Vastu Shastra Tips for a Temple at Home

December 2017

When it comes to the temple or prayer area in a home, there are several Vastu Shastra guidelines that should be followed, to ensure maximum positive effects for the home’s inhabitants. We examine the dos and don’ts

The temple at home, is a sacred place where we worship God. So, naturally, it must be a positive and peaceful place. The temple area, when placed according to Vastu Shastra, can bring health, prosperity and happiness to the house and its occupants. Although a separate puja room would be ideal, this is not always possible in metropolitan cities, where there is space crunch.

The temple area, should be a zone of tranquility that is full of divine energy, says Mumbai-based Nitien Parmar of VastuPlus. “This is a space where one surrenders to the Almighty and gains strength. If one does not have the space to allocate an entire room for the temple, one can set up a small altar on the east wall, towards the north-east zone of the house. Avoid placing the temple in the south, south-west or south-east zones of house,” adds Parmar.

IDEAL DIRECTIONS AS PER VASTU FOR THE HOME TEMPLE

Jupiter is the lord of the north-east direction, which is also called as the as ‘Ishan kona’, explains Jayshree Dhamani, a Vastu Shastra and astrology expert. “Ishan is Ishwar or God. That’s how it is the direction of God/Jupiter. Hence, it is advisable to keep the temple there. Moreover, the earth’s tilt is also towards the north-east direction only and it moves with the starting point of the north-east. Hence, this corner is like the engine of a train, which pulls the entire train. The placement of the temple in this area of the house is also like that – it pulls the energies of the entire house towards it and then, takes it forward,” says Dhamani. A temple placed in the centre of the house – a region that is called as the Brahmasthan – is also said to be auspicious and can bring prosperity and good health for the inmates, adds Dhamani.

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HOW SHOULD A TEMPLE AT HOME BE CONSTRUCTED AS PER VASTU

When it comes to constructing the temple, do not place it directly on the floor. Instead, keep it on a raised platform or pedestal, advises Parmar. “The temple should be made of marble or wood. Avoid temples made from glass or acrylic. Do not clutter the temple. Ensure that you do not have multiple idols of the same God or Goddess, either in a seating or standing position in the temple. The idol or photos placed in the temple, should not be cracked or damaged, as it considered is inauspicious,” suggests Parmar.

One should be able to perform poojas, wherever the temple is kept. During special poojas, the entire family tends to pray together. Hence, ensure that there is enough space for the family to sit down and pray. The temple area should have good and healthy flow of energy. So, keep it neat and clean, without dust or cobwebs and avoid stuffing the space with too many accessories. Above all, the temple should give you a feeling of serenity and calmness.

DOS AND DON’TS FOR DECORATING A TEMPLE AT HOME

• The light or diya, should be placed on the right side of the person performing a pooja.
• Decorate the temple with fresh flowers. Light a few aroma candles, dhoop or incense sticks, to cleanse the area and create a divine ambiance.
• Photographs of the dead/ancestors, should not be kept in the temple.
• Create a small shelf near the temple, to place the incense, puja materials and holy books.
• Ensure that there are electric points near the temple, so that one can light up the temple during festive days.
• Avoid keeping unnecessary items below the temple or dustbins in this area.
• Some people keep the temple in the bedroom or kitchen. In such cases, hang a curtain in front of the temple, when you are not using the temple.
• Temple should not be against a wall that has a toilet behind it. It should also not be placed below a toilet on the upper floor.
• For the temple space, use white, beige, lavender or light yellow colours.

TO KNOW ABOUT REAL ESTATE PROJECTS IN THANE CONTACT US AT 022 2580 6868

Contact
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Odyssey IT Park, Road No. 9,Wagle Estate
Thane  – 400 604, Maharashtra, India
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Bonsai Plants : Bring the Forest Home

December 2017

Besides being an enjoyable hobby and de-stressing, growing bonsai plants in one’s garden, balcony or window sill, can also make the home vibrant and green

Bonsai plants offer an ideal way for urban residents to enjoy nature’s beauty at home. The word ‘bonsai’ is derived from the Japanese words ‘bon’ (meaning tray) and ‘sai’ (which means growing). So, bonsai literally means growing trees in trays.

“Bonsai is an ancient horticultural art, through which, a replica of nature can be artistically landscaped in a tray, along with other elements like a cascading waterfall, moss, pebbles and a rock garden. Bonsai is the art of dwarfing trees or plants and growing and pruning them in containers,” explains bonsai expert, Urvashi Thacker of Galleria Verdant.

