Feng Shui Colours – The How and Why

Colour is considered one of the easiest ways to shift energy in a home or office. According to Feng Shui, each colour is a representative of the elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood. These elements are prominent in specific areas of the house and the shades of colours in these areas should promote the correct elements to bring good energy.

1.     Fire – The colours red, orange, yellow, purple and pink are shades of the fire element.

Red is indicative of passion, romance and warmth. It is best used in the bedroom or in main office spaces.

Orange brings brightness and fun into a space. It should be avoided in areas of peace and reflection.

Yellow is one of the more auspicious colours of Feng Shui. It represents warmth, cheerfulness and sunlight. It brings positive energy and should be used in the kitchen.

Purple is connected to spiritual awareness, mental and physical healing, royalty, luxury and more. It is considered a very strong colour, so it is a better idea to use it in home decor items like pillows and paintings.

Pink is the colour of love and is considered a soothing force. It can be used in a bedroom or a creative office space.

2.     Earth – Beige, taupe and sandy colours are shades of the earth element.

These colours bring stability, nourishment and strength to your home. They can be used in the bedrooms to bring positive energy.

3.     Metal – The colours white and grey are considered metal colours of Feng Shui.

White brings purity, confidence and poise. It is said to usher in new beginnings and opportunities. It should be used in the living room and meditation room.

Grey is said to bring sharpness into a space and clear up negative energy. It can be used in living rooms and the main entrance areas of offices. Avoid using it in bedrooms.

4.     Water – Blue and Black are the colours of the water Feng Shui element.

Blue is a colour of positivity, energy and peace. It brings calmness and healing. It can be used in home decor and in the North, East and South-East side of the home. It can be used in bedrooms and living rooms.

Black is said to represent income and money. Though most people consider black a negative colour, according to Feng Shui it brings power and stability. Avoid using it too much in bedrooms and kitchens. It can be used in home decor and the entry area.

5.     Wood – Brown and Green are the colours of the wood element.

Brown is considered to bring health, unity, wealth and abundance into your home. It can be used in the entry and the kitchen. It can be used in a limited manner in the living room and bedrooms.

Green signifies growth, nature and balance. Bring the force of nature into your home and your lives by using green in your living rooms and bedrooms. It can also be brought in by putting potted plants in your home.

Vaastu Tips for your Home

According to Indian Vaastu, each house has its own energy type. When you move into a house, the energy field of that house starts affecting your life. It is therefore important to make sure that your house resonates with positive energy. There are several ways to ensure that this happens.

1.     Make sure you have a nameplate outside your door. It is said to make opportunities come your way, with ease.

2.     It is important to keep incense sticks or lamps burning as fire is known as a cleanser of negative energy.

3.     Keep a lemon in a glass of water and change it every sixth day of the week as another way of removing negative energy.

4.     Avoid keeping medicine boxes in the kitchen. It attracts negative energy.

5.     Be sure to regularly meditate and chant to fill the environment of your house with positive energy.

6.     Place ‘Om’ or “Swastik’ symbols at the door of your house.

7.     The ringing of bells is said to invite positive energy, so hang bells or wind chimes outside your house or near the gate.

8.     Ensure that the paintings in your house are of positive ideas and elements. Avoid paintings of negative ideas like war or sorrow.

9.     Place bowls of salt in the corners of rooms to dispel negative energy.

1. Perform pujas regularly to ensure the infusion of positive energy in your home.

Looking to invest? Bavdhan is your best bet!

Bavdhan is quickly rising as the place to be investing in. A suburb of Pune, it began its ascent with the Commonwealth Games in 2008 because of the spurt in development with new roads, shops, electricity and other civic amenities. Located on the NDA road, it is off the Mumbai- Bangalore Highway. It connects the more affluent suburbs of Kothrud and Aundh, and by extension, Baner. The connectivity it brings is an important factor in its increasing value.

Bavdhan is also located in proximity to the Hinjewadi IT Park and other companies nearby. Along with attracting students from colleges in Kothud, Baner and Aundh, it also attracts a large number of IT professionals. If this is your first investment, Bavdhan is a safe choice because the value is only set to rise because of the above mentioned reasons, those being location, connectivity and demand. If you are looking to invest in your second home, Bavdhan should be your first choice. Finding tenants is very easy with the demand for rentals in the area.

