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.