Maintaining a bonsai plant is not very different from maintaining any regular plant.

“Cultivating a bonsai and giving it a good shape, requires learning some techniques. However, once you have a bonsai (or have purchased one from a nursery), maintaining it is comparatively easy. One has to water it regularly, put compost once a month and change the pot once a year,” elaborates Divya Maurya of Bengaluru-based Upvan-The nature boutique of Bonsai.

HOW TO MAKE A BONSAI

Anyone who is interested in gardening and has a little space on a window sill or balcony, can nurture bonsai trees. You will need some basic knowledge about bonsai gardening and some skill and patience. You can opt for training from a professional, or try learning the basics of bonsai gardening, using resources on the internet. You will also need a few basic tools to grow the bonsai plant at home – pots specifically made for bonsai plants, compost and soil. Lastly, you need to get the plant for which the bonsai needs to be made.

Strong : freepik.com

Regular maintenance, careful pruning of foliage and roots throughout the year and consistent watering, are needed to keep the plant in shape. If you do not have a green thumb, you can also approach bonsai nurseries for help or call professionals once a month, to prune and fertilise it.

“There is a common misconception that there are special seeds for bonsai plants. Bonsai plants are regular plants, which are programmed to grow as bonsais. If the sunlight is very limited, plants like Ficus, Aralia and Schefflera can be kept,” suggests Maurya. Fruit and flowering plants require a lot of sunlight. One can grow bougainvillea, fig, orange, cherry, pomegranate, chikoo and even lemon plants as bonsais.

“Keep your credit history clean, by settling outstanding loans and bills in a timely fashion. This will help you, when your credit-worthiness is being evaluated. Compare the long-term benefits of having a floating rate loan versus a fixed rate loan and determine what is best for your needs,” advises Adhil Shetty, CEO of BankBazaar.com.

TIME TAKEN TO CREATE BONSAI PLANTS

It may take several months, to create a beautiful bonsai. Aluminium or copper wires are wrapped around branches for a few months, to give the branches specific shapes. Bonsai plants are classified according to their shape – formal, informal upright, slanting, cascade, and semi-cascade, double trunk and literati. “Regular trimming and pruning of roots, branches and leaves, is essential to maintain the desired shape. Knowing which branch should be cut and which one should be retained, comes with experience,” says Maurya.

“Prices depend on many factors. A basic bonsai tree costs Rs 500 to Rs 1,000. The value of a tree depends on its age, its beauty and aesthetic appeal. Exquisitely styled bonsai trees, can cost Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 or more. It’s like a beautiful piece of artwork,” concludes Thacker.

TIPS FOR GROWING BONSAI PLANTS AT HOME

• Although bonsais are largely displayed inside the home, they should also be kept outdoors, as they require sunshine and dew.
• Once in 15 days, a bonsai plant must be taken out for two to three days.
• Water the plant when the soil is dry. The leaves should be sprinkled with water, as well when watering the plants.
• Bonsai pots should have holes at the base and have unglazed interiors.
• Once in a month, put compost in the plant for nourishment.
• The pot needs to be changed once a year.

TO KNOW ABOUT REAL ESTATE PROJECTS IN THANE CONTACT US AT 022 2580 6868

Contact
501, 5th Floor, Plot No – A-123/4,
Odyssey IT Park, Road No. 9,Wagle Estate
Thane  – 400 604, Maharashtra, India
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How to Get a Home Loan Even after it gets Rejected…

November 2017

Banks may reject a home loan application, for a variety of reasons. However, by following these simple steps, you can improve your chances of getting a loan even after it is rejected the first time

A home loan is one of the best options, to arrange the funds needed for buying a home. Generally, it is easy to avail of a home loan, if the applicant has all the documents in place and has a good credit history. However, banks may still reject a home loan application. Some important reasons for rejection are:

• A bad credit score.
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• Bad credit history, which may include a loan settlement in the past that is reflected in the credit report.
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• The project is not approved by the bank.
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• The home loan application, is made for a project that falls in a restricted area.
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GETTING A HOME LOAN, DESPITE A PRIOR REJECTION

According to Shaji Varghese, business head, PNB Housing Finance Ltd, “An applicant can still get the loan, even if it is rejected once, by taking the following measures:

