Review of Vastushodh Projects' Pre Launch Offer of UrbanGram 02
2 BHK Flat - 452 sq.ft. Carpet + Terrace for Rs. 36 Lakhs (Approx) &
3 BHK Flat - 635 sq.ft. Carpet + Terrace for Rs. 46 Lakhs (Approx)
at Kondhawe Dhawade, near Warje - Kothrud, Pune 411 023:
View Urbangram 02 at Kondhawe Dhawade Pune 411 023 in a larger map
Now, You Can Live in Pune!:
In the last few days, whoever called me (on 919860044110) to know my views about booking a flat at Maan, Marunji, Sus, Pirangut, Chande Nande, Chandkhed, Kasarsai, heard me saying -
Now, you have an option. Now, if you wish, you can live in Pune!
But, my budget is small. Only 35 - 40 Lakhs. In this budget, I can get a flat only in these villages around Hinjewadi.
Or I can go for Chikhali - Moshi on Dehu Alandi Road.
Yes, I would be happy if you suggest a good 1 BHK in 35 - 45 lakhs in Kiwale, Ravet, Punawale, Sus & Bhugaon.
But, I can't think of buying a home in Pune.
Usually, every caller said.
Why go for a 1 BHK when you can get a 2 BHK in 36 Lakhs?
Why go for Maan, Marunji, Sus, Pirangut, Chande Nande, Chandkhed, Kasarsai, Chikhali, Moshi etc when you can live in a 2 BHK in Pune? I would ask.
Where in Pune? What is the name of the project? Many callers asked.
UrbanGram 02 at Kondhawe Dhawade.
I announced with great pride.
Come on! Kondhawe Dhawade is not in Pune.
You are promoting your friend's project.
How much commission do you get to promote this project?
But, I was considering Vastushodh Projects' UrbanGram at Pirangut!
These were typical first reactions to my suggestion of booking a 2 BHK Flat for Rs. 36 Lakhs at Vastushodh Projects' UrbanGram 02 at Kondhawe Dhawade!
However, everyone asked me - How is it possible?
To make this possible - Vastushodh is launching Tiny Homes.
Because of Tiny Homes - you can enjoy all the benefits of living in Pune.
You don't have to go to some far & away village.
To understand the concept of
Vastushodh Projects' Tiny Home, please, visit the sample flats of 2 BHK & 3 BHK at UrbanGram 02.
You may like it.
Or - you won't like it at all.
But, you will agree with me on one point -
Now, you have an option.
Now, you have freedom. Freedom to choose.
Now, there is no compulsion to live in some undeveloped village.
Now, in your budget, if you wish, you can live in Pune.
Was my standard reply.
Goodbye, Affordable Housing!
I didn't become a fan of Tiny Homes - in UrbanGram 02 at Kondhawe Dhawade - overnight.
In fact, when Mr. Nitin Kulkarni, my dear friend & director of
Vastushodh Projects, invited me to see the sample flats of UrbanGram 02 at Kondhawe Dhawade - I had almost come to conclusion that days of affordable housing are over.
After visiting the sample flats & considering their prices - 2 BHK Flat for 36 Lakhs & 3 BHK for 46 , it was clear to me that my friends have found a profitable business solution. And, at last, publically, they are saying goodbye to affordable housing and entering into Tiny Homes - which can be developed anywhere in PMC limits.
"How's it? Good?," asked Mr. Nitin.
"Yes! Good for you!!," I said.
Mr. Nitin went on staring at me. Without asking what he really wanted to know - "Will people buy such small homes?"
"I am not sure whether it is good for home buyers. Whether it is worth buying. You know that - a home buyer risks his life to own a home. I am not yet sure - whether this home is worth risking your life for. When I am sure - I will say it's a good property, " I said.
Then for a long time we stood in silence.
I kept looking around. This was my second visit to the site. I had liked the site when I visited it for the first time. In fact, it's a lot better than the 1st UrbanGram - on the river bank - surrounded by buildings - at a proper distance from the main Karve Road.
But, I was not here to admire the location & the beauty of site. I was here to discuss innovation - new housing concept.
In the first UrbanGram at Kondhawe Dhawade, carpet area of the 2 BHK Flat was in the range of 612 to 673 sq.ft. Whereas, in this 2nd UrbanGram, approximately in the same carpet area you can get a 3 BHK Flat!
And, in this 2nd UrbanGram, a carpet area of a 2 BHK Flat is around 452 sq.ft. - which was the area of a 1 BHK Flat in the 1st UrbanGram at Kondhawe Dhawade.
However, the change is not only in the size - carpet area of the flat - not only the rate - budget - but the whole concept is changed. Why?