While looking to invest, one must always check out the infrastructure, connectivity, location and proximity to important amenities before investing. Bavdhan comes up with a green light on all of these indicators.

The hilly foothills in the area, the spectacular views and the refreshing greenery are all added perks to living in Bavdhan. The easy connectivity with the city, the proximity to workplaces and centres of education as well as easy access to amenities make it the perfect place to own a home. Make a good investment decision today and invest in Bavdhan!

Home Décor Tips for your Living Room

Decorating your home can be quite a task. It is important to remember what to avoid and what styles and patterns go together. Here are a few tips that you can follow to ensure that your home and specifically your living room is the masterpiece you always dreamed of.

1.     Mixed patterns and textures is usually a difficult look to pull off. With the right preferably simple colours, this décor can be yours. Stick to a simple set of colours and patterns in your living room.

2.     If you like your furniture bright, it is best to get one or two such pieces. Too many bright colours will be too much and end up looking below par especially if you are going for a classy look.

3.     Fill up your wall with rows of medium sized attached frames, preferably in two rows to create your own unique piece of art.

4.     If you plan to use shiny colours such as gold or silver, combine them with colours like pink or navy blue for the perfect look.

5.     If you plan to keep your furniture a single colour, make sure your walls are a neutral colour like beige or off white.

6.     A neutral look does not have to be uninteresting. The use of quirky patterns and styles can bring your living room alive.

7.     A fan of summer all year round? Use bright yellow and green in small amounts to bring in a sunny look!

8.     Finding it hard to pick your colours? Stick to dual accents on your furniture and you won’t go wrong.

How to Switch your Home Loan

When it comes to home loans, interest rate is everything. Bank charging you too much? We have the solution for you. If your bank has started charging better rates for new customers or if you have found a bank that has better rates, it would be best to switch home loans.  It is important that you check once or twice a year to find better interest rates and switch home loans.

Rather than finding a new lender, find out whether your current one has new rates that are better for your needs. If your credit report is good and you have made your payments on time, most banks would rather keep you but usually on payment of a conversion fee. After you pay this fee, you rates are lowered. Even though this means paying an extra fee, it lowers your payment in the long run and will serve you well in the long run.

If your bank refuses to let you change your rates and you feel you could get a better rate elsewhere, look out for a better rate from other banks. But be sure to do your homework and find out all there is to know about the other bank’s rates. That being said, shifting a loan based on rates is a good idea only for those who have a long time left on their loan. If you are almost done paying back your loan, it does not make much sense to go through the hassle of shifting in the last minute.

Depending on your finances, it might be a better option to switch to a floating rate loan on which as per RBI directive, no penalty can be charged while switching. It is very important to calculate costs and find out whether one will actually save money by switching.

The procedure to be followed:

1. To begin with, apply for an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from your current back, along with a letter that states how much of the loan has to be paid back.

2. Apply for a new loan at the new bank. Make sure your documents are in order. Once the bank has checked your credit reports and documents, they will send their approval.

3. Submit this letter of approval, along with an NOC from the builder/ society if needed to your current bank.

Why invest in Pune?

In the last year or so, Pune has quickly emerged as one of the best cities for investment in terms of real estate. The rapid development industrially and in terms of the IT and manufacturing sector has boosted real estate construction and availability, both residential and commercial. The establishment of the city as a centre of learning and education is another major factor in the rise of the real estate sector in the city.

Investing in real estate is always a good idea. Investing in real estate in Pune, however is an even better idea. Here’s why:

1.     Rate of Appreciation:  In the suburbs and the newly developing outskirts of the city, the ROI is increasing. Even if it drops in the city, the nature of real estate is such that it evens itself out over time. Owning real estate in Pune is sure to give you rich rewards.

2.     Educational Centre: Pune has been long established as a centre of education and learning, attracting students from all over the country. This increases the need for rentals and is perfect for those investing in a second home or investing for long term gains.

3.     Employment: The rise of the IT sector as well as the manufacturing and industrial sector has caused an exodus of people into the city for jobs. In the same way as the above point, it is a boost for real estate in areas like Hinjewadi, Kharadi, etc.

4.     Developing Infrastructure : Pune as a whole has had rapid development over the last few years, especially in the suburbs like Baner and Aundh. This increase in commercial spaces and malls has made the city more attractive to outside buyers and has made the city a good investment choice.

