How to grow your own vertical garden

Making room for gardens in today’s urban landscape is a really tough job; most of us live in apartments with tiny balconies where having even a couple of plants are problematic.

Hardcore gardening buffs have come up with a way around this problem - vertical gardens!

Plants in containers or geo felt bags mounted on the wall is quite a popular concept abroad and is fast catching up in Indian metros as well.

The primary area of concern for vertical gardening is watering, which has to be done using a certain method. The excess water should drain out through a proper channel. Seasonal flowers, philodendron and money plants are ideal for vertical home gardens. You can opt for indoor or outdoor plants. Having a vertical garden save you a lot of space and help in bringing freshness and purity in your home.

How to begin

Identify the area where you want the green wall. Any wall is good, but it's always better if you choose one that gets some natural light, even if indirect. Think about your budget and research to find good budget ideas.

Area required

All you need is a wall or a partition; you can go for a boundary wall or even a small balcony wall. The structure of the green wall should be a three-layer sandwich -frame, plastic sheet and fabric -so that even when you attach it to a wall, it stays unharmed. This also makes dismounting easy.

Choosing plants

For indoors use plants that thrive in shade, while for areas like balcony walls etc you can opt for sun loving varieties of plants.

How to water the plants

If your green wall has a drip irrigation system, you just need to turn on a tap and your plants get watered in no time. Otherwise, you can use a hose for outdoor walls and a spray gun for indoor plants.

How to maintain the garden

Maintenance is dependent on the type of plants and the unit. If you're using green walls from reputed companies that offer you soil-less units, then minimal maintenance is required. However, plants need good care, and if watered properly, they require less maintenance

Remember vertical gardens are somewhat expensive, and need good care. So consider carefully before you commit.

Give your home a makeover this monsoon.

You can love it, you can hate it but you definitely cannot ignore it. The monsoon season is upon on us finally, and while a lot many are thankful for the respite from scorching heat, others complain about jams, dirt and water logging. Whatever be your idea of monsoon, we bring you some tips to make you home better equipped and more comfy in this season.

For the Front Door- Place tall planters near the entrance of the house, where people entering your home can leave their wet umbrellas. Also, place a doormat right at the entrance, to keep any muck from entering the house. Materials like jute and bamboo work best for this purpose.

Brighten the Indoors- to create a warm, cheerful look, opt for colorful accent elements to brighten it. If you have neutral palette in your home, then place cushion and throws in bright inviting colors. You can also get thin curtains in colors like sunflower yellow, turquoise, mint green to instantly uplift your home.

Lighten Up- Remove heavy duty drapes and furnishing like velvet and jacquard curtains and wool rugs etc. These will not allow light to filter through and make the room appear gloomy, also heavy fabric retain moisture and create a dank atmosphere. It is better if you opt for bright washable rugs and curtains.

Scent of Rain- Bring the liveliness and distinctive fragrance of the monsoon into your home with candles and diffusers whose fragrance imitate the rain. Fresh flowers and lush, indoor plants are always a great idea.

Décor and More- placing mirrors around the house helps a lot as they’re not only decorative, but also reflect the light, and make the room look brighter. Additional floor and table lamps will also work to create a warm and inviting glow.

Technology to address the increasing demand of homes for the younger generation

India has established itself globally as an emerging market. Various sectors in the country are gearing up to adopt modern and cutting edge innovations keeping up with global standard. One sector that needs to bring in technological advancement is real estate, with rapid urbanization, growing young population and mass exodus to cities rapid changes are required in the sector. Additionally government initiative likes Smart Cities Mission and Housing for all in 2020 are sure to push demand even further making it essential that the sector incorporates modern technology.

Technology is a key enabler that helps in simplification of operations and reduces turnaround time. In real estate, use of technology can led to cost-effective projects while ensuring efficient utilization of labor. Even in case of mass housing developments, technology helps in improving the quality of construction, while cutting a project’s construction time extensively some ground-breaking technologies that have improved the construction space in real estate include precast, hollow pre-fab, block masonry, plasswall etc.

