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To know more about “RERA: a boon for homebuyers making the home-purchase process safe and tension-free!”.Click here!
Stylish & Practical Bathroom Ideas for India – Part 2
This is part II of the article titled ‘Stylish & Practical Bathroom Ideas for India’s Upper Middle-Class Home Buyers- Part I’. Click here for Part I. In this article, we shall continue building on our preferences, ideas, options and inspiration on how to design our bathroom as an Upper-Middle-Class home buyer who wants a great bathroom! Sole dependency on an interior designer doesn’t work! We need to be in control of what we want, and be aware/conscious of the possible choices that many facets of design, aesthetics and functionality offer! By building upon and exploring different options/ideas we end up refining our tastes, preferences and choices on just about anything. With that in mind, our goal is to make our bathroom truly an extension of our persona and lifestyle. What you need to do is to wonder and think a bit harder about the kind of design or material or a certain ‘look & feel’ is the one for you. You can give wings to your imagination and preferences by knowing and choosing the one that makes you feel good! The point is, that you can never go wrong by thinking differently and ‘outside the box’. You don’t need to follow or fall for something that’s the latest trend. You don’t need to follow the latest trends. This open-mindedness makes your choices and the outcome of your bathroom design custom-made for your happiness and comfort. Plus, you don’t need validation from anyone except yourself about how a certain design element looks or feels to you. Bathroom Ideas to Get Inspired: An Exhaustive & Suggestive List… Continued 7. Tiles for Bathroom Wall Covering a small bathroom with tiles is a terrific idea to give it that uber-chic look. It gives the much-needed durability to the wall and makes it timeless. With the right colour, hues, shades and texture of a tile, you can create a visually appealing feel to your bathroom. It can range from being dark and attractive to having equally appealing and very bright shades. While there are no rules, the combination of tiles must look coherent to you, and not put your senses to discomfort. Ceramic tiles come in many configurations. Ceramic tiles can also range from small to big ones. For instance, a 2-foot x 2-foot floor tile on the ground floor looks good and gives a very upscale feel to a washroom. Of course, the floor tiles must be skid-proof, and must not be slippery. That’s dangerous for kids as much as elders regardless of their age. The bathroom wall tiles can be slightly bigger 4-foot x 2-foot. Even smaller tiles fitted will give a very good look. There are no hard and fast rules, except that the colours and execution of fitting the tiles matter! Even a small section of pattered tiles on the wall gives a chic look to the bathroom walls. 8. Clear Floor with Slick Wash Basins This is where you have lots of options. Some prefer the pedestal look, and many like to leave a clean look and space on the floor with wall-mounted wash basins. Semi-pedestal ones strike a good balance and do well in hiding the plumbing pipes that run under the wash basin. You could choose either one depending on which looks better. For more clear space on the floor and good aesthetics, a clearer floor could be a more functionally good option. You could also go for the cabinet-based wash basins which give a clear floor. Surface wall-hung mounted cabinets are good, and look chic too. Being suspended above the floor, and with no contact with the floor makes the bathroom look more spacious. Cleaning also gets easier and unobstructed with these. If you want to use the area under the wash basins for storage, you could use shelves or tabletop wash basins. These also give you adequate space to keep your toiletries on the tabletop. However, when you have more storage below the wash basin level, it can look a bit cramped. This can also result in a lack of free movement around an already less space. A pedestal wash basin, a wall-mounted wash basin, and even a tabletop floating (wall-mounted/fitted) give a more spacious and functionally easier look and feel. Floating storage makes it easier for you to pick your toiletries etc with much greater ease. Floating storage can be created above the water closet, around the mirrors of even under the wash basin. 10. Paint for Better Lighting and Sense of Spaciousness Can you go for just a painted look on the wall? Absolutely. It’s like a breath of fresh air when you don’t go for conventional ceramic tiles or wallpapers. You could accentuate the feel of your bathroom with roller blinds, coupled with painted walls. Painted walls are excellent reflective surfaces and give a much better ventilated feel to your small bathroom. The pain can be glossy or even dull finish. You could paint just a section of the wall in combination with ceramic tiles. The colours can be bright to give a shiny and uplifting mood too. This is achieved better with paint. 11. A Patterned Floor, Wall Tiles, Mirrored Cabinets and Built-In Cabinets Patterned floor tiles or even walls can give a nice funky and retro look to your bathroom. Depending on the pattern, it could even look very modern. A windowless bathroom with patterned tiles also looks good and makes it roomy and shiny. Mirrored cabinets and glass shower enclosures make the light brighter. Built=in cabinets too are fabulous when it comes to space saving. 12. Shower Niche for the Toiletries Shower niches are great for small bathrooms. They help make it look well-organised and do not add to the pain of taking away too much space. Plus, a shower niche is so handy right under the shower. It’s very convenient and a delight. 13. Use of Ledges for More Space A Ledge or shelf does a great job of keeping things in the open. They save space without
