[manduvindupondu]

Hi,
I am planning to buy a 3 BHK flat in Bangalore in a budget of around 50 lakhs net (including ameneties, parking, registration etc). Suggest me some areas where I can get 3 BHK flats in this budget.

Mods,
Can we have City based rela estate threads please? From now on, the threads can be city specific if moving the old ones is difficult. Just a suggestion.

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by Naetik30

Hi Arun.. Sorry if this information is a bit too late for you. I booked a flat in Ananda Valmark during pre launch phase in February 2011. The work started in June 2011 and we are expecting handover in the next 3 months. I am very happy with the progress and work quality. Ms. Mamta from Ananda is very helpful and easy to contact. I highly recomment Valmark.

Time to meet you then :-). Tried to send you a PM but couldn't.

[Naetik30]

Originally Posted by arun_josie

Time to meet you then :-). Tried to send you a PM but couldn't.

I am newbie and I am guessing that is the reason, I cant use PM for now. But you sound like you are going to be my neighbour soon... is that the case.

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by Naetik30

I am newbie and I am guessing that is the reason, I cant use PM for now. But you sound like you are going to be my neighbour soon... is that the case.

Yes, you need 25 posts to send/receive PMs.
You are right. I too have booked there. Mine is in 'C' block and happy with the progress.

[Naetik30]

Originally Posted by arun_josie

Yes, you need 25 posts to send/receive PMs.
You are right. I too have booked there. Mine is in 'C' block and happy with the progress.

Good to know buddy . Mine is in A block 5th floor. I guess you will get the handover well ahead of our block. What plans for interiors. I am already in discussion with a couple of guys for that.

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by Naetik30

Good to know buddy . Mine is in A block 5th floor. I guess you will get the handover well ahead of our block. What plans for interiors. I am already in discussion with a couple of guys for that.

Yet to plan. Let me know when you are visiting the site next time we will meet there.

[Ketan]

Has anyone got any opinions about Neo Bangalore by Aartha Properties at Hoskote? They were offering some discount along with Gold Coins last month for booking in any of the 3 projects they have at Hoskote. They also said if its overbooked, they are planning to acquire more land in that area that they already own. Out of 3 projects, one was offered at 1500.00, the other was at 1000.00 and the third one was at 900.00. At the time of allotment, they will let you change the project or size of the plot you mentioned as your preference at the time of the booking. I have read/heard a couple good reviews about the developers, would love to hear others opinion here, they have the offer extended is what I have heard as well.

Looking at the upcoming industrial developments in that belt, it seems it can be a good option for investments, some big portion of land is already been given to Japanese industries development and a periphery ring road passing nearby (though these may take years if at all the projects start taking shape).

Thanks.

[msdivy]

Any information on Arattukulam Developers (http://aratt.in/)? They have some good projects. Are they reliable?

[KL54]

Dear Friends,

I've been on the prowl for a new home, preferably independent. After searching far and wide, I've managed to lay eyes on a nice specimen which seems to tick all the right boxes. The price is right, the location looks promising - amenities wise, water availability etc.. However, I would like to verify the quality of construction too - how strong is the foundation, what is the type of bricks used, the quality of plastering and so on and so forth.
As I am fairly sure that this will be my first and last house purchase (the quantum of interest payable itself made me swoon), I don't want to take any chances.

So how do I go on about it? A little background - the builder is a small independent builder - she (yes, its a she, how cool is that?) will be my next door neighbour and the R.E. agent also (unsurprisingly) vouches for the quality of construction. I would like to make an independent assessment of the quality.

[audioholic]

I am no civil engineer. However, from our house hunt around three years back, you can get to know build quality or overall workmanship by taking a detailed look, and in every nook and cranny of the building. If the builder is focussed on quality, everything right from foundation till interior work will be of the same quality, ie good quality. Else not.

If it is a building under construction, then you can look at how well the roof slabs have been laid, whether there are any spots where the RCC has failed to reach, or any patch work etc. Being under construction, you can monitor things as they progress. Helps you get what you want and make any modifications if required.

If it is already constructed, you could have a thorough inspection. For the plastering quality, check how flat the walls are. Also inspect for small hairline cracks. As kerala is a rainy place, you could also check for any water seepage. WRT flooring, tap the floor tilewise to check if the cement has been spread evenly. If it has not been properly spread while laying tiles, you could end up with cracked tiles over a period of time. Check what paint has been used, whether washable, or the distemper type. If any woodwork has been done, you could check that too, by inspecting how well the doors and windows fit the frames, what are the fittings used, whether any door or windows have sags or excessive gaps in them and so on.

