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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Insignia - housing group formed by IT professionals working in Hinjewadi, Pune, finalizes their first scheme of 2 and 3 bhk flats and Town Houses

Unbelievable property rate and location!

Rs. 2,250 per sq.ft. for flats

Rs. 2,350 per sq.ft. for Town Houses

Near Pashankar Auto, Baner

From the day i blogged the small ad about "Housing group of 100 IT professionals in Infosys is looking for a reputed developer!", i was dying to blog this "breaking news"!

At last, today, Nitin Degaonkar, send me an email and gave this "hot news" about finalization of their project of 2 and 3 bhk flats and 3 and 4 bhk Town Houses at Baner - Sus border, near Pashankar Auto.

Can my readers get a flat at Rs. 2,250 per sq.ft.?

"All Members of the Insignia Group, Congrats! Well done!!," though i was talking to Nitin, i addressed to all members because, i know, he always insists on giving credit to "Insignia Group" and asked, "Are you taking new members? Can my readers get a flat in this project?"

"We have already started the process of allotment! And there is an eligibility criteria to become a member. So it would be better if they first join the Insignia Group," Nitin Degaonkar said.

To join, please, visit Yahoo! Groups - insignia_pune :Insignia

Have we found the bottom of real estate prices?

We all were waiting for Pune property rates to reach to the bottom.

Now, Insignia Group has finalized their rate at Rs. 2,250 per sq.ft.

At Narhe - Ambegaon, off Sinhgad Road, "Darode-Jog" is launching "greenlandcounty" at Rs. 2,350 per sq.ft.

At Pimple Gurav, property rates of Kalpataru Estate are in the range of Rs. 2,200 to 2,300 per sq.ft.

Amit's Astonia was launched at Rs. 2,300 per sq.ft. at Balewadi.

Yesterday, Ashish Yadav's group has come up with the offer of Rs. 2,525 per sq.ft. for Baner Balewadi.

I think, we have found out the "bottom rate" of the property in Pune real estate market! What do you think? Please, share your views in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Ashish Yadav invites you to join his group to book a flat at Rs. 2,525 per sq.ft. in Baner Balewadi!

Special invitation for the readers of Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog!


Ashish Yadav, the property price negotiator and deep discount dealmaker, is forming a new group of 30 members.

He has send special invitation for you to join his group.

Ashish says "deal is good!"

Project is located in Baner Balewadi area.

Property rate for the group booking is Rs. 2,525 per sq.ft.

For more information, please, write to:

ashish.yadav@gmail.com

amit_kaushikk@yahoo.co.in

Form your group and promote it here!

Sometimes you find it difficult to negotiate property rates. Particularly, if the property is ready possession or 70 % work is already done. In these situations, forming your group is the best way to negotiate a property rate.

We all know that group always starts with one member. You!

For example, Vinay Deshpande's group for constructing your own bungalow!

In the current Pune real estate market, group of three property buyers is a big business for the builder to reduce his property rate.

So form your "group". Send me an email. You don't have to disclose much information. I know your seriousness and respect your privacy. I will publish your group's offer on this blog. I will be happy if you get a good deal from the builder.

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

Subscribe for Free!

To receive free emails or free RSS feeds, please, subscribe to Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog

For my blogs on real estate projects near Hinjewadi, real estate investment, advertising and other related topics, please, visit and join my Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Blog Group

Saturday, March 28, 2009

An exclusive offer from Belvalkar Housing for flats, row houses, twin bungalows and independent bungalows in Belvalkar's Solacia at Wagholi

For 3 years 6.5 % floating interest rate on home loan from HDFC!

OR

Discount on property rates - Rs. 200 per sq.ft. off!

Increasing your eligibility to sell high budget property!

As any 'reputed builder' in Pune, Belavalkar Housing assumes that "home loan interest rate" prevents you from buying property.

By this offer, for the first 3 years, Belvalkar Housing is going to bare 3% interest rate on your home loan.

At 6.5 per cent interest rate you have to pay only Rs. 714 for per lakh.

Because of the lower amount of EMI, you will be eligible to get more home loan.

Because you are getting more home loan, you will be happy to pay "high" property rates of Belvalkar's Solacia at Wagholi:
Rs. 2,450 per sq. ft. for flats.
Rs. 2,600 per sq.ft. for row houses.
Rs. 2,700 per sq.ft. for twin bungalows.
Rs. 2,800 per sq.ft. for Independent Bungalows

Besides "high" property rates, their properties are comparatively "big" in sizes. But Belvalkar Housing assumes that "low home loan interest rate" can bring their "high" budget properties "within your budget" and you will book all before 30th of April!

See the budgets at Belvalkar's Solacia at Wagholi:
2 bhk flat: 978 sq.ft.: 27 lakh
2.5 bhk flat: 1,104 sq.ft.: 30.2 lakh
Row House: 2015 - 2393 sq.ft.: 58.7 - 68.7 lakh
Twin Bungalows in Cluster: 2008 - 2071 sq.ft.: 60.5 - 62.3 lakh
Twin Bungalows - C type: 2,378 - 2,433 sq.ft.: 73.6 - 75 lakh


Belvalkar Housing assumes that "less EMI and more home loan" or "200 rupees discount on the current property rates" will motivate you to book their properties and they will get "cheap finance" to complete their project which was planned when there was a boom in Pune real estate market.

Widows of Pune real estate boom!

Now, we are going to come across many offers by the projects which i would like to call as "widows of Pune real estate boom"!

Today, after the global financial crises, when Indian economy is in recession and Pune real estate bubble has busted, these projects have no "market", not enough buyers.

Over hyped integrated townships are becoming "widows" because of the "cancellations of bookings". Small projects are becoming "widows" because there not enough property buyers to take them.

Some of these projects might not be able to change their planning, pricing and product mix and "get married" with the suitable property buyer!

