How important is Kuber for your glory?

Let the deity of wealth and prosperity prevail in your home by removing all obstacles and negativity. The north-east direction is the place of Kuber. Toilet, shoe-racks or any kind of heavy furniture is a big no in this section of the house. Open spaces and organised north-east section of the house is welcoming for Kuber to be prevail in the house. To allow generous flow of good energy and positivity, place a mirror or a Kuber Yantra on the north wall of the north section of the entire home. Give way to fresh financial opportunities with this tip.

 Are your lockers on the safe side of the house?

To ensure financial constancy concentrate on the earth corner, that is, the south-west corner of the house. It is advisable to store all your vital documents, cash and precious jewellery in this corner of the house. The safe or cupboard in which the important documents and jewellery is being stored must be facing north or north-east. Things to keep in mind when following this tip are:

 Be organised and tidy

Keeping a clutter-free home is always recommended in Vastu. A simple and neat home allows free flow of energy as well as makes it easy to be maintained on a daily basis. The way energy flows in the house are catalysed by a clean and more open area in the house. The doors and windows should also be kept clean including the storage spaces.

 Keep your fishy pets nearby

For all the fish pet lovers, be careful of where you place them. The north-east direction can bring in good pace to positive energy flow in the house. You can also make use of a water fountain with water circulation in it. These are considered auspicious for bringing in good money luck. Also keep a check on the water clarity and keep changing it to avoid dirty water getting stored. Unclean water makes for obstacles in the way of financial growth.

 Ensure an intact door in proper condition

The main door is the best feature of the house that must be kept in proper condition. There must be no cracks on the door or faults with the locking system of it. The door attracts positive energy and prosperity which calls for it to be attractive and well-maintained always. You can also place fengshui items like wind chimes and plants to enhance the entry to the house.

 Do not ignore that leak

Water leakages in the kitchen, bathroom and garden area must be immediately attended to avoid adverse effect on economic prosperity. Water leakages is figurative of financial distress and loss of money. One must be cautious of it especially during the monsoon season. Sometimes a damp wall facing internal leakage issues can skip our notice but it must be dealt with high importance.

 Did your water tanker placement strike a chord?

Your overhead water tanks cannot be placed in the north-east or the south-east corner of the house. Any water body in these two directions is not considered Vastu-compliant. Doing so can lead to health issues like chest pain, headaches, digestive issues and degrading mental health. It is also responsible for stress related issues.

When we discuss the architecture of Bengal, a blend of ancient and ancient urban architecture comes to our mind. West Bengal’s architecture is a rich combination of a variety of elements influenced by a number of western as well as middle-eastern countries that invaded and reigned over Bengal from time to time. Many of the buildings exhibit the influence of religion and rural vernacular.

 St. John’s Church

 Jorasanko Thakurbari

 Rasmancha

 Char Bangla Temple

 Hooghly Imambara

To be continued…

Just like textured walls, exquisitely designed floor tiles and beautifully carved doors, drop ceilings can give your home the ultimate game changing tweak. Most of the times the ceiling remains to be the ignored part of the whole room while all the attention goes to the walls of the house. However, time is not what it used to be and home owners are paying equal importance to decorate the ceilings to give their new homes a brighter look nowadays. Here we discuss the types of suspended ceilings and how they serve a purpose far greater than enhancing the décor of the space.

Why Choose a False Ceiling?

While serving as concealers for the wiring of the apartment, it also helps with the insulation of the space due to the air trapped between the actual ceiling and itself. During summers, they reduce overheating and in winters they prevent the heat from escaping too soon and thereby reduce electricity consumption indirectly. False ceilings can be functional in sound proofing the space too. It makes the apartment energy efficient and prevents dampness of walls. They help regulate the overall energy consumption while being decorative at the same time. Another benefit of installing false ceilings at your apartment is that instead of putting up more than one tube lights, you can make use of track LED lights that not only gives the room an illusion of more space, but also helps you reduce your electricity bills at the end of the month. You can choose in what order or frequency you want these lights to be installed which also makes it possible for you to set the mood of the room.