Another important factor is that technology enables sustainable development. Precast technology, for example, apart from reducing the duration of construction, cost and improving the quality of the final output is adaptable and resilient. Precast is produced only under strict quality measures in a factory by highly trained professionals with little wastage. Precast panels can be rapidly erected on the site with negligible interruptions and saves energy.  It also makes it possible for designers to cut down on heating and air conditioning costs associated with HVAC systems and at the same time, keep building occupants comfortable.

Technology also helps in enabling eco-friendly construction. Most people are increasingly aware of the changing environment and thus prefer buying projects that have a low carbon footprint. Developers nowadays are careful to follow the green standards, in design and architecture, water conservation, use of renewable energy, and sewage and garbage processing. Technology can be used in almost all the basic amenities of a home to create energy utilization. So you toilets that uses minimal water in flushing, plumbing that makes provisions for separate lines for drinking and flushing, used water treatment for gardening, efficient insulation in the walls, ceilings and floors enables better temperature control among others, lighting based on movement etc. 

Feng Shui for your Kid’s room

In continuation with our Feng Shui series, we now bring you Feng Shui for your children’s rooms.  As with every other room in the house your child’s room also needs attention so that they have a cozy space where they can sleep peacefully, be happy and cheerful. Feng shui can help you achieve this goal by these simple tips.

Placement of the bed- Don’t place the bed directly in front of the door, the ideal position or “commanding position” would be across the room, diagonal from the door. This would help with issues in sleep as it puts the child in command of their room.

Choose the right color- A youngster’s room needs to have a balance of energy, so it should be neither too bright nor too dark while keeping in mind the personality and taste in mind. Using pastel shades of their favorite colors will achieve both the purposes.

Use Feng shui to boost self confidence- Place a full length mirror at the child eye level in his/her room, this will help in boosting self confidence. Another good idea would be to display their artwork or craft or family pictures to create a sense of comfort and love.

Ensure that the room is not cluttered- While this applies to most rooms, it’s a bit difficult to achieve it with a child. However, try to inculcate a habit of putting away toys, books and clothes away at the end of the say. An easy solution would be to have a designated place for everything, use a lot of boxes and baskets where things can be swept into in one go.

Hanging artwork- involve your child in picking up the artwork for their room, as stated in the point above you can use their own creations and family pictures. Do not hang pictures that depict fast movement in case your child has a hard time sleeping, as this might induce restlessness. 

Oberoi Eternia & Enigma- High quality homes from a name you can trust

Oberoi Realty has made its foray into the central suburbs of Mumbai with the launch of its twin residential developments, Eternia and Enigma, at Mulund. The projects are located on the arterial LBS Road in one of Mumbai’s fastest growing suburb. The project is to be designed by the Singapore-based architects, HB Design.

Oberoi Enigma will comprise of two luxury high-rises spread over an area of 9 acres which will have expansive 3 bedroom and 4 bedroom apartments while Eternia will comprise of two premium high-rises on another similar sized plot of 9 acres in the same vicinity comprising of 3BHK configurations in two spacious sizes. While Eternia would be a bigger property with almost 1100 units Enigma will have approximately 600 plus units.

A vibrant and attractive project, the project is at walking distance from Mulund station, the location of the project is strategic in it that it allows residents to have easy access to other parts of the city through the Easter Expressway and the LBS Road.

Designed to match international standards, the projects are both sophisticated and flamboyant in terms of architecture and design bringing a world class lifestyle to the aspirational Indian home seeker.