5.     Affordable residential spaces: Pune is still a developing city. It has not yet reached the size, development or status of other major metropolises. This makes the rates of real estate more reasonable and affordable for the average middle class Indian. This is true about both renting and buying.

Why is it always a good idea to invest in real estate?

The global market is an unstable investment when compared to the stability of investing in real estate. Despite the ebb and flow of the market, real estate is always a good place to put your money. There are various factors that justify this statement.

1.     It is a time of discounts and great offers in real estate and home loans as well! It is the time to invest, especially since it is currently a buyer’s market.

2.     The stability of the real estate market has been long established. Both the share and equity market fluctuate many times within a day and can wipe out your life savings in an hour. The prices in the real estate market change slowly and over a period of time. Even if the value decreases, it is over a long period of time, which makes it a better investment overall in the long run.

3.     The development in Pune and the plans to build a metro automatically make the real estate market more lucrative. While the city is still developing and growing, it is the perfect time to invest.

4.     In Pune specifically, there is always demand for homes on rent. Investing in a second property is sure to reap rich rewards because of the influx of students and IT professionals.

5.     The home loan interest rates have gone down and continue to get better. With options like EMI in home loans, getting that dream home is that much easier.

6.     Unlike other markets, the real estate market moves in a cycle. It is far more predictable without requiring the amount of attention that the stock market requires. An investment in the real estate market, no matter where in the cycle it is at then, will bring good returns in the long run.

7.     The real estate market has a tangible, physical aspect that is not possible with most other markets. One can live in it or rent it out, but it can be touched. It has a physical presence.

Tips for an Eco-friendly Diwali

The festival of lights is around the corner. Every year, the celebration of this festival is done without thinking of the negative effects on the environment and animals. From the pollution from crackers to the overuse of plastic, there are various practices that cause adverse harm to the environment. It is important that we remember while celebrating the festival to think of the environment and protect it by various small practices and differences in what we usually do.

1.     Stick to simple earthen oil diyas with no lead based paint on them. Avoid candles as they waste a lot of energy and affect air quality.

2.     Switch off electric lights whenever possible to save energy.

3.     Make your rangolis with natural products such as rice flour, turmeric, coffee powder, kumkum, flowers and eco-friendly colours.

4.     Re-use cardboard boxes and bags instead of buying more of the same and causing more litter.

5.     Buy eco-friendly gifts such as bags made of jute, clothes made of natural products, etc.

6.     Avoid using (plastic) wrapping paper and use newspaper and other such materials that are eco-friendly.

7.     Avoid bursting crackers to prevent air and noise pollution. The pollution causes asthma, headaches and other such health problems. Animals in the vicinity are also traumatized by the sound and affected by the air pollution. 

Why is Infrastructure important while investing?

When it comes to real estate, there are many factors that should be taken into consideration. The most important being infrastructure.  It can make or break a deal, a company and the value of an area. It is known as a major market driver in the field of real estate since it can be the difference between a yes and a no. Good infrastructure can cause property value to rise through the roofs.

The term ‘infrastructure’ stretches to various aspects of development. From well made roads to schools and markets, it is important to be sure of the area completely before investing. The above mentioned factors in particular can reduce time spent on travel and are thus very important while choosing an area to invest in.

While it is important that infrastructure exists, it is more important that this infrastructure is built along with other development in an even manner. Infrastructure developing around and after real estate causes a haphazard structure with no real organization. Infrastructure should be the first thought, not an afterthought. It should be the first priority, not a suddenly remembered, rushed activity.

While investing, remember the value of infrastructure. The pricing of an area is dependent on infrastructure. So, if an area seems to be priced surprisingly low, take a hard look at the infrastructure. It will serve you well in the long run.  That being said, if your investment is in a second home or for long term appreciation purposes, it makes sense to invest in an area that is still developing. But when investing for yourself or for rental purposes, be sure to look at the infrastructure with a fine toothcomb. 

All you need to know about Home Loans and Joint Responsibility

A joint loan can be both a blessing and a curse. While it gives you the security of another trusted person in it with you, it also presents the risk of the other person's financial situations and problems that you might not know about. Before entering into any sort of agreement, the loan should be discussed and understood by both sides, responsibilites should be allotted and the seriousness of a joint loan should be given proper consideration.

