Category Archives: Villaments in Bangalore

Buying a home is probably the biggest purchase anyone will ever make. For most of us it is the ultimate ‘status symbol’, the ultimate ‘we made it’ sign. Everyone realizes buying a new home isn’t easy. It involves a lot of work and effort, sometimes even years of preparation. When the moment finally arrives and we’ve decided on the house of our dreams how does one go about paying for it? Almost everyone opts for a home loan, besides the obvious benefits like ease of payment, tax benefits and not blocking up capital, home loans are also easy to apply for, especially with so many banks offering the home loan. With that being said, as a potential new owner, one needs to do a few things that ensure that the home loan approval happens on time and smoothly.

1) Plan within budget: The first step is to plan the budget of your house. As someone going for a home loan do not worry about the project cost, you need to pay closer attention to the EMI (Equated Monthly Installment). Ensure that the EMI is within your budget. This is something the bank looks into as well. When they get your bank statements they cross your earnings to your expenses and saving and then see how much EMI an individual can afford.

There are many EMI calculators online which can help you plan your spending. Just enter the amount of home loan, the tenure, approximate interest rate and voila! Your answer is in front of you 🙂

2) Keep your documents handy: Buying a new home can be overwhelming; the last thing you need is the stress of running around for documents at the last minute. Save yourself the trouble and keep the documents ready beforehand. Most banks ask for more or less the similar documentation like –

Identity Proof: Voter’s ID, PAN Card or any photo ID

Income Proof: Latest salary slips and Form 16 documents or if you’re are self-employed, last 2 years IT returns and certified computation of income.

Proof of residence: Electricity Bill, Water Bill, Telephone bill, Bank account statement, Property documents etc… or other such bills with your name on it can be used.

Last 6 months bank statements: Salaried or Self Employees they usually ask for these.

Guarantors: Some banks might ask for a guarantor so ask a couple of friends and family and be ready in case the bank asks for it.

Each bank has different requirements so be sure to talk to your home loan officer in advance, alternatively, you could check out your bank’s site and get that info as well.

3) Track your Credit rating: CIBIL (Credit Information Bureau India Limited) tracks people’s credit history and allots a rating to them. When purchasing a home, people plan months in advance. This is when you need to start tracking your credit rating. If it needs improvement, this is the best time to do it. Start paying off loans and credit cards on time, & make sure you have no cheque bounces and outstanding payments etc…

The credit score is rated on a scale of 300 to 900. The higher the rating, the higher the chances of you getting the loan approved. A Credit score of around 800 is ideal, failing which 700 should be the target. For a small fee, you can check your CIBIL credit score by logging on to their website.

Additional Tips:

Check with your own banker for a loan. Since you already have a savings or current account there getting a loan might be easier.

If you are buying an apartment or Villament, try to get the loan through the banks that the builder has tied up with. The banks are aware of the property and this sometimes helps expedite the process.

Before you decide on a bank cross-check with other banks to ensure that you are getting the best interest rate possible.

Buying a home is a big decision. Don’t let the smaller details of applying for a loan make you sweat. Follow these simple guidelines and you should be in our new house in no time 🙂

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.

Apartments in Bangalore, Villament for families, Villaments in Bangalore

It is important to childproof your home, and here is how you do it.

July 25, 2014 Habitat Ventures Leave a comment

The joy of parenthood is quickly overcome by a sense of responsibility. Having a child at home can be very exciting for every parent. A lot of new parents forget to childproof their houses or if they do, they miss a couple of things here and there. Who can blame them? The months leading up to a child’s birth are no child’s play (no pun intended). Children unlike adults don’t know any better and as parents/guardians it is our job to provide them a childproof safe environment. Things we often overlook as adults can be dangerous to a child. Given below is a checklist to ensure your home is safe for children.

1) Keep household chemicals out of reach: We often keep household chemicals like floor cleaner, phenyl, dishwasher liquid etc… in the lower cabinets. They need to be moved to higher cabinets, and out of the child’s reach.