"At 1st UrbnaGram Kondhawe Dhawade - a 2 BHK Flat was for Rs. 20 Lakhs. Now, in this 2nd UrbanGram - at the same location - a 2 BHK costs Rs. 36 Lakhs. Why?," I asked.
"This is 2014. 1st UrbanGram Kondhawe Dhawade was launched in 2010.," said Mr. Nitin.
"What has changed in these 4 years?," I asked.
"Everything! Land prices have gone up. Today, in 20 Lakhs - it's impossible to offer even a 1 BHK!," said Mr. Nitin.
"Haven't you changed?," I said.
"No. I haven't changed. Vastushodh - was - & - is - a builder of young - first time - home buyers. We - Sachin & Nitin Kulkarni - are - still - building homes which will fit into their budgets. This exercise proves that - our focus hasn't changed. Even in today's tougher circumstances - I am trying my best - to develop homes - which will fit into their budgets," said Mr. Nitin.
Say No to Unaffordable Housing:
Mr. Nitin Kulkarni was right. He hasn't changed. He is still building houses for those who have small budgets.
So, are most of the builders - who develop affordable housing.
Because, affordable housing is the builders' cash cow. A cow - which eats less and gives more - milk.
Less initial investment. Quick & huge profits.
Till this cash cow is making them more prosperous - these builders will never change.
But, what about the property buyers?
Day by day, we all are becoming poorer & poorer. Our life is becoming more & more difficult.
Today, if we want to own a home - we have to pay a penalty.
A penalty of paying exorbitant taxes to the government.
A penalty of paying irrationally high interest rates to the banks.
A penalty of becoming slaves of the banks - for life.
A penalty of giving away 50 per cent of our monthly income to the banks - for 20 - 30 years.
A penalty of no drinking water.
A penalty of no proper roads.
A penalty of no power.
A penalty of more commuting time & less family time.
A penalty of no social life.
A penalty of high stress - physical & mental illness.
We are ready to sacrifice to own a home.
But, the builders & banks demand more than pound of flesh - they impound your life.
Your life - for what?
For a cramped 1 - 2 BHK Affordable Flat - irrationally priced - poorly designed & constructed - situated at odd - non urbanized - not suitable for living - far away - location - which do not have any civil & social infrastructure - mostly developed by some newbie - small - fly by night - builder.
These are not affordable homes.
These are unaffordable homes.
Say no to these unaffordable homes.
I advice everyone.
Because, I am changed.
Because, I am Ravi Karandeekar.
In 2007, I stopped selling flats and started helping you to own a home.
But, today, in 2014, mostly, I convince you - not to book a flat!
Why?
Because, most of us are not financially eligible to own a home.
Most of us don't have enough money for down payment.
Most of us don't earn enough to take care of our family - after paying EMI.
Most of us may never be able to make a prepayment and become a debt free before retirement.
Most of us are not going to get pension - so making provision for retirement - is our first priority - not owning a home.
Most of us haven't realized that, in this market economy, property is not an asset. Education is an asset. Skill is an asset. Save for the education of your child. Invest in your children. Not in property.
Most of us don't know that debt is dumb. Being debt free is the status symbol. Not homeownership.
And you know what?
The people like us are the targets of all these affordable housing projects.
So, what else can we do, but - say no to these affordable homes?
Tell me.
Naturally, when my dear friend - Mr. Nitin Kulkarni of Vastushodh - showed me his tiny home - I was happy.
It's not an affordable home.
It's tiny home.
It's not for those who don't have enough money to own a home.
It's for Metrosexual Families.
The Metrosexual Families - who want to live a full life. A life in Pune city.
It may be the first attempt in Pune.
But, all over the world - in all big cities - from Mumbai to New York - Metrosexual Families - who want to live a city life - are opting for tiny homes.
Because, these metrosexual families are ready to sacrifice space - not life.
Welcome to TinyGram at Kondhawe Dhawade:
Of course, I didn't tell Mr. Nitin Kulkarni - my dear friend & Director of
Vastushodh Projects - that I liked his tiny homes.
Instead of that - I called the architect of UrbanGram 02 - Mr. Girish Bramhe of Telesis Architects & Designers Pvt Ltd. (I am his big fan. He is a genius.) and said, "Xrbia offers a 2 BHK in 416 / 419 sq.ft. carpet area. Yours is some 450. What's this? Couldn't you make it smaller?"
"I can . But I didn't. Let us meet at the sample flat and talk about it," said Architect Girish Bramhe.
Then last weekend, we - Architect Girish & I - met at the site of UrbanGram 02 at Kondhawe Dhawade.
After having a look at the sample flats, Architect Girish, asked me, "What do you look for in a flat?"