Stylish & Practical Bathroom Ideas for Indian Homes – Pt 1
Here’s Few Bathroom Ideas for India’s Upper-Middle-Class – Pt 1 As part of your interior design process, one of the priority areas you need to get right is the bathroom. As an urban home buyer, you must get the best out of your bathroom. Your bathroom needs to be the most beautiful, inviting and functional space with a stunning look to relax your senses. A bathroom is now a space in your house where you pamper yourself, and meet yourself in a calm and tranquil state of mind. As you enter your bathroom, the mind and body must ease beyond compare! This means as an urban upper-middle-class home buyer, you must want more. For this to happen, you need to invest time and effort in making your bathroom design exceptional. Sometimes our bathroom interiors don’t turn out the way they should! The reason is simple- lack of time or sheer lack of interest, and/or over-dependency on an interior designer. Build Your Knowledge, Refine Your Expectations What you can do with your home bathrooms depends on how well-prepared and clear you are about your expectations and sense of aesthetics. More often than not, we end up designing or creating a bathroom without much thought on building our taste or knowledge around it. That doesn’t get you the best value for your money. So, even if you are busy, it’s good to spare some quality time in building your expectations and looking for what can be a dream bathroom, regardless of its size. Of course, having an interior designer is a great idea, but being prepared and having clear ideas about what your likes, dislikes, preferences and priorities matter! No matter what home you have. Your home could be a studio apartment, a bigger 3 or 4 BHK unit, an expensive ultra-luxe high-rise apartment, or a standalone building apartment/builder floor. You simply need to rise above the ordinary and prepare yourself to know what to expect from the bathroom. The first step to designing a good bathroom is to build on your priorities. Expect more from yourself. Try harder to think about what will make you and your family happy, what will surprise you, what will soothe your senses, and what will make you want to feel the joy of using the bathroom more often than not. You have many modern companies that have catalogues that give a complete idea of how to build a modern-looking bathroom. Look them up, and pick on the ideas. This helps you have a more confident conversation with your interior designer. While an interior designer will give you many ideas, it always pays to have an idea beforehand and to challenge yourself to keep abreast with all that’s happening in the bathroom design and décor space in India and worldwide. Let’s explore some beautiful bathroom ideas and inspiration over a series of articles to get you thinking and truly inspired… Small Bathroom Areas- The Space Crunch The square foot areas and natural light get problematic with small bathroom areas since the ventilation and window areas are also smaller. The best way to mitigate this issue is to squeeze the right type and amount of fixtures despite the challenge of spaces you want to decorate. Done right, even a small bathroom can seem much brighter and far more spacious than it is! And yes, it has nothing to do with spending a ridiculous amount of money. For example, things like carving a window into the wall or adding glass bricks are not as expensive as we may wrongly assume. Knowing about a variety of small bathroom design ideas makes you equipped to reimagine spaces, and gives you the conviction that there’s a lot you can do even with bold designs. Bathroom Ideas to Get Inspired: An Exhaustive & Suggestive List 1. Use Light and Bright Colours Light and bright work wonders! For instance, a wooden floor in a bathroom can do magic for your urban bathroom. It exudes warmth and serenity like nothing else. Similarly, a soft blue-coloured bathroom reflects the natural light oozing through the windows in the most remarkable way. This makes the spaces surrounding the shower/bath area far more open. Lightweight curtains can also be used to allow maximum penetration of light. 2. Enchanting Dark Colour Scheme Surprising as it may sound, black colour can also create an illusion of a bigger space. This is so true of a small bathroom. Glossy super dark colours have a mesmerising effect on how spacious and rich they can feel. The effect is nothing short of a dark starry night where the expanse of the skies opens up in your small bathroom area. The tiny amount of light that reflects from dark or black surfaces is enough to highlight the bathroom fixtures and accessories. In fact, the lighter the fixtures, the more they outshine in a dark-coloured scheme of your bathroom. Even large-looking lighting and bulbs create an effect in the black bathroom that truly enhances the bathroom fixtures. 