How COVID Reshaped Homebuyers’ Priorities in India
Buying Home During COVID: Expectations vs Reality | Avisun Properties Coronavirus has impacted lives the world over. People have gained an all-new perspective about their lives, and this has changed the priorities for the new home buyers as well. The way we look at work, family, friends, and life itself has changed. Although, it has scarred the mental make-up as well. With many jobs put out of gear, it has most certainly slowed down the fast-paced life and brought a re-invigorated perspective to the human connect factor. Globally, people have understood that being human matters! This includes the way home buyers look at their dream homes. New needs have emerged as a result of COVID, and a newfound pragmatism has come to the center stage. Clearly, the expectations of home buyers have evolved. Even after the COVID virus is gone, the transformation of expectations from a new home will continue to be based on having a dream home that’s pandemic ready! Families emerge more resilient and better connected post COVID Factors like lockdown have brought families together, and made them watch one another’s back. The scare of getting infected by the virus, the unsettling news about number of COVID deaths, unavailability of a cure, and the related struggles has resulted in a far more resilient world citizen. The pandemic has given birth to a hitherto less prevalent ‘social’ frame of reference’ where importance of life and being socially-connected has assumed renewed importance by the common man across the globe. It is a paradox that while ‘social distancing’ seeks restraint, we, as human beings have come to realize the ‘importance of being together’ much more after being asked to stay away from one another. This has led to the world looking at life differently, and even celebrating the gift of life! How people feel about human life and relationships has experienced a massive uplift for the good! All of a sudden, life has become valuable, relationships have taken precedence over mundane monetary considerations. Mother-nature has made human beings realize and appreciate that we must NOT take life for granted! Seeking answers to what a dream home means in the post COVID era The concept of a home has consequently changed, and the new priorities are driving the buyers as they explore home options. The buyers are asking themselves, “What kind of home will I need if a similar COVID-like situation emerges? What kind of home will it take for me and my family to be safe? What kind of requirements would I have if I were to be contained within the four walls of my home? What kind of social infrastructure, outside world connectivity, and inner solace would I be needing if I am NOT allowed to step out of my house?” These questions have triggered a clarity of thought that’s predominantly human in nature. All this has changed the criteria upon which a home search is based in a post COVID era. In this article, we shall dwell upon the following priorities which will be dominate the minds of home buyers in India, or even globally: Adequate lighting and spaciousness The urban population is used to a fast-paced life full of physical movement. However, when quarantine rules are imposed, families are stuck within the confines of their home. COVID has exposed us to suffocation that was never experienced over the last 4 or 5 decades. During such difficult times, a good amount of sunlight and spaces bring an unparalleled respite and cheer. This is one of the reasons many people who took smaller residential units were quick to upgrade to larger more spacious homes. A studio apartment with very limited space feels like a cage for an overgrown bird. Human beings want well lit, well ventilated spaces with a sense of airiness that brings down gloom. The scientific tenets of Vastu come into play here, which states that being happy, cheerful and a feeling of well-being are important elements for the well-being of a family. How you feel matters, and this becomes all the more critical when you are expected to stay indoors for weeks together during pandemic. Ease of cooking For those who have depended mostly on food supplied by outside sources on the move, the kitchen in their own homes was a new place they got introduced to. Plus, there are situations where more family members pitch in to cook, and lend a helping hand. In both these situations, the kitchen space needs to be welcoming, and easy to move around. The work triangle (cooking-hearth, wash-basin and refrigerator) in the kitchen needs to be efficient. An open kitchen in such a situation also does the job of making you feel connected to the family while you are in the kitchen, and your loved ones are around you in the dining or living room. The innate need to connect with the family members gets served well with an open kitchen. We can no longer order food sitting at home, or go out and eat food without the risk of contracting the virus. Hence, cooking at home should be made easier with a well-designed kitchen that helps you work effectively and efficiently. During lockdown, the kitchen truly took the centre stage of the home, and families go together while cooking, sitting together and eating a meal. The lockdown also created the special need to have adequate storage space to store food items. Again, the importance of dry warm storage spaces has come to light for the need to store large quantities of food items. Spaces for storage like food items, kitchen appliances and preparation areas would get more practical in the post Corona times. The efficiency with which one does the preparation work for the meals, cooks, serves and cleans has become extremely important. Builders and architects will need to invest more time and thought in providing greater convenience in the kitchen space. An optimally designed kitchen that’s a pleasure to work in would score a big nod from
what homebuyers in Hyderabad are looking for after COVID