With most people, the need for a home loan arises because their income is not sufficient for an individual loan. In which case, they take the help of a family member usually or a trusted friend. The person usually has a better credit history and more collaterals to get the joint loan.

There are various terms to be understood when it comes to joint home loans:
1. Primary borrower: The main applicant for the loan.
2. Co-owner: holds the legal share of the property. Minors cannot be co-owners in India.
3. Co-applicant: also known as the joint applicant, he/she applies for the loan's sanction along with the primary borrower to supplement his/her income.They help in increasing eligibility.
4. Co-borrower: shares the responsibility of the loan with the primary borrower. He/she will have to pay back the loan in case of death or inability of the primary borrower to pay his/her share. Though, it is the main responsibility of the primary borrower to repay the loan, the co-borrower is equally responsible. In case of divorce or parting of ways, the joint loan can be split into individual loans with adequate permission from the bank.

What to avoid while Decorating

All of us have our idea of the perfect home. The perfect colours, the perfect  furniture and the perfect interiors. It is important while planning your home to remember what to avoid doing.

1. Do not buy furnishings before deciding on the colour of your house. Only start with the interiors after the painting has been complete because the colour in a catalog and the actual colour might have a slight difference in shade. Avoid a disaster by waiting.

2. If you have already got furniture that does not match, invest in cushion covers to keep the aesthetic.

3. Under all circumstances, avoid clutter. If you are not a fan of the minimalistic way of decorating, make sure all your knick knacks are very well arranged and looked after.

4. Instead of putting too many photo frames on your mantel or cupboard, make a gallery wall. It looks more organized.
Do not leave unused cable lying around. You can fix tubing to hide cables while in use.

5.Decorate your rooms with the same theme. Avoid mixing and matching themes that do not go well together.

6.Avoid making rooms too formal. The goal is to be warm and inviting, yet classy and stylish.

7. Do not decorate bedrooms in the same colour throughout. Mix and match to create the perfect combinations.

8. Avoid furniture that is too large or too many pieces of furniture. You don’t want your house to look over crowded. Instead, find the right size and the right number.

9. Be careful with the patterns you get while furnishing. Too many patterns are an eyesore. 

NRI investing in India? Here’s how it works

To begin with, let’s list the people who can invest in India, aside from the obvious of resident Indians. NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) and their spouses as well as PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin) are allowed to possess both residential and commercial property on Indian soil. OCBs (Overseas Corporate Bodies) and trusts which have more than 50% NRI ownership/stake are also allowed to invest in Indian real estate. At the same time, foreigners or foreign owned organizations have certain processes and permissions to obtain from the Reserve Bank of India to obtain property in the country. In their case, leasing is a better option.

It is important to remember that while investing as an NRI or OCB, the property should be rented out or occupied immediately! You cannot invest in real estate and leave it empty. While you are allowed to invest in all types of residential and commercial property from townships and industrial factories to apartment complexes and showrooms, an NRI or OCB cannot invest or own agricultural land in India.

However, there are rules that the RBI imposes on income made from property owned by NRIs. All income generated from rentals is to be deposited in an NRO (Ordinary Non-Resident Rupees) account. At the same time, shares and debentures can be returned after a time period of three years.

Is a Pre-approved Home Loan What You Need?

The most important factor that comes into play while investing is the financial aspect. This is even more so for first time buyers. Getting your home loan pre-approved makes the process faster and easier. It lets you make your decision without having to worry about financing. It makes it easier for you to pick a home and make a deal with your pre-approved home loan. The whole affair is less worrisome and it makes things just a little easier. When it comes to the process of getting a home loan, any little factor that makes your life easier should be grabbed with both hands.

When a buyer applies for pre-approval of a home loan, the housing finance company/bank/developer will go through various stats, readings and general information of the applicant. After getting your CIBIL TransUnion number and confirming that your credit and financial health is good, then you will be given a certificate of pre-approval. This certificate is more useful than you realize. It gives you an accurate estimate of your budget. This estimation makes it easy for you to pick a developer and a home.

This letter is a statement from a financial institution that you are capable of providing financial backing for your promises. It gives you backing and is a certificate proving that you are financially capable of finishing the deal. With this letter, your journey to purchasing the house of your dreams is that much easier.

