AHMEDABAD WILL HAVE 50,000 NEW HOMES BY 2014

In latest real estate news Ahmedabad, while everyone is busy worrying about the weakening economy, Ahmedabad has a different story to tell. According to news reports, Ahmedabad is all set to have around 50,000 new homes by 2014.

Ahmedabad is one of the fastest growing cities in the world... and is happy to meet the real estate and property demands of its people.

Cushman & Wakefield, leading estate consultants who launched their office in Ahmedabad recently stated Ahmedabad is on the path of entering a phase where real estate will be at its peak by next year end.

They claim that absorption in commercial space has surpassed recession levels in the city. 

About 0.6 million square feet of commercial space was consumed in 2007, which increased to 0.8 million square feet in 2011 and is likely to go further up in current year.

  

Mid segment category residential units cater to about 85% of the total number. On the other hand, 4,100 high-end units are under-construction at SG road, Vejalpur, Prahladnagar and Thaltej.

About 50,000 residential units will be added to the city in next two years. 75% of them are concentrated in the peripheral areas like SG road, SP Ring Road, Bopal, Naroda, Vejalpur, Gota and Ranip.

  

Amongst the most popular and most talked about upcoming projects are:

1. Adani's ambitious project : SHANTIGRAM

2. Godrej's GARDEN CITY

3. Balaji's WIND PARK

4. Pacifica Company's THE MEADOWS

5. METROCITY

BUYING A RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY IN AHMEDABAD

Purchasing, Selling or Investing in a Residential Property has always been one of the more important decisions in life. This is where we can help. If you’re looking to buy a residential property in Ahmedabad, you can find all the assistance, advice and guidance you’d require, here.

To make this process a little simple for you, we have drawn up a list of the hot favorite properties of Ahmedabad.

Gujarat is a hot destination for investments. Not only is it safer than most of the states, it is rapidly developing in terms of infrastructure, hospitality and tourism too, especially Ahmedabad.

Thus, now is the time to leverage this growing real estate market and to invest in 2 bhk, 3 bhk and 4 bhk flats in Ahmedabad.

But there are so many properties coming up, where should or should you not invest? Read on…

The three most talked about properties and investment schemes are:

     1. Adani’s Shantigram

     2. Godrej’s Garden City

     3. Shree Balaji Group’s Wind Park

Here’s shedding a little more light onto the three:

     1. SHANTIGRAM:
AREA: S.G. HIGHWAY

     a)WATER LILY:   
As the name suggests, Water Lily offers luxurious 2bhk, 3bhk and 4bhk apartments surrounded by serene blue water. A state of the art gym, club and swimming pool are some of the highlights of Water Lily.

Floor plans and specifications can be availed on request.

     b)THE MEADOWS:   
The meadows offer luxurious 2bhk, 3bhk and 4bhk flats surrounded by lush greenery. Apart from a state of the art gym, club and swimming pool, The Meadows is also equipped with a multi discipline sports ground.

Floor plans and specifications can be availed on request.

     2. GODREJ GARDEN CITY
AREA: JAGATPUR, 1.8KM FROM S.G HIGHWAY

     The much talked about Godrej Garden City comprises of 50 towers with efficient and modern 2bhk ,3bhk & 3bhk with study apartments in various configurations to suit your need and budget.

There are a lot of proposed facilities within the township itself including healthcare, banks, gymnasium and a swimming pool. For extra security, Godrej Garden City has proposed the facility for a police station too.

Floor plans and specifications can be availed on request.

     

     3.SHREE BALAJI WIND PARK
AREA: NEAR VAISHNODEVI CIRCLE, S.G. HIGHWAY 

Shree Balaji’s Wink Park is one of the more ambitious ongoing projects in Ahmedabad offering not only 3bhk and 4bhk apartments, but also 5bhk, 6bhk and 7bhk apartments for larger families.

Amongst some of the proposed facilities, a 7 Star Club house with modern Gym Equipments, a Library, Multiple courts for lawn tennis, volley ball and net cricket, Swimming pool with qualified trainer and a pool side restaurant are some of the highlights.

Floor plans and specifications can be availed on request.