1) For me the most important thing about a flat is emotional. I look for the total effect. I want a home. Where I feel protected - free & connected - with me - and, with my family. I don't want just a bunch of rooms. For me total impact of the flat - of the space - is more important.
2) I know that this effect is the total of - 1) Privacy 2) Light 3) Ventilation 4) Suitable Layout for my lifestyle 5) Number of rooms 6) Minimum required space for my stuff.
"Does this flat feel like a home? Or is this a bunch of rooms?," Architect Girish asked.
"A 3 BHK feels like a home. But not a 2 BHK. Because, a 2 BHK doesn't have a dining," I said.
"In your present home, where do you have your dinner?," Architect Girish asked.
"Mostly - in the living - I believe in multitasking. Watching TV, eating food & gossiping about the day. I do everything at the same time in my living. But I have a dining at my place - which I use when I have guests," I said.
"You not only believe in multitasking but in multi use of your living too - Right?," said Architect Girish.
"Though you use your living as dining - you feel at home. Multi use doesn't turn your home into a bunch of rooms. Right?," said Architect Girish.
"Yes. Because - It's my choice. My comfort. My convenience!," I said.
"Certainly. In the sample flat - you noticed that a 2 BHK doesn't have a dining and came to the conclusion that it's not a home. But - before jumping to conclusion - have you considered to use this living - as you use yours - did you see yourself having a TV dinner on the sofa in this living?," asked Architect Girish.
"No. I didn't. Yes, it's possible to use this living like mine," I said.
"It means that both 2 BHK & 3 BHK are homes. Right?," said Architect Girish.
"Yes!," I said.
"Good! It means that - focusing of usability of space is more important. Right?," said Architect Girish.
"Yes. We buy a home to live - being able to live comfortably is important," I said.
"But - when we buy a home - our focus is more on the size! We consider carpet area & room sizes. We consider how big or small is the place. But - do we consider the usability? Isn't it wrong?," said Architect Girish.
"You mean to say that a focus should be on the use and not on the size. Right?," I said.
"Yes! In this plan I have exactly done that. I have focused on the use of space. Not on the size of the space," said Girish.
"Why? Why use became more important than size?," I said.
"Because - your friends - Sachin & Nitin - wanted to offer an option to own a 2 BHK for 36 & a 3 BHK Flat for 46 in Kondhawe Dhawade! Considering land & construction costs - reducing the size of the flat - without compromising on usability - was the only solution," said Architect Girish.
"Agree. Now, answer my question - I asked you - couldn't you reduce more? - You said - I can - but I didn't - Why didn't you reduce more?," I asked.
"If you want to reduce more - first you have to change the concept of a home. Without changing the concept it's not possible to reduce further. We will talk about it some other time. Now, let us focus on this plan," said Architect Girish and explained the concept of a tiny home.
The sample flat at UrbanGram is in reality a prototype. (Like a prototype of a car.) To test the usability & functionality of a flat. After confirming that the carpet area fulfils your need of minimum required usable space - the final floor plan was designed.
It means that - though the carpet area of a Tiny Home is less - minimum required space in living, kitchen, dining, toilet & bedroom is - as much as - in any compact flat. Yes, it is little less - but, certainly, sufficient.
To explain how much sufficient space is available in 2 BHK & 3 BHK Tiny Homes - Architect Girish compared them with currently offered compact flats. Of course, the comparison is not about room sizes. Comparison is based on the usable space & functionality.
Let us compare 2 BHK & 3 BHK Tiny Homes in UrbanGram with 2 BHK & 3 BHK Flats in
Life Montage at Sus.
Carpet area of a 2 BHK Tiny Home in UrbanGram is 452 sq.ft. whereas a 2 BHK Flat in Life Montage comes in 686 sq.ft.
| Space | 452 sq.ft. 2 BHK Tiny Home | 686 sq.ft. 2 BHK @ Life Montage |
|---|
| Living | 4 Seater + TV | 5 Seater + TV |
| Kitchen Platform | 7 + 4 (LShape) | 9 + 4 (L Shape) |
| Dry Balcony | Washing Machine + Utensils | Washing Machine |
| Master Bedroom | 60" x 80" Bed + 6' Wardrobe | 66" x 80" Bed + 7' Wardrobe |
| 2nd Bedroom | 39" x 75" Bed + 5' Wardrobe | 54" x 75" Bed + 7' Wardrobe |
Carpet area of a 3 BHK Tiny Home in UrbanGram is 635 sq.ft. whereas a 3 BHK Flat in Life Montage comes in 902 sq.ft.
