Category Archives: Real Estate Tips

RERA, the implementation of GST and several other reforms have made the situation of buying homes even more favorable for Buyers and Investors. If you are looking to book any of the ongoing projects or prelaunch projects, you would definitely be eager to know more about the developer. Here’s a brief story of how it all started:

Inception:

Started by a pair of passionate Builders & Architect in Bangalore, Habitat Ventures have been delivering residential and commercial projects of impeccable standards matching those on international quality. Affordable premium homes has been a bit of a specialty for Habitat Ventures. The company, with its headquarters in Bangalore, within its 12 years, has completed 15 projects having constructed a total of 2.5million sq.ft. The numbers are steadily increasing as we speak.

With the best team on board, with years of diverse experience in launching and successfully delivering quality residential projects, Habitat Ventures have constantly managed to provide hundreds of people the homes of their dreams.

Punctuality Promise

Getting to know the timeline of the completed projects would help you understand Habitat’s timeliness in delivering projects which is one of the most crucial factors that any customer looks for when they buy a home.

Builders & Architect in Bangalore. Habitat has had a long history of having completed lifestyle apartments, premium residential projects, plotted developments and a wide variety of other real estate projects. This caters to the growing needs of the diverse population in Bengaluru.

Features of Habitat residential projects

Timely completion of the project and handover of the house is something that has been common with every project launched by Habitat Ventures.
Habitat is one of the pioneers in introducing the concept of villaments in Bangalore. This perfectly suits those who are looking for a spacious duplex, villa-like house which also combines the benefits of an apartment.
Habitat has won several awards and accolades for innovating and giving a fresh life to the real estate market in Bangalore.
Innovation in the design and construction and the wise choice of construction materials is something that makes the projects of Habitat stand out from others in the city.
One other aspect that people love is Habitat’s assurance of adopting eco-friendly concepts like solar lighting, waste management- organic waste converter and more.
Every house comes with an ample amount of natural lighting and ventilation. The houses are Vaastu-compliant too.
Safety is the factor that continues to be the core of Habitat projects. This is why you would find convenient piped LPG gas facilities for all the houses. The campuses are also monitored round the clock by the CCTV cameras.
The gated communities come with all world class amenities on campus including parks, jogging trails, swimming pool, and lots more

Ongoing projects

Builders & Architect in Bangalore. Habitat Ventures offers some of the very best ongoing projects in Bengaluru. Currently, there are great houses to choose from in Habitat Iluminar and Habitat Eden Heights.

Habitat Iluminar- 2, 2.5, 3 BHK premium homes located near RV College of Engineering, Mysore Road.
Habitat Eden Heights- 2.5, 3, 3.5 BHK premium homes located in Hoodi Circle, Whitefield

Builders & Architect in Bangalore. Habitat Eden Heights is located in East of Bengaluru in the prime location close to many and large IT hubs in the city. Meanwhile, Habitat Iluminar is strategically located in south-west of Bengaluru, located close to the Global Village Tech Park, Bangalore University & RVCE makes Iluminar a desirable project to invest in

Both the projects come equipped with state of the art infrastructure. The houses come with secure waterproofing solutions, top-notch plumbing work and sanitary fittings, and standard safe electrical work.

Real Estate Tips

Builders in Bangalore Real Estate Regulation Act (RERA): How it Helps Buyers

June 22, 2017 Habitat Ventures Leave a comment

If you have been planning to buy a new home, now is the right time. We say this not just because the real estate market is bright now but also because Builders in Bangalore RERA (Real Estate Regulation Act) is here.

If you do not already know what RERA is-

The Builders in Bangalore Real Estate Regulation Act was in the paper for over a year. And finally, the Act has been passed. This was framed mainly keeping the real estate investments in mind. With the growth of the real estate market, we have witnessed buyers quoting unreasonable prices. This is one of the major threats to the home buyers. With skyrocketing prices, this Act comes as a relief for the home buyers.

Though there have been common rules laid down for the Builders in Bangalore, states can sometimes flex the rules to an extent. But no matter what, the truth still remains that according to RERA of Builders in Bangalore, “The Buyer is the king”. Does that mean bad news then for the builders? For those who have been following fair practices, this would not make much of a change. But for those builders that have been quoting unjustified prices and unacceptable delays will now have to rethink their practices.