The Boost in Real Estate in Pune

In recent years, Pune has been a hub of real estate activity. It has become a favourite haunt for investors and sellers, alike. The city has been quickly developing and spreading out with more and more areas, considered to be out of Pune, coming under the same jurisdiction. The rise of the IT and manufacturing industry has also fuelled this growth. This quick development has resulted in an exodus of people into the city, which has increased the demand for real estate and housing. Owners and landlords can easily find takers for their flats in most parts of the city.

Pune has always been known for the excellence of its education institutions with the University of Pune being referred to as the ‘Oxford of the East’. The various institutions all over the city offer every course imaginable and have attracted students from all over the country. This influx of students has resulted in an increase in the need for rentals and housing, especially in the main parts of the city and around all major institutions.

The rates in the city are also more reasonable compared to other cities like Mumbai and Bangalore. Investing in real estate in Pune is a very good idea because the rates are good and the area is developing. The returns are bound to be good because the value of real estate in the city is only going to go up. Even while buying a second home, Pune is where you should be looking because it is very easy to rent out as there are many students and employees from the IT and Manufacturing industries.

How to have an Eco-friendly Ganesh Utsav

Ganesh Chaturthi is a favourite festival of many Indians. The 10-day long celebration includes decorating Ganesha idols at home, the preparation of various delicacies, dancing and immersion of the idol on the last day. Most people don’t realize the harm that many activities during the festivities cause the environment. It is our duty and responsibility to maintain and preserve nature and the environment. There are many ways that we can celebrate a green, eco-friendly Ganesh Utsav:

1. Use eco-friendly idols: Most people use Ganesha idols made of chemicals, plaster of Paris, plastic, thermocol and other such harmful materials. Instead, get idols made of natural biodegradable materials like clay, paper mache (paper pulp of recycled paper), natural gum, chalk powder and painted with natural paints. The entire idol dissolves and is not toxic to the environment.

2. Conserve energy: Use CFLs instead of incandescent bulbs in all your lighting arrangements. In a country where many don’t have the luxury of electricity, it is our duty to conserve energy as much as possible.

3. Use natural materials for rangoli decorations. Avoid the use of chemicals.

4. Use the smallest idol possible. The bigger the idol, the more difficult will it be for it to dissolve, especially if it is not made of biodegradable materials.

4. Make use of natural decorations. Avoid plastic and non-biodegradable materials.

5. Avoid noise pollution by playing music at moderate levels and avoiding crackers which cause air pollution as well.

6.  Use paper plates and cups. Avoid the use of plastic in all festivities.

7.  Instead of harming natural water bodies, use artificial immersion tanks.

With these simple steps, one can protect the environment during the festive season!

Investment properties – hold or sell?

Real estate is said to be the best market to invest in because of its stability and good returns. While investing, it is important to be sure of the surrounding areas, the builder and other such factors. Once you have bought a property, the decision to be taken is that of holding or selling, especially when the market fluctuates. In this context, there are usually two types of investors – those who are in it for the long haul and those who are looking for quick capital gains.

For people looking for quick gains, a well timed resale is important. Such a resale should happen only when the property has had a good appreciation. In the real estate market, there usually has to be holding time during which the property value rises and gives good returns. The ideal period is 3-5 years or longer. Depending on what kind of returns you are looking for, you can decide whether to hold or sell. In most cases, the longer you wait, the higher the returns.

The best idea for people looking for a quick gain is to invest in a project during construction and during the launch. The resale should be timed at completion of project or one year after completion for the best and quickest returns. While making any real estate decision, be sure to study the local market thoroughly. 

Organize Your kitchen!

In every home, the kitchen is the one room that has to store many commodities from a fridge and microwave oven to utensils and most importantly food items. If not managed properly, it is very easy for a kitchen to become messy and disorganized. This post lists various ideas and methods by which you can make your kitchen more spacious:

1.     Store all your baking items inside your oven. It reduces the space required for these items and also makes things easy to find.

2.     Get cupboards fixed above your counters as well as below. Fill up the wall space with double door cupboards. This increases your storage space by a large amount.

3.     If you don’t want too many cupboards, then make up for it with shelves. You can even make shelves within the shelves and cupboards to better organize your kitchen.

4.     Get hooks installed by the sink for all your towels and by the racks for your spoons, strainers and other such utensils.

5.     Organize the spices in your kitchen by your style of cooking. It makes things easier to find and keeps things uncluttered.