All You Need To Know About What Are Home Buyers In Hyderabad Looking For After COVID-19? Having interacted with many potential home buyers over the last one year. We have been able to list down factors that home buyers are looking for in their apartment. The list of expectations and reasons comprise of: Affordability or Budget, as usual, is always an important aspect that’s always been a priority. With uncertainties like the COVID pandemic, the ability to pay the EMIs also comes under question. The way people looked at budget has also changed. Some are willing to take more home loans, others want to play it more cautious and save more for the rainy day. The danger of uncertainties on job front plays both ways- it could motivate a person to save or invest in property, or even make them reluctant or cautious. Is buying a new home a priority now? During our interaction with those who were willing to explore buying a home, we realised that COVID and the uncertainties that came along with it actually made some home buyers consider OWNING A HOME as a priority item. Some of the home buyers who would otherwise not have come forward to buying a home were in fact motivated to explore home options for themselves. On the psychological front, people seem to be ready and consciously realising the need to own a home! COVID 19 has put a strain on the minds as well as the financials, but it has also opened up peoples’ inclinations towards owning the roof under their heads. Some people are even expressing their desire to own a second outside of the city. Those living in the cities in apartments, and having the financial capability are seriously considering having more spacious living spaces out of the city limits, or even moving to areas with a low density living. Overall, the pandemic has certainly changed a lot on the home buyers’ expectation. It has also gone to show that human beings are necessarily social beings. The desire to own a home, and the keenness to be with family has only grown with the pandemic. The stress the pandemic has put on people is finding expression in more spacious homes that bring the families together, and give you more air to breathe! In this article we shall share the gist of interviews taken with the potential home buyers the team has interacted with since March 2020 through March 2021. Views shared by Ms. Tasneem, Operations Manager in ITeS industry, Age: 36years “We are currently living in a rented apartment in Secunderabad in a standalone building. While we have the reasonably good interaction with the 20 plus families residing in the building, we feel that there is always a difference between a ‘resident owner’, and a ‘resident on rent’. After pandemic, I am clearly looking for a 3 bhk for my family. We are 4 people living in the house- my husband, both my in-laws and myself. After lockdown, my husband and I had to work from home, and we had to create space in our bedroom. We had to buy office type chairs and one long table so that we could work. This was uncomfortable especially when we had to take calls. Plus, at times both I and my husband ended up disturbing one another. Working from home poses certain challenges, and we went through them all. Plus, there is always a distraction by way of in-laws being in the house. Plus, you find it difficult when you are coordinating things on the phone or attending conference calls. Working from home for a couple in the same room is difficult. Plus, with in-laws at home, balancing home tasks and office work became very awkward. With this experience, what we are looking at is: Views shared by Mr. Venkat Reddy, Marketing Head in a MNC, Age: 32 years “I live with my wife, and my parent visit us from my home town Warangal every now and then. I am currently living in a rented space that’s 2bhk. The rented place I live in has a great location, close to my place of work, and close to where my wife works as a teacher in Alwal. I find the current place a bit suffocating. The stairs, and even the corridors are not spacious enough. With COVID, we need to have spaces that allow for social distancing. Plus, while getting into our apartment located on 2nd floor, we have to pass through the stairs where we invariably brush shoulders with others moving up and down. Although, we have two lifts in our current apartment, it’s very stuffy. The rooms also lack privacy. When we stand in the kitchen, we can be seen by our neighbours. Plus, I would like to invest in a home now. Don’t want to continue living in a rented apartment that’s not ours. With this experience, what we want in our home is: Views shared by Mr. Srivatsa, IT Engineer, Age: 41 years “About ten years ago, I was not very interested in owning a home. I would have just liked to pay the rent, and move on. But after all these years, I feel, I need my own home. I can decorate it, and make it as lavish and comfortable as I want. Plus, I need complete freedom to live and express myself. I don’t want to think twice before making changes to my home. Whether it’s interiors, the kitchen, the bedroom, the living room, or even the walls, I want all of it to be mine. While we have our home in our hometown as well, I want an apartment since we are going to live our lives here in Hyderabad. After COVID, I feel that your own home is where you feel safe. You feel you belong there. We have spent so much time indoors in a rented apartment during lockdown. I don’t want to do that if ever a lockdown is imposed,
8 Things You Need To Know About False-Ceiling
