Kochi or Ernakulam is one of the fastest-growing cities in India. It is ranked 5th among 20 chosen smart cities that will receive funding for infrastructure development. The fast-paced economic development is attracting many professionals from all over the country to make the most of the opportunities Ernakulam presents. Hence, the demand for residential real estate is increasing year on year. Builders in Ernakulam are coming up with many new projects in Kochi to meet this demand. Buyers are seeking apartments, flats, villas, and independent houses for residential and investment purposes. The most important aspect while choosing a new apartment is the location. The location determines many factors that ultimately lead to buying a home of one’s choice.

Let us look at these one by one:

1. Locality

The locality is the most important factor that influences the decision to buy a home. Within a location, different localities, suburbs, and districts can be classified as premium, mid-segment, and budget. The apartments in these locations are priced accordingly. For instance, premium localities like Marine Drive and M.G. Road charge a premium for the backwater views and well-developed infrastructure. Kakkanad and Vytilla are localities where builders of Kochi offer budget apartments and villas.

2. Connectivity

Every neighborhood, locality, or suburb in a city may be well-connected or poorly connected to the important hubs. Depending on the ease of connectivity and development of infrastructure in the vicinity, a project can command a premium. Well-connected projects are also preferred by homebuyers and investors for the ease and comfort of living. If located in the city’s center with good connectivity, the value will be higher than that of a property located in the outskirts. Most luxury flats in Kochi are often located close to major hubs easily accessible by public transport.

3. Schools and Colleges

Several options for schools and colleges to choose from give parents one less thing to worry about for their ward’s future. The proximity of the educational institute, especially for children, is always a major factor for homebuyers when choosing new homes. Ernakulam is known to be an education hub with a wide variety of good educational institutes offering professional courses.

4. Healthcare

Hospitals, healthcare professionals, and dispensaries are as essential as any other amenity for a healthy and fulfilling life. One would not want to travel long distances during sickness or waste valuable time during medical emergencies. The closer the healthcare facilities, the better the project value. Be it uptown localities like Thevara and Ravipuram or budget localities like Kakkanad and Edapally, Kochi offers good healthcare options. All these locations offer apartments in Kochi that are preferred by new home buyers.

5. Recreation

A good social life is what everyone looks forward to during weekends. There should be no dearth of shopping malls, cafes, parks, museums, and places to visit within the suburb one is living in. Socializing with friends and relatives should not become a major task because you live in a remote location in the city. Choosing a location with ample avenues for recreation is essential.

The budget is an important factor when choosing a home that is in a locality with the best conveniences and infrastructure. Localities with all the conveniences usually charge a premium while those with limited options are cheaper.

A city known for its immense natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and ideal tourist location, Kochi is emerging as the economic capital of the state of Kerala. Some serious developments in commerce, infrastructure, and industry have boosted the real estate landscape of the city.

Let us look at the factors that are responsible for Kochi’s emergence as an ideal location for real estate investment:

One of the top 20 smart cities in India

Kochi has been identified as one of the 20 smart cities by the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India through a competitive selection process. This means that the city will get a special focus on the development of planned and improved infrastructure. The focus will be on E-Governance, water management, power supply, sanitation, solid waste management, efficient urban transportation, and IT Connectivity. The special focus on Kochi is bound to improve investments in the city that will boost real estate development at a fast pace.

Economic drivers

The Kakkanad technological cluster and Cochin Special Economic Zones are initiatives taken up by the government to develop Kochi as an industrial hub to boost IT and other industries. The Cochin International Airport’s new international terminal with operational metro and upgradation of the seaport is poised to attract global companies and cargo-based businesses to set shop in and around it. The metro rail will improve connectivity and travel time from Aluva to the key micro markets within the city ensuring real estate development in surrounding areas. These initiatives will drive the demand for residential properties, savvy office spaces, and retail properties.