Here are a few key takeaways from the Builders in Bangalore Real Estate Regulation Act benefiting the home buyers:

With respect to the construction:

The quality of the construction is of prime importance but it is also the one often neglected by builders. After all, buyers only get the real picture few years after the house is constructed and sold. RERA covers this aspect. According to the new rules, for 5 years after the handover of the flat, the builder still remains responsible for the construction-related maintenance. Any defects that occur in the building due to poor quality construction would have to be rectified by the builder within 30 days. And this should be done free of cost.

No more delays:

Talking about buying, a flat’s possession dates are pivotal. But there are hardly few builders that keep up the possession date promise. According to the Real Estate Regulation Act, the builder should handover the house exactly within the stipulated time. If there are going to be any delays, the builder would have to return to the buyer the entire amount paid for the flat plus the interest mentioned in the agreement.

There will be an escrow account:

There are instances where builders take money from the buyer and use it on another project or a house. To avoid this, once the buyer deposits the amount, 70% of it would be deposited in an escrow account. As and how there are expenses for the concerned project the money is withdrawn from the respective escrow account.

Promotion, booking, and registration:

Starting with advertising the projects builders now have stringent norms to follow. Only those projects that have been registered under RERA would be permitted to start their marketing. You would also be able to get the Real Estate Regulation Act registration number from the ad itself. This is simply to make sure that you are investing in a RERA approved project. This would ensure that there is a check on the booking amount that has been requested. Builders would no longer have to ask for a booking amount which is more than 10% of the cost of the property. So you would not be asked to pay more than that before the official registration of the property. Every detail of the project including the approvals and plans would have to be registered by the builder with the regulatory body.

Right to information:

To set aside all ambiguities and to ensure the buyers the right to information, RERA now makes it mandatory for the builder to lay out every detail of the project to the buyers. The buyer can get to know all about the plans approved, registration details, the overall plan of the entire layout, and other specifications. Other minor details including the electricity, water and sanitation management of the building or the layout, on the whole, would have to be provided to the buyer. And finally, a buyer would also be promised a date of possession and the scheduled date of completion of the project.

Besides the above-mentioned points, there are also others that prevent builders from exercising discrimination in any form. Though property prices as such would not be influenced by Real Estate Regulation Act, there would be a significant change in the overall process. There is now a standard that is slowly forming. This would prevent rogue builders from bullying any buyers whatsoever. Buyers can also be ensured of better quality construction of their future homes and thus a better value for their money on the whole.

Real Estate Tips

Why to invest in ongoing projects in Bangalore?

June 21, 2017 Habitat Ventures Leave a comment

Buying a house would be a big leap. Given the ever-increasing number of real estate projects and the number of builders, it is often an inundating process to choose one. The purpose for which you buy would play a pivotal role in the decision-making process. There are some who buy a home for immediate occupation and then there are those that buy for investment. Whether the house would be your first house or just another additional house that you buy would also matter.

Then comes the big confusion of whether you should buy a resale property from a prior owner or a ready to move in new flat or book an ongoing property. When we talk about booking ongoing projects in Bangalore most people are skeptical about it. Given the lack of clarity offered by some builders and the long delays made by some the skepticism of home buyers is apprehensible. But if you understand the many benefits that ongoing projects offer you might change your mind.

Benefits of booking ongoing projects in Bangalore:

Price discounts offered:

This is definitely the first advantage construed by home buyers when it comes to booking ongoing projects in Bangalore. The concept is to attract potential home buyers, to stabilize the cash flow and to establish the credibility, builders have the concept of ongoing or what is called “soft launch”. So if you book ongoing projects in Bangalore or any other city for that matter, you are sure to get great discounts. Most builders offer up to 30% discount on the final property value for those who book in the ongoing phase.

You have more to choose from:

In the ongoing phase, only 10-20% of the flats in the property might be booked. This gives you better flexibility in choosing a home of your choice. Be it in terms of the Vaastu compliance, the floorplan choices, floor number or closeness to any of the flat facilities, you can choose a house to match all your requirements. But once few houses are booked, once the ongoing phase is over and there are more buyers, you would have limited choices.

A great investment:

If you do not mind waiting for a few years to move in ongoing projects in Bangalore are great investments. Especially because of the appreciation value of the project. If you choose one in a potential location, you are sure to get impressive appreciation costs by the time the construction is fully done.

Factors and risks to keep in mind:

Given the many benefits, people still hesitate investing in ongoing projects in Bangalore mainly because of the risks associated. But if you analyze the results and diligently make a choice you can avert the risks involved.