• Due to a bad credit score – In this case, the best solution, is to upgrade your credit score by settling the previous/ongoing dues. The score will improve over a period of time as the dues get cleared, allowing you to avail of loans as per requirement.
•  
• Due to bad credit history – In case of a bad credit history, you should settle the pending dues with your financier and obtain a ‘no dues certificate’. After settling the dues, you can again approach the home loan provider and re-apply for the loan.
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• Lower financial eligibility than the required loan amount – In such cases, you should meet the home loan provider and explore the following possibilities:
• 1. Spreading the loan over a longer tenure, which can reduce the EMIs.
  2.  
  3. Adding a guarantor or a co-applicant, which can increase the income that is considered by banks.
  4.  
  5. If the applicant has an ongoing loan, which is of a shorter duration and higher interest, then, it is advisable to close the loan to enhance the financial eligibility.
  6.  
  7. You can search for lenders who may approve the application, albeit with a higher charge perceiving the risk or/and by adding a guarantor along with additional collaterals.
  8.  
• A problem related to project approval – You can request your preferred home loan provider to approve the project. If that is not possible, you may look for an alternate property which is approved by them.”
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IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES

 

According to experts, the CIBIL report is a good starting point, in assessing a home loan applicant’s credit-worthiness. An adverse report, including but not limited to past failures in paying EMIs, settling credit card bills and outstanding loan balances, may impact the applicant’s ability to acquire fresh credit. The age and the ability of the applicant to earn steady income, are also major factors.

“Keep your credit history clean, by settling outstanding loans and bills in a timely fashion. This will help you, when your credit-worthiness is being evaluated. Compare the long-term benefits of having a floating rate loan versus a fixed rate loan and determine what is best for your needs,” advises Adhil Shetty, CEO of BankBazaar.com.

TIPS TO GET A HOME LOAN EASILY:

• Maintain a healthy CIBIL score for eligibility.
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• Reduce other obligations, to have enough money to repay a home loan.
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• Identify a pre-approved property by the lender.
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• Check your CIBIL report to clear any derogatory information, if any.
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• Avoid making too many inquiries for loans.
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• Maintain a clean banking record (For example, avoid cheque bounces, as this may give a negative view to the lender).

TO KNOW ABOUT REAL ESTATE PROJECTS IN THANE CONTACT US AT 022 2580 6868

 

 Contact
501, 5th Floor, Plot No – A-123/4,
Odyssey IT Park, Road No. 9,Wagle Estate
Thane  – 400 604, Maharashtra, India
Mobile : (+91) 9833 4583 23 E-mail: mchithane@gmail.com

Source: housing.com

Can car parking be sold under RERA?

Ravi Singh, 30, recently got the possession of his 3BHK flat in Greater Noida. The developer had made him cough up Rs 2 lakh for an open parking space which, under RERA, now forms a part of the common area. Under the new law, can developers sell parking space to home buyers?

The RERA or Real Estate (regulation and development), Act, 2016, under section 2(y) defines ‘garage’ as a place within a project having a roof and walls on three sides for parking any vehicle, but does not include an unenclosed or uncovered parking space such as open parking areas. This is also for the first time that the Act explicitly defines common areas which include open parking area, basement, stairway, elevators, lobby area and parks.

Haryana RERA executive director, Dilbag Singh Sihag says that a developer is fully entitled to sell covered parking but open parking cannot be sold. “If a developer has spent money on making a parking area then he would want to recover that money,” is his reason.

“RERA and MahaRERA only speak of covered parking space but the rules do not include open parking. Therefore, open parking area is not covered under the rules,” says senior Mumbai-based lawyer Dipan Merchant.

“This aspect has also been covered by MahaRERA’s FAQ No 9, wherein it has been stated that open parking area is included in the definition of common areas which need to be conveyed to the Association of Allottees after receiving OC and hence sale or allotment of open parking areas by promoters is not permissible,” says Sudip Mullick, Partner, Khaitan and Co.

Explaining further, Mullick adds that the FAQ No 9 permits sale of a garage as is defined in the Act and also sale of a covered car park as defined under the Maharashtra RERA Rules. “Open car parking cannot be sold under RERA, only garages can be sold,” he adds.
Further, the Ministry of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India vide its FAQ’s dated 17 January 2017, clarified that in accordance with Section 2 (n) of the RERA Act, common areas include open parking spaces and thus, open car parking spaces cannot be sold to allottees.
Adding to this, Rahul Nahar, Founder, Xrbia Developer says that the draft model agreement published by RERA specifically covers consideration for covered parking but “it cannot be sold in isolation”.
Section 2 (n) of RERA defines common areas while 2 (n)(iii) defines open parking areas while Section 17 says the promoter is liable to transfer to the society title in the common areas and to handover the possession of common areas to the society which presupposes that it cannot be sold to an individual allottee.