TOP THREE PROPERTIES IN AHMEDABAD

Apart from Shantigram, there are two other upcoming properties which are similarly magnificent and luxurious: Shree Balaji Green Valley and Godrej Garden City.

Here is a quick analysis of some of the main features of the three to help you make the best choice for yourself!

SR NO	FEATURE	SHANTIGRAM	SHREE BALAJI GREEN VALLEY	GODREJ GARDEN CITY
1	600 acre landscape	✓
2	Good Infrastructure around the area	✓
3	Eco friendly	✓
4	Artificial Lake	✓
5	Golf Course	✓	✓	✓
6	Vastu Compliant Homes		✓
7	100% white money transactions	✓		✓
8	Prime location	✓	✓	✓
9	Architecture and Construction	✓	✓	✓
10	Parking & Security	✓	✓	✓

1. 600 acre landscape: While both Shree Balaji Green Valley as well as Godrej Garden City (250 acres) are magnanimous, Shantigram is easily the largest with a landscape of 600 acres. It claims to be the largest township of Gujarat.

2. Good Infrastructure around the Area: Shantigram, Balaji and Godrej – all three have excellent infrastructure in the buildup area. But the infrastructure outside the Godrej and Balaji was not so impressive. While to get to Balaji I had to navigate my way through crazy drivers on pot holes and badly constructed roads, Godrej was only a notch higher with a railway crossing that stands as a huge deterrent.

3. Eco Friendly: Shantigram has proposed concepts like Rain Water Harvesting, Water Recycling, Solar Energy for streets lights, Solid Waste Management Systems, to name a few which is quite impressive!

4. Artificial Lake: A lake in a city like Ahmedabad is like an oasis to a desert traveler! We have Kankaria Lake and Vastrapur Lake which are a hot favorite amongst kids and adults alike. Shantigram has its own artificial lake, which was a real surprise!

5. Golf Course: All three properties are equipped with a superior golf course; golf being one of the new trends in Ahmedabad!

6. Vastu Compliant Homes: Only Balaji Green Valley had homes which were not only extremely beautiful, but were also Vastu Compliant. A thumbs up to Balaji.

7. 100% White Money Transactions: Honestly, to stay on the safe side of the law, money transactions must be white as far as possible. If you believe this, Balaji Green Valley homes might not be for you. Godrej and Shantigram; both are a 100% safe.

8. Prime Location: All three properties are primly located in the Western part of the city which is rapidly developing. The area is thronged with major schools, colleges, malls, multiplexes and eateries!

9. Architecture and Construction Quality: The architecture and quality of construction are indeed excellent. However, in terms of designing, Shantigram stands first, Godrej Garden City stands second and Balaji Green Valley follows.

10. Parking and Security: Each property can easily accommodate at least two cars per flat. 24hour security is available.

***Information derived from their official websites

BUYING A VILLA IN AHMEDABAD

If you are looking for a villa in Ahmedabad, look no further!   

This post is dedicated in providing you with all the assistance, advice and guidance you’d require to buy a villa in Ahmedabad – either as a second home or simply as an investment. Read on…

Villas come in all shapes and sizes. Some are magnificent and palatial, while some are super luxurious.

We read about them in magazines, watch them in fancy movies and see them in foreign countries. Now, you’ll be seeing them pretty soon in good old aapnu Ahmedabad!

It’s no longer a dream! Buying a perfect Villa, that too in Ahmedabad, is just a click away…!

As Ahmedabad is steadily onto becoming one of the fastest developing cities in India, the real estate in Ahmedabad is at an all time high.

If asked, what does your dream house look like; “A huge house…with lots of greenery…and a pool” will be your reply!!! Well, this is what a villa is actually! Nobody wants to be stuck in a small flat in the midst of a concrete jungle.

Buying a new home is not easy. The process needs you to dedicate lots of time and energy … not to forget money! But, with so many easily affordable schemes, buying a Villa does not seem as farfetched as it seemed a couple of years ago.