For example, see what Saarrthi Group did on "Gudi Padwa". They scrapped "saarrthi aavyakul" - a piece of paradise near Eklavaya College, Kothrud, Pune, launched at the property rate of Rs. 4,399 per sq.ft. (only on the day of launch) and Rs. 4,600 per sq.ft. (from the next day of the launch). And re-launched it as "Saarrthi Shilp" - Creation of Art (!), at the property rate of Rs. 3,350 per sq.ft.!

Builders and property buyers sail in the same boat!

It's difficult to accept, i know, but it may be real estate boom or bust, property buyer and builder sail in the same boat. At least you can agree with me that when real estate bubble busts both suffer equally. Builders can't complete the project and property buyers don't get good homes.


For example, row houses, twin bungalows and independent bungalows in Belvalkar's Solacia are well designed. Layout of the project is good. Solacia has a good size, 27 acres, and would become good neighborhood on completion. Location is also good, you can see Panchshil's Eon IT Park of Kharadi from the terrace of your row house.

What is not good is the property rate and budget. Belvalkar Housing's previous initiative of offering "Rate Guarantee Promise" or the current offer of discount of Rs. 200 per sq.ft. or sharing 3% interest rates is not enough to get your booking.

What is not good, is the under ground parking system. Crazy idea, an effect of Pune real estate boom!

Impractical, expensive and inhuman parking system!


I think, Belvalkar Housing wanted to add some "X factor" to Solacia. So they decided to create Solacia as a "vehicle traffic free zone". They planned under ground tunnel for your car. If you see their "basement plan", at the main entrance of the township, you drive down in this tunnel and stop under your row house or twin bungalow. Park your car and climb up the staircase into your home!

Belvalkar Housing thought this under ground traffic will "reduce noise and air pollution level and keep atmosphere serene and healthy" over the ground, means in Solacia! I think this is as crazy as installing bum washers with electronic sensors in the toilets of low budget homes to save water!

Car parked in the porch of your home or a bungalow with attached garage is an ultimate dream of the property buyer. You go for the row house or twin bungalow because along with the garden in the front and in the back yard, it fulfills your fantasy of a traditional complete home. But this under ground driving and parking for the twin bungalows and row houses looks quite contradictory to your traditional idea of a "home", as contradictory as a bride wearing Low Skinny 531™ Levis Jeans!

Not only conceptually and practically, this "under ground vehicle movement" has become a big financial liability for the property buyer. Solacia is charging heavily for parking. For Row houses and twin bungalows in cluster, parking charges are Rs. 2,75,000. For C type Twin Bungalows and Independent Bungalows, parking charges are Rs. 5,50,000! Where as for a row house and twin bungalow there are no separate parking charges!!

Belvalkar's Solacia's under ground tunnel is going to become a historical monument of Pune real estate boom!

Now, you are not a property buyer but builder's financier!

Why "now", you were always funding builders to construct their projects!

Booking a flat when project is just launched and paying advance disbursement of your entire loan (ADF) or paying in installments - as per the progress of the work - is not "buying a property" but "funding a builder".

However, you didn't mind much about your money and never bothered to ask anything in return from the builder.

But now, real estate market has changed. Eight - nine months ago, when Palash 2.0 launched their "Green Umbrella" scheme, we all were worried about advance disbursement of the entire loan amount (ADF). Now, even paying "booking amount" has become risky! Who knows whether the builder would be able to refund it or not!

Though the project is good, for example - Belvalkar's Solacia at Wagholi, as a financier your risk is increased. Without support of the people like you, builders would not be able to complete their projects. Today, there are very few people like you who can afford to finance medium or high value property. So, each of you should get a better deal from the builder.

Only reducing the property rate or home loan interest rate is not enough. You should get an assurance of completion of the project in time.

When Pune real estate market was booming, you were expecting good appreciation for your property. Today while booking in an under construction project, you know that you are not going to get any appreciation for your property. In fact, the same property may be available at the lesser rate when it will be 'ready possession' down the line. So, if you are not getting good returns on your investment, as good as any venture fund gets, along with the proper security, why should you bother to book today?

You should get a better deal than Mont Vert's "Rent Today Own Tomorrow". Because Mont Vert only offered security against not completion of the project and reducing property rates.

Here, we are financing the construction too! When i say here, i do not mean only at Belvalkar's Solacia at Wagholi, i mean in any under construction project in Pune real estate market.

We, the property buyers, must remember that, today, we are the builders' only financiers and we must get good returns and proper security for our finance!

Or builders are welcome to call us 'to purchase the property' when it is ready for possession!

What say you? Please, share your views in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

Subscribe for Free!

To receive free emails or free RSS feeds, please, subscribe to Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog

For my blogs on real estate projects near Hinjewadi, real estate investment, advertising and other related topics, please, visit and join my Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Blog Group

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Thanks to HDFC for reducing your EMI by 34 rupees for every 1 lakh!

Real estate developers love Renu Sud Karnad!

Real estate developers are not going to miss Deepak Parekh!

They have found a new darling in HDFC. Renu Sud Karnad, joint managing director, HDFC!

Renu not only cares for her business but she cares and supports real estate developers too!

It's very sweet of her to reduce retail prime lending rate (RPLR) by 50 basis points.

Because of HDFC's decision to pass on the benefit of low cost of funding, property buyers who have already purchased the flats are very much happy. Now, they have to pay 34 rupees less for every 1 lakh for the home loan of 20 year tenure.

At the same time, it was very kind of Renu Sud Karnad , to point out that builders have reduced the property rates.

Not only that, Renu has warned the property buyers who are postponing to book a flat.

Joint managing director of HDFC has said,
"If borrowers are waiting for those (builders) who have (already) reduced prices to drop them further, this is unlikely to happen!"
Renu, you are an angle!

Property buyers and real estate developers love you.

Long live HDFC!

Isn't it a pleasure to do business with HDFC?

There are very few "items" which real estate developers and property buyers unanimously love. Actually there are only three items. Vitrified tiles, Jaquar bath fittings and HDFC! Right? You can share your love about Jaguar fittings and we can take it as your affection for HDFC! So feel free to share your love in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

Subscribe for Free!