But, what about stilt parking? Does it come under the definition of garage or common areas?
The Supreme Court in the matter of Nahalchand Laloochand Private Limited v/s Panchali Co-operative Housing Society Limited (2010) 9 SCC 536 has held that under Maharashtra Ownership of Flat Act, 1963, observed that the stilt area cannot be treated as a garage. The court further observed that parking areas (open to sky or stilted portion) cannot be excluded from the common area and facilities under MOFA.
In view of the definition of open to sky parking area or stilt portion usable as a parking space is not a garage within section 2(a)-1 of MOFA. The court observed that it is not saleable independently as a flat or along with the flat. “The Bombay High Court had also laid down a similar norm in a judgment. Stilt parking and open parking slots were not treated as garage, and the logical inference was that these could not be sold as a separate, saleable unit,” says Naredco president Dr Niranjan Hiranandani.
It is pertinent to note that RERA does not repeal MOFA and provisions of MOFA apply to the extent not contrary to RERA, adds Merchant.
Anshul Jain, Managing Director (India), Cushman & Wakefield, says that open parking areas form part of the common area, hence, can’t be sold but stilt parking does not fall under the ambit of garage. “Garage can be sold to the buyer independent of the apartment/unit.”

Stilt parking comes under the category of covered parking, says Hiranandani. Adding to this, Hardeep Sachdeva, Senior Partner, AZB and Partners, says, “The RERA rules in some states such as Haryana, Rajasthan and Maharashtra have recognized the concept of stilt/ covered car parking being provided along with the apartment/unit in the draft of the agreement to sell.”
Hence, we may conclude that open car parking is a part of common areas but garages can be sold under RERA. The jury is still divided on stilt parking.

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Odyssey IT Park, Road No. 9,Wagle Estate
Thane  – 400 604, Maharashtra, India
Mobile : (+91) 9833 4583 23 E-mail: mchithane@gmail.com

 

Single-window clearance: a game-changer

A single-window clearance will not only push the government's objective of ease of doing business, but also boost the realty sector

 

 

A lot has happened in less than one year. Demonetisation, RERA and GST have consolidated the realty sector in terms of policies and taxation. However, in this turn of events, one demand that was a common concern of most developers has taken a backseat. Today, not many can be seen talking about enabling single-window clearance for real estate projects that would help the developers save a lot of time, money and effort while initiating new projects.

Kaizad Hateria, brand custodian and chief customer delight officer, Rustomjee Group says, “Developers, of course, are keen on getting a single-window clearance mechanism implemented as it will help them to obtain permissions at one-go on a single platform and complete the projects on time. But, getting all simplified legal documents and approvals on a single plat form is not an easy task. This issue has probably taken a backseat as the government is grappling with other issues, which we believe are the symptoms of the myriad delays in our sector.“

Even with the introduction of new reforms, one thing that remains unchanged is the time consumed in getting the requisite clearances. Jaxay Shah, president, CREDAI National, says, “RERA has been introduced to make the real estate environment much more transparent and accountable. However, it has also led to an increase in the number of processes and formalities for the developers to follow. The single-window clearance, in this respect, will provide some respite to the developers and will go a long way in reducing the paperwork and time required for attaining clearances for projects.“

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Odyssey IT Park, Road No. 9,Wagle Estate
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Ready-to-move-in flats in great demand

Many property buyers consider ready-to-move-in flats as a safe and best option to invest in this festive season

It feels great to buy a house and move-in immediately rather than waiting for two-three years. Considering this, several buyers this festive season have been investing in ready-tomove-in flats. The realty sector has witnessed a surge in its demand this festive season.

While for some buyers the opportunity to move-in quickly encourages them to invest in ready-to-move-in flats, for others doubts over whether the construction will be up to the mark or not make them to invest in such flats. Although price wise ready-to-move-in flats may be slightly expensive as compared to under construction projects, there are no aftershocks and is a safe option.

According to the city developers, ready-to-move-in flats will always be the better choice for an end user as they can move in immediately. During this festive season, these flats are in greater demand. Many develop ers are providing great offers in such flats. “Ready possession apartments are secure options for an end user. It also has many advantages -the buyer can examine it thoroughly and check the quality of construction as well. The buyer will get a good idea of how the neighbourhood is. They can know if the basic facilities around adequate or if the connectivity is good and to their benefit. They can check on the security factor of the location and the presence of public transport.And most importantly, a ready to-move-in flat includes all the required documents to be in place,“ informs Srinivasan Gopalan, group CEO of a leading realty firm.