Here is a quick list of Villas in Ahmedabad: 

SHREE BALAJI GREEN VALLEY (Adalaj, S.G.Highway) : An ambitious project of Shree Balaji Group, the following amenities are offered:  

·        Private Swimming Pool

·        Yoga & Meditation Centre 

·        Snooker Area

·        Cricket Pitch

·        Skating Ring

·        High - End Security Systems

·        Exclusive club House

SHANTIGRAM GOLF VILLAS (S.G Highway) : These are Classic Mediterranean, Spanish and Contemporary themed villas. They offer:   

·        An all-equipped clubhouse

·        An exclusive swimming pool

·        Golf Course

·        Community centre

·        Art gallery

·        Pedestal market

·        Footpath and cycle tracks

·        Places of worship

·        Petrol pump

·        Piped gas         

THE MEADOWS (South Bopal) : The Meadows, an initiative by Pacifica Companies offer offer:

·        Gymnasium

·        Club house

·        Tennis court

·        Jogging track

·        Shopping mall, swimming pool, health clubs etc.

·        All the villas are garden facing

·        Fully backed up with power and water supply.

SHREE BALAJI UPVAN (Ahmedabad – Gandhinagar Highway) : Yet another project of Shree Balaji Group, Shree Balaji Upvan has the following to offer: 

·         Health Club

·        Swimming Pool

·        Ultra modern Fountain

·        Gaming Zone

·        Jogging Track

·        Yoga / Meditation Center

SHANTIGRAM – THE GOOD LIFE

When Anne Dillard, the famous American author quoted, “There is no shortage of good days. It is good lives that are hard to come by...” she probably hadn’t heard about Shantigram.

Good lives are not so hard to come by now…thanks to this magnificent venture known as SHANTIGRAM -- a project initiated by Adani Township & Real Estate Company in association with Saumya Construction Pvt. Ltd.

Shantigram -- spread over 600 acres with state-of-the-art commercial complexes and luxurious residences -- is where you should be living!

Waterlily

Ahmedabad is one of the most rapidly progressing cities of India and now, it is a proud fact that it is soon to be associated with the rapidly progressing largest township in Gujarat, a jewel in the crown of Ahmedabad’s real estate : Shantigram.

Have you ever visualized an ideal life? A life away from the hustle and bustle of the city of Ahmedabad.. A life which does not stop with traffic jams.. A life which is not in a mechanical rut.. A life where play time for children is in beautiful real gardens not virtual farms..! A life where you can enjoy – and not complain about the first spell of rain.. A life where you get the opportunity to discover – that life is indeed beautiful!

 A life where you don’t reside – YOU LIVE! 

You can see this dream turn into reality at Shantigram…If you are wondering how life can be like this, take a quick peek into this amazingly magnificent township of Ahmedabad, click here…!!!

With its out of the world amenities and facilities Shantigram is all set to redefine the real estate investment space in Gujarat.

Be it WaterLily, the beautiful lake end apartments or the luxurious stadium facing apartments, The Meadows or the plush golf course facing residences, Shantigram is pure magnificence.

To be a part of the Adani’s real estate family, click here. Real estate consultants and Real estate developers are also invited to take a tour of these new residential properties in Ahmedabad today!

SAFETY TIPS FOR WOMEN HOME BUYERS

According to the Census 2011 reports, 28,901,346 females reside in Gujarat. In Ahmedabad alone, there are 2,634,716 females out of the total population of 5,570,585. Statistics also show that 777,962 houses are headed by women.

…and when it comes to women, the first priority is safety.

As security issues loom large in our cities, single women have become more and more apprehensive about moving into apartments or as paying guests.

While certain builders and architects are increasing security measures in their designs, we begin to recognize that many buildings, parking lots, streets, public transport and even sidewalks are not designed with women in mind.

When it comes to ‘fear’, it is a healthy emotion and women should listed to their gut feelings, negative vibes or feelings of insecurity.

We have compiled a list of safety tips for prospective women clients who wish to invest in properties and homes!

Note- None of this is meant to be frighten women away from buying a home, but to help prepare women for home ownership safety and to offer tips on finding the right home by shopping with security at the forefront.

     1.  Buy Bungalows With Attached Garages.

It is wiser to have attached garages if you are planning to buy a bungalow. This way, when you come home in the evenings / late evenings, when it is dark, you can directly enter your home from the garage itself. With advance in technology, electronic garage doors are becoming quite popular. These are known to be classy as well as safe.