Types of false ceilings

Gypsum false ceiling

This is the most widely used kind made from calcium sulphate. It makes best use of thermal and noise cancelling property of the material that is also lighter in weight and to some extent is resistant to fire. These can be very useful in giving you a customised look as they can be painted or laminated according to your own choice. They are available in all colors to give you the desired look.

POP false ceiling

You choose POP false ceilings when you are a fan of smooth finesse and sharp edges while also answering the call for intricate designs. They are usually favoured in combination with wood or glass or both and is very well suited for living rooms, dining areas and master bedrooms. These can be commonly found in contemporary homes with spacious interiors.

Metal false ceiling

Aluminium and galvanised iron comprise metal false ceilings and are commonly seen being used in commercial spaces than residential complexes. They can be a little difficult to maintain which is why it is not advisable for residential spaces. However, they are very durable and come with the ease of reinstallation. Well, if you have the manpower to take care of it, you must go with it.

PVC false ceiling

This type of drop ceilings can be used in bathrooms, garages, balcony and kitchen area. PVC ceilings are moisture-resistant, cost-effective and light-weighted that makes it eligible for these areas of the apartment. They are very commonly used, especially if you have not much left to invest in this section of the home.

Wooden false ceiling

While wooden false ceilings make your home look elegant and gorgeous at the same time, it is really heavy on the pocket. One has to make sure to choose the right kind of wood to prevent mishaps as one little mistake can cost you a lot in future. Wood free of termite attack and moisture resistant has to be chosen for this kind of ceiling. They are best suited for those having a home in hilly areas. Budget not being a constraint, this can redefine your home in the best way possible.

Things to Remember

Primarily, the design of the false ceiling is the factor that determines the cost of installation. The more intricate the design, the more it will cost you. One has to be cautious while choosing the material keeping in mind affordability and availability simultaneously. However, it is important to be satisfied with quality of the material one chooses even if that means spending a few bucks extra to be on the right side of making decisions.

Got a 3BHK to suit all your needs? What about your furry, feathered, and finned members of the family? They need your time, attention and a comfortable stay too. Most pet owners do not keep their pet’s necessities in mind while buying a new property. Just like your little one needs their playtime, your pet needs space to move around easily and safely in the house.

Keep reading to learn what you should be looking for, and how a little planning can go a long way to help you restructure your daily routine to keep your pet safe and joyful.

Prepare Your Home For The Pet

Look out for choking, strangulation, electrocution, and suffocation hazards. Cut through any loops, and unplug or cover wires and electrical cords.

Be cautious with human foods and medications and store them where pets can access them.

Keep away “ladders” from their reach to limit their access to elevated areas like countertops and tabletops.

Make sure to dispose trash daily to keep pets from rummaging through it. Use stainless steel and rubber trash cans and sprinkle baking soda to keep away odors.

Some indoor plants can cause health hazards in pets. For example, lilies and other common, but toxic, plants like amaryllis, poinsettia, mums, and aloe-vera are harmful to many pets. Make sure you understand the implications of your chosen plant on your pet before bringing it in.

Latch out cleaning items to keep them away from your pet and prevent them from swallowing chemicals.

Always keep toilet lid down to eliminate risks or poisoning and drowning.

The term High-Rise Syndrome has been coined from all cats that die due to jumping out of windows. Make sure you have nets to cover open windows to avoid any accidents of such kind.

Create a danger-free zone with their favourite toys to help them spend their playtime and ensure you have enough space in your home by keeping minimal furniture at least in one of the rooms.

Always remember, well-exercised pets are less likely to get into trouble, and more likely to rest well at night instead of barking or whining for attention. Try to get a trainer for your dog to keep him fit and in good shape.

Things to Consider Before Getting A Pet

If you are a pet-owner already, the first important thing to make sure before moving into a new property is to confirm if the society allows members to keep pets. It is also advisable to check if the society is able to ensure the pet’s well-being at all times.