6.     Store large pots and pans on top of cupboards, especially when you use them rarely. This will give you more cupboard space for your other utensils and kitchenware.

7.     Clean as soon as you can and as you go. If you wash up as soon as you use a utensil, it makes things a whole lot easier.

8.     Organize items by purpose and frequency of us. This makes cooking and cleaning up that much easier.

The Best Areas to Invest in Pune!

Pune has quickly become one of the more trusted markets to invest in. While properties and projects have are shooting up all over town, it is a dilemma for investors to pick an area to invest in. The area that is showing the most promise is the western part of Pune because of its location and proximity to important facilities and landmarks.

Western Pune includes Kothrud, Baner, Deccan Gymkhana, Bavdhan, Sinhagad Road and other upcoming areas. These areas have risen in terms of development and the number of residential and commercial properties in the past couple of years. Their proximity to educational institutions, IT and Tech Parks, hospitals, malls and theaters combined with well maintained facilities such as water and electricity have made them popular with investors.

 Educational institutions attract students from other states, especially in Pune. Finding a rental close to college will be on top of the priority list for these students, which is perfect for owners looking to rent out their flats or houses. The same is true about IT and Tech Parks, which attract job seekers from all over the country. When it comes to emergency situations, it is always better to have a hospital nearby and easily accessible, which is the case with these areas. The above mentioned areas have various malls and theaters making them even more attractive. As mentioned in the previous blog post, roads are integral to the development of real estate. The well made concrete roads in the West of Pune are a huge factor in their popularity. 

Roads and Real Estate

The development of a city is defined by its roads. The state of the roads and the areas they connect are important factors in the growth of any city. Any real estate agent worth his salt will use good connectivity as a selling point. Even though an apartment complex has various amenities, if the road to it is not usable, it will be less likely to be sold or rented out. At the same time, a project should not be too close to a highway or a crowded road. It has to be connected and close by to such roads, but not on them. Proximity to a well connected route is the perfect way to attract buyers and tenants.

Developed roads that connect you from home to not just work and school, but other necessary facilities like hospitals, grocery and departmental stores and others are very important. Good connectivity is a key factor in the decision whether to purchase or look for more. Always check the locality, the roads, the proximity to important facilities and the connectivity. All factors should be considered before purchase or rental.

Though roads may seem like the last factor to be considered, they are extremely important when it comes to day to day living. Once you purchase or rent out a house and then realise that it is poorly connected with bad roads, your everyday life becomes a hassle. Therefore, always make sure that the house you buy or rent out has good roads leading to and out of it.

Tips to buying your second home

The average Indian investor's favourite investment is in the real estate market. Lately, people are investing in second homes and holiday homes as well. Second homes offer a great source of constant income when rented out. In most major cities, there is always a great influx of job seekers and students which increases the need for houses on rent. This fact means that buying a second home in a large city is always a good idea.

1. Avoid investing in the ultra posh neighbourhoods of big cities. It is highly unlikely that you will find too many takers in the rental market. Instead, invest in established central areas where the rates are reasonable and the need for places on rent is high. This improves your chances of finding a tenant.

2. Invest in cities like Pune, Vadodara, Thiruvananthapuram, Jaipur, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad, where the rates are affordable and where the need for rentals are high.

3. Buy a second home in an area which is located close to important amenities and facilities such as schools, markets and hospitals. Owning a small home in such an area is better than owning a large home in the outskirts of the city, in terms of appreciation and returns.

4. Before giving your house on rent, be sure of the tenant's credentials and reliability. Get a watertight agreement done by a good lawyer.

5. Talk to experts in the field of investment and real estate before buying a second home.

Protect Your House From The Rain

The monsoons bring beauty and greenery into the landscape. The weather is comfortable and relaxing. But the rains can prove to be a constant source of problems for your home. To protect yourself from these common troubles, take the following precautions:

1.     Get your roof checked for leaks and cracks to prevent seepage that will ruin not just the walls, but the furniture and other items in your house as well.

2.     Check your walls and ceiling for cracks and make sure they’ve been repaired and waterproofed to prevent water from entering and causing dampness.

3.     Clear and clean all pipes, gutters, and spouts of dead branches and leaves to prevent stagnancy of water and ensure free flow.

4.     Before the start of the rains, make sure that all electrical wiring and equipment is protected from water, to prevent short circuits from occurring.