     2.  Well populated buildings

Hunt for apartments in well populated and ‘live’ buildings. Also keep a good rapport with the security guards and neighbors.

     3.  Street Lights

It would be wise to go for a property which is well lit and illuminated in the evenings. Abundant street lighting and motion-sensor lights offer more security than dimly lit areas.

     4.  Electronic Security Systems

Electronic security systems are easy to install and readily available in the market today. These systems make it easy to see and hear whoever is outside the door. 

     5.  Inspect Door Locks

Locks are very important for our safety. Any damaged / old locks can be a cause of concern. When you move in, make sure you get the lock changed. Adding Look at the strong deadbolts, which unlock from the inside without a key would be a smart move too!

     6.  Location

Where is your room / apartment located? On which floor? How easy would it be to escape in emergencies? Is it located in a remote area? Burglars tend to prefer quiet locations where they can go about the business of breaking in without being seen from the street.

     7.  High Storey Buildings

It is very tough for criminals or hooligans to reach up to the higher stories of a building unnoticed. Also, as far as possible, opt for ‘road facing’ homes so that there is always someone to call for help.

     8.  Neighborhood

Certain neighborhoods are safe and while some are considered ‘sensitive’. Search the area on the internet and ask around for past history of crimes or criminals. 

     9.  Dogs

If you have already purchased your property and none of the above is applicable anymore, a simple solution would be a dog. Dogs make great companions and offer a great sense of security. It's not necessary to get a big dog, either, as little dogs can often yap louder and more incessantly than big dogs!

GOT YOUR HOUSE INSURED? ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW!

Insurance: The biggest ‘Assurance’.

For us, our home insurance is a superhero which is expected to come to our rescue every time our home is in trouble. But is it really possible? What can or cannot a home insurance do?

We all have home insurance policies and we believe these insurance policies will cover our homes for practically any and every damage to the house or its contents. The reality is that house insurance policies contain many exclusions and restrictions on coverage that can leave us with a coverage gap…

To bust the myths and clear those doubts, read on…

Firstly household insurance policies are categorized into two types: content insurance and building insurance.

You can buy both of them separately or you can buy a comprehensive policy which covers the building, your personal belongings, third party liabilities and additional living expenses too.

For those who are currently residing in a rented property, there would be need only for a content insurance policy to protect your belongings.

In detail,

Building Insurance: Building insurance covers the structure of the house i.e. the actual walls including fixtures and fittings, garages and outbuildings, bathrooms, kitchens, and boilers, rooms, doors, windows and roofs.

The insurance company pays for all repairs and rebuilding if any… in case of damage and destruction caused due to natural calamities such as lightening, hurricanes, earth-quakes, floods, and the others which are listed in the policy.

Content insurance: Content insurance covers household belongings which can be removed or transferred from one place to another. Example-- clothes, furniture, carpets, electrical goods, jewelry and so on.

Content Insurance policies cover damages or losses which occur due to mechanical or electrical breakdowns. In the event, the electrical or mechanical item is more than 10 years old then it is not covered in the policy.

Damages arising from fires, theft, water bursts from tanks or pipes, oil leakage from fixed heating systems, storms, floods, rioting, vandalism, explosions etc are also covered.

Third party liabilities (check for availability with your insurance company): If you or your family members cause any harm to someone or accidently damage somebody else’s property, then, the responsible party will be eligible to claim support from the insurance company to pay for the damage. However, the damage should be accidental and legal.

Additional living expenses: In case of extreme damage caused by fires, storms or any other insured natural or artificial disasters, the insurance company will be responsible to provide an additional cost of living which covers daily meals, hotel bills and other living expenses. Although the coverage amount differs from company to company, it is generally around 20% of the house insurance amount.

Medical payment : Regardless of fault, this component pays medical expenses for those who have been accidentally injured on your premise or the area adjoining it.

However, this category does not cover the medical expenses of the policy holder of its family members.

This is just a general categorization and brief explanation of home insurance… for more accurate and relevant details; please check with your insurance policy company.

HOUSE NOT SELLING? HERE’S WHY…

Markets go up and markets go down. Inventories increase and buyers decrease. Some houses have a long list of prospective buyers while some lie untouched in the market for weeks together! 