Track record of the builder:

Choose a credible builder. It is not simply about the flashy ads and the market presence. It is about the track record. Given the risks involved in ongoing projects it is best to avoid fledgling developers. Choose a builder who has a lot of experience. Choose someone who has a formidable reputation for completing projects on time. Look at the timelines of the previous projects and only choose those that deliver projects on time every time.

Clarity of information:

In the ongoing phase, there might still be some approvals that are pending. But the basic land clearance and licensing might have to be completed. Discuss this with the builder. Now with RERA coming into picture, it would ease your decision making to some extent. Choose a builder who would be able to clearly present to you the proposed plan, and the precise time of completion. When it comes to possession dates, ideally choose one that is within 4 years at least. Anything beyond 4 or 5 years might be a bigger risk.

Know the market and the price:

The beauty of the real estate market is that a property value that appears cheap in one area might not be so in the other area. So research the market price in the area that you are looking at. The price quoted for the ongoing property should ideally be lower than the current price in the market. How much the area would develop within the given time would also matter. Be circumspect about the real estate market trends in that locality before taking a step.

Know the risks and understand the benefits. ongoing projects in Bangalore, especially with the city’s flourishing real estate market is definitely going to make a great investment provided you choose the right builder.

Real Estate Tips

Residential or Commercial Projects in Bangalore. Where You Should Invest ?

May 30, 2017 Habitat Ventures Leave a comment

Residential or Commercial Projects in Bangalore Real estate has always been considered a great investment. This has only been getting better in the recent years. Given that fact, investing in Residential or Commercial Projects in Bangalore real estate in a more upcoming metro city like Bangalore would definitely be worth every penny spent.

Talking about the real estate market in the country, if there’s one city that has been holding well, it’s Bangalore. While there are many cities that have been facing ups, downs and a wide amount of saturation, Bangalore’s real estate market has always been considered one of the most reliable ones in the recent years. The ever increasing population, the facilities offered by the self-sustained city and the ample job opportunities draw people from all over the country. Bangalore is a friendly city that welcomes anyone from anywhere with open hands and this character of the city is backed up by its growing real estate market.

Commercial or residential property- which is your best bet?

Well, in a city like Bangalore which is a business and IT hub, the concept of investing in commercial properties are always in demand and to accommodate those professionals, residential properties are in demand too. So investing in commercial as well as residential can both be beneficial. But when it comes to commercial properties, there are few challenges that stop average investors from jumping to invest in them.

Commercial properties – the good and the not so good:

Though commercial properties might prove their monetizing benefits, in the long run, they do come with an additional capital requirement for investment in the early stages.

The good:

The potential of earnings you can get with a commercial property is pretty stable. It would also most likely be higher than a residential property

If you are investing in a commercial property at the heart of the city or the center of the business hub, you are sure to get a reliable client and a long-term contract for the property.

The not so good:

Given the attractive perks of investing in commercial properties, why do people still hesitate?

Commercial property is pretty difficult to manage single-handedly. If you have a reliable team, the work gets easier. In a city like Bangalore , finding property management services is also pretty easy but costly. So you can still consider investing in commercial properties, but the challenge persists.

Why Invest in Residential or Commercial Projects in Bangalore:

The quality of lifestyle offered by Bangalore , and not to forget the weather, draw a lot of people to the city. The population of the city has grown many folds in the recent years. So the Residential or Commercial Projects in Bangalore has never truly seen a dull moment.

With the case of residential property, the trends have changed a considerable amount in Bangalore. After their busy days at the office, people love to return to their own little nest, their own sweet home. And given the price trends, many find it economical to invest in a house and pay EMIs instead of paying monthly rents. The best part here is that though it is a posh metro, one can find houses of all price categories. Affordable luxury is not a distant dream anymore. Getting quality construction and slick interior styling is all made simple with the reliable builders like Habitat Ventures. An added benefit is the new housing scheme introduced known as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), allowing one to receive a subsidy of up to Rs. 2.5 Lakhs when buying their 1^st new home. So, owning a premium home becomes something of a pleasant reality.

The city continues to be a home buyer’s paradise. With the increase in the number of premium homes, fully furnished ready to move-in houses, investing in aResidential or Commercial Projects in Bangalore continues to be a safe bet according to the market experts. The residential market here is projected to remain stable in the coming years and no noticeable fluctuations are anticipated.