To receive free emails or free RSS feeds, please, subscribe to Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog

For my blogs on real estate projects near Hinjewadi, real estate investment, advertising and other related topics, please, visit and join my Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Blog Group

Monday, March 23, 2009

City Corporation, of Amanora Park Town, goes live on SAP ERP to accelerate its plan of building 50,000 houses across 5 townships around Pune

Is this Aniruddha Deshpande's "Digital" Day Dream?

Even after the success of 400 acre Magarpatta City at Hadapsar, Satish Magar took nearly 10 years to launch 700 acre Nanded City Pune.

Despite ample bookings and funding from IndiaREIT, Paranjape Schemes is focusing on building only 700 flats out of 3,200 in 138 acre Blue Ridge Hinjewadi by the end of 2010.

Kumar Properties and Avinash Bhosale Group's joint venture Pegasus Properties has placed order with MAN Infraprojects to construct only 3 towers out of 58 in 150 acre Megapolis in the third phase of Hinjewadi.

Who knows whether Kumar Builders' and Kolte Patil's integrated townships will really "come" or remain "upcoming" forever?

True, after Amanora Park Town, recently City Corporation has signed MOU to develop budget housing township at Wagholi.

But now, after reading the news about implementation of SAP ERP in a record time frame of five months, to me, Aniruddha Deshpande, M. D. of City Corporation Ltd., looks serious about constructing 50,000 homes in 5 townships! He is not releasing press notes to remain in the news!

Would Anirudha Deshpande, who conceived the concept of free India's largest hill city, Lavasa City, succeed in implementing his business plan in the present global economic crisis? Or would it prove nothing more than just Aniruddh Deshpande's "digital" day dream?

However, though we are not used to take Pune builder's ambitious business plans seriously, there is no harm in believing in the dreams. Particularly, when some one, like Aniruddha Deshpande who is capable and creative, is taking steps to implement them. After all, he has come a long way, from 1 ModiBaug to Amanora Park town!

Considering that if Aniruddha really constructs these 5 townships, 50,000 families are going to get homes, let us be optimistic and encourage him. Let us congratulate City Corporation, SAP India, CMC Limited for successfully turning Amanora Park Town into a digital township and wish Aniruddha Deshpande all the best!

How to tell the builder what we wish?

When all industries have started focusing on the "user", builders are still fantasizing about constructing Taj Mahal, digitizing the life of the residents or simply focusing on getting maximum returns out of available FSI!

I am very much convinced that unless we, property buyers, don't become proactive, become vocal about our expectations and insist on our requirements, we wont get a suitable home which will fulfill our needs and stimulate good family life.

Yes, we have to talk about property rates, quality of construction and delayed possessions. At the same time, if we don't like the plans, specifications and amenities, we have to tell the builder to go back to the drawing table and rework on it. Irrespective of the size of the project or the builder. It could be an integrated township like Nanded City Pune or a small project like Amit's Astonia at Balewadi. Because a builder is nothing more than a facilitator. Not the ultimate creator of this universe!

What say you? I am sure while paying extra charges for a light point, paying extra for the dado over the kitchen platform, paying even for removing the wall or while looking at the room dimensions, you must have thought why the builder did not do this properly in the first place!

I started my Pune real estate blogs because while working on my last project, i have experienced how "listening to property buyers" can be beneficial for the buyers and the builder. So are you ready to talk loud and clear? Don't you think that while buying property, you have to work hard to get value for your money? Don't you think that getting a good home is as difficult as getting good governance from the politicians? Please, share your views in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

Subscribe for Free!

To receive free emails or free RSS feeds, please, subscribe to Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog

For my blogs on real estate projects near Hinjewadi, real estate investment, advertising and other related topics, please, visit and join my Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Blog Group

Thursday, March 19, 2009

What's up at Megapolis Hinjewadi?

Helipad, Ramdev Baba and Blood donation camp!

Can i arrange a site visit?

Now, Megapolis has a helipad!

Means, now it's very easy for you to visit Kumar Properties and Avinash Bhosale Group's 150 acres integrated township in the third phase of Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi.

Just call Hemant Kulkarni of Pegasus Properties Pvt.Ltd., promoters of 1,400-crore township, Megapolis and enjoy this facility for free.

We are talking about the helipad, not about the helicopter!

Yoga, Ayurveda and Megapolis!

Swami Ramdev, also known as Baba Ramdev, is particularly well-known for his efforts in popularizing Yoga (on Aastha Channel, since year 2002!).

Ramdev Baba is also one of the founders of the Divya Yoga Mandir Trust that aims to popularize Yoga and offers Ayurvedic treatments.

Recently, when Swami Ramdev Maharaj visited Megapolis and saw the excellent planning of the township, he instantly expressed his wish to start an exclusive counseling center.

Exclusive for whom? For Hemant Kulkarni, Deepak Chaudhary and the sales team of Megapolis. Or exclusively for the property buyers!

Blood Relationship Marketing!:

Megapolis has started a new campaign. Theme is "Give me your blood and i will give you better Hinjewadi!"

HR heads of the companies in Hinjewadi are happy about this campaign. "Thank god!," one HR head said, "Megapolis is not asking for bookings!"

Pall Corporation, in the 1st Phase, (where Paranjape Schemes' Blue Ridge is!), of Hinjewadi, was the first company which participated 'wholeheartedly' in the blood donation camp and became a privileged & priority client of Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital (ABMH).

Megapolis may cancel the integrated township and start the Yoga Center, offering health care and emergency medical services by helicopter!

Some of us don't like to read anything good about any real estate project in Pune market.

Whenever i write any good news, positive information about any project, they say, "Ravi, stop marketing this project!" "Are you paid to write this?" "Where is that balanced and unbiased view?"

I have a great respect for their feelings. Actually they don't mean what they say about me. They are only trying to express how much they are hurt and disappointed with the Pune property market. To make them happy, i suggest them to look at all these activities from a completely negative perspective.