What are your rights as a pet owner?

  It is not legal to not allow pets in a housing society and is considered to be a direct violation of the Constitution of India. Under Section 51(A) it is the duty of every citizen to respect and have compassion for all life forms in India.

  Members of the society should always be kind to your pet and the members should abide by the law, in-sync with Section 11(3) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

  If your neighbour is complaining about your pet’s bark or whine, you are not to apologise as it is a natural form of expression and it has to be tolerated in a society.

What are your responsibilities as a pet owner?

However, it is equally important for the pet-owners to be responsible for their pet and train them accordingly so that it is not causing trouble for other residents.

  Designate a time for pet walk and make sure they do not defaecate in the open.

  Always keep your pets vaccinated.

  Clean spots that are messed up by your pet to avoid others from stepping on them.

  Keep your pet away from those who do not prefer them to avoid any unnecessary arguments and incidents.

Keep an eye on our page for more insights and new properties in Kolkata.

Starting a new life together requires making a number of thoughtful decisions both financial and logistical. It important to ensure that investing on a new home makes sure your long-term finances are not affected. While you decide to buy new property, we advise you to keep in mind certain essential that must be taken into consideration before you have made your call.

What are the necessary considerations for newlyweds planning on buying their first house? How these elements can affect long-term financial stability as a family?

Planning in advance

While planning your first home, you should pay the equal amount of attention to details as you did while planning your wedding. It includes how you want it to look, where you want to reside in future and what kind of neighborhood you are looking for. It is necessary to take your partner’s opinion into consideration to ensure making a common call before you invest.

Keep your priorities set

Modern couples get married only when they are financially stable and capable of taking responsibilities. Some of them already have a property before getting married. In such cases, one should be clear about each other’s priorities. If a large amount of EMI keeps you from enjoying your passion for travelling or family needs, it may not be a wise decision to invest on a new property at all. It is advisable to choose a home based on your lifestyle and needs instead of trying to fit into a new one. You should also keep in mind the uncertainties that may affect your present plans and relook into your investments to avoid disruptions in future.

Plan for the future-not present

Another aspect to consider before investing is whether the property will be appropriate for needs that may arise in future too. As newlyweds one may feel a 2BHK is enough for both of them. However, future decisions of planning a family are a big element many do not consider at all. One mus prepare according to one’s future plans pf having a family and investing on a spacious property instead of settling for one that only fits their budget.

Look past the initial value

Investments may give you good returns in future if bought right. You may be ready to buy another property in future which might be a bigger one or closer to the city and other amenities. It is important to buy your first property such that it can be used as a rental in future and be a revenue generating investment. Consider the long-term value instead of rushing into buying a property by looking past the initial value of it. If you feel the dearth of insight, you may curb it completely.

Plan together for budget

Another very crucial decision is to discuss the budget with your partner before investing on any property. You should also decide about the EMI payments and if that seems to be too high to manage daily finances. Work out a way to divide the EMI payments so that there is a balance between what you want and what you can afford.

Break the rose colored glasses

As a newly married couple, it is quite normal to plan your first home emotionally. However, this is one decision you will regret later. The factors that decide a good investment are location, commute, security, long-term aptness, health facilities and also the cost of renovations. The first home may not be the one you will be staying at forever, but it is important to be suitable for your needs to be living a happy life.

Real estate seconds agriculture in the nation’s GDP with a contribution of 8% which is predicted to be growing to 13% by 2025 with commercial realty aggressively boosting the economy in the future years. Considering these facts, the Budget 2021 witnesses a major investment push in the real estate sector by our Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. A large part of the real estate consisting of office spaces has shown consistent growth of 27% each year followed by retail and warehousing.

Let us have a look into what might be a benefit and what could have been included to boost real estate through the Budget 2021.