Just my two cents. All these will give an overall image of the quality and unless you do damage testing, you cant know how strong the bricks are etc. Have faith in the home and all the best!

[sourabhzen]

Originally Posted by KL54

So how do I go on about it?

Simply put, it is next to impossible to find structural fault at this stage unless you consult a specialist who will dig in a bit further to assess. I suggest that you get all the construction drawings and give it to a consultant for evaluation.

On the other side, the builder is your next door neighbor and this is a HUGE POSITIVE aspect of the property.

[jacs]

Since your builder is your neighbor, you do not have the option of leaking some news about the construction stages. Try to identify some friends or relative who is in construction or similar domain; take him/her for a friendly chat with the builder as they are knowledgeable enough to evaluate her efforts. But yes, we may have to believe her to a greater extend especially when she is bold enough to stay near you .

And check with your lawyer, whether any agreement can be made to guarantee the minimum quality of each aspects. Just a safe step.

Also approach an Insurer for this property! They will have some per-assessment before accepting the risk. What say?

[Guite]

Working on the premise that a quality conscious person will maintain consistent level of quality across each and every aspect of his/her work, you could do sample checks and satisfy yourself that other aspects will be of that same quality. On the surface look at the evenness of the plaster finish, painting, doors / windows being in plumb with good fit and finish, plaster gaps are consistent, etc. Tap on the bathroom wall and floor tiles with your car key: if you get a hollow sound then its not good. Walk around to the rear and look for un-plastered surfaces, example in plumbing shaft / electrical cupboards. Scratch exposed brick, concrete and plaster with your car key; quality of material and workmanship will become aparent.

[KL54]

Originally Posted by sourabhzen

On the other side, the builder is your next door neighbor and this is a HUGE POSITIVE aspect of the property.

I am not sure. If by this, you mean that after I purchase the house and if I come across a defect, I can scream bloddy murder across the common wall, she will very well reply "Caveat emptor"!

Originally Posted by jacs

Since your builder is your neighbor, you do not have the option of leaking some news about the construction stages. Try to identify some friends or relative who is in construction or similar domain; take him/her for a friendly chat with the builder as they are knowledgeable enough to evaluate her efforts. But yes, we may have to believe her to a greater extend especially when she is bold enough to stay near you.

And check with your lawyer, whether any agreement can be made to guarantee the minimum quality of each aspects. Just a safe step.

Also approach an Insurer for this property! They will have some per-assessment before accepting the risk. What say?

The builder is not my present neighbour but my future one in case I decide to purchase the house.

Approaching an insurer before purchasing the house?? But I liked the idea!

Originally Posted by audioholic

If it is already constructed, you could have a thorough inspection. For the plastering quality, check how flat the walls are. Also inspect for small hairline cracks. As kerala is a rainy place, you could also check for any water seepage. WRT flooring, tap the floor tilewise to check if the cement has been spread evenly. If it has not been properly spread while laying tiles, you could end up with cracked tiles over a period of time. Check what paint has been used, whether washable, or the distemper type. If any woodwork has been done, you could check that too, by inspecting how well the doors and windows fit the frames, what are the fittings used, whether any door or windows have sags or excessive gaps in them and so on.

Originally Posted by Guite

Working on the premise that a quality conscious person will maintain consistent level of quality across each and every aspect of his/her work, you could do sample checks and satisfy yourself that other aspects will be of that same quality. On the surface look at the evenness of the plaster finish, painting, doors / windows being in plumb with good fit and finish, plaster gaps are consistent, etc. Tap on the bathroom wall and floor tiles with your car key: if you get a hollow sound then its not good. Walk around to the rear and look for un-plastered surfaces, example in plumbing shaft / electrical cupboards. Scratch exposed brick, concrete and plaster with your car key; quality of material and workmanship will become aparent.

Thanks for your inputs. I did do a preliminary check when I first saw the home. However, I couldn't do an objective assessment. Will do one with a knowledgeable person soon.

I've also decided to get a loan from SBI. I am told that SBI usually goes through a fine toothcomb through the supporting documentation. If SBI comes across a discrepancy, I can smell a rat by proxy!

[sajusherief]

Originally Posted by msdivy

Any information on Arattukulam Developers (http://aratt.in/)? They have some good projects. Are they reliable?

Even I was interested in their project. But got to get mixed reviews about them, it's been said that all the good comments in various real estate forums are being made by their employees itself. I was interested in their Firenza and Requieza projects in EC, made a visit to their location as per their site to find nothing. So really confused.