3. Mirror Mirror on The Wall To get a big feel, you can choose to mirror your entire wall of the bathroom. Do not just hang in a mirror. The reflection of light can double up like a window. Even the light that enters through the door when you open your bathroom creates a marvellous effect. 4. Glass Shower Partition or Ready-Made Enclosure: A Great Option Glass doors or partitions not only keep unnecessary water from splashing from the bathroom to the Water Closet area but also give it a more chic look. It certainly helps keep your bathroom dry. It does open up spaces, and the additional Rs 30,000 to 60,000 you spend on the glass shower from reputed brands like Jaquar is a no-brainer. They are like an investment into functionality and aesthetics rolled into one! 5. No Shower Door, Just Half-Frame Partitions If your bathroom has a reasonably decent width or about 6 feet then you can easily just put a static partition or
Decluttering Indian Homes: Tips for a Calm & Organized Space
Decluttering your home can seem overwhelming, but turning it into a habit makes it manageable. By focusing on small, consistent steps, you can maintain an organized, stress-free living space. Learn practical tips on how to declutter effectively and make it a lasting part of your routine.
7 tips to improve ‘credit scores’ for home loans in India!
Our ‘credit score’ is the most crucial indicator of our trustworthiness to home loan lending banks in India. The home loan market operates on a cautious and speculative approach to lending, much like a jeweller assessing the purity of gold. Financial institutions are risk-averse and do not want to lend money to borrowers who might default or are not disciplined in managing their finances. A high credit score, like a well-polished gem, signals reliability and trustworthiness to lenders. There are 4 credit bureaus operating in India viz. TransUnion CIBIL, Equifax, Experian and CRIF Highmark. They collect and keep a structured record of information for the lenders to use in making their credit related decisions like offering home loans, personal loans etc. Credit scores are compiled based on an individual’s credit history, payment behaviour, and borrowing patterns. Credit bureaus provide this information to lending institutions as well as to individuals who wish to know about their own credit history. Financial institutions use them to evaluate a borrower’s creditworthiness and to make informed lending decisions while granting a loan. As borrowers (home loan applicants), we need to realize that credit score cannot be built overnight! Here are some ways we can build the foundation to a great credit score!! Any home loan provider would like to avoid making costly mistakes they may have made in the past by offering loans to people who are not good on repayments. All these precautions and filters are applied on each applicant while assessing a home loan application from a borrower. A low credit score usually indicates poor payment history. Lenders don’t want to risk their money with such individuals. Sometimes, low scores happen because people don’t understand how the credit system works. This is why anyone who wants to own a home with a loan needs to understand credit scores and work to keep a high credit score. For example, making timely payments on credit cards and loans can help maintain a good score, making it easier to get approved for a home loan. 1. How does a High credit score help? You simply get loans effortlessly with a high credit score. With a high credit score you even end up paying a much lower rate of interest compared to those who have a poor credit score. With a high credit score, your intent-to-repay diligently and trustworthiness gets established. Another advantage is that the lender might even be willing to offer you more loan amount than your seek or expect! A lender is happier lending money to someone who is known to honour repayments rather than to someone with a poor record of repayments. Simply put, you not only have better negotiation power, but are also preferred by the lender when you seek to borrow money. 2. Is paying bills your bills on time is important for good credit scores? Yes…it is! Not paying what’s due on time harms your credit score. More important, whatever is the ‘minimum amount due’ must be paid. We also need to know- there is nothing wrong in revolving on your credit card, but NOT paying the minimum amount due on or before the due date is harmful. While the lenders (credit card issuers) charge a late fee and even interest when you have a revolving credit, the problem comes when ‘minimum due’ is NOT paid. The unpaid dues are reported to credit bureaus, and a trend of not paying hits your credit scores badly. Sometimes, people are just FORGETFUL and have all the intention of paying back, but end-up DELAYING the payment. They even pay the late fees and interest, but a trend of non-payment is already reported to bureaus like CIBIL, and the damage is done. So, it is NOT the amount of loan you took that pulls down your credit score. It is actually the non-payment of dues on-time that harms you! The worst thing a borrower can do is not pay dues when there is a dispute or disagreement over charges levied by banks, such as late fees, finance charges (interest), or unapproved charges on a credit card. While the reason for disputing these charges might be valid, delaying payment until the bank resolves the issue is a mistake. For example, if you disagree with a late fee, it’s better to pay the fee first and then argue your case. This approach helps maintain a good credit score and avoids further complications. Always remember: Pay first, argue later! More so, missing a payment for 30 days or more further hits the credit score adversely. 