Take these relationship marketing efforts of Megapolis, as the beginning of a crash of Pune real estate market! Assume that, instead of giving pink slips, sales staff of Megapolis is converted into social workers. Kumar Properties is closing construction division and adding a new division, Patanjali Medicines to it's bio-technology!

For these lovely souls who wish to read sad news about Pune real estate market, head line is:
"Because of the recession in Pune real estate market, Kumar Properties and Avinash Bhosale Group may cancel their integrated township Megapolis at Hinjewadi and start the Yoga Center, offering health care and emergency medical services by helicopter!"
If i keep on writing in the negative tone about happenings in the Pune real estate market and keep on criticizing the builders, i know, my blog can become more popular. But more than "popularity", what is important for me is "usability". Providing useful information and updates to the property buyers who wish to book a flat in Pune real estate market.

Do you think my blog provides useful information about Pune real estate market? How can i make my blog more useful? What should i write about? Please, share your ideas, suggestions and views in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

Subscribe for Free!

To receive free emails or free RSS feeds, please, subscribe to Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog

For my blogs on real estate projects near Hinjewadi, real estate investment, advertising and other related topics, please, visit and join my Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Blog Group

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Goel Ganga Group launches "Good Value Homes" in the range of Rs.18 lakhs to Rs.30 lakhs at Sinhagad Road, Aundh Annexe, Chinchwad and Undri

Smaller Today, Larger Tomorrow:

Young Couples are very keen on buying a home.

For Young Couples who are about to start a family, having a large space at this stage is not important, but what is important is a good home with good facilities.

These Young Couples then have the scope to upgrade to larger flats later in life.

Even if these Young Couples buy smaller apartments now, they will buy a larger apartment later and upgrade as soon as the economic scenario improves and the salaries stabilize.

- according to a study conducted by Goel Ganga Group
Good Value Homes - rock bottom prices, good locations:

Responding to this need of the consumer, the Goel Ganga Group has now launched "Good Value Homes" at rock bottom prices in good locations of the city.

The four prestigious projects are:

Amrut Ganga at Sinhagad Road,

Ganga Blues in Aundh Annexe,

Ganga Sparsh at Undri (near Bishop’s School) and

Ganga Ashiyana at Chinchwad (near Aditya Birla Hospital).

1 bhk, 1½ bhk, 2 bhk: Rs.18 lacs to Rs.30 lacs:

The first phase of these projects will have 500 units of 1 bhk, 1½ bhk and 2 bhk for sale.

The area of these homes will range from 580 sqft to 900 sqft

The price will be in the range of just Rs.18 lacs to Rs.30 lacs, which means the EMI starts at Rs 8860 (assuming a person takes maximum allowable loan for 20 years).

Quality and Amenities:

Even though these homes are very affordable, they have ensured that they do not compromise on quality, and are providing most of the amenities generally provided by them, which include amphitheatre, jogging track, kids pool, Nakshatra garden, Ayurved garden, senior citizens plaza, community hall, gymnasium, amongst others.

15% flats sold!

The initial response has been very good and almost 15% flats have been sold and as many as 5000 enquiries are coming in per month.

The company is investing Rs 150 crores into these projects, which were launched in the first week of January 2009.

The construction of these flats have just begun and will be completed by March 2011.

Fulfilling Dreams!

"We at Goel Ganga have always been conscious of understanding the needs of the customer and we have tried to design our products to fulfill the common man’s dreams of having his own shelter," says Atul Goel, Managing Director, Goel Ganga Group.

Goel Ganga Group have been in the Construction business for the last 25 years and they have always strongly followed a principle that any business will always be driven by the customers and their needs.
Press Release

You naughty young couples!

It was a surprise for me to know that you, young couples, wish to have smaller homes today and larger tomorrow!

Actually, i felt so ashamed of myself when this was revealed in Goel Ganga Group's press conference today noon.

You know, my last assignment was with Goel Ganga Group. I was Vice President, Marketing. Now, i write about Pune real estate market. So every builder in Pune believes that i know what property buyers want. But i didn't know this!

You naughty young couples, I am very angry with you all. I don't want to read your comments or talk to you. Have a big time in your smaller homes. Bye bye..

Maintenance charges: Members of co - op housing society must pay regularly or they can be shown the rulebook

In extreme cases, action can include auction of moveable property, and the apartment:

Persistent defaulters must be dealt with under the purview of the law. The procedure for recovery of dues is stipulated under section 101 of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960.

To read more, please, visit Ritu Goyal Harish's article published in today's DNA, Pune Main Edition, Page 2.

Do you give due importance to the maintenance charges and neighbors while booking a flat?

While booking a flat, we talk about property rates, specifications and amenities but do we consider how much we have to pay to maintain the project? Including the property tax we have to pay to PMC.

Besides the expenses, do we give due importance to our would be neighbors who could harm or enhance the social life and appreciation of the property? Before booking a flat, Do you insist that the builder should provide names and contact details of other property buyers in the project? Please, share your experiences and views in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

Subscribe for Free!

To receive free emails or free RSS feeds, please, subscribe to Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog

For my blogs on real estate projects near Hinjewadi, real estate investment, advertising and other related topics, please, visit and join my Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Blog Group

Friday, March 13, 2009

NRI property buyers are still shopping in Pune real estate market!

Call 91 98600 44110 for free home delivery!

"Ravi, i have come from LA with only your mobile number in my purse," she said.

"Oh! Great!! Madhuri, is it you?," i asked very confidently. But before i could ask, "How is Ram?", the caller said, "I am Pam. Pramila!"

"Hello Pam! Why did you take trouble to fly down to Pune? We could have met at Vegas," i was not sure about her identity or intention. But for sure, i was not ready for one more fight with my wife.

We were just recovering from a fight over an unexpected guest who dropped in and settled down in my father's vacant bedroom in my flat which i use as my home office.