Facts about ‘false ceiling’ for new home buyers planning on interiors Home buyers often think of a false ceiling for practical and aesthetic reasons. It could be to conceal the electrical wiring crisscrossing your rooms or to hide the unpleasant protrusions popping out of the ceiling or walls. Whether it’s your new home, or you are planning on renovation, you need to be driven by requirement. Sometimes, we blindly opt for fancy tray ceilings or false ceilings recommended by friends or family. Although a false ceiling truly makes your home look luxurious, one needs to be aware of what it has to offer. Decisions regarding a false ceiling need to be well-thought-out, practical, and also indicative of the lifestyle you yearn for. Sometimes, practical reasons do not allow us to cover the entire ceiling with a false ceiling. For instance, If you do NOT have adequate height in your rooms, you are forced to think about the extent to which a false ceiling will impact the height of the ceiling. At times, it might be just worth avoiding a full false ceiling, and explore semi-false ceiling option. One could even choose to rely upon table and floor lamps, if lighting is one of the key requirements. To make decision making easier, this article attempts to share some simple facts. Topics explored are: 1. False ceilings give you multiple lighting options 2. False ceilings help reduce electricity bills 3. False ceilings are normally made with plasterboard (Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate or Gypsum) 4. False ceilings can be made on different standard heights 5. Opt for an L-Box to retain your ceiling height or for installing ceiling fan 6. Can comfortably be installed in wet areas 7. It’s not a must to bring down entire false ceiling to repair or change the electricals 8. Needs to be well-packed to avoid pests & rodents 1. False ceilings give you multiple lighting options Besides hiding all the electrical wiring, a false ceiling look stunning with the amount of flexibilities it offer. You can align the spaces below the ceiling to highlight spots or zones that you need to be illuminated with multiple ‘pendant or spot lights’. The dark corners of the home can be illuminated with the help of lighting embedded in a ceiling. The variety of ‘cove lights’ in itself are simply mesmerising. Cove lighting gives you indirect lighting built into various spots in a ceiling. You can direct light up towards the ceiling and down the adjacent walls. It works beautifully well both as primary lighting, or for aesthetics to highlight ceilings. The ambience you can achieve with the help of ceiling can be unimaginably graceful and pleasing creating an extremely cosy ambience with lights evenly spread around all the spaces. The use of downward facing lights in false ceilings makes them highly preferred. It simply lights up your spaces, without any other part of the lighting fixture visible giving it a clean and chic look. 2. False ceilings help reduce electricity bills False ceiling allows the air to be trapped between the actual ceiling and the gypsum boards. This acts as an insulator, and helps reduce the temperature of the rooms where ceilings entrenched. The effective ‘volume’ of your room is also further reduced with false ceiling. Both these factors mean that during extreme summer, your rooms are much cooler due to the reduced volume. Consequently, the air conditioning electricity bills are much lesser. The top most floors of the building benefit the most from this, since top-most floor homes take the direct impact of the sunlight, hence, ceilings work like a true saviour for them 3. False ceilings are normally made with plasterboard (Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate or Gypsum) While false ceilings is made up from the more expensive ‘gypsum board’ or the cheaper ‘plasterboard’. You can achieve the same finishing from both the materials, and one cannot trace the difference between these two options once the work is completed. Gypsum boards are only easier to install especially for those who are constrained on time or deadlines on huge projects. For residential purposes, plasterboards serve the purpose very well. These offer tremendous versatility and can be easily moulded into designs that you are looking for. You must choose best quality gypsum board that not only stick, but can be concealed well while nearing completion. 4. False ceilings can be made on different standard heights The best part about false ceilings is the enormous flexibilities on adjusting heights. False ceilings are customisable, and you can create stunning effects in your home spaces. You could choose to anything like a ‘drop’ of between 4 inches to 10 inches from the actual ceiling. This means you can easily vary the floor-to-ceiling height depending on your needs. Some home owners prefer a taller (more) floor-to-ceiling height, hence the ceiling remains hooked to the actual ceiling with lesser spaces (like 4 inches). If the floor-to-ceiling height of the room is comfortable (11 feet of more), one can choose more space to be concealed within the ceiling. The homes with lower floor-to-ceilig height (around 9 or 10 feet) is that the play area gets reduced. One is forced to keep the space minimal with a 4 inch gap. Another problem with a 4 inch ceiling gap is the difficulty in fixing lighting equipment that’s embedded inside the ceiling. The electrical equipment may not even fit in a space that’s only 4 inches. Hence, there are some technical challenges one has to work through, but the possibilities with false ceiling still remain endless otherwise! 5. Opt for an L-Box to retain your ceiling height or for installing ceiling fan L-Box designs are a huge saviour for those who are sold out to false ceilings regardless of the floor-to-ceiling space constraints. When ceiling height is low, and you still want the ceiling effect with hidden lightings to illuminate your spaces, L-Box along the corners or borders works extremely well. With the L-Box option, the perimeter of the room gets a fabulous ceiling effect, and the
Advantages of RERA projects for a home buyer in Hyderabad
Benefits & Implications of a RERA registered home or property for home buyers in Hyderabad, Telangana Telangana Real Estate Regulation Act (RERA) is meant to regulate the real estate sector. What we mean by ‘regulate’ simply is that the ‘promoters’ (builders) as well as ‘agents’ are under the scanner of the regulatory authority.