Growing real estate market

Kochi’s real estate market has seen one of the highest growth amongst Tier 2 cities in India. The boost in infrastructure development, expanding economy, and growing population of skilled workers are reasons for the growth of the real estate industry in the city. There is potential for high returns on investment in real estate with a good scope for rentals. Builders and developers in Kerala consider Kochi an important market. The flats in Kochi are being developed with a vision to match international standards.

Tourism destination

Kochi sees an annual tourism influx equalling 4 times its population. It sees Indian as well as foreign tourists, of which foreign tourists account for 14% making tourism a major industry in the city’s economy. The city’s effort in transforming into a tourism hub will lay the groundwork for the development of hospitality and allied industries.

Infrastructure development backed by economic development has traditionally boosted the real estate industry. Kochi is on the path to becoming a major economic hub in South India and investing in the city’s property market is definitely a smart choice.

Are you looking for an apartment to buy or rent out in Kochi? That means you will also need to look out for the right real estate agent. This process is more time-consuming if you are new to the place. To start with you need to know the Builders in Kochi in terms of their work, goodwill, quality, and diversity of projects. Be it completed, ongoing, or the news – you have to have your homework done.

Conduct Your Own Research

Real Estate Agents are good at presenting their clients with a lot of information. Such practices are quite common in the real estate business. As a client looking for flats in Kochi, you should take the time to know more about the property or place they are interested in. They will make claims like “The property value will increase sharply in the immediate future so you have to buy it immediately” or regarding other projects in the nearby area. Instead of absorbing the agent’s words as such, think a little further.  You should understand the estimated price of the land, any issues or problems in the nearby places, etc. 

Also, it is best not to depend upon a single agent. You can get a better picture and idea by speaking to multiple agents and this will help you make a better choice. Moreover, it is better to visit some property listing websites to understand the prevalent prices in the concerned area. You can make use of websites like 99acres.com and Olx as well. Although there are other such websites available, not all of them are genuine. 

Discuss the agent fees

Most of the agents are quite hesitant when it comes to discussing the agent fees in the initial part of the deal. Even if you insist upon it, they will ask to discuss it upon the completion of the deal. This is a tactic for them to command a fee in proportion to the value of the deal. Moreover, it could lead to a lot of disputes down the line as well. So, it is best that all the discussions regarding the agent fees are completed upfront. If you can’t reach an agreement with the agent regarding the fees, it is best that you opt for another agent.

Ask Your friends and family for recommendations 

If you are finding a tough time narrowing down a real estate agent, then you can always look to your family and friends regarding their experiences with real estate agents. The real estate sector has always been quite hot in Kerala and someone in your close circle might have been involved in a real estate transaction recently. Also, agents recommended by your friends and relatives are much less likely to charge extra fees from you as they would like to maintain the fruitful relationship they have with their initial clients. 

Discuss with the recent clients of the agent 

An easy way to determine whether the agent is good for you is to communicate with his recent clients. You can ask questions regarding his capabilities, personality, and behavior. You should also enquire if they faced any issues in the transaction due to the agent and how the agent responded to such issues. Moreover, you can also ask them about the kind of fees the agent expects to receive and whether they were satisfied with the work of the agent ultimately. This will help you to decide whether the agent is a match for you. 

Verify the Agent Credentials

It is always a good idea to check the track record of the agent regarding the sales he has done. We recommend choosing an agent with a good reputation. You should ask the agent to give an overview of their apartments in Kochi and the locations they work in. If possible, then ask for references too. A reputed real estate agent will furnish the same with no second thoughts. If the agent has a personal website or social media profile, then you can get a good idea about his previous works and how credible the agent is. Evidence is more important than speech and you should be judging the agent with their work rather than their words. Besides, it is better to avoid agents who do not prefer to meet face-to-face or avoids providing key information regarding the property. You should not rush into any sort of deal if the agents are not providing key details. 