Announcements to Boost the Realty Sector We Applaud

Tax benefits for affordable housing and private investment formats such as Real Estate Investment Trusts and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (REITs and InvITs) have been some major reasons for the realty sector to witness such growth despite the pandemic in 2020. The tax exemption benefit and interest deduction on loans has been proposed to be extended by another year until March 2022.

Tax exemption for Affordable Rental Housing Projects to make rental homes more reachable to aid migrant workers is a genuinely commendable move which shall make renting homes easier for them.

The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has incentivised the REITs and InvITs with the exemptions on TDS (tax deducted at source) that counts for a step taken with greater foresight. She has also given projection for permission of foreign portfolio investors for the public in order to increase participation and cash-flow into the real estate and infrastructure sector.

Indirect measures to assist the realty sector to boost capital appreciation of local properties is also being proposed by the FM which includes adding funds to infrastructure development.

Measures We Anticipated for Inclusion

2020 has been a disappointing year for the economy globally and while the financial markets where drowned, real estate has been the only one to gain momentum by the third quarter. Despite such performances, real estate has still not been given industry status even now when liquidity can be immensely helpful in recovering from the pandemic-related impediments. Doing this would be beneficial to the NBFCs, HFCs and banks to regain NPAs resulting in the overall profit of the entire economy. This would have been extremely profitable for the developers to refinance their outstanding.

Rational capital supply, access to funds and longer repayment cycles are some more measures that developers were looking forward to.

With common people diving deeper into real estate investing, it was also expected to extend benefits given to REITs to shared or fractional ownership that would eventually attract more investments in the commercial realty sector.

While the announcements have been predicting benefits for the sector, there are some areas that have gone overlooked even in these projections. The Budget, therefore, makes us hopeful for inclusion of the above discussed measures by the government sooner or later.

Real estate has been one of the sectors that was hit hard during the Covid-19 in 2020. However, it has managed to take the uphill ride and is now expecting some real advances in the new year ahead.

What changes will the real estate sector face in 2021? Here’s a short synopsis to what we expect in the year ahead.

Consuming overtakes Investing

Over the years, millennials had begun to favour rentals rather than buying their own, thus shifting from the convention of settling down at a place they can call theirs’. With the year 2020 showing us the tougher aspects of life, people have realized the need to own a home, especially when working in a metropolitan city such as Kolkata. With the advent of remote working option post-Covid and the workplace shifting to home, people are looking for spacious homes to stay rather than rent out or invest in. The trend of staying close to workplace has now been replaced with looking for apartments with added amenities away from the hustle-bustle of the city. Apartments in the outskirts of the main cities tagged with luxury amenities are gaining preference with passing time and changing scenarios. Buyers are now keen on residing in gated communities with proper security facilities with day to day amenities nearby.

Sales Drive by Confident Builders

Real estate developers with sturdy economic background shall have an upper-hand in the market. Companies such as Realtech Nirman have been unaffected by the pandemic and economic crisis due to their strong capital background. Smaller and weaker businesses shall be taken over by other market rulers. Technologically pronounced businesses shall be in the game for longer than expected bringing in better customer satisfaction and efficiency.

Alterations at Workplace

Although the effect of the pandemic on commercial real estate due to work from home policies have been evident, residential real estate have been benefitted from the same. Demand for residential real estate have been rising especially after the home loan revised rates have been announced along with added tax advantages. Commercial real estate catering to especially the IT/ITeS companies are now returning to the hub and spoke model with sanitization and social distancing gaining priority over spacious office rooms and large workplaces post Covid.

NRIs will continue to invest on Residential Real Estate

NRI investors are interested in the Indian residential real estate now more than ever since the pandemic struck worldwide. Most NRIs are now reconsidering staying abroad away from family after such a long separation from them in times when they needed their loved ones close to them. After so many job cuts and salary slicing in majority companies, they are now looking forward to returning home where they can be financially and emotionally more secure than during Covid times. NRIs investing on real estate is not new, but it will definitely see an up-rise in 2021