Advantages of buying a ‘standalone building apartment’: a perspective for home buyers in Hyderabad!
Advantages of buying a ‘standalone building apartment’: a perspective for home buyers in Hyderabad! Finding large land parcels in well-established, low-density colonies in Hyderabad is not that easy! Home buyers in Hyderabad look for both gated communities and standalone buildings while exploring options for their dream homes. There is no denying that amenities are far more in large gated communities with high-rise apartments. Yet, the humble standalone building apartments have their own unique appeal to the home buyers in Hyderabad. Gated community high-rise buildings are built upon sprawling areas, whereas standalone buildings are built on much smaller plots in well-connected and well-established localities in Hyderabad. ‘Standalone building apartment’ vs. ‘Gated community high-rise apartment’ It is a known fact that home buyers in Hyderabad are happy to opt for smaller standalone buildings for the instant and dominating advantages they offer despite not being high on amenities that you get with high-rise gated communities. Obviously, a gated community offers more amenities, but they also cost more! The cost of these additional amenities is added to the price of the apartment in these gated community apartments. After all, nothing comes free or cheap! Both are good in their own way. Both have their pros and cons. Here, we shall delve into some reasons why a standalone building might just be the right choice for you. The intent is only to give a perspective, and to let you decide on your own. One distinct disadvantage of a gated community, especially in Hyderabad, is that they are located in uninhabited areas with very less population. These high-rise apartments are usually far away from the central employment and shopping hubs of that locality. Consequently, the social infrastructure in and around high-rise gated communities is not well developed. Having said that, if the gated community is located in very well-developed areas like Madhapur, the apartments are usually quite expensive. On the contrary, standalone buildings are not only much more affordable regardless of where they are located. They allow much greater all-around flexibility to home buyers seeking multiple advantages, comfort, and conveniences. Let us understand these better! Time to possession advantage With standalone buildings, the possession happens within a year, plus or minus 3-4 months. The good and efficient builders can actually give possession well within one year. The reason why we get this advantage with standalone buildings is that: Most builders making standalone buildings in Hyderabad are usually given permission for a 5 storey building that is usually quicker to construct The number of flats is normally anything between 5 to 40 on smaller plots of land The cash flow requirements of builders get fulfilled easily because they do not have additional amenities to cater for. The large gated complex has many other things to address while making high-rise apartments Built on smaller plots and established colonies, for a standalone building, the speed of work gets faster, especially while getting sewage, water, and electrical connections Supervision advantages With smaller builders in standalone building apartments, you get to know the builders well. You get to know them personally by name, and all the people like structural engineers and supervisors related to the project are available on site. They are usually very open to speak with you, and treat you with respect. You can easily judge if the building is being constructed as per the schedule Any delays or problems being faced are under your scanner, and you can question the builder in person You can visit smaller sites with ease. You can even check if the builder is providing you with all the amenities and specifications as promised The progress on finishing is very critical as it consists of plumbing, sanitary fittings, UPVS windows, doors, flooring, kitchen, and bathroom fittings & fixtures, external and internal painting, etc. You have total control over the quality and grade of materials being used Any special request can also be accommodated that is unique to your own needs Such flexibilities do NOT exist with large gated projects, where you do not have free access to supervise In fact, in large gated communities, you cannot be speaking with the owners, workers, supervisors, and other professionals. They are not answerable to you Unlike the big gated projects, you get much more attention from builders in a standalone building The arrangement and interaction with big builders in large gated communities tend to be more professional, and this makes it more impersonal as well Location advantage Location advantage is the biggest plus point with standalone buildings in Hyderabad. Since standalone buildings usually come up in well-established localities, you are closer to all the important shops, groceries, educational institutions, shopping hubs, medical facilities, public transport, good connectivity, and all other civic amenities. The social infrastructure makes life easy because everything is just a stone throw away in standalone buildings The commute becomes easy ‘to’ and ‘from’ these localities because these are well-established colonies The location of standalone buildings makes it easy for virtually all the family members to seek out what each one wants A good location caters to people of all age groups right from infants to elderly people in the house A good location well surrounded by all your life’s needs makes it a safe and secure place to live During any kind of emergency, a standalone building gives you an unparalleled advantage The disadvantages of gated communities are that these are normally located in far-flung areas. During any kind of emergency, getting help becomes difficult The standalone buildings usually have the advantage of having things of interest being within a ‘walkable’ distance It is easier for guests to visit or stay with you in your standalone building apartment The location also brings you better rental prospects as well as an appreciation of the property Advantages of peaceful, serene, green, and safe environments around the standalone building Yet another advantage of a standalone building is that these are usually located in colonies in Hyderabad that have existing residential homes. This makes the area low
4 Tips For a smooth Home Loan Application Process
Steps for Home Loan Application Process Buying a home is very personal yet a financial decision, and both salaried and self-employed mostly opt for a home loan from a bank or a financial institution like SBI, LIC, HDFC or ICICI etc. Let us know how the loan application process works.