| Space | 635 sq.ft. 3 BHK Tiny Home | 902 sq.ft. 3 BHK Flat @ Life Montage |
|---|
| Living Dining | 4 Seater + TV + Dining for 4 | 5 Seater + TV + Dining for 6 |
| Kitchen Platform | 7' + 4' (L Shape) | 9" + 4" (L Shape) |
| Dry Balcony | Washing Machine + Utensils | Washing Machine |
| Master Bedroom | 60" x 80" Bed + 6' Wardrobe | 66" x 80" Bed + 7' Wardrobe |
| 2nd Bedroom | 60" x 80" Bed + 6' Wardrobe | 60" x 80" Bed + 6' Wardrobe |
| 3rd Bedroom | 39" x 75" Bed + 5' Wardrobe | 39" x 75" Bed + 6' Wardrobe |
Point is - 2 BHK & 3 BHK Tiny Homes at UrbanGram Kondhawe Dhawade fulfil your requirement of necessary functional space.
Everyone in your family can sit and watch TV in Living.
You wife has enough space to cook. If you have a maid - Kamwali Bai - Poliwali Bai - she can also work in the kitchen when your wife is cooking.
You will sleep on Queen Size Bed. On which you will get 30" x 80" space. Instead of 38" x 80" on King Size Bed. Only 8" less!
Your bedroom will have enough space for your cloths.
You will teach your baby to sleep in his bedroom. Not because your bed is not big enough to let him sleep with you but, - because your baby has his own room. You will feel proud of yourself for being able to provide independant room for your child.
If you are planning to have 2 children - or your parents are going to stay with you - you can go for a 3 BHK Tiny Home today.
By the way, when you will visit the sample flat, please, enter the toilet. Close the door. And then check whether there is enough room to use commode & to take a shower. If you look from outside, you may find the toilet too small. Remember? We are talking about usability and not about size.
If you find that in this Tiny Home there is enough space to do whatever you need & wish to do at home, consider the benefits of living in Pune and property prices - a 2 BHK Flat for Rs. 36 Lakhs (Approx) & a 3 BHK Flat for Rs. 46 Lakhs (Approx).
Even if you felt that in this Tiny Home there is not enough space to do whatever you need & wish to do at home, consider the benefits of living in Pune and property prices - 2 BHK Flat for Rs. 36 Lakhs (Approx) & a 3 BHK Flat for Rs. 46 Lakhs (Approx).
In both the cases - you will find that to own a home - you have to sacrifice something.
At Tiny Homes in UrbanGram you have to sacrifice space.
At an affordable home in Maan, Marunji, Sus, Pirangut, Chande Nande, Chandkhed, Kasarsai, Chikhali, Moshi you have to sacrifice life.
What to sacrifice - space or life?
Choice is yours!
That's what I liked about Vastushodh Projects' 2 BHK & 3 BHK Tiny Homes in UrbanGram Kondhawe Dhawade. Now, you are free to choose. Now, if you wish, you can live in Pune!
Contact to Know More about Vastushodh Projects' 2 BHK & 3 BHK Tiny Homes at UrbanGram, Kondhawe Dhawade, Pune 411023
Nilesh +91 88880 92000 / Kasturi 88050 13102
Vastushodh Projects
101, Lotus Plaza, Opp. Karishma Society,
Off Karve Road, Kothrud, Pune 411038. MH. India.
Phone: +91-20-2546 3549
Mobile:+91 90110 04781
Website:
www.vastushodh.co.in
Email: info@vastushodh.co.in
Related Story:
1) Is Vastushodh Projects a Trustworthy - Reliable Builder?
2) A 3 BHK Flat for Rs 45 Lakhs & 2 BHK for 35 at Kondhawe Dhawade! Marathi Video
Subscribe for Free!
To receive free emails or free RSS feeds, please, subscribe to
Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog
Feel free to call me:
I enjoy talking, sharing my views and giving advice about buying property in Pune real estate market.
If you like to chat, join me,
RaviKarandeekarsBlogs on
Google Talk.
My email id is
RaviKarandeekar@RaviKarandeekar.com Feel free to write to me. I reply as soon as i can.
If you want my advice, feel free to call me on
919860044110. First 3 minutes are free! And for more than 3 minutes - pay as you wish - you decide the value of my advice.
Of course, for a serious discussion, better fix an appointment at a time convenient to both of us. So that we can have uninterrupted & in depth discussion on my mobile
(919860044110)
- on Video Hangout on
Google+
- or on
Skype (ravikarandeekar) .
For more than 3 minutes and up to 30 minutes - pay as you wish. After the conversation - transfer the money in my bank account. As much as you wish. From a few hundred to a few hundred thousand crore of U S Dollars or Indian Rupees. Here are my bank account details:
Ravindra Karandeekar,
Bank of Maharashtra.
Savings A/c no- 20047674794.
Branch- Bajirao Road Pune MICR Code 411014010.
IFSC- MAHB0000001