3. Tracking and paying back your loans on time helps! Developing a habit of tracking multiple loans running simultaneously is beneficial. For a great credit score, keep a record of all your payments and their due dates. For example, using a calendar or a financial app to remind you of upcoming payments can ensure you never miss a due date. Maintaining a consistent repayment schedule helps improve your credit score significantly. 4. Making micropayments frequently improves credit score Credit utilisation is another factor that immensely influences your credit score. Credit utilization is the percentage of the total credit being used by you. Banks have a yardstick to measure your credit scores by the utilisation. As per Experts, credit utilization below 30 percent helps build a good credit score. For example, if you have a Rs 3,00,000 available credit, and your outstanding balances are less than Rs 30,000, then you are considered to be a blue-eyed potential customer (borrower). Frequent payments is a great way to positively impact your credit utilisation. This means with several short and micropayments in a month, you can actually improve your credit scores! A habit of CONSTANTLY WATCHING your credit, and making conscious attempt to bring down your outstanding is made evident by these multiple micropayments. 5. Rectifying erroneous credit report is possible We need to watch out for wrong entries, and highlight any discrepancies to the bureau (CIBIL) to get it rectified. You must not be reluctant or negligent about
Rise in Construction Cost in India: A Growing Burden on Builders & Home-Buyers!
Cost of Construction in India: Rising and It’s Growing Challenge for Builders and Homebuyers Construction costs in India have been rising every six months since 2021, burdening both builders and home buyers. Builders have to pass on these increased costs to home buyers, who are understandably unhappy. According to a recent JLL report, the Construction Cost Guide 2024, there is likely to be an average increase of six per cent across various sectors in the country. Home buyers who seek 2bhk or 3 bhk apartments are already struggling to maintain high-income jobs and get home loans approved. Lending banks are also overly cautious in approving home loans in the post-COVID era. The rising construction costs make this even harder, putting home buyers at a disadvantage. Many are uncertain if prices will decrease anytime soon, but a price correction seems unlikely. The main reasons for the cost increase are higher prices for cement and steel, driven further by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and lockdowns in China. The steep rise in prices has been noticeable since May 2022. These rising costs impact both developers and home buyers across India, especially in the affordable and mid-market segments (Rs 40 lakh to Rs 70 lakh budget range). Builders’ margins are becoming very thin, forcing them to rely on selling more apartments to stay afloat. In Q2 2024, residential prices continued to rise in India’s top seven cities (Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Pune, Kolkata). Year-on-year price increases ranged from 5% to 20%. Delhi NCR saw the highest price increase, with a significant jump of about 20%, while Bengaluru followed closely with around a 15% increase. As home buyers, we need to be aware of what’s happening on the construction cost front. Some facts- Rising Construction Costs in India: Key Facts Will demand for 2 BHK units rise due to the rising construction costs for middle class home buyers? Good News for Hyderabad, Telangana In Q1 of 2024, Hyderabad’s housing market has flourished, reflecting the city’s progressive spirit, much like a river that continually carves new paths. The strong IT industry acts as the heart of this growth, pumping vitality into the economy and drawing professionals from all over India in search of promising opportunities. This influx has sparked the development of diverse residential properties throughout the city. Hyderabad presents a wide array of housing options, accommodating various budgets and preferences. Whether in Kokapet, Sainikpuri, or Yapral, home buyers can find 2BHK and 3BHK apartment homes that meet their unique needs. High-end buyers with budget of over 2 crores can opt for larger, luxurious projects in areas like Neopolis- Kokapet, while those seeking greenery, value-for-money, and a natural habitat can find affordable apartments in standalone building apartments constructed on smaller plots ranging from 500 to 1200 square yards. These standalone building apartments are preferred by home buyers in Hyderabad in the well-established colonies of vibrant localities of Hyderabad like Alwal, Sainikpuri, and Yapral. Don’t Delay: Seize the Opportunity to Buy Property Now Will prices drop in the future—2023 or beyond? The answer is a resounding NO. Think of the property market as a rising sun; waiting for prices to fall is like waiting for the sun to set in the morning. So, it’s wise not to delay buying your residential apartment, no matter where you live in India. To know more about “Hi Tension Road: a fast-developing shopping hub in Sainikpuri, Yapral locality in Hyderabad”. Click here!
