SMART SOCHO: Amenities are cool but don’t get fooled

Loading projects with a ton of expensive goodies is the latest ploy by builders trying to sell their projects, but it’s the buyer’s prerogative to look through this smoke screen and choose projects with the relevant amenities, says Rajesh Kulkarni.

These days it’s fairly common to come across numerous full-page advertisements promoting residential projects for their future-ready facilities, contemporary amenities and features that support a fast lifestyle. It’s not a bad thing really. Who wouldn’t like to own a home in a project that has the best in terms of the latest amenities and state-of-the-art features for the added convenience of its residents.

The problem begins when buyers blindly rush into buying a home/apartment not because they are overly impressed by the quality, size or location of the project, which are the key parameters that really matter, but because of its long list of expensive features.

Concierge service, launderettes, housekeeping service, Butler on-call, Jacuzzi, Olympic-sized pre-heated swimming pool, swanky Spa, swipe-card entry, video door phone, and what not. Developers are clearly leaving no stone unturned when it comes to loading their project with a clutch of high-end amenities designed solely to reel in the buyer.

But the key question that buyers need to ask themselves is this – Do they really have use for most of the amenities on display? Is it really worth paying thousands in monthly maintenance for say a concierge service or Jacuzzi that they may seldom or never use?

Clearly buyers need to understand owning a home at a sought-after project might do wonders for their social acceptability, but it’s the thoughtfully-designed projects with the most essential amenities made available that really make a difference in the long run.

So what are the real must-have features and amenities that buyers should zero in on before signing on the dotted line for their dream home?

Well-planned Layout & Thoughtful Design:
The layout and design of the project are two of the most important aspects that need careful consideration by buyers. Does the project have ample green cover, is it senior-citizen friendly, does it offer parking space for guests, is there sufficient space for the kids to play, are there vehicle-free zones wherein residents can take a walk or jog, the presence of a community or multi-purpose hall for social gatherings is definitely a plus, does the layout provide for adequate ventilation and natural light in the flats? All these are among the must-haves that an intelligent buyer should look for in a good residential project.

Is the Project Child-Friendly:
Never underestimate the power of children when it comes to influencing the final choice of his/her parents in their quest for a home. It’s a known fact that children are a key factor in the decision making process for any property buyer with a family. Projects that are child-friendly both in terms of their internal amenities (children’s room, play room, grills on all windows etc) and external amenities (kiddies pool, sand pit, crèche, vehicle-free play zone, hobby room, adequate security etc) figure higher in the priority list of such buyers.

External factors like the presence of reputed schools, colleges, daycare centers, FEC centers like shopping malls & multiplexes in the vicinity of the project are also an important consideration during this process.

Scope for Leisure Activities:
As the saying goes – All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. A brisk sports activity or exercise regimen after a hard day’s work can do wonders to rejuvenate the mind, body & soul. Ergo the presence of adequate outdoor activity options at the project is always a huge advantage. Most projects these days offer a slew of outdoor & indoor sporting options to its residents – cricket, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, lawn tennis, squash, carom, pool or squash. An amphitheatre, library or even a hobby room to indulge your favourite pastime also make for handy additions. Make sure the project you choose has at least most of these if not all.

Caring For Our Seniors:
They are the pillars of our society and deserve priority consideration when buyers (with senior citizens in their family) commence their search for a new home. Most modern housing projects today come with a slew of in-built features that enhance the convenience and safety factors for senior citizens. It’s always advisable to choose a project that maximizes such features if you have an elderly member in your family.

Standard amenities to look for in such projects include structural aids like benches, walking ramps, senior citizen’s corner (for socializing), meditation zone and a community temple among others. It’s important to ensure that the project is in close proximity to reputed healthcare facilities in case of emergencies.

Shopping Options:
This one is for the missus. Imagine the convenience of not having to walk or drive through all the pollution, traffic and crowds to the nearest market to buy your daily essentials. What if you could buy your needs from a shopping arcade just around the corner from where you live, or perhaps enjoy the luxury of placing an order at a well-stocked general store or retail kiosk located within the complex itself? Clearly a high-priority requirement on the list of most home buyers these days.

For the Health & Eco-Conscious:
A healthy lifestyle and a home in an eco-friendly project, are two aspects that have rapidly gained ground among property buyers in recent years. On the health front, the presence of ample outdoor exercise options like a well-equipped gymnasium, yoga center, meditation zone, walking track, jogging & cycling pathways and a swimming pool, are no longer an option but a necessity for most buyers today.

With the demand for eco-friendly, certified-green projects also rising rapidly, many buyers are known to make serious inquiries about the presence of green initiatives like water harvesting facility, sewage treatment plants, energy-efficient lighting, terrace gardens (to enhance natural cooling) and water recycling/reuse facilities onsite.

In Conclusion:
A residential project packed to the brim with all kinds of expensive amenities and hi-tech facilities does not automatically mean it will meet your specific requirements – this is the takeaway that intelligent buyers need to remember when on the search for a new home/property.

Moreover, while living in an apartment that allows easy access to such goodies might seem like a tempting proposition to many, it needs to be known that you - the buyer - are in reality bearing the cost incurred by the developer for procuring them, cleverly concealed in the final price that you pay for the property. So it’s not actually ‘a freebie’ as many a developer might like you to believe. Last but not the least are the inflated maintenance bills that you will have to bear for the upkeep of such ‘exclusive’ lifestyle amenities.

All in all, while essential amenities do enhance the convenience factor of living in an upscale project, the keyword to remember is ‘essential’. Buying into a property with a long list of irrelevant, high-end facilities is quite unnecessary since they not only burn a rather huge hole in your pocket, but frequently distract a buyer from the three main drivers that should govern his choice namely: location, affordability and size.