Verify the Agent License

This is one thing that most people tend to ignore. In fact, there is a license required for real estate agents in Kerala. They have to register with the real estate regulatory authority (RERA) before conducting any sale. Moreover, you can connect with concerned authorities to see if there are any pending cases or disciplinary proceedings against the agent. We would recommend you have a copy of the agent license. This is because if you run into any issues regarding the sale, the license copy might be a lifesaver. 

Decide on the selling strategy

Another important detail is to ensure that you and your agent are on the same page when it comes to strategies to be adopted while selling. You need to decide on the number of showings, whether you will do an open house and the expected price. Moreover, the marketing tactics have to be decided as well.

Understand the scope of the agent

Real Estate Agents deal with two kinds of people-the buyers as well as sellers. The buyers would prefer the price to be lower while the sellers would like to command a price as high as possible. Therefore, you must discuss with the agent to see if he has any allegiance or affiliation with the other party. It is best that the agent is neutral as this would make for a fair transaction. Else, there is a very good chance that the agent sides with the seller to gain a price as high as possible so as to gain a big commission fee. 

Perhaps you’ve lived in your home for a considerable period of time and it’s finally, an ideal time for an upgrade. Or you may be assembling a new house without any preparation and need to make something wonderful.

Either way, you would be searching for ideas to make your space fun, functional, productive, and green. In many apartments in Kottayam, residents are often in a dilemma as to where do you go for these ideas for the design of your new home? The answer is that you could begin following expert home builders and interior designers for getting their feedback, or you could simply read on.

Hopefully, you would have chosen to read on because you are going to discover 7fabulous ideas on what you should add to your home to build a unique space for you.

USB wall charger 

Many recently built flats in Edappally come with wall outlets that have USB spaces nowadays.  However, regardless of whether you already have a completely built home, they’re a fantastically worthy option that is simple to include for somebody with a touch of electrical experience.

Steam shower 

These showers not just have medical advantages like helping you to unwind, installing one will probably raise the value of your home. Also, they are amazingly green. While regular showers utilize seven gallons of water for each minute, steam showers utilize just one.

Impact-rated windows 

For instance, If you are living in a waterfront region where storms are normal, windows like these are legally necessary, yet, for those living in different zones, there are numerous advantages to using impact windows. For example, they offer improved security, decreased noise, and better energy efficiency, making them a wise investment.

Outside theater 

An Outside theatre is incredible as it can be done in a low-end, DIY way (utilizing a projector and straightforward open-air seating), or you can go hard and make a genuine performance center in a space designed for projection and built-in seating.

Secret rooms

Do you like privacy? Along with doors, have some shelves assembled that open to allow you to go from one room to another.

Window seats

What’s better than having a seat by the window where you can curl up with your favorite book and spent the day reading? A seat by the window is a useful expansion to any new home or rebuilt project. Moreover, it can also be used as a storage space.

Stair shelves

In many flats in Kottayam, stair shelves are a popular way to make use of your space. They are great because of the utility along with adding a fun and funky design aesthetic to your home. Stair shelves are hence always a great idea.

Our own home is the dream of every person.  The presence of a home shows the social and personal growth of the person. Today the government is trying to provide all the necessary support by working along with the developers for every citizen to fulfill their dream of achieving a self-owned home.  As a result, the first step from the government side is the affordable housing policies put forward. Today, builders in Kochi are putting efforts to layout affordable projects in their business. As known, the middle class is huge in the Indian community. So, the developers are trying to spread their business to this class realizing the importance of their dream. Nowadays the developers are trying to bring a balance between luxury and affordable projects.

Government Support to you

With affordable housing policy, reduced interest rates, and better package from the government; its time for the homebuyers to achieve their dream. We always know Indians save for the future, in terms of gold or money. But today’s generation thinks real estate is one of the better investment options. Buying out a home or flats in Ernakulam is a huge decision for every person. With proper policies and planning, the real estate sector would help you to achieve the best deal.

Efforts from the Real Estate Developers

The new home buyers and those who had put the investment plans on hold due to the lockdowns are now coming back to the market sector. This pandemic situation had made the developers come up with attractive deals and discounts for the home buyers to achieve their dream projects or apartments in Kochi. Also, many residential festive offers are in place with affordable pricing and are attracting new home buyers to the real estate sector.