Sainikpuri: A Rising Lifestyle Hub in Hyderabad
Sainikpuri Main Road and Adjoining Areas In 2024 and beyond, Admiral Katari Marg, also known as Sainikpuri main road, is emerging as the ultimate destination for shopping, dining, and lifestyle indulgence. If you’ve experienced the tranquillity of Yapral-Sainikpuri, you’ve felt its charming, green grandeur! The lush green beauty of the 1.5 km stretch of Sainikpuri is simply mesmerising. What’s Making Sainikpuri Main Road So Happening? Sainikpuri main road caters to every need – from casual bites and fine dining to grocery shopping and beauty parlours. The buzzing ambiance of Sainikpuri main road makes it a favourite among shoppers and visitors. Pulsating with life, the Sainikpuri main road showcases stylish eateries and rooftop cafes, treating you to breath-taking panoramas of the flourishing, lush-green tree cover. Residents of the Yapral-Sainikpuri-Alwal belt adore the welcoming, convenient, and pleasant atmosphere! Whether you’re here for groceries, personal grooming, or to enjoy quality time with friends at eateries, Sainikpuri main road ensures a delightful experience. Why are 3bhk apartment Home Buyers Attracted to Sainikpuri-Yapral Belt? New apartments in the Yapral-Sainikpuri area, including standalone buildings and complexes, contribute significantly to the growth of Sainikpuri main road. Local as well as global home buyers are choosing the serene Yapral-Sainikpuri belt for its natural beauty and cantonment-like aesthetics. The area’s lush green tree cover is complemented by the rapid expansion of retail, dining, and shopping options along Sainikpuri main road. Where Exactly is Sainikpuri Main Road? You can see the beauty of Sainikpuri main road gracefully nestled between two enchanting expanses of greenery. On one side of the road you have the Sainikpuri Housing Society, while on the other, you have Vayupuri & Defence Colony adding to the serenity of this area. Embark on a delightful car drive along the 1.5-kilometer stretch of Sainikpuri’s main road to experience it first-hand. The Sainikpuri main road begins from Sainikpuri X roads to the Army establishment ‘College of Defence Management’ (CDM) and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan School & Colleges. The road seamlessly extends further away from Sainikpuri X road signal, connecting to Dr. A.S.Rao Nagar, E.C.I.L., Keesara and the Nehru Outer Ring Road (ORR). Sainikpuri Main Road: High Potential of Further Growth Remarkably, only 30% of the Sainikpuri main road plots are currently occupied by commercial and retail establishments, leaving abundant space for future opportunities. This is why you will continue to witness growth and transformation of this predominantly residential 70% into a bustling mega-shopping and lifestyle hub, promising vibrancy even beyond 2024. Plus, with plot sizes of over 1000 square yards in Sainikpuri and Vayupuri, you can clearly expect the rise of new commercial structures that will enhance the grandeur of Sainikpuri main road. Ground floor rentals on this sought-after stretch are already touching over Rs 200 per square foot, depending on the property type, location, and amenities. This prime location is capturing the attention of big retailing, franchisee businesses, and retail owners, drawn to its lucrative potential. Sainikpuri Main Road: Attractive for Businesses With footfall steadily increasing, the