Hyderabad, ‘a good place to live’ for a new home buyer: The role of GHMC in making that happen!
Hyderabad, ‘a good place to live’ for a new home buyer: The role of GHMC in making that happen! Very often we get to hear people speaking volumes about Hyderabad as a wonderful city to live in. We hear great things about the city like infrastructure, beautiful roads, shopping hubs, educational institutions, healthcare & medical facilities, entertainment options, eateries, and so on. What’s often undermined is the crucial role played by the civic body of Hyderabad- the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). GHMC works behind the scenes for us and makes Hyderabad a brilliant option to invest in your property. This article will give some food for thought to a home buyer thinking about which city to buy their home in- Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, or elsewhere. As a new home buyer, if you are thinking about which city to choose to live in, then you will be delighted to know what GHMC does for Hyderabad. The future prospects look truly promising! The city of Hyderabad is extremely high in on liveability parameters. Those who are anyways want to make Hyderabad their home will only rejoice after knowing all that is being done by the civic authorities at GHMC, Hyderabad! This article is all about getting a glimpse of what all GHMC has done to make our life beautiful in Hyderabad. The GHMC has a major role in making Hyderabad a great place to live, and to buy a property. In this article, we shall discuss the role of GHMC in making Hyderabad a top choice to buy your dream home. We shall be talking about- As a person residing in Hyderabad, a thorough knowledge of what our own municipal corporation is doing for us makes us happy. Buying a home in the city with responsive and responsible governance is a delight for a new home buyer. Let’s explore… Vision and mission of GHMC GHMC has come up with various innovative programs to make Hyderabad a truly global and inclusive city in India. GHMC is involved in: Building & Maintenance of Roads, Streets and Flyovers, Street Lighting, Maintenance of Parks & Open Spaces, Public Municipal Schools, Sanitation, Solid Waste Management (garbage clearing), Public Health, Urban Development and City Planning of New Areas, Registration of Births and Deaths, Electoral Registration and Conduction of Elections, and Social Sector Development. Vision of GHMC as per Citizen’s Charter: ‘…To have well planned, inclusive, economically productive, environmentally sustainable Capital City of Hyderabad with world class infrastructure and services to provide improved quality of life to its citizens….’ (Source: http://www.ghmc.gov.in/) This vision paves the way for a futuristic approach to ensuring that all the civic amenities required by home buyers are made available to the residents of the city. The focus is on ‘improved quality of life’. This not only helps the residents but also helps in attracting Foreign Direct Investments to the city. The development of Western Hyderabad as the Information Technology hub, the Special Economic Zones, the areas registered tremendous growth in the last two decades. The city of Hyderabad is second to none when you see the stupendous growth in the Financial District, Gachibowli, Madhapur, and areas in a radius of about 10 KMs in the western part of Hyderabad. GHMC has played a major role to play in keeping pace with the economic growth of the city and its population. Mission of GHMC The mission of GHMC is to: No wonder, we find the infrastructure in Hyderabad to be getting better by the day. The municipal corporation is leaving no stones unturned to provide for a superior living experience. These commitments and actual work done by the civic authorities are music to the ears of those who are evaluating if Hyderabad is the right city to live in! Green Hyderabad initiatives Greenery efforts are extremely high. GHMC is committed to reducing the pollution levels in the city, curbing the noise, and lowering the urban heat. Many green initiatives are taken. Hyderabad is greener than ever before. The dividers between the roads and the areas around main roads are being covered and well-maintained with trees and shrubs to this effect. GHMC is implementing the initiative for greenery by enforcing the Energy Conservation Building Code. Large buildings are required. Greenery in GHMC-maintained