Use of Better Technology

It is seen that in the upcoming time more use of digital mechanisms would be there as technology is advancing. Though, the work from home trend has come up with an initiation towards online tools. Today, builders are coming up with more digital capabilities with tools like 3D cameras, ProTech facilities, etc. Such a form of advancements has made the brands convince and sell during the lockdown process. Today homebuyers could virtually see the space without stepping outside from their area. Thus, giving priority to your health too. Creating virtual tours, displaying floor plans and 3D views are made possible by the real estate developers for better customer understanding.

A Final Thought

The builders are trying every way to satisfy each customer’s needs and expectations this year. Homebuyers trust developers who customize their offers and find better solutions to every concern raised by the customers. So, the year 2021 is one of the best times for every new homebuyer to make their home dreams come true and seek comfort in their new deal. So, why are you waiting? Start investing in a new home. Let your home dream come true. Consider this as the apt time to have your own home.

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is an important factor in having a peaceful, pleasant, and satisfying life. Nowadays, people follow a busy work schedule like meetings, overtime work, discussions, travels, presentations, etc. This continuous process irritates a person’s mental and physical health. All the people are searching how to improve work-life balance. Living in flats in Edappally can help with a better work-life balance. There are so many positive factors for apartment life. It offered a positive state of mind. During this Covid-19 pandemic, peace of mind is one of the main requirements for work from home employees. The work-from-home option also affected negatively for many. The continuous hours of work affect their personal life more. Their work-life balance can be affected due to a lack of good social life, no outings, no other entertainment options, etc. The given below are some tips to improve your work-life balance.

Relax After Work 

The apartment has so many facilities like walkways, parks for stress release and relaxation. Walking through the beautifully landscaped parks, gardens, and green-surrounded parks will help you to mood change and give relief from tension. Keeping some time helps to relax your body and mind after work. It helps to forget the worries. You can utilize the time with family. Most of the apartments consist of a swimming pool, games room, gardens, etc for relaxation. It will maintain the work and personal life.

Fitness Centre 

Sitting in front of a computer for a long time is bad for your health. The body will weak due to a lack of exercise. Most people didn’t get time for exercise due to their busy schedules. Another advantage of living in an apartment is the facilities like fitness centers, yoga rooms, jogging facilities, etc. Then you easily make this a habit for your daily life. And exercise becomes a part of your daily routine. A happy refreshed mind and a healthy body will refresh your mood and work life.

Live in a Classy Community 

People who live in close communities are always happier than others. The community helps you to make friendships and participate in various events, celebrations, and occasions. Some apartments conduct events, hobby classes, yoga classes, etc for the resident’s engagement. So you can participate in all the events for entertainment and enjoy a well-balanced lifestyle. Also in case of any emergency, neighbors are ready to help. Well-maintained community life is needed for a blissful life.

Maintenance Support 

It is very difficult to call the maintenance person when any damage happens in between your office work. Another most commonly seen issue is a power failure and water supply. But in flats in Ernakulam, the caretaker will monitor all these issues and do the needful in such a situation.

Handling all the activities with your work is very difficult to handle. So people living in the apartments don’t have to worry about this kind of issue.

Parks & Outdoor Spaces 

The apartments consist of parks, green outdoors, and gardens. The natural atmosphere gives a lot of positive vibes to relax your mind and body. It is very important in your busy work schedule. Nowadays most of the flats are constructed with wooden interiors, gardens, play areas, etc. These facilities do not only benefit you but are also beneficial for kids also. Kids also get space for play and make themselves happy. The flats have a high-security system. So do not worry about the children also.

These are the few methods to improve the work-life balance of working professionals. A work-life balance not only minimizes overtime work but also reduces stress and becomes refreshed. A life of comfort is the main reason for many working professionals to select flats in Cochin. It is part of a healthy and happy life.