relaxed ambiance of this area adds an extra layer of appeal. A big reason- rentals in this zone are comparatively economical, fostering a conducive environment for businesses, as consumers exhibit a higher inclination to spend in this thriving locale. No wonder new apartment and home buyers are quick to seize the opportunity to be in and around this locality. The residents of Sainikpuri-Yapral belt love the vibe of Sainikpuri main road- a place where commerce meets tranquillity in perfect harmony. On Sainikpuri main road, you can experience the vibrant energy of Shivams Premium and Shivams Tejas buildings, where bustling activity meets elegant spaces. Nearly fully occupied, these structures offer the convenience of two expansive underground basements, ensuring a seamless and stress-free parking experience. Tejas Premium at Vayupuri- a beautiful retail space building near Sainikpuri X road. It houses names such as Starbucks, Juice Salon (Beauty salon), House Party Bar & Kitchen, Flechazo Casual Dining among other offices. Shivams Tejas at Vayupuri- is a grand retail building with outlets comprising of- Ratnadeep Supermarket, Pure O’Natural, V2 Fitness Gym, Thunder Gaming Lounge, Anna Native restaurant, Punjabi Chaap corner, Toni & Guy beauty salon, Envi beauty salon, Advanced GroHair among others. Let’s go over just a few on-the-ground outlets that give Sainikpuri main road it’s promising flavor. Prominent Outlets, Shops and Eateries on Sanikpuri Main Road 1. Ratnadeep Supermarket Ratnadeep has a thriving and megastore with ample of parking space in Shivams Tejas here. It’s a massive store where shopping is a delight. 2. Starbucks and Mahendra mithawala. Both these premium outlets opened in September 2022 in Shivams Premium. You can see a discerning customer base entering these shops. At Starbucks, Sainikpuri, you can ‘Expect More Than Coffee’. Starbucks are known to be passionate purveyors of coffee and a rewarding coffeehouse experience. You also get a selection of premium Tazo teas, fine pastries, and other delectable treats to please your taste buds. And the music in-store is chosen for its artistry and appeal. People visit Starbucks to chat, meet up, or work. Mahendra mithatwala at Sainikpuri offers you sweets, bakery, namkeens. The brand has been operating since 1960. They are known for their clean and high quality products made by using the most modern technology to suits the contemporary tastes. 3. Flechazo Flechazo casual dining restaurant is also located right above Starbucks at Sainikpuri, and serves a great social ambience besides great Mediterranean, Continental, North Indian and Mangalorean cuisine. [Source- https://www.dineout.co.in/] 4. V2 Fitness gym V2—an upscale fitness haven featuring cutting-edge gym facilities and a sophisticated V2 Café catering to discerning health enthusiasts. You can indulge in contemporary fitness amenities, unwind in our state-of-the-art sauna, and savour delectable, nourishing meals at V2 cafe. Residents in and around this locality elevate their fitness journey with V2 for a comprehensive and world-class well-being experience. 5. 10 Downing pub 10 Downing, a happening pub, stands as the coveted social hub in the picturesque locale of Sainikpuri. Drawing visitors from across Hyderabad, it stands out with its inviting ambiance,
Top 5 Must-Checks Before Buying a Flat in a Standalone Building in Hyderabad!