Owning Residential or Commercial Projects in Bangalore also comes with the added perk that the market value keeps increasing at a very steady rate. With the rapid urbanization of the areas surrounding the city, even properties outside the city would soon see a tremendous increase in their value. Even if you choose to relocate, renting out your property in Bangalore is pretty convenient. Bangalore also fetches the best rent complying with the property’s value.

Overall, investing in a Residential or Commercial Projects in Bangalore ensures that your money goes to the right place. This is particularly true with several new value-for-money Residential or Commercial Projects in Bangalore such as the Habitat Iluminar and Habitat Eden Heights which are located in prime locations within the city.

Apartments in Bangalore, Apartments in Whitefield, Home Buyer Tips, Interior Design, Real Estate Tips

5 Quick Interior Decoration Tips For Your New Home

July 31, 2014 Habitat Ventures Leave a comment

Interior Decoration is to a house like seasoning is to the main course. Getting it right is crucial, as it is trusted with bringing out all the key elements in the architecture of your house. Interior designing when done right, not only makes your home more aesthetically appealing but also makes sure that it is practical. Poor interior design can make even the largest houses seem clustered and dull, but when done right can make even a tiny apartment seem spacious and practical. Be it a 2/3 BHK apartment even, the right interior design will not only help add a certain sense of grandeur but also make your house more of a home 🙂

While hiring a professional interior designer is a sure shot way of ensuring a practical and lively living environment, it is up to you to convey to the designer what exactly your needs are. It is a difficult process as there is no scope for improvement or remodeling until the design has been implemented and used. Whether you are hiring an interior designer or planning to do it yourself, here are five essential points to keep in mind:

Interior Decoration Tip #1: Personality

Personality is what makes a home make people go wow! So before sitting yourself down and deciding what to buy for your walls, it’s important to decide what kind of atmosphere you want the room to put out. Whether you require a formal room setting to conduct business or a bright zingy one to make into a game room, it is important to convey it to your designer or make note of it first. Make your own statement and have fun doing it. 🙂 Always remember that your home is supposed to serve you, and not the other way round. And also remember that the attitude of your home is contagious to anyone who comes to visit.

Interior Decoration Tip #2: Wall Colours

This is one standard rule that is so often ignored. It may make sense to first pick a wall colour and then to pick the upholstery and art & rugs. However in retrospect, it’s more ideal to do it the other way round. Elements like upholstery add significantly to factors such as lighting. Given that there are thousands of shades and tints when it comes to paints, it should be understandable that each one looks different from house to house depending on light source. It is ideal to therefore pick the wall colour after all the upholstery and art is in your house. So try not to be surprised if your decorator takes you shopping for rugs before he’s given you the chance to select a wall colour.

Interior Decoration Tip #3: Furniture and Rugs

It’s important to pick furniture that matches the personality of your home. A bright pep room calls for arty furniture with bright cushions, where as a more formal setting may require a somber leather seated sofa. Keeping in mind the attitude of the room will take you a long way in looking for furniture. Try to pick contrasting colours for the cushions that you might want to use.

Avoid cluttering furniture on the flood of your living room. The more space you have to move about, the more practical is your home and the more cost effective it is. Decide a focal point of the room and try to ensure that all chairs and sofas point in that direction.

Selecting a rug adds class to any place. You have to decide whether you want a big rug to fit all the furniture, which adds a more luxurious feel, or you could decide to place all furniture off the rug, which is the cost effective way to go.

All the elements are in uniform harmony. All the furniture is on the rug and the lighting along with the wall paint makes the entire room seem spacious and inviting.

Interior Decoration Tip #4: Collectibles and Art

Be strong when selecting what sort of art goes into your home. Don’t stuff a cactus next to your TV stand just because your girlfriend gifted it to you. If a collectible doesn’t fit, there is always a place for it in your attic. Remember that you do not have to worry about your collectibles contrasting the wall colour because as we discussed earlier, wall colour comes later. Make sure that all your art and collectibles are balanced and don’t collide with each other. Also justify to yourself if it fits within the attitude you want for your home and go ahead with it only when you are satisfied. Keep in mind that it’s ideal to hang all art work at about 58 inches from the ground as it is the average human eye level. Try to avoid placing anything striking at the focal points of your furniture arrangement.

Even few collectibles and art, when placed right, bring a room to life.

