adwise: A garden facing flat only boasts of a few trees, so don't read too much in a property ad

If you're looking to buy a house in the near future, we're sure you must be checking out dozens and dozens of property ads every week. As attractive as they may seem, they're actually more smartly worded than anything else. So, before you start fantasising of palatial houses equipped with 'state-of-the-art amenities', we give you a reality check:

What they say: Extra room
What it means: The 'extra room' is going to be quarter the size of your bedroom, if not smaller. You can comfortably dump your unwanted stuff here. No guys, you can't use the extra room as a kiddies room, so have no such hopes.

What they say: Terrace
What it means: The 'terrace' as they call it is a 4x4 sq ft piece of land that is just about enough to accommodate a few plants and two chairs. But then in the pigeonholes that we live in, even a small terrace is nothing short of an indulgence.

What they say: Garden facing flat
What it means: How many gardens have you seen in Mumbai? They're so few that you can actually count them on your fingers. The aforementioned garden is going to be an apology for a garden. A few greens here and there do not constitute for a garden. So, your flat is going to be facing a few trees and maybe a swing, if you get lucky.

What they say: Quality fittings
What it means: You might like the sound of 'Jaguar' or 'Parryware' or 'Marc Sanitation', but chances are that these fittings are duplicates. So make sure you check them carefully before buying a flat. Also, the geysers and boilers installed in the house might start leaking in a couple of months once you start using them. The aluminium used in the sliding windows might also be of poor quality, which will soon start rusting.

What they say: State-of-the-art amenities
What it means: Almost each and every property ad today screams of possessing 'state-of-the-art amenities'. And there are those misguided souls who get taken in with such lines. Give it a thought, amenities such as an elevator opening in your house, fully air-conditioned lobby, decorative entrance what use are they ever going to be to you. Given a choice, we are sure you would rather forego these and buy a house at a cheaper rate. So check what you are investing in.

What they say: Swimming pool and clubhouse
What it means: You have to shell out extra every month. The advertisements may lure you into owning a home with a clubhouse, an amphitheatre and a swimming pool. However, just think how often you are actually going to make use of these facilities and compare that with the handsome amount you have to pay every month in the form of maintenance charges. You  may find that you can make do without these. But those who can afford to, please grab these houses, as they are rare to find in Mumbai.

What they say: Fully furnished flats
What it means: They are big clinchers. Just imagine not having to spend on the interiors. But, and it's a big one, check whether the interior is really free and not just an advertising gimmick.

Find out what's the property rate in that area and tally with the rate of the flat you plan to buy. If it's more, then just look for another house, because paying for something that you have no say in is a bit foolish. You would rather buy a cheaper house and do it up the way you like.  
 
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