Both of projects Oberoi Eternia & Enigma are effortlessly accessible to a host of educational institutions, hospitals, amusement hubs, restaurants, shopping malls, hotels and more. The complexes of both the projects are slated to have a wide variety of facilities to amuse and entertain residents. Amenities like well-designed club-houses and leisure zones like play areas for kids, long jogging tracks leading to verdant gardens and expansive walkways, landscaped podiums and gardens, swimming pools, squash courts, launderette, day care centre, salon, gymnasium, steam rooms, yoga / meditation room, Café and a multi - purpose hall all are meant to make life easier, convenient and enjoyable for the residents

For more details about the project, You can call us at 925-0005-154

Kalpataru Hills Pristine- Pure undisturbed bliss

Pristine means unspoiled, pure and faultless. Kalpataru Hills Pristine is an epitome of this; Surrounded by lush green Yeoor Hills, the project is a true haven in every sense of the word. Owning a beautiful home where you can spend time with your loved ones, relax and enjoy yourself is the true meaning of happy living However, it’s not easy, the struggle to find the home that affords you such peace or tranquility is long and hard. Kalpataru Hill Pristine is like an answer to this trouble.

Kalpataru Pristine comprises of 3 BHK apartments at the bustling hub of Thane west, it is designed to provide you roomy and well designed living spaces that are sure to enchant you.

Thane west is a bustling and growing locality, having access to major parts of Mumbai. The location offers convenience to residents through its excellent connectivity via road and rail networks.  The social infrastructure of Thane West is also quite well developed, there are many schools, hospitals, parks and malls around the area ensuring residents are able to enjoy an active and healthy social life. Another very important factor is that Thane west is comparatively affordable in relation to other nearby localities.

In a bid to offer residents a complete lifestyle the company has provided many facilities inside the complex like  a clubhouse, a well equipped gym, separate swimming pools for adults and kids, a Jacuzzi, , landscaped garden and even a yoga deck. However the biggest draw for this project would be its proximity to the beautiful Yeoor Hills, while most of long to vacation every month, we don’t really get a chance to do so. But, being able to view sunrises over lush green hills every day is definitely an amazing alternative

For more details about the project, You can call us at 925-0005-154

From Dreary to Cheery. Hacks to turn your home around

Has your home started looking more like a dumpster than a retreat? Do you longingly look at others homes and wonder what is wrong with yours. Well, worry not we list down some simple measures to revamp your home into an inviting, cozy place which you would never want to leave.

Pile on the Pillows- Pillows are an instant and cheap way to revamp the look of your boring old sofa. Get as many as you can in different sizes, shapes and colors. You can even use old leftover pieces of fabrics and even old jeans to make interesting covers.

Gallery Wall- One frame per wall is outdated; a host of different paintings whether in the same theme or contrast are the way to go. Opt for mix a shapes and sizes and colors with monochromes to create a statement.

Antique/Vintage Look- Adding a vintage or rustic piece to your furniture gives it a bit of drama and becomes a conversation piece. You don’t have to buy something expensive to get the vintage look,  a lot of old stuff like chests and cupboards in your home or old doors are all excellent choices.

Say goodbye to your plain white curtains- Curtains can do a lot more than just keeping the elements away, you can play with a host of fabrics, patterns and textures to instantly uplift you room. If you don’t want to spend on new curtains get mirror wreaths or beads to hang along with your old curtains.

Fairy Lights- Lights are known to change the look of your dramatically, they can light up hidden corners and give the room a new look, fairy lights are an instant whimsical and inexpensive way to do up your room and they are very versatile too, you use them in a variety of way like draping around your collection of photos or a plant. 

Feng Shui For Your Bedroom

You bedroom should be your retreat from the stresses of your daily life. An ideal bedroom is a place where you can rest peacefully and emerge revitalized and renewed.

If however, you are unable to sleep through the night, or feel restless, then maybe Feng Shuican help regain the tranquility in your room.

Feng Shui literally means wind and water. The art of feng shui dictates the flow and balance of energies in any space to ensure good fortune and wealth for the people living in it. The whole concept of Feng Shui is based on five elements and they are - fire, metal, earth, water and wood.

Below are the principles of Feng Shui you can use in your bedroom.

Use Welcoming and Calming Colors- Earthy and warm color like coral, peach, cocoa, copper and tan are great form creating a cozy and comfy environment, whereas light blues, greens and lavenders add a sense of tranquility and calmness. Colors like reds, oranges and pinks are considered too stimulating and are thus best used as accents to enhance the energy.