Interior Decoration Tip #5: Staying Happy

The perfect home is where the “heart” is, and not where your “art” is. There are very few ways in which you can predict mistakes in your design and it will not come to light until it is implemented. So do not beat yourself up over such things. If you have found something impractical get rid of it. If there is something you think you’d find more practical, implement it, but knowing when to stop takes you a long way to feel good about everything you have worked for.

Appreciate your own efforts and learn from your mistakes to make sure that your coming renovation is that much more fascinating.

And equally important to supplement the well decorated interiors of any home, are its exterior. You want to make sure that the architecture and colors on the outside complement or contrast well with the interiors. Else, it’d end up being like a book that gets misjudged by its cover. The experts usually suggest brighter and more vibrant colors for the exteriors, as we see in the below image of the Habitat Aster apartments, located in Whitefield. Aster is a place where families can enjoy elegant living in well-designed 2 or 3 bedroom homes. A total of 64 finely detailed apartments ranging from 1229 sq. ft. to 1823 sq. ft. To book a 2 or BHK home at Habitat Aster or to know more about Habitat Ventures call +91-80-4146 9220/1 or visit www.habitatventures.com

Habitat Aster's bright yellow and white exteriors are not only visually appealing but are colours that would contrast well with modern interior decor, not to mention the green grass and the blue sky on the outside as well. — Habitat Aster’s bright yellow and white exteriors are not only visually appealing but are colours that would contrast well with modern interior decor, not to mention the green grass and the blue sky on the outside as well.

We hope these quick tips come handy the next time you wanna design your new home or even redesign your existing one. If there are any other interior design tips you follow and would like to share, please do so in the comments section below 🙂

Apartments in Bangalore, Home Buyer Tips, Real Estate Tips, Villaments in Bangalore

Top 10 Things to Consider When Buying a New Home (part 2)

July 28, 2014 Habitat Ventures Leave a comment

If you landed here directly and haven’t read the first half of this article, click here to go to: Top Ten Things to Consider When Buying a New Home (Part 1)

So just to quickly recap, we reviewed 5 of our 10 primary things your everyday home buyer should make it a point to consider, before making that final offer on a new home – Location, Credibility of Ownership, Budget, Loan Approval and Access to Essentials. Wondering what else is left to add to the checklist? Read on and you might just be surprised 🙂

Credibility of Builder

In cases, where the keys of your new home are being handed to you directly by the builder himself (or herself 😛 ), be sure to run a quick background check and do your fair share of homework on the builder/developer’s reputation. In addition to their profile and years of experience in the industry, view some of their more recent projects. And if possible, try and visit at least one completed home/apartment and maybe even talk to a few of the residents, getting their review(s) of the builder.

Learning about their experiences with the builder, can give you valuable insight and this in turn can go on to help you in your own negotiation with the builder.

Quality of Construction

You want to make sure that the home you are buying, is of a good structure and doesn’t have any structural issues no matter how minor they might be. You want to avoid any such issues that might cost you big money to fix in the future, or might depreciate the value of the house at the time of resale, if they aren’t fixed.

Seek the help of a civil engineer or even a local mason to help you inspect the quality of the house. However, here are a list of things you can look for yourself:

issues with the foundation – look for cracks or tiny cave-in holes in the walls or ceiling, especially on the lower floors.

Cracks in the walls like these, are an immediate sign of bad foundation.

any signs of mold or water damage- these can be rather expensive to fix and are usually signs of larger foundation and roof issues.
problems with the electrical and plumbing systems – these are a home’s lifeblood and can be quite nuisansical to fix.

Amenities Provided

If you are purchasing a brand new home from a builder, find out what are the upgrades versus standard amenities that come with the house. Most model homes are setup with interior upgrades to showcase the homes in their “highest quality” state.

Clubhouse and infinity pool at Habitat Crest

Inspect amenities such bathroom fittings, kitchen appliances, wardrobe and furniture, heating/air conditioner unit and in the case of an apartment, check for provision of a clubhouse, swimming pool, children’s play area and parking space. While these are pretty much standard features offered with every apartment now days, find out the exact terms of usage and/or any restrictions that might be in place or if there is an additional cost associated with the usage of these amenities.

Access to Sunlight

Look for a home that’s not only well ventilated but ventilated in the right areas. It’s a bonus if the house is already located in a spacious and open area that doesn’t block out the sunlight. However, it that isn’t a luxury, at least make sure the home is architecturally designed to allow for maximum inlet of sunlight.