parks and under the flyovers is stunning and continuing to get better by the day. Recycling efforts by GHMC are underway in a big way. Footpaths are being made out of recycled plastics in Hyderabad. Such efforts make Hyderabad a truly sustainable city. GHMC has taken efforts to plant almost 25 lakh saplings in the city. Imagine a city with 80 lakh population surrounded by 25 lakh trees! This is part of the ‘Telangana Ku Haritaharam’ drive. Key Objectives of GHMC towards making Hyderabad vibrant The objective-driven approach of the municipality makes Hyderabad the right choice to live in, for a long time to come. Clarity of tasks and activities to improve the quality of life of Hyderabad’s residents include- As proud residents of Hyderabad, we couldn’t ask for more! Functions being performed by GHMC Besides the aggressive targets and activities being performed by GHMC, the civic body performs many tasks to make our life truly liveable. These include Civic and Infrastructure services- Civic Services include various Health, sanitation, and conservancy services like: Infrastructure Services include: As home buyers, we hardly think about all that our municipal corporation does for us. Their job really is to keep us safe and protected. Life without their keen engagement towards our well-being would be extremely difficult! Key services are undertaken by GHMC As residents of a city, we need to know the key services that are undertaken by the corporation. These include- i) Health & Sanitation, ii) Electrical, iii) Property tax, iv) Engineering, v) Town planning, vi) Bio-diversity & sports, vii) Urban community development, viii) Electronic services (Mee Seva) Each one of these is a massive department in itself, and there is an enormous amount of effort that goes into making the life of residents
Understanding ‘Bathroom & Sanitary’ Specifications as a New Home Buyer
Understanding Bathroom Specs Before You Buy | Avisun Properties As a new home buyer, we sift through many brochures or websites, especially the ‘specifications’ section. We understand some of them at a cursory level, without a deeper sense of how it impacts our daily lives. The question is: are all these specifications standard across all builders? The answer is No. As a home buyer we must be equipped to understand, appreciate and clearly read between the lines when we read about the specifications. We need to know where an item (fitting or fixture) stands in terms of the ‘grade’ and ‘quality’ it offers. We must have a clear understanding about its functionality and technical utility. After all, we are the ones that will interact with the elements in our house, just as much as we interact with those living inside the home. Specifications that we normally read about pertain to items like sanitary, electrical, doors/windows, flooring, painting, amenities, door handles, chrome plated fittings, accessories. These are used in spaces like kitchen/toilet/bath and many other interior or exterior elements to make the apartment fit for human habitation. There is a lot that’s happening on the technology front, and as a home buyer we must know about the latest offerings that make life convenient, comfortable and enjoyable. Essentially, we must develop a good appreictaion of what to choose or reject with whatever a builder is providing. Builders showcase specifications to impress home buyer We witness various brand names being cited in the specification section of the brochures or websites. Clearly, the builder wants to impress the home buyer. We may have often observed descriptions in the specifications section such as: ‘Jaquar or equivalent chrome Plated (CP) fittings’, ‘Hindware of equivalent floor mounted EWC’, ‘Modular switches of Havells/Legrand/Anchor or equivalent make’ and so on. By mentioning the ‘brand name’ and stating ‘xyz brand or equivalent make’, the builder is telling us ‘what to expect’. This is education for us to learn the ‘preferred and contemporary brand’ that makes an apartment desirable for a given segment. Simply put, specifications section in websites/brochures help us know ‘what to look for’, and ‘how to go about comparing’ the varying specifications. A home buyer must to learn to differentiate the ‘quality & grade of specs’ versus ‘pricing’. The sweeter the specification, the higher will be the per square foot price of the apartment….and so is the aesthetics, sturdiness, utility, technicality, and