7 Things to Include in your Check List before booking a home

An investment in a residential property is undoubtedly one of the biggest investments a person is likely to make in his lifetime. It is also probably going to be the place where he decides to set down roots and spend the rest of his life with his family. Such a decision is then not to be made lightly. Most people look into things like getting a reliable real estate agent, getting pre-approved for a loan and vetting the agreement documents. However, there are still some things which need to be put on the check list which will make your investment a place you want to come home to everyday for the rest of your life…   Location: When it comes to real estate, location is everything and this counts for your home too. You need to consider the infrastructure around and the connectivity aspects of the location of the project you are considering.   Budget: Cost of the property plays a very crucial role in decision making and it is always best to seek out projects from reputed builders which fall within your budget.   Living Area: You need to buy a home based not only on the space you need now, but also what you may need in the future. For instance, a young couple may be perfectly comfortable in a 1BHK but once they decide to start a family, they would face a space crunch and then would be burdened with the decision of moving out of their comfort zone and setting up home again. Some would also need an extra room for relatives or friends who visit. Hence, it is advisable to go in for a 2BHK to take care of the need for space.   RERA Registration: There was a time when the reputation of the builder and his track record was enough to give the buyer confidence to sign on the dotted line. Today, RERA has made buying a property so much simpler and transparent. All one needs to do is check out the property on the RERA website to be sure that all the approvals are in place and know the expected date of completion of the project, amongst other details.   Amenities: Having a house is not enough anymore, a home owner needs to consider the amenities being offered by the developer, which will add to their living experience and lifestyle.   Family-centric: Consider a home in a project which caters to the needs of all the members of the family. Thus, while connectivity is paramount for the daily commute to work, the ease of access to markets and shopping is also essential. Children should be able to attend a good school in the vicinity and also indulge in extracurricular activities without having to travel too far. Seniors in the family should be able to relax and have their own space to forge new friendships.   Green Quotient: While infrastructure is important, living in a clean and green environment is also equally important. Here again a township project scores over a home in a small project or standalone building. A sizeable part of the township has green spaces with several trees and a sewage treatment plant which recycles used water for gardening, washing and sanitary purposes. To further reduce the carbon footprint and be eco- friendly, systems have been installed to harvest rain water; light reflecting windows help save energy and natural resources.   - Mr.Kaizad Hateria, Brand Custodian & Chief Customer Delight Officer, Rustomjee Group