My wife took some time to accept that it was not about sharing a bedroom but my guest's interference in her kitchen irritated her. Certainly, my considerate guest agreed to spend more time in her bedroom, which was my home office, and focused on inspiring me.

"Ravi, very funny. I have come here to buy a property. My husband is planing to retire in a couple of years and settle down in Pune. So get down to business and suggest me some good properties," Pam said.

"Oh! Pam, my dear reader from LA!! How exciting!!," i thanked Pam and we went on talking about Pune real estate market. As i have done with my US readers in the last couple of months.

Welcome to Pune real estate market!

In the month of December - January talking to my visiting US readers has become practically my part time job. But in February number of visitors have come down to only one per day. I certainly missed you all. I am not sure how much i was useful to you but for your convenience, i am going to follow your request and start accepting payments by cheque. In coming years, we have to be more generous to all those Indians returning from US. Should't we?

However, i was very much sure that last NRI has gone back to US, until yesterday evening, i visited Samrajya, second phase of Pethkar Projects' Balwantpuram at Shivtirthnagar, my neighborhood, on Paud road in Kothrud.

Kothrud - last sanctuary:

From my first post on the launch of Samrajya, NRIs from all over the world has visited the blog but nobody has called me to talk about Pethkar Project's Balwantpuram. I somehow knew that no Punekar or Mumbaikar needs my advice to book in any project in Kothrud. Kothrud has become last sanctuary of Pune. Which not at all resembles in looks but gives you the familiar feel of being in Pune.

Pethkar House Factory:

I don't look at Samrajya as a real estate consultant and blogger but only as a neighbor. I admire it more than take a critical look. Initially, i was happy about Samrajya because it was one of the few townships, which has all modern amenities like swimming pool and clubhouse, in the old developed part of Pune.

But recently, i have started admiring Pethkar Projects' Samrajya for it's investments in systems and construction facilities.

Pethkar Projects have big plot of land. Even after constructing 72 flats in Ornate Park + 275 flats in Shefalika Heights + 224 flats in the first phase of Samrajya, Pethkar Projects has enough land to construct more than 375 flats and more in the next phases.


I enjoy taking a walk on the road which divides Balwantpuram into 2 parts.

On one side of this road, there is a completed 1st phase of Samrajya, in which families are already living and the 2nd phase which is under construction.

On the other side of the road are upcoming 3rd and 4th phases of Samrajya, where at the moment, Pethkar Projects have their steel yard, workers camp, concrete mixing unit and other facilities.

Besides this infrastructure, what i enjoy most is watching and talking to Pethkar Projects busy engineering staff and always smiling salespersons in their brand new sales office.

When i take a walk and see this infrastructure, i feel as if i am visiting some industrial manufacturing facility. Which is a rare feeling. Because, generally, construction site, small or big, looks like a traveling circus. Make do, functional, temporary arrangement.

Denver Maharashtra Mandal:

I was telling you about what happened yesterday evening. While taking a walk and looking at the second phase of Samrajya, i saw a family in the under construction building. One gentleman, must be the member of that family, was standing out side the sales office, playing with his kid as a dutiful father.

Nowadays, i get very excited even if i see a single property buyer at any site. But to avoid a disappointment, i always assume that they have already booked their flat and are at site only to discuss the changes or to argue about delayed possession.

So after saying hello and all, i asked him whether he has come for "the changes" in his flat or to see the progress of the work. He said that he has come for booking a flat! "Booking! From where?," i asked him. "Denver!" he said. "I see." i said as if Denver is near Peru Gate. I took his leave because my free talk time limit of 5 minutes was almost over and i went into the sales office of Samrajya.

Obama ki Jai Ho!

"Congrats Swati! When other builders are renting out their properties, you have customers eager to book at Samrajya!" i tried my best to cheer her up. "Booking? See, we have done couple of agreements today. All are NRIs. In a hurry to go back!," Swati, experienced real estate salesperson and marketing manager of Samrajya told me very proudly.

"This must be the last NRI in Pune," i said. "Or may be the first out of 1 lakh returning Indians!," she said. "Obama ki jai ho!," i added to her.

Do you peep into the kitchen of the restaurant?

How do you decide to book a flat? Is visiting sample flat enough for you to make up your mind? Do you take trouble to find out construction facilities and the process of the project in which you are planning to book? How do keep yourself updated about the progress of the construction if you are not in town?

Do you think i should write more about the progress of the construction? Please, share your views, experiences and suggest me the projects i should write about in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Dear Pune property buyers, thanks and best wishes!

Happy Holi!

First, I wish you all very colorful Holi. I am sure, this Holi will add few colors to our black and white life.

Today, in a festive mood, i checked Google Analytics to find out how this blog, Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog is doing.

Recently, my friends and well wishers had started worrying about the readership of my blog. There concern was: how many will read my blog if there are no property buyers in Pune real estate market!

Mainstream Media:

In last couple of months, we have seen that real estate supplements of leading newspapers in Pune, Sakal and Times of India, had almost vanished. Real estate advertising, main source of revenue of print media, is shrinking very fast. Most popular "Out Of Home" (outdoor) media of Pune real estate advertising, hoardings, including at prime locations, going "empty", blank without any colorful digital prints. Same with FM radio, now we can listen only songs, Ghantasinh and traffic updates, except Sucasa at Wakad and Mont Vert's Rent Today Own Tomorrow offer.

Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog:

Though, i was not worried, when i visited my Google Analytics account, i was not expecting any good news. Like, yesterday, Tuesday, 10th March 2009, Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog blog received highest number of readers, in the last 30 days. You read more than 1000 pages in a day, highest number so far. Thanks! now, target of 5,000 by year end has started looking possible! Here are most read posts in the last 30 days:

Most Popular Posts:

1) Paranjape Schemes opens booking of first 200 bungalows in Forest Trails - 140 acre township at Bhugaon, 10 -15 minutes away from Kothrud and Hinjewadi + 12 comments

2) What should be the rational property rate of Blue Ridge Hinjewadi? + 26 comments

3) Rohan Builders cuts property rates of Leher and Mithila by Rs. 600 per sq. ft. and 'agrees' to reduce your booking rate in case of future reduction! + 21 comments

4) Shame, Shame, Shame ...+ 3 comments

5) Convince the builder to waive off the floor rise, get free parking & amenities - Ramesh Jogani, MD, Indiareit Fund Advisors of Blue Ridge Hinjewadi + 22 comments

6) Correction in real estate is bound to come - Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC + 19 comments

7) Rent Today Own Tomorrow + 41 comments

8) Parking space: Pune property buyers have finally started asking for what should have rightly come free! + 12 comments

9) Get in touch with Vinay Deshpande if you wish to build your own bungalow in Pune + 1 comments

Who's blog is it anyway?

Is this my blog? No. I give information, start the conversation. If you see the number of comments, you will realize that it's Pune property buyers' blog.

True, few angry property buyers, when don't exactly like the information i give, say that this blog is for promoting builders' interest. But they don't really mean it. They know that this is their blog where they can express themselves. Freely but without being abusive, without using foul language.

Don't you think what you write is as much important as i write? Some times, even more important than what i write! Don't you think you read this blog for my main post as well as for the comments? Don't you think posts along with the comments make this blog complete and useful? Don't you think it's Pune property buyers' blog? Please, share your views in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

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Monday, March 9, 2009

Vision Pune City - 2020: Suresh Kalmadi, MP of Pune, launches “Vision 2020”, campaign to make Pune a World Class City

Share your thoughts on www.sureshkalmadi.org



Suresh Kalmadi the MP of Pune City co-cordially invites all the citizens of Pune to help him Develop a Comprehensive Plan for Vision Pune 2020.

The historic Pune city is emerging as a Metro city. The internationally renowned Forbes magazine has included Pune among the ten fastest growing cities of the world. It has been predicted that Pune expected to cross the population mark of 50 lacks in the next ten years by 2020.

The mammoth growth in population will certainly bear the brunt on the civic amenities like roads, traffic, water supply and even housing etc. Keeping in mind the stress which will be on the city meticulous planning has to be chalked out from now on to find new avenues to increase the civic amenities and the required facilities.

On this scenario the MP of Pune City Mr. Suresh Kalmadi has a dream about 2020 for Pune which he terms as “Vision 2020”.

New dams for increased water demand, new and elevated roads, and bridges and over bridges, metro mono rail, multi storied Parking lots, free bus transport for school children, rehabilitation of slum dwellers & hawkers, affordable housing for the middle class, satellite township, 100 percent literacy, 100 percent employment, Pune as a venue for international sports events….. These are some of pertinent points in his mind about Pune in 2020.

The MP expects thorough discussions and contributions from all the strata of the society in Pune to plan a balanced Development policy of Pune, along with raising funds for the same.

Do feel free to send across your Valuable Feedback for Vision 2020 to the MP of Pune City Mr. Suresh Kalmadi at http://www.sureshkalmadi.org/vision2020-feedback/
Press Release

Where is Lok Sabha?

Is it somewhere near Shaniwarwada or at Balewadi? However, thinking about the future of Pune is not bad. What say you?

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Now, rental dip threatens real estate investors

If you want to sell your 2nd flat, write about it in the comments:

According to Ravi Varma, president of the Estate Agents Association of Pune, this is especially true about high-price apartments along Airport Road, Viman Nagar, Kalyani Nagar, Koregaon Park, Boat Club road, Mundwa, Wanowrie and Kondhwa.

Realty agents say low rentals will put pressure on builders to reduce prices further. “Potential property buyers will continue to live on rent. Nobody will want an upgrade now as they are looking at every opportunity to cut costs,” an agent said.

“Many 3 BHK fully-furnished apartments that were earlier priced Rs 80,000-90,000 a month have now been renegotiated at Rs 60,000-Rs 70,000,” said Vivek Seth, a real estate agent in Koregaon Park.
To read more, please, visit - Now, rental dip threatens sales

Are you still holding your 2nd flat?

Don't you think it is wise to sell your 2nd flat? An investment done at a high property rate when Pune real estate market was booming?

You must have realized by now that your 2nd flat is going to give you less rental and may not appreciate at all.

What are you doing about it?

Please, share your experience and if you want to sell your 2nd flat write about it in the comments.
(Comments Policy),

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I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

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Parking space: Pune property buyers have finally started asking for what should have rightly come free!

Parking can not be sold:

It was in April 2008 that the Bombay High Court ruled that parking did not fall under the floor space index (FSI) granted to the builder, and therefore could not be sold.

The ruling further clarified that the developer is obliged to provide the same when the carpet area of the house is a minimum of 35 sq m.

Builders must provide free parking space:

The Pune City Development Control Rules, and more recently a Bombay High Court judgment on Nehalchand Laloochand Pvt Ltd vs Panchali Co-operative Housing Society Ltd, clarifies that under the Maharashtra Ownership of Flats Act 1963, builders are obliged to provide parking space to all apartments in the society and cannot charge buyers for the same.

To read more, please, visit - Ranjani Raghavan - Indian Express

Can you fight for your rights?

Actually, every property buyer knows that parking is free.

But property buyers don't fight for their rights.

Not because, property buyers fear builder.

Not because, nobody has told them to fight for parking and amenity charges.

Not because, they don't know what is the rational rate of their township.

Property buyers don't fight for their rights only because, most of them believe that to become "happy and successful in life", one must compromise. You have to join hands with the system. Go with the flow. Right? Please, share your views in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

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Buyer-seller splitsville: realtors left with empty homes

If there is one thing that stands out about the Pune real estate sector today it is the huge disconnect between the buyer and the seller.

It’s almost as if the seller and the buyer are speaking two different languages.

And the estate agent who should be playing the role of a translator suddenly forgets all about his business.

The builders, sitting on a four-fold rise in rates, feel they can wait indefinitely to ride out the present slump.