5 Things to Check Before Buying an Apartment in a ‘Standalone Building’ at Hyderabad! With so many builders offering ‘standalone building apartments’ it is extremely important that you take the right steps to check the ‘quality’ of your home in Hyderabad. The key to buying a good apartment worth your money is ‘knowing what and how to check‘ when it comes to quality. This means we need to be aware of what all goes into the making of a standalonebuilding apartment. Once we are aware of the basics, we will not fallinto the trap of a sub-standard apartment! A. ‘Quality costs’! The most important thing to understand is that ‘quality costs’, and anything that’s too cheap cannot be the best! Many low-quality builders beat the prices by offering irresistible low-price that are too good torefuse. These deals are only to lure you and to fit into your low-budget, and come at the cost of giving you a poor quality, inferior, and sub-standard apartment home. Now, that’s a bad deal to go for! This is a point most home buyers miss! The craze of getting a good pricing deal blinds even the most wise people. The simply forget or ignore to look into the ‘quality aspect’. The result of this costly mistake is a poor quality home that begins looking worn-out much sooner than you expect. Plus, a sub-standard apartment does not get you the right resale price after a few years. So, eventually it turns out to be a poor investment that’s just not worth it! Plus, your family is not happy living in a home that reeks of bad quality! Why does quality cost more? It’s simple- when it comes to using good quality cement, the top branded cement costs almost 30% to 40% more than some other low-end cement brands. The same goes for steel,which makes for a bulk of your construction costs. The question is: do we even bother to ask about these? Do they matter to us? The builder knows about the lack of knowledge and interest a home buyer has in quality aspect. Plus, a builder who is only focussed in cutting costs and price will have no moral obligation to give you the bestquality. We need to understand that good quality is long lasting and far more sturdy! More important- it’s worth paying a few lacs more if you get an overall superior quality home. By being ‘aware’ of what goes into the making of an apartment, you can check if the tall claims of your builder are true or not. The false or misleading claims of a builder get exposed just by knowing the rightquestions to ask regarding construction. So, before you book your apartment, ask the right questions. B. Evaluating your ‘standalone building’ apartment in Hyderabad: checks to perform! 1. Existing projects delivered by builder of a standalone building Existing projects already delivered by the builder with RERA & GHMC approvals are an indicator to tell you how the standalone building is build. Another thing is to just visit the existing project. The building speaks with you about its own quality as you walk into an existing delivered project. One visit to previous projects, and a casual chat with existing owners is enough to get you a perspective. Reputation of a builder must be a factor while buying your home. You must not be swayed away only by impressive marketing efforts. A well-marketed home does not mean it’s a high-quality home. 2. Professionalism, customer-orientation and discipline of a builder Check if the builder delivered on the possession timelines. The feedback by occupants of previous projects will expose you to all that you need to know. It is better to learn from others’ experience ratherthan going ahead blindly without checking on the veracity of a builder’s claims. Similarly, the good points will give you the assurance to go ahead with a professional builder. It’s simple- timely possession of a project by a builder speaks volumes about the trustworthiness of a standalonebuilding builder. Positive or negative feedback by existing occupants of the previously delivered projects will ease your decision process backed by validation. Nothing speaks louder than the truth! 3. Check on specifications- ‘claims versus reality’ Specifications are specified by all the builders about the kind of materials, fittings and fixtures they will use in making your home. You need to pay attention to the brands being used for sanitaryware, bath & kitchen fittings, external/internal paint, UPVC doors/windows, elevators, DG Gen-set, water connections,sewage system, electricity connection etc. Knowledge of the ‘brands’ of various materials helps us know what kind of quality is being put-together in our standalone apartment. This is important because sometime good-looking low-quality gets offered to us, which eventually wears-off over a period of time. While checking on brands, our focus must to know which are the most reliable, durable and preferred brands on various construction materials. A thorough understanding of sturdy brands of elevators/lifts, Diesel gen-sets, long-lasting paints etc. matters! Inside the house, electricals is an important element, where knowledge of different brands of electrical circuits, MCB, wiring and switches determines the quality a builder is offering. 4. Construction basics and construction-materials The most basic elements are cement and TMT bars being used. These need to be good quality. Good quality cement, a professionally done construction, branded TMT bars, good quality bricks, plastering, thickness of the columns, roof & beams speaks volumes about how robust the standalone building is. An efficient and well thought-out design also makes a building strong. The building must also conform to Earthquake resistant standards. Active involvement of a qualified architect and structural engineer during every step of the construction process is a must if the house has to be made safely complying to ‘National Building Code – Bureau of Indian Standards’. 5. Pre-construction rigour The builder must be truly committed to making construction based upon soil-testing report. Undertaking measures to secure the building against termites by engaging in a thorough anti-termite treatment are also a