Position Your Bed with Care- Your bed is the core of your bedroom, the ideally position for it would be as far away from the door as possible,  but in a spot which still allows you to keep an eye on the room's entrance. This gives you a sense of safety and protection while you rest.

Opt for Curves, Not Corners- Try to use furniture that has soft lines and non linear form. Furniture with sharp edges and lines is considered to create negative energy. If you cannot replace your furniture, the opt to cover it draping a piece of flowing fabric over the top or placing a healthy plant on top, leaves cascading over the corners.

Clear the Clutter- It seems kind of obvious that a clutter free room automatically seems calmer, however it is doubly important in Feng Shui, because clutter denotes unfinished business and impedes progress. An important aspect is not store clutter, especially work related under your bed as this is sure to disturb your sleep.

How Metro Rail has become a big multiplier for real estate

The metro rail has become a lifeline for cities like Delhi and Mumbai, and due to its huge success the implementation of metros has been carried out in cities like Jaipur and Chennai now.  All the cities with metro rails have shown a positive impact in terms of real estate along the metro corridors.

While retail and commercial areas along the metros corridors benefit directly through ease of access, the impact on residential areas is dual wherein the jobs generated by Metro cause an increase in demand for homes and the reduced commuting costs draw more buyers.

In areas bordering the stations, the noticeable impact is higher on commercial property values than on residential values, and the effect reduces as the distance from the station increases

 Land prices will generally be higher if a land parcel is located within walking distance of the metro, but not directly next to the station. The increase in the land values is reflected in the area served, especially around the stations. There is a substantial increase in demand of retail and office spaces around existing metro stations. Most commercial properties near Metros are result of conversion of individual residential units to apartments, mixed use properties to commercial use and new development on vacant land.

Metro exerts influence in value up to a KM; with maximum influence around 500 meters. In fact the population density of residential areas nearby will tend to increase after the launch of metros due to preference for proximity. Alongside the launch of new projects and developments will also witness a steep rise, a steady price rise is also an accompanying feature.

The relevance and importance of metros can be gauged from the fact that most residential and commercial projects advertise their proximity and the ones which are within walking distance site this as their biggest USP. 

Six things about home loan incentives you are unaware of

This has been a year of joy for home buyers. More tax benefits, interest rate cuts on loans, sluggish property prices, new launches in the 'affordable' segment with freebies and attractive payment schemes.

A lot many people would be looking to take advantage of these benefits and buy their home sweet home. In the midst of this, it makes sense that you would try to get a good deal on your home loan as well. However, even if you get a discount, the taxes are sure to burn a hole in your pocket. Here we give you a list of lesser known tax benefits on home loans.

You can claim tax benefit on interest paid even if you missed an EMI- In case you have missed a few EMIs during a financial year, you would still be entitled to claim deduction on the interest part of the EMI for the entire year.

Processing fee is tax deductible- Charges related to loans are tax deductible, according to the law, these charges are considered as interest and therefore you can claim deduction on the same.

Principal repayment tax benefit is reversed if you sell before 5 years- If you sell your house within five years of purchase then it can have a negative impact. Any deduction claimed under the principal repayment category would be reversed and added to your annual taxable income in the year of sale.

Loans from relatives and friends is eligible for tax deduction- If you avail of a loan from a friend or family member, you can claim deduction on interest repayment, provided that the loan was used for construction or purchase and the requisite documentation is provided. This rule is applicable only for interest repayment.

You may not be eligible for tax break even if you are just a co-borrower- You cannot claim tax benefit if you are not the owner of the property. You would need to be both owner and borrower to be entitled to any sort of tax breaks.

You can claim pre-construction period interest for up to 5 years- Your home loan benefits start kicking in after you get possession. While you cannot claim principal repayment, you can claim the interest paid post possession 

The other side of the Real Estate Bill

The Real Estate Bill was hailed as a welcome step to put the unorganized and anarchic state of the real estate sector into a semblance of normalcy, an attempt to create certain guidelines that real estate developers would follow to ensure protection of the buyers. While the actual implementation will still take times, with a lot being dependant on various state governments, the bill will address key issues like creating a regulatory body to guard consumers, mandatory registration of projects, registration of agents and redressal of consumer complaints in a quick and efficient manner.