Tip: Alternatively you could lock your cabinets to ensure your child cannot access them.

2) Cushion furniture corners: As adults we have a sense of our surrounding (well some of us still run into the table occasionally but that’s a topic for another day). Children could easily hurt themselves on table corners, bed edges and other such places. It’s a good idea to cushion these to help prevent any accidents by childproof.

A quick search on ebay can get you many corner guards like these.

3) Install Safety Nets: Apartments and Villaments in Bangalore are on the rise. Parents living in houses that are either in the first floor or higher need to make sure they put some kind of childproof safety nets in their balconies.

4) Keep breakable pieces out of the child’s reach: Items like costly electronics, showpieces etc… should be moved to the back, towards the wall and if they are standing on a piece of furniture that can be easily pushed over, both the breakable piece and the furniture need to be moved.

5) Keep medicines in locked cabinets: There’s a lot of medication given to the children during the early years and some parents themselves use regular medication. All of these should be stored in locked cabinets. If children have access them, accidental overdose could lead to serious problems.

6) Cover Electrical Outlets: This prevents children from accidentally sticking fingers or objects into them.

7) Install Door Stoppers: If the house you live in does not have door stoppers, it is advisable to get them installed. Children can easily get their fingers or toes stuck under moving doors.

While some of these guidelines might seem unnecessary or even outrageous to someone, they by no means are to be taken lightly. Remember, “It’s better to be safe than sorry!”

As parents having a child at home can make us happy and at the same time concerned for their safety. By taking some of the steps mentioned here we can ensure we spend less time being concerned and more time being happy with our children!

Happy parenting from all of us at Habitat Ventures! 🙂

Apartments in Bangalore, Apartments in Whitefield, Home Buyer Tips, Villament for families, Villaments in Bangalore, Villaments in Whitefield

Advantages Of Having A Private Garden At Your Home

July 23, 2014 Habitat Ventures Leave a comment

Private Garden A touch of greenery amidst all the concrete is very appealing to the eye. If you have your own plot and are planning to build a home, do make sure you save some space for a beautiful garden. In case you reside in apartments, you can always go for small hanging gardens which will add a spark to your balcony. Or in the case of most new villaments, each home already comes with its own private garden/park.

Habitat Crest Villaments — At Habitat Crest, each villament has its own private park that can be doubled as a garden area.

While some folks may think of a private garden as high maintenance, which they kinda are, gardens and landscapes have a lot of advantages which many aren’t fully aware of.

In addition to the common benefits of serving as a great place to relax, exercise or simply soak in the sun from the comfort of your home or even serve as a great space for hosting barbeque parties, here are some of the more commonly overlooked advantages.

1. Experience

The most important factor which contributes to the overall look and feel of any home is the experience. To be specific, a visual experience is something which lasts longer in the minds of people. Aesthetics are essential to any home and gardens probably top the list of things which provide a visual long lasting impact on any person, as they are closely associated with natural fauna.

Not just a visual, but a mental experience also comes into play by the mood it creates. After a long and tiring day through the concrete jungle, returning home to the sight of that green is only second to that of returning home to your family and/or pet 🙂

2. Access to Fresh Produce

The vegetables and fruits we buy from the marketplace are prone to have remnant pesticides which can be harmful to your health. A garden, on the other hand, can be a source of fresh produce which is safe to consume. It might take a lot more effort to maintain the produce gardens though, but it sure is worth the rewards. You literally reap what you sow, in this case 😀

Home grown potatoes - private garden — Fresh home grown potatoes | Image credit: Tommy Hemmert Olesen

Growing vegetables and fruits with family can be fun too. If you are planning on having a garden mainly for growing veggies, it is better to have a wider area in the backyard where there is ample sunlight. Just a quick tip for those of you who lack the extra space at home, you can always consider container gardening – tomatoes and peppers grow well in small pots.

private-garden-beetroot — Gardening can be quite a productive hobby.

