Unforgettable Diwali Gift!
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| Unforgettable Diwali Gift 2015 |
On the first day of Diwali, I visited Nitin Kulkarni. The developer of Little Earth at Kiwale - www.littleearthpune.com . One of the projects - I recommend as - worth considering in 2015.
Nitin was suffering with cold. He had a running nose. He was wiping his face again & again.
"I guess, everything is okay," I said.
"You tell me - have a look at these figures - and tell me - how am I doing," Mr. Nitin said & turned the screen of the computer towards me.
Some 15 - 20 years ago - when I was in Pune real estate advertising - Nitin Kulkarni was a civil engineer - with one of the best builders - in those times. Even then, though he was just an engineer - I was sure - someday - Nitin would be a builder. Eventually, 5 years ago, in 2010, at the launch of Green City Pune on Handewadi Road at Hadapsar - I found out that Nitin has become a builder.
Certainly, I was happy for Nitin. And I was very much impressed too. Mainly for the two reasons.
1) You know? Nitin has roped in his previous employer & his old friend from Aurangabad as joint venture partners in Green City Pune! I always admire the builder who values relations.
2) Green City Pune was the right property at that point of time in 2010 - affordable flats & affordable bungalows in Pune Municipal Corporation limits. I am fond of the builders who build affordable homes.
In the last 5 years - Nitin has taken efforts to convince me that he is a good builder.
First, Nitin acknowledged my position as a blogger. The influencer - whose opinion some property property buyers take seriously. (You know? Most of the builders in Pune fail to understand how to deal with me.)
Then, Nitin took me to Green City Pune & showed the infrastructural services he had developed. He took me to Little Earth at Kiwale and showed me how he was implementing the same model - in PCMC - near Hinjewadi.
At that point of time - I was focused on Violation of Environmental Clearance. Nitin took time to explain - sustainable - self sufficient - infrastructural services in Little Earth Kiwale. Infrastructure which will generate revenue & reduce the cost of maintenance.
Certainly, Nitin's efforts paid off. I started recommending Little Earth at Kiwale.
Obviously, I became more alert about Little Earth.
After the unfortunate incident of police complaint by Vastushodh Projects - I have become more cautious.
Being more open - over the period of project - about my views & interactions with the builder - can be a sort of real time disclaimer about my views. I thought. So that - you do not have to wonder about my sudden shift - why am I suggesting something like - why you should not book a flat at Vastushodh Projects' UrbanGram & AnandGram.
Afterall, I write Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Marketing News Blog to help you to buy a home in Pune.
Times keep on changing. Same about you, me & builders. Obviously, my views & recommendation keep on changing too. So, transparency is essential. I have realized.
"Look at these figures - and suggest - what should I do to get more bookings?," pointing at the computer screen Nitin Kulkarni of Little Earth Kiwale asked.
"Sure. I will. First tell me - how are you doing?," I asked.
"From April 2015 - the day of launch - on an average - every month 5 - 7 flats are booked. I have booked enough number of flats to fund the construction of this phase. But, you know? I was expecting more bookings. I wish to do something for more bookings," said Nitin.
"Yes! I know. You have enough bookings to complete the launched phase. At this point of time - when the home buyers are not sure about the completion & possession - this is a big USP of Little Earth," I said.
"And the amenities - club house and all - and infrastructural services - sewage treatment plant - water & power connection etc - are already in place - I am giving possession of the 1st phase in the next couple of months - means - by the time - the flat owners of this phase - will get the possession - they will get whatever they have paid for!," said Nitin Kulkarni of Little Earth Kiwale.
"Yes! I know. But, most of the property buyers don't know this. You know why? Because - you talk about the payment scheme - 5-75-10-10. Not about getting value for money - not about getting possession of a flat with operational - amenities - and - infrastructural services," I said.
"The property buyers know that - those builders who find it difficult to sell the flats - talk about the payment schemes - 10 - 80 - 10 - no EMI till Possession - and all. Why aren't you talking about possession of a flat - with amenities & water - power - STP?," I asked.
"Yes! I was considering the same! Should I highlight the guaranteed possession date?," asked Nitin Kulkarni of Little Earth.
"Possession date - is an oversimplification. Certainly, attractive. But - in the current circumstances - when the property buyers don't trust the builders - oversimplifications looks like - gimmick. Gimmicks & payment offers - erode brand value - do not communicate the strengths of the project. Do not answer - why is Little Earth at Kiwale better than Aditya Vivaaz at Ravet or Siddhashila Eela at Punawale? Respect the intelligence & preferences of the property buyers - Nitin - we know how location centric property buyers are - they will come to Kiwale only when they are convinced about benefits of booking a flat in Little Earth!," I said.
"True! Like DSK called Punawale as tomorrow's Baner - or like Adity Builder says about Ravet - Tomorrow's Aundh - at this point of time - I can't say anything about Kiwale. But, you know - how good is the location of my project - right?," said Nitin.
"When the project is good - it doesn't have to depend entirely on the benefits of location. Little Earth offers more than the convenient location for Hinjewadi IT professionals - as well as Mumbai investors - and you offer safety - a property within a budget - with operational amenities & water - power - STP - systems. And the bookings show that the property buyers are admiring & appreciating Little Earth - what more do you want?," I said.
"More number of bookings! But - if you say - it's okay - I am ready to accept!," said Nitin.
"Yes. You are doing quite well. Can you afford to be a patient? Do you have a huge debt - tension of interest payment? ," I said.
"No debt. No bank loans. No Private Equity Funding. No tension of interest payment," said Nitin.
"Have you paid the salaries on time? Have you paid your contractors?," I asked.
"Yes! Of course!," said Nitin.
"Congratulations! Nitin - you are among the few builders in Pune who could fulfil their financial obligations this Diwali," I said.
"Good! I called you to hear this!," said Nitin and gave me 2 paper bags.
"OMG! Glad to know that you can even afford to give Diwali Gift to the blogger! What is in these 2 heavy bags?," I said.
"Idol of Ganapati & Dry Fruits!," said Nitin Kulkarni of Little Earth at Kiwale and asked - "Where are you going? Should I tell my driver to drop you?"
"If you are my true friend - please - never offer me your car. Instead - order me to walk. Because, walking is good for me," lifting two heavy paper bags, I told Nitin.
However, when I reached Joshi Hospital, I called my wife and asked her - What should I do about the 2 paper bags of Diwali Gifts?
"No problems. Come over!," my wife said.
She was right. For a moment - my mother in law admired the idol of Ganapati. And you know what? She asked for one more almond from the box of dry fruits. Because - the first one she had gulped down like a capsule.
"Now, I am feeling like I am celebrating Diwali," said my mother in law.
"Same here!," without looking at my wife, I said.
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