Although after the implementation of RERA there is not much difference between ready-to-move-in flats and underconstruction flats as the assurance of timely delivery has to be confirmed and developer has to adhere to all the promises given to the buyers, the former is still the first choice among the end-users.

Also, keeping in view that most individuals purchase property by taking loans, they prefer to invest in ready project and shift immediately, instead of paying the EMIs of loan and rentals for several months till the project gets complete. Purchasing a flat in a completed project helps the buyers to save a lot of rental money. This is the most important factor that has led to the rise in the demand for ready-tomove-in flats.

Another major factor helping the good sale of these flats this festive season is the attractive discounts and freebies that developers are offering to the buyers on such inventories.

“Since the value of ready houses is always high, developers offer discounts in certain things like car parking charges, club membership, and more to attract buyers. This method has really helped to increase the sales of such homes,“ said Anil Jain, a property expert.

Furthermore, ready-to-move-in property is preferable even for investors. As per the realty experts, not just buyers but even majority of the investors wish to invest in ready possession flats instead of waiting for a few years and locking their money by putting it in the under-construction project. Buying a such apartment helps them to earn rental income immediately.

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Odyssey IT Park, Road No. 9,Wagle Estate
Thane  – 400 604, Maharashtra, India
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Home improvement: 7 ideas for a festive revamp

A moody monsoon gives way to the festive season and you want to open your house to friends and relatives. Start with some new trends to ensure sunshine and chase away the clouds. Paint your walls in sunshine yellow, buttercup yellow, sunny sky blue, tangerine.

Walls or wonder

Source : freepik.com

Create a garden like haven complete with dragonflies, insects, long willowy leaves and foliage, in different tones of greens with grey, organic wall coverings, or even murals with garden themes reminiscent of Seneka Senenayeke or Henri Rousseau paintings.

These make a magical impact upon one or two walls of the living space or entertainment area. On other walls, choose themes in solid colour palette from the artwork on the wallpaper.

Traditional touches

With festive dandiya, Dussehra, Diwali, in the air, celebrate your living rooms and dens with an exquisite ethnic touch. Think mirror work and woven crafts, like Kutch embroidery, Rajasthan bandhani and mirror work, Phulkari throws, Ladakh kilims, Kan tha fabric upholstery, woven durries - that are now a rage all across Europe. Our Gujarat-and-Rajasthan-carved jharokhas make dramatic frames. Use Kalamkari sheets framed as screens in the room.

Our wealth of Indian arts and crafts adds panache to your rooms, with your purse not getting too light. The one danger of going ethnic is that it's easy to go over the top. Keep it to just occasional accents intertwined with a trendy, global, neutral look.

In the throws

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You may not need to change the up holstery ­ just use a tribal Toda shawl as a throw and pick up some cushions in red and black.

Into the wild

Make one room -facing the sea or a garden -outdoor-sy, designed with a garden theme but with all the comforts of indoors. It's the Big Trend this year. Start with an assortment of oversized palms or even faux banana trees in earthen urns, echoed with chartreuse, lime, citron, moss green and ocean blue on walls and furnishings. Augment lamps with botanical paintings. Large pic ture windows with foliage hung on the outside, florals on chairs and an occasional couch or lamp shade make a statement. Wallpapers (in first point) echo this theme.

Source : pixabay.com

Water ways

Water bodies with floating water lilies and candles, simulated natural looking lotus, give a festive sparkle and create a calm spa-like ambience in your home. Natural finish woods, stone accessories enhance this soothing ambience.

Lamp it up

Look for lamp bases in unlikely stone sculptural art and new age steel forms. Even Indian Dhokra work sculpture with inbuilt lighting is delightful in its tribal allure. Japanese rice paper pendulum lamps in clusters of sizes and colours transform corridors and passages. Use them in organic shapes atop the coffee table, dining space or a corner nook seating area.

Lights everywhere

Pepper the lamps with tiny LED lights, nearly invisible within these large lighting features. These animate works of art become the focal point or the showstopper of your festive decor changes.

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501, 5th Floor, Plot No – A-123/4,
Odyssey IT Park, Road No. 9,Wagle Estate
Thane  – 400 604, Maharashtra, India
Mobile : (+91) 9833 4583 23 E-mail: mchithane@gmail.com