3. Impact on the Environment

The very word ‘garden’ instantly forces you to think of the environment. It doesn’t matter how big or small the garden is, it is sure to create an environmental impression.

Plants absorb greenhouse gases through photosynthesis. They reduce the glares from buildings and absorb unwanted noises. It also helps in conserving energy. Pollution can also be minimized to a certain extent.

Gardening is also a way to provide habitat for different life forms. This attracts birds and insects which are always an added pleasant sight in your garden.

Nature in your very own backyard garden.

4. Value of Medicinal Plants and In-house Gardening

In addition to growing fruits &vegetables or that rare botanical collection, many gardeners are known to grow medicinal plants, whose benefits are aplenty. Aloe Vera, for example, is a common home grown medicinal plant and is very helpful when it comes to healing, reducing risks of infections and also poor appetite.

If you are planning on growing plants within the four walls of your house, there are some amazing plants like peace lily and snake plant which are very forgiving.

A healthy and peaceful surrounding is all one wants and having a landscaped garden is truly something to die for. There is no disadvantage which would overrule the advantage though. Any home will surely look complete, beautiful and more with nature with the addition of a well-maintained garden.

What do you feel? Having a garden is too much maintenance or do are it’s benefits worth the effort? Do you enjoy gardening or have a private garden in your home? Let us know how it benefits you the most.

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

.

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? 🙂

Apartments in Bangalore, Villament for families, Villaments in Bangalore, Villaments in Whitefield

Apartments or Villaments in Bangalore? What’s better for kids?

July 4, 2014 Habitat Ventures Leave a comment

In today’s fact-paced and competitive world, we are all concerned about our kids growing up in the right community. A big part of that is attributed to where they live. It’s the experiences they gather here that define their future. And as protective parents we all want to give our children the best tools to help them succeed.

Families have long considered moving into apartments as a safe haven for their kids considering the features some of the apartment complexes offer. However, villaments in Bangalore are beginning to change that trend and are quickly becoming the top destination for families with kids. Listed below are a few of the reasons we found people considering villaments over regular apartments.

1. Gated Community: Most apartment complexes usually have a tower or two constructed with a small wall around the apartment complex. On the up side a villament usually has multiple towers and are usually placed upon larger land spaces. Villaments in Bangalore have far better security measures with a gated community system in place. Getting in and out of the Villament complex would not be easily possible for a stranger or visitor. Ensuring you wouldn’t have to worry too much when your kid is out playing in the community garden or other public places within the Villament.

2. Extra-curricular activities: In today’s highly competitive world, kids need to be future ready by sharpening their social skills, amongst others. Having a Community Hall and Community Garden within walking distance, ensures your kids interact and socialize with other like minded people boys and girls.

3. Skill Development: No longer do you have to travel long distances just to place your kids in camps, hoping they pick up the right skill. Villaments offer various high-end amenities like a swimming pool, basketball court or in certain Villaments in Bangalore, even a tennis court. And with these at your family’s disposal, you can be sure that your kids get all the training they want, when they want it and however often they want it.

4. No surface-vehicle-movement: Take Habitat Crest’s Villaments in Whitefield, Bangalore for example, architects have designed the entire place in such a way that there is absolutely no vehicular movement at the surface level. Vehicles enter a subterrestrial driveway right from the gates to their individual Villaments in Bangalore. This doesn’t just reduce the air pollution; it also ensures the roads are kept safe from any speeding or negligent drivers.

5. Location, location, location: Life in a gated community is good, but what happens when you step out? Unlike most apartment complexes, Habitat Ventures’ Crest Villament has been strategically placed amidst international schools, hospitals, malls, hotels and other essential hot spots. Here’s a list of a few of those hot-spots:

Hospitals & Schools
1. Sri Sathya Sai Super Specialty Hospital
2. Brookefield Hospital
3. Ryan International School
4. Gopalan International School
5. Delhi Public School

Hotels & Malls
1. Zuri Hotel
2. Marriott
3. Vivanta by Taj
4. Forum Value Mall
5. Phoenix Market City

Theatres & Tech Parks
1. PVR Cinema
2. Fame Cinema
3. ITPL
4. Brigade Tech Park
5. Prestige Shantiniketan

Also, within close vicinity are the Whitefield rail station, bus stand and proposed Metro station.