Studies indicate that 60% of homeowners who reside in a well-lit and naturally illuminated home are more active and are generally happier. Another obvious benefit is the save of electricity. Invest in a solar power system and you can reduce your electricity bills by less than half 🙂

Security

And finally for you to be able to consider it a complete home, you want to ensure that the house is safe and secure and you and your family can zZZ peacefully at night 🙂 Though it may be a relatively safe neighbourhood, check if the house comes fitted with any sort of security system. Especially with kids at home and the outburst of crimes in the recent past, a home security system is soon becoming a thing of necessity.

If it’s an apartment, get as much info from the builder about the security agency and security guards who are stationed at the gate. Take some time out and talk to these guards. Inquire about their patrol routines and what is their plan of action in case of any attempt at burglary of any other emergency for that matter like a fire in the building. These might sound silly at first but knowing these finer details might just come handy when an actual theft or burglary happens.

So now that you are prepared and have your checklist ready, happy house hunting 🙂

Have any other points you feel are necessary inclusions to this checklist? We’d really like to hear from you in the comments below.

Home Buyer Tips, Real Estate Tips

Top 10 Things to Consider When Buying a New Home

July 27, 2014 Habitat Ventures 1 Comment

Before you lace your boots and set out on your next house hunting expedition, here are some vital survival tools that need to go in your backpack. Not one for well-crafted metaphors? 🙁 Well, all we saying is if you’re in the market for a new home, our list of “Top 10 Things to Consider When Buying a New Home” can help get your search off to a right start 🙂

While the square footage, the number of bedrooms and the size of the living room are all important, there are other things you should consider before cashing in that final offer. Let’s start with the basics which you probably already have on your checklist:

Location

“Location, Location, Location!” A phrase that everyone in the real estate business or anyone who isn’t new to buying a home, is more than familiar with; and for good reason too. You can work around almost any imperfection within a house, but the one thing you cannot change once the home is bought – is it’s location. A safe and friendly neighbourhood with warm friendly neighbours, will make it a lot easier to follow the Bible’s preaching “Love thy neighbour as thyself” 🙂

When you are choosing your home, in addition to the charm of the neighbourhood, also consider these following essentials – proximity of neighbouring homes, noise from neighbours, traffic levels at rush hour, distance from the nearest main road, ease of parking, convenient to home a pet if your a pet person, and finally access to good restaurants, shopping outlets, schools, offices, parks, and public transportation.

Credibility of Ownership

The last thing you or any one wants, just after moving into your new home, is finding out that the previous owner who sold you the house was not the rightful owner of in the case of a newly constructed home, the land on which the home is built on, belongs to someone else. It can be quite a traumatizing experience, having random stranger(s) knocking at your door, claiming their land or ancestral property. And this has become quite a common practice in India, to an extent that goons have starting using it as a method to falsely extract money from home owners, by making false claims of land ownership and creating havoc if they don’t get compensated.

We suggest having all the necessary paperwork, reviewed and thoroughly inspected by not one, but two lawyers to be doubly sure. It may cost you a little more to do this, but in the larger scheme of things, it’s a small price to pay for a peaceful mind 🙂 Also, talk to some of the older residents of that neighbourhood to find out if they might have any stories to share 🙂

Budget

Certainly number one on every house hunter’s check list. This list would be but incomplete without a mention of budget. While we all want to own that inexpensive dream home, budget yourself properly to a home that suits your lifestyle, as you don’t want to be caught paying through your nose on the mortgage, over the years to follow.

Also, staying up-to-date with the real estate market can help you get the best value within your budget. For example, Villaments are a fairly new concept in the real estate world which offers home buyers the luxury of a villa at the affordable cost of an apartment.

Loan Approval

Speak to a reputed home-loan agent and ensure you pre-qualify for a home loan first. This will put you in a better position to negotiate on the final offer, as this will tell the seller that you are financially ready to make a purchase.

According to a recent news article, home loans of affordable homes may drop by 8-10%! So now might very well be a good time to consider investing in a new home, even if your aren’t in the market.