overall performance! The price of an apartment is a result of all the elements of specifications put together. It’s the sum of all the parts that go into the specifications. The specifications related elements alone make the apartment differentiated in terms of which segment they belong to. So, if the specs are ‘premium’ (high grade & quality), the ‘per square foot rate’ will also be higher! A home buyer must build the ability to see how pricing is affected as the grade and quality of specifications get better. This ability to differentiate the various brands being offered in the name of ‘specifications’ and ‘amenities’ is the key to a superior post purchase experience. In this article, we shall focus on some of these ‘sanitary/plumbing related’ terminologies and specifications, and their implications for a new home buyer. ‘High grade specifications’ vs. ‘Cost’ There is always a cost element when we choose a higher grade of material, fittings of fixtures. There is always a valid reason why some builders are more expensive or unreasonable compared others. This reasons is the extent to which the specifications are premium. Hence, we must know the cost element of specifications being offered that makes the sum of all specifications ‘premium’ or ‘luxury’. Within this segment, there are many possibilities and combinations of specifications a builder may offer. Higher the ‘grade and quality’, the more superior would be the utility, technicality and the functional benefit! As a home buyer, if we understand that there is something called ‘low to higher’ grade and quality that’s possible on each specification, the ability to differentiate, appreciate the price-differences, and conviction to take the right decision to select/buy an apartment becomes that much easier. ‘Bathroom’ (Sanitary) related specifications So, let’s get started with the commonly encountered terminologies related to sanitary fittings. Understand what they mean, and learn what they do for us! Ceramics- the basics Ceramics are made up of mixtures of kaolin, clay, feldspar, quartz sand (earthen ingredients), powders and water, and are shaped in the desired form before putting them through the fired-up kiln at extreme temperatures. Ceramics are covered in waterproof and decorative paint-like materials known as ‘glazes’. The result is an extremely durable material called ‘ceramic’ that’s hard, brittle, heat-resistant and corrosion resistant. Whether it is glass, tiles, bricks, porcelain, cement, bricks, catalytic converters for cars, super conductor’s for computers, gas turbines in jet engines, electronic equipment and cooktops are all ceramic in some form. They are non-metallic inorganic solids. Most ceramics we encounters in the modern day is advanced engineering ceramics. Properties of ceramics: Ceramics- quality and grade Good quality and grade of ceramics help attract and retain customers, offers better functionality, gives a premium feel, and also improve the overall value and living experience of the home. Ways to judge and identify a high grade and quality ceramic fixture is as follows: Sometimes, there are elements that we cannot check as a home buyer, hence, it is desirable to go with branded companies that are obviously feel premium when we simply look and touch them. Look and feel factor along with a relatively higher priced specifications is something we need to enquire with the builder. This is because, even branded companies sometimes make different product lines for different market-segments. The range may cater to lowest to highest price market segment with varying specifications. A wash basin may be catering to mass-market, medium-range, luxury, and ultra-luxury segments. As a home buyer, it is important to know what level of ‘grade & quality’ belonging to which ‘market segment’ we are getting as
What You Don’t Know About Standalone Building.
Advantages of buying a ‘standalone building apartment’: a perspective for home buyers in Hyderabad Finding large land parcels in well-established, low-density colonies in Hyderabad is not that easy! Home buyers in Hyderabad look for both gated communities and standalone buildings while exploring options for their dream home. There is no denying that amenities are far more in large gated communities with high rise apartments. Yet, the humble standalone building apartments have their own unique appeal to the home buyers in Hyderabad.