…Why? Does that mean there is something wrong with the house itself? The answer is NO!  It is mostly because of the poor quality of marketing efforts!

Sometimes, we make the simplest mistakes without even realizing them! But not any more… here is a list of do’s and do not’s to make sure your house goes to the right person at the right time—

     1.  The real picture

Pictures speak louder than words… and in this case, it is the closest thing to the real property, it is very necessary to have proper photos. Remember, the photos will be responsible for luring the buyer to the actual property.

Pictures that are too dark or too cluttered are a total no-no! Nobody likes to see messy rooms and haunted houses!

Also, never Photoshop an image! Be as real and natural as you can about the property.

And, it is also a nice gesture to put more than one picture of the property… prospective buyers will get always appreciate more variety.

     2.  Being Vague 

Buyers who have never seen the property before, especially online searches need more convincing and complete information apart from the address and number of rooms!

Make sure to describe the property in detail including why it is unique and what made you purchase it in the first place.

     3.  Make the broker your friend

It is always wiser to have brokers tour the property well in advance so that he can get the right sort of people to tour the property. We don’t want everyone to walk in for a tour like it’s a circus, do we?

     4.  Don’t be a watchman

If someone does appear to be interested in your property and wishes to tour it, do not restrict their entry or they’ll find another property! If inconvenient to you, politely ask them to come at a better time.

5.  Commission

Yes, agents tend to work for the commission, but that is most certainly not indicative that they work only for that! There are a lot of honest and hardworking agents and we really should not forget them. If you feel the ‘commission’ is going to be slightly heavy on your pocket, go for the Sunday classifieds in the newspaper or put an ad online.

Today, the first place people look is online. Putting up downloadable pictures which can be shared with others, opening up to virtual tours, being descriptive and open about the sale will only enhance the process!

WHAT SHOULD YOU ASK BEFORE BUYING A HOME?

What do you do when you fall in love with a house for no apparent reason?

At one point of life, everyone is new to the home buying process… for some it is highly exciting and for some it is a source of extreme apprehension. Whatever the case, we’re all full of questions and doubts!

But how many of them do we really try to clear?! Not many... simply because most of us don’t really know what questions can be termed as ‘beneficial’ or ‘relevant’.

More so, when brokers or agents ask us if we have questions, we know we're supposed to ask something, but what? What kind of questions should we ask before buying a home? What do we need to know about a house?

Before signing the dotted line, one must make sure to get at least the following issued cleared upfront--

Questions to Ask About the Offering Price:

We tend to compare prices of houses in the same tower / neighborhood / locality and even in the same area. But the asking price may have very little to do with the actual value of the home or the price a buyer should offer.

The questions which are necessary to be asked are –

  1.  How much did the current owner pay when he/she purchased the house?

  2.  How much is the current owner asking for?

  3.  How many flats / apartments / homes have been sold in the locality and at what prices?

  4.  Does the current owner have any other offers for the property?

  5.  How long has it been since the property has been in the market – as in since how long does the owner want to sell the property?

  6.  What all does the price include?

Questions to ask About the Condition of the Property:

The condition of the property sometimes is the reason the owner wants to dispose it off!!!

You must have a good idea of the structural defects , if any, or other maintenance related issues before you jump into a deal.

The necessary questions you need to ask are:

  1.  How old is the property?

  2.  What is the ‘foundation’ type?

  3.  Does the home have proper ventilation facilities?

  4.  How old are the appliances and machines – and are they maintained systematically?

  5.  How recently was the house painted? And what is the paint type?

  6.  Is the furniture termite proof?

Questions to ask About the Location:

Location is one of the main reasons we buy or don’t buy a house! And of course, location also influences the price of the property… Homes in desirable locations are worth more than similar homes in locations not so desirable.

So what should you ask about location?

  1.  What are the other types of homes in the location?

  2.  Is the area residential and commercial too?

  3.  What are the demographics of the area and what are the types of people living there?

  4.  Are there any entertainment / shopping / recreational spots?

  5.  Are there any schools nearby?

  6.  How congested is the area?

  7.  Is there a railway crossing nearby?

  8.  What is the traffic like?

  9.  How safe is the area?