As parents we want to ensure our kids have all the tools necessary, in order to create a great future for themselves. A villament brings you as many of these tools which a dream home possibly can, and more! And it does so without you having to sacrifice on the quality or standard of your life and your family’s well being 🙂

What are your thoughts about children’s safety and betterment in Bangalore today? Apart from a safe home, what else do you feel contributes to a child’s successful upbringing? We’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.

Images Credit: Philippe Put

Apartments in Bangalore, Apartments in Whitefield, Villaments in Bangalore, Villaments in Whitefield

Pet Friendly Apartments and Villaments are a Growing Trend in Bangalore.

July 2, 2014 Habitat Ventures Leave a comment

Pet Friendly Villaments offer a private park to each home — Image credit: www.flickr.com/photos/robertszlivka/

Pet friendly apartments and villaments there are many of you out there who share an unbreakable bond with their pets. Amongst all the madness that surrounds us in the world today, this bond that’s forged out of loyalty and love has stood the test of time. Every pet owner, past or present, knows exactly how much our pets love us, how our pets make us smile, & how they are ever so happy each and every time we come home even if we were gone for only 2 minutes 😀 For us they aren’t just pets, they are pretty much a part of our family. And to consider moving our house and parting with our “family member” is a dreaded thought.

For a long time now Bangalore hasn’t offered many ‘Pet Friendly Apartments’, and this has been disheartening to pet owners, who’ve long been protesting for the rules to be relaxed. However the apartments have shown no sign of adopting a pet friendly policy anytime soon. This has left the pet owners with a difficult choice of either choosing a new home or parting with their pet; a choice no one should ever be forced to make.

Pet owners can now breathe a sigh of relief as pet friendly apartments and villaments in Bangalore are coming to the rescue. Opposed to regular apartments, villaments offer various ‘pet friendly’ features that make life a lot easier for all you pet owners. Let’s take a look at some of the options:

1. A Private Garden for each Villament

A villament comes equipped with it’s own private garden. No longer do you have to worry about your pet being cramped for room. With your own private garden you can assure that your pet gets all the playing space he/she needs. A private garden is a complete pet haven!

2. Availability of a Community Garden or Park

While the private garden by itself provides your pet with enough wiggle room, if you are one of those pet owners who loves taking your dogs on long walks, the community park serves as an added bonus.

In addition to that a community park serves as a good place for your pet to make new friends with the other pets from the neighborhood 🙂

Pet Friendly Villaments at Habitat Crest — Habitat Crest Villaments offer each home it’s very own private park.

3. Access to direct Daylight

Anyone to everyone who’ve had pets, know just how much pets love sunbathing! If you have a dog or a cat you will notice they love to go out, lay down and absorb all the vitamin D they can get (which FYI is important to your pet’s health). Villaments are architecturally designed to ensure each home has optimal access to sunlight. Take Habitat Ventures’ Crest Villament project, for example, the Crest Villaments in Whitefield ensure that all living areas have access to direct sunlight. 70% of the project land is open space ensuring sufficient natural ambient lighting and, the location & design of the staircase & the double height in the living room enhances the light and ventilation. No one wants to live in a “stuffy” home.

Villaments are a great opportunity for pet owners to think of moving into a new home along with their beloved pets. Villaments offer a ton of features and are not as expensive as a villa. Check out this article on why a Villament is better than an apartment: https://habitatventures.com/blog/villament/

Simply put, “if a dog is a man’s best friend, a villament is a dog’s best friend!” 🙂

Habitat Ventures