The wannabe buyers say 25 to30% correction has taken place in other cities.

Both refuse to blink.

The result: A classic standoff, with almost no business being transacted.

The Indian Express begins a series.
To read more, please, visit - Ranjani Raghavan - Indian Express

Because this is not a time to own a flat!

Yes, there is a 'huge disconnect' between the property buyer and the builder. But one builder is connected. He understands what property buyers feel. Today is not a day to own a flat. Not even to rent. It's wise to save a rent. Right time to own a home? Tomorrow! If property rates come down. Right?

Can you tell me the name of the builder and the scheme he is offering? Yes, in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

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DSK to introduce ‘Obama’s change pattern’ - to fight the election with donations from voters!

Well-known real estate developer Deepak Sakharam Kulkarni aka DSK will contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Pune constituency as a candidate of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

“If you have good social work behind you and a good reputation then money is not required to win an election. That is what I want to prove. I want to introduce ‘Obama’s change pattern’ in Pune. I will fight the election with donations from voters,” he said in an exclusive interview with Dinesh Thite. Excerpts:

Elections have earned a bad name as a game of money and power politics. How do you plan to deal with this?

I am a businessman and certainly not stupid to waste money in the election. I don’t believe in the premise that one needs money to fight elections. To win elections, honest votes are required and for that one has to have hearty support from the people. My wife told me that you should not take a single rupee from the company to fight the election. My friends are donating small and big amounts - from as little as Rs10 or Rs100.
To read more, please, visit - People want a change in public life, says DSK | Top News

Vote for DSK!

Whichever candidate you vote, you vote for a real estate developer. Right? For a change, why not vote for a "real" real estate developer to run biggest real estate company? Please, share your views in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

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Friday, March 6, 2009

ICICI Bank cuts interest rates only for new home loans

No interest rate cut for the existing customers!

New floating rate structure

1) Home loans less than Rs 20 lakhs:
New interest rate 9.75% as against 10% earlier

2) Between Rs 20-30 lakhs:
New rate 10% as against 10.5% earlier

3) Rs 30 lakhs and above:
11.5% as against 12% earlier.


To read about Canara Bank's offer, please, visit - The Economic Times

Many more Pune builders may follow Mont Vert's solution - Rent Today Own Tomorrow

A Pune-based developer may have a solution — at least temporary—for the hundreds of realty firms faced with dwindling de-mand for homes: Rent out apartments and hard-sell apurchase option to the tenants.

Mont Vert Homes has kicked off a ‘Rent Today Own Tomorrow’ campaign, inviting potential buyers to rent apartments of their choice on 11-month contracts, with the option of buying the flat anytime in the interim.

Developers sold between 50,000 and 65,000 new apartments in Pune annually in recent years when the economy was booming.

Sales will lag significantly behind those numbers in 2009, according to Jayant Kaneria, another director of Mont Vert.

Sales had skidded to “near-zero levels” between August and December.

“It has now revived slightly with single digit sales after the price corrections but the situation is unlikely to improve before July,” he said. ...read more-livemint...

It's good news for Pune property buyer when the builder accepts the truth and finds solution!

It has happened before. We property buyers have seen the benefits of it. I am referring to Mont Vert Seville at Wakad. Which set the trend of "compact flat fitting in your budget". 2 bhk flat in 29 lakh!

When Mont Vert accepted the fact and decided to break the property price barrier and bring down the budget of the flat in the affordable limits, other builders followed the trend and launched "compact flats which will fit into your budget".

For example:
1) Palash 2i at Wakad
2) Pride Purple Group's Topaz Park in Park Street at Wakad
3) Recently launched Amit's Astonia at Balewadi
4) Gera's Park View 1 at Kharadi
5) Runwal Group's Euphoria at Kondhawa
6) Shagun Developers, Manav Promoters and Ashcon Builders' Sunshine Hills near Bishop's School at Kondhwa annex, means Undri
7) Even Kunal Sancheti Associates are launching one wing of compact flats in Venezia at Baner!

What a way to wait till the property rates come down!

More than the success of Mont Vert's "Rent Today Own Tomorrow", for me, what is important is the possibility of many builders following this solution to mounting inventory and offering my readers, Pune property buyers, "rent free falts to live till the property rates come down!"

Isn't it good idea to finalize your flat, live in it, save rent for the down payment but buy your flat only when property rates come down? I find this is cool. Please, share your views in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

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Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Rent Today Own Tomorrow

Here are the details of the offer:

Can you help me, please?

On my Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Blog, where i blog on residential projects near Hinjewadi, one of us has shared his experience of visiting Mont Vert on the day "Rent Today Own Tomorrow" offer was launched. He has also asked my advice about the offer. Since, i am completely biased about Mont Vert's offer, i am sure, i will be less critical about it. I request you to share your views in the comments (Comments Policy), and help me in giving fair opinion. See, what Mr. Anonymous says in his comment:
Hi Ravi:
Me and my wife visited them on Sat after seeing the ad. It seems like they were giving things for free. A big mob of purchaser or renter or just curious Georges.
It took 15-20 minutes wait and then we were taken to a seminar room along with 10-12 other folks for a group presentation. We all tried to find a catch and comprehend the deal for next 30 minutes. None of us could find a catch.
It looks like a too good to be true deal. The rates were around 3100-3200 for their Pashan property.
It would be very nice if you being from the real estate sector, can give us an honest opinion.
They also told us that if we go for a straight purchase they will give 11 months rent as a cash back.
or it knocks down the rates by about 100-120/- making it around 3000/-
We really like their property but is this a right deal and right time? We are looking at direct buy option. Just wanted to see what you think or if you smell anything bad.
Can you visit them and give us an in depth feed back? Everyone in my company is talking about this. Thanks in advance.

Related Story:

1) Proactive Mont Vert once again devices plan to deal with uncertain times – launches innovative program for home-buyers

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Monday, March 2, 2009

Shame, Shame, Shame ...