Access to Essentials

In addition to basic amenities such as 24/7 running water and electricity (which to be honest, not much can be done about the irregularly regular power cuts in India, other than finding out if the local service personnel are responsive and quick to fix any issues other than scheduled power cuts) , ensure that your other essential service providers (like internet, LPG connection, cable television and practically any other service that’s important to you) are able to provide their respective service at the new address. Every so often, we’ve heard our own colleagues cursing ACT or Airtel, for not being able to provide a new internet connection at their new address, stating they do not have access points in that neighbourhood; and how they are being forced to settle with other internet service providers. Only way to make sure this doesn’t happen to you, is to make a few calls and find out directly.

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.Do you have a checklist of your own, that you’d like to share with us and our readers? If so, please do so in the comments below 🙂

Apartments in Bangalore, Apartments in Whitefield, Real Estate Tips, Villaments in Bangalore, Villaments in Whitefield

Advantages of living in Whitefield, Bangalore

July 20, 2014 Habitat Ventures Leave a comment

The area marked by the dotted red line outlines all of Whitefield, Bangalore.

Did you know that Whitefield was initially an old British outpost? And two time UK Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, used to frequently visit the area when in India. It is interesting to know that in the first decade of the 1900s there were under 50 houses, and the area had over 2000 acres of land fit for cultivation. Matter of fact, in 1907 there were only 130 residents :O Whitefield remained a quaint settlement until the late 1990s, which was when Bangalore was hit by the IT boom. It has since become a major hub for the Indian technology industry, ultimately resulting in Whitefield becoming a major part of Greater Bangalore. The International Tech Park, Bangalore (more commonly known as ITPL) in Whitefield is one of the country’s first information technology parks.

This residence was once called Waverly Inn, where Winston Churchill stayed. Photo credit: Meera K — This residence was once called Waverly Inn, where Winston Churchill stayed.
Photo credit: Meera K

Despite the rush hour traffic which can get crazier in Whitefield, as compared to other parts of the city and the water shortage problem, this village-turned-suburb-turned-city, virtually fabricated by the IT revolution, is now setting the cultural tone for the rest of the city. Housing offices of several reputed IT and ITES companies, Whitefield has become a hive for housing and development projects, as well as 5 star hotels, international schools, hospitals, entertainment mega-malls and more recently even art theaters.

In an interview with Times of India in August last year, Carlton Braganza, owner of Opus and Opus in the Creek, Whitefield, had this to say: “In the past four-five years, Whitefield has emerged as a new hub of culture. In terms of numbers, Opus in the Creek closely matches the original one in the heart of the city. We’re doing a festival there next month, with three days of DJs, bands and a flea market. Four years ago when we started Opus in Whitefield, it made perfect sense because we felt it had a ready-made catchment area, and most people are willing to spend.”

The traffic and water problems should soon be taken care of, with the Namma Metro project catering to Whitefield under Phase 2, during which time the Metro network will be extended from Byappanahalli to Whitefield covering 13 stations in between, and with the BWSSB expected to supply the region with the execution of Cauvery Water Supply Scheme Stage IV, Phase II. BWSSB was granted Rs.1000 crore for various water projects in 2012 including supplying water to areas of Greater Bangalore, which includes Whitefield amongst others.

Bangalore Metro Rail - Phase II Map — Bangalore Metro Rail – Phase II Map

Whitefield is very well on its way to becoming the leading hub of New Bangalore, and if you’re already a resident of Whitefield, you can relate to the advantages of living close to the following resource points:

1. Hotels & Malls

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2. Tech Parks

International Tech Park, Bangalore (ITPL)

3. Theaters, Museums & Art Galleries

Karnataka Trade Promotion Organization (KTPO)

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4. Hospitals & Schools

Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences

The Deen's Academy School — The Deen’s Academy School

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So as you can see, one is never truly far from a hospital, school, hotel, a cinema, a mall or even any recreational centres when living in Whitefield. If you happen to be a resident of Whitefield, maybe you can tell us in the comments below, what is your favorite part about living in Whitefield? 🙂

Interior Decoration Tip #1: Personality

Interior Decoration Tip #2: Wall Colours

Interior Decoration Tip #3: Furniture and Rugs

Interior Decoration Tip #4: Collectibles and Art

Interior Decoration Tip #5: Staying Happy

Credibility of Builder

Quality of Construction

Amenities Provided

Access to Sunlight

Security

Location

Credibility of Ownership

Budget

Loan Approval

Access to Essentials

1. Hotels & Malls

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2. Tech Parks

3. Theaters, Museums & Art Galleries

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4. Hospitals & Schools

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Building world class living spaces for people with a zest for life.