5.     Ensure that all metal joints, doors and windows are painted with waterproof paint to prevent rusting.

6.     Get your exterior walls painted with waterproof paint as well, to protect the walls. A water sealant should also be used for added protection.

7.     If your wooden doors swell due to the rains, take them out, tighten the hinges and fix them back only after varnishing.

8.     Wax or polish your wooden furniture to prevent swelling and to protect your furnishings from water.

Following these eight simple steps will ensure that your home is safe from the brunt of the monsoons.

How to create an Eco-Friendly Home

It has come to a point where every action needs to be thought out carefully in terms of the environment. This transcends into the construction, designing, decoration and appliance usage within your homes. It is important to know how to go about creating an eco- friendly home.

·        When purchasing an appliance, always make sure of its efficiency so that no energy is wasted. Do not take too long to replace an old appliance.

·        Use incandescent bulbs and LED tube lights to increase efficiency, stop energy wastage and ensure long life.

·        Set up solar panels for all your heating needs.

·        Turn off computers, fans and lights when not in use, to save electricity.

·        Use non toxic eco-friendly paint within your homes to prevent lung problems and other disorders.

·        Replace all the taps and shower heads with high pressure, low flow faucets and close all them properly when not in use to ensure water conservation.

·        Put potted plants on your balcony and at specific points within the house to keep the air fresh.

·        Use natural products such as linen, bamboo and cotton in your household.

·        Separate your inorganic and organic waste. Create a composting zone to make your own fertilizer using organic waste.

·         Use biodegradable cleaning and polishing agents to maintain your home.

Read This Before Getting A Home Loan!

Home loans are a popular option for house buyers today, especially with the rise of the EMI method of payment. Many developers offer home loans and EMI by themselves to make the process that much easier. When a buyer applies for a home loan, the housing finance company/bank/developer will go through various stats, readings and general information of the applicant.

CIBIL stands for Credit Information Bureau Limited, which is India’s first company of its kind.  It procures and updates information for banks and the like on a monthly basis in reference to an individual’s monetary records such as credit card usage and loans. CIBIL also provides a CIBIL TransUnion score that shows an applicant’s credit and financial health. This information is used by banks to create Credit Information Reports (CIR) which when combined with CIBIL TransUnion scores, aids in deciding whether the applicant should be given a loan or not. Therefore, it is very important to score well in the Credit Information Report and the CIBIL TransUnion score.

A low credit score (below 700) will mean your application is not even considered, while a high score above 700 will mean your loan is sanctioned. A good score will mean better interest rates and relative ease in all the bank related procedures. It makes it that much simpler to procure a housing loan. As a precaution, get a credit report done in advance. If it is low, there are various agencies that help you improve it. Since the credit score reflects on payments and data from the past, it is important to ensure that you pay your bills on time. If there was a genuine reason for defaulting on a payment, you can contact CIBIL and get a fresh report.

Easy Ways To Decorate Your Home

The interior of your house says a lot about you. But as we get busier, it gets increasingly tougher to set aside time for home improvement. But giving your house the makeover you have always wanted to does not necessarily involve a big budget or complicated skills. Here are some easy tips to spruce up your apartment that wont put a dent in your savings.

• Highlighting just one element can also change the entire look of your room. Paint one wall a bright colour that complements your colour scheme. Invite your family over and make a day out of it!
• Placing a string of lights, candles or lamps around a bed gives the room a lovely, warm feel.
• Photos are a great decorating tool. Make a memory wall by hanging up strings of twinkly lights interspaced with all your favourite photos.
• Another way to use photos to decorate is to paste them in the shape of a heart instead of hanging up separate photo frames.
• Using old glass containers to grow tiny plants or as flower vases give your house a rustic, homey feel.
• The mango season is gone, but the wooden boxes they come in still remain. Hammer a few nails in to attach two of them together and place them against a wall to make a quirky book or shoe rack. 
• Colourful cushions or throws in funky prints are a great way to add colour to your rooms without having to undertake a painting expedition.
• Throw away those air fresheners! Setting out bowls of potpourri is a safe, natural way to keep your home looking great and smelling fresh.
• Frame your children's drawings and paintings to create unique photo frames.

Remember, using your personal creativity will make your house look more special than any fancy interior decorator ever will! What are your favourite house decorating tips? Tell us in the comments!