While all these steps are brilliant and no doubt will ensure that the chaos in which the real estate sector functions will be reduced considerably, there are a whole host of issues that have to be monitored so as to avoid any problems in future. The state and local authorities have been given huge roles to play with both approval and monitoring of projects coming under their aegis, the point to be kept in mind here is that these authorities don’t themselves become hurdles and a hub for corrupt practices.

Another important issue is that with the parking of funds in an escrow account, the burden on developers is going to increase which consequently will lead to an increasing of property prices, additionally the fact that this is going to be another bolt to the liquidity crises most developers already face. Another area of concern is the ambiguity in terms like “Carpet Area” which might later lead to issue with standardization in any future legal tangles. With so many points of approval and registrations involved it seems like the builders have a tiresome task ahead of getting all requisite clearances.

While the governments intentions in terms of streamlining the sector and bringing more transparency seem true, the Bill has a lot of areas where the without proper setup and implementation there are going to be a number of pitfalls. However, it is too early to be cynical; the Act is the beginning of pushing the real estate sector in the right direction and with the support from government it is highly possible that the industry itself will ensure its success. 

Understanding what a good rental agreement is

Renting out your home as a source of extra income or to pay off your home loan is gaining popularity. Also, home owners who live out of town usually rent out their homes to utilize the space. Now, in case you have someone trustworthy like a family member or a friend to take care of such things, then nothing like it. But mostly people rely on real estate agents to take care of the property and execute any paper work involved.

Now even if you have a professional real estate agent taking care of these things, it is better to have an understanding of what makes a good rental agreement. Listed below are few of the key points.

Stamp Duty and Registration- Stamp duty is the tax you pay to the government to make your rental agreement legally valid, so it is imperative that you are aware of how much the stamp duty is and pay it, also make sure to pay registration fee as an unregistered document is not going to work as evidence in case of a dispute.

Important Terms and Clauses- Make sure to include all important terms and clauses in the agreement which include the tenancy term, names of occupants, security deposit, discipline and maintenance . Mentioning these terms clearly in the agreement insulates you against financial loss.

Lease Agreement- a lease agreement is different to a rental fundamentally due to the time period, rentals are usually drawn up for 11 months whereas lease agreements are usually for 3 to five years. Consequently the stamp duty and registration fees also vary in lease agreements depending on the tenure. Hence it is essential that you understand the legalities of the contract.

A good rental agreement is one in which both the tenant and landlord are satisfied. Hence, the responsibility to create a fair, clear and concise agreement rests with you. 

How Digital Revolution has impacted Real Estate

Digital revolution is something that every one of us has experienced in one or the other aspect our life, in fact, nowadays it seems almost impossible for us to live without technology right in our hands. 

 Many aspects of the technological revolution like IT systems, ERP’s, web communication, social media have all managed to transform how business is conducted. It has helped industries become more efficient and growth focused.

The impact of this digital revolution has been as intense as any other sector. Technological advancement has found place in every single aspect of the real estate cycle, from designing and construction to marketing, branding and sales. Flow of information has been made faster, more reliable and economical and buyers and investors seem to the ones who are most benefited by this.

Buyers and renters have a wide variety of options for choosing properties amongst thousands of listings with multiple of filters customized to suit their needs instead of relying on brokers. This sort of opening of market has driven down brokerages, consequently causing developers and builders to offer myriad facilities and offers to keep customers happy.

 Digital revolutions has opened a number of avenues for marketing for the builders and developers, with advent of Facebook, Twitter, Slideshare and LinkedIn, developers are able to engage customers better and make them a more involved party, opening up two way communication with them to deliver better product and services.  Another important aspect is the ability of using high end software to design and create buildings that are economical, environmentally friendly and appealing. The time taken to build and develop projects has also reduced resulting in consumer confidence.

A more indirect benefit has been that the easier processing of information at financial institutions leading to quicker disbursal of loans to buyers and developers alike has helped in their financial health.