What is going on in Pune real estate market?

Instead of towing the policy of the PBAP, how can any builder offer his own housing solution to the property buyers in Pune?

Particularly when the PBAP had been so kind to the home buyers who were avoiding to book flats because of job insecurity due to recession in the US economy.

In fact, it was not at all necessary for the PBAP to offer to pay 3 EMIs to the financial institution in case of borrower lost the job and couldn't pay. Builder is not at all concerned with EMI. It was bank and borrowers business.

Only on the humanitarian grounds PBAP decided to show sympathy to the property buyers.

But one member of PBAP, wants to be friends with the property buyers! He wants them to chill. Don't bother about property rate cuts. Home loan interest rates. Stalled construction work. Cancellation charges and refund of booking amount. Delayed possession. Paying EMI.

This builder, just tells you to go ahead and rent his brand new property. In his projects in Pashan, Baner and Wakad. All preferred neighborhoods by IT professionals working in Hinjewadi.

No, this builder is not changing his line of business. He is not going into renting. Doesn't want to become landlord and live off the rent. He wants to remain builder and develop housing schemes. He is offering some sort of scheme just to show his concern and commitment to his patrons in the hard times. He calls it "Rent Today Own Tomorrow"

This offer, this gesture, this builder is fundamentally wrong. Completely against the principal of PBAP. Why? I can explain it only in Hindi. "Agar ghoda ghas se dosti karega to bhuka mare ga." is the universal truth.

Shame, shame, shame...

Am i missing something?

Where is the catch? Am i missing something? How can one be so different in the bunch of greedy blood sucking xxxxxxx? Please, throw some light in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

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Sunday, March 1, 2009

Property buyers beware, real estate developers to announce new discount schemes!

SundayET Exclusive!

SundayET has learnt that many A and B grade developers across the country are planning to announce new discount schemes in markets faced with slowdown.

1) Interest Free Installments:

This scheme will be different from earlier construction-linked plans. Developers will use it only for new and up-coming projects. How it works is that on a Rs 40 lakh home the developer will ask the consumer to pay Rs 1.5 lakh bi-monthly for 30 months and rest at the time of possession.

2) 15-20% discount on down payment:

In many projects, the developers are already offering a 15-20% discount on down payment both in the residential and commercial sector. According to a developer, the new strategy includes focus on mid-income housing and execution and completion of existing projects!

3) Offer to pay back to the buyer the differential:

Builders may offer to pay back to the buyer the differential, if prices should sink further before the project is sold out. This is a brilliant strategy that will overcome a significant portion of a buyer’s misgivings about investing now when the rates could sink even further later on.

4) More freebies:

Besides the above mentioned measures the developers might also come up with more freebies with the discounts. Because today’s smart buyer knows his needs and he enters the real estate market only after doing thorough market analysis.!
To read more, please, visit - Raja Awasthi-The Economic Times

Do you take full advantage of your buying capacity?

The biggest reason for concern for all real estate players is that the number of deals has been few and isolated with barely any property changing hands in both the residential and commercial sector. Considering this, when you are serious about investing in any real estate project in Pune, do you fight for the best deal?

Please, share in the comments, (Comments Policy), deep discounts you earned and best deals you negotiated while booking a flat in Pune real estate market.

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

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Grasp the ground reality - with developers slashing prices, buying property may seem a good idea now, but do you really get more for less?

Here are some tips to play safe:

1) Old wine in new bottle:

Builders preferred to lower the total price of a housing unit in the market to encourage buying. In a number of cases this was done by way of reduction in the size of units or lowering the frills or amenities originally offered by the project.

While such a move is indeed welcome, as it makes housing more affordable for a larger universe of buyers, it essentially points more at the mere change in the strategy employed by developers than any significant slash in property prices.

In these cases, home buyers probably may still have some headroom for negotiating with the developers for further price cuts. Such bargains, however, should be backed by research of price trends in the local market.

2) What you see may not be what you get:

The second issue in the recent property offers is the seemingly attractive per sq.ft rate advertised boldly in newsprint and property fairs. A home for Rs 2,000 per sq.ft in Bangalore city may appear hard to resist but then is that rate an all-inclusive one? Well, it seldom is for a host of additional charges may increase the property price as much as 10-15 per cent

3) The greater ‘common space':

The third aspect a buyer should be aware is that while one pays for the full super built area of the apartment, the living space or carpet is a good 22-30 per cent lower than the area typically quoted. A 1,000 sq.ft house may eventually have only 770 sq.ft of living space.

So, in other words, while you pay for the super built-up area, you get to own only the super built area minus the common area and the wall thickness; this is called the carpeted area or the area you get to use inside your home.
To read more, please, visit - Vidya Bala-The Hindu Business Line

Have you come across any project where property price cut is nothing but a farce?

Please, share your experience where you found out that the property price reduction is not genuine but only a marketing gimmick to attract you. Where you realized that even at the so called reduced property rate you are not getting value for your money. Please, share your experience in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

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Union Bank of India follows market leader State Bank of India’s move and cuts interest rates on home loans

Cuts by 25-100 basis points:

Union Bank of India (UBI) said its new home loan rates will be available in the range of 9.75-10.75 per cent interest rate.

UBI has also launched a separate scheme, under which it will offer home loans up to Rs 20 lakh at lower interest rates.

The scheme also carries special features like free life insurance cover and will be offered free of prepayment and processing charges, the bank said.

Under the scheme, loans up to Rs 5 lakh will carry an interest rate of 8.5 per cent, while for Rs 5-20 lakh, the new rate will be 9.25 per cent, UBI said.

The scheme will be valid till June 30 and the rates will be reset after a period of five years. Indian Express

What is your take on "switching banks"?

Do you believe that it may not make sense to shift just because another bank is offering lower rates? Please, visit "Switching Banks" and share your experience and tips in the comments. (Comments Policy),

Feel free to call me:

I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market (so, i do not charge anything for the first 5 minutes!) Call +91 98600 44110

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