A typical middle class home buyer: the tussle between ‘price sensitivity’ and ‘quality consciousness’
A typical middle class home buyer: the tussle between ‘price sensitivity’ and ‘quality consciousness’ ! Anyone involved in a purchase decision of high monetary value usually goes through a structured step-wise ‘buying process’ or approach starting from ‘needs/requirements’ (understanding one’s own priorities), ‘active evaluation’ of shortlisted properties that enter our ‘initial consideration’ arena, ‘active evaluation’ by gathering information, and, finally, the ‘moment of purchase’ when a decision is made. Thereafter the home buyer goes through the ‘post purchase experience’ Let us see what sometimes happens to new home buyer from a middle class background, with a budget of INR 40-65 lacs, specifically in or around Secunderabad/Hyderabad. When we apply the above mentioned ‘buying process’ construct to purchase of a property (apartment or house), the criteria applied by the new home buyers sometimes gets derailed by an excessive stress on ‘lower price’. This happens because, the new home buyer is sometimes not able to distinguish between a competitive price vis-a-vis a lowered price resulting from excessive compromise in the grade, quality, and specifications of an apartment. The needs of the buyer’s budget takes precedence over the basic needs a buyer should be looking at. The factor of gaining complete understanding and knowledge of the ‘post-purchase experience’ much before buying an apartment is very often ignored or taken casually by home buyers. Most of the time, it is due to ignorance about the, and worse-still lack of inclination to learn about the ‘specifications or quality related elements’ that make for a superior ‘post-purchase living experience’ over the next few decades. In this article we shall dwell upon why, in a high value product like buying an apartment, gaining knowledge of the ‘post purchase experience’ much before buying an apartment is very often ignored or taken casually by home buyers. Understanding ‘evaluation criteria’ while buying a home for a home buyer Evaluation criteria or purchasing criteria are those which a new home buyers considers most valuable. These attributes are usually specific to the individual, one’s family, and one’s purchase advisors/influencers. Given below is a classification of 3 KEY EVALUATION (DECISION) CRITERIA which a middle class home buyer considers while making a Purchase decision (be it a home or any other product)- ONE, things discussed, valued, thought about and discussed: let’s call it ‘OPEN’ TWO, things not discussed or thought about as much: let’s call it ‘HIDDEN’ THREE, things that the buyer neither knows about, nor is interested or inclined to learn or consider: let’s call it ‘BLIND’ For convenience of understanding, the 3 evaluation/purchase elements viz. Open, Hidden, Blind are further elaborated below. Given below is only an INDICATIVE explanation for understanding of the ‘concept’, and varies depending upon individual choices/priorities. Open (Active): top of the mind things based on which decision is taken…e.g. Hidden (Passive): important, considered but usually not discussed in detail while purchasing…e.g. Blind (Non-existent / Oblivious): extremely important, but not at all in the buyer’s mind to learn or consider…e.g. i) Invisible elements– These are things a home buyer does not get to see/witness…viz. soil-testing, foundation, civil-engineering rigour, termite-treatment, pre & post construction quality of inputs/execution, commitment to quality at every step of construction/execution ii) Visible elements– These are things visible to a home buyer…viz. fittings/fixtures in bathrooms, electrical fittings/MCBs/Switches, lifts, internal/external doors, UPVC windows, tiles, external/internal paint Importance of ‘visible’ and ‘invisible’ elements: In a home buying scenario, both the ‘visible’ and ‘invisible’ elements work together to give you a user and living experience over a period of time (decades). Hence, these elements determine the durability, aesthetics, functionality, and the overall performance of the entire package called an apartment or a home. Home buyer being ‘oblivious’ or ‘BLIND’ to ‘seeking a superior post purchase experience’ leads to a poor living experience Focus on a thorough post purchase experience is sometimes lacking with the middle class buyer. This stems from the fact that there is no base expectation of what kind of an overall experience one should be looking at. Just like an automobile, a home comprises of various elements put together, and sold as a residential unit. The components are varying in the kind of ‘grade’ and ‘quality’ they bring to the table, and the utility/features/benefits these bring on the table. ‘GRADE’ vs. ‘QUALITY’- a critical difference less understood and ignored by most home buyers Most buyers, be it a home buyer or others, do not know about the difference between ‘grade’ and ‘quality’. Infact, most of the buyers use both the terms interchangeably. Although, we know and feel what these two mean subconsciously, it is usually not clear consciously. Let’s understand them for better clarity- Difference between ‘Grade’ and ‘Quality’ explained with EXAMPLE of a INR 5 lac vs. INR 15 lac car (automobile)– A small car worth INR 5 lacs will use lower grade components and much inferior technical qualities compared to a INR 15 lac car. Although both the cars are serving the same functional use which is carrying 4 people for transportation, the more expensive car will use high-grade components with higher specifications and superior technical characteristics. A good understanding of ‘grade’ and ‘quality’ helps protect and secure the ‘Post purchase experience’, for decades to come. To summarize, focus on ‘post purchase utility and experience’ must become an ‘active evaluation criteria’ by the home buyer while comparing specifications and overall construction rigour vis-à-vis pricing. Price is important, however, making it the sole criteria results in a lop-sided view. This yardstick further deprives the home buyer of a decent, sturdy home made with reliable, robust materials to provide you with a long-lasting value and a superior living experience. Striking a balance between budget, quality and grade We understand that a typical middle class home buyer is price sensitive…owing to limited resources, and cannot afford to be overtly grade and quality conscious due to competing demands and comprises. Hence, let us take a scenario where the middle class buyer wants to strike a balanced approach between being Quality/Grade consciousness and price sensitivity. Let us address
