WALL MAGIC

Walls say everything about the feel of your home. So be carefu while choosing their colour. The most commmon wall finish for a new building (since there will be some moisture) is oil bound distemper.

Another option is emulsion, which can be used on new surfaces.

With a plethora of options available, walls are covered with more than simple flat paint.

The demand is for walls with multilple colours, textures and oversized patterns. Speciality finishes have caught on in a big way. Walls that have been finished with a speciality finish are easier to clean and the dirt is less obvious.

Speciality finish is a good choice for high traffic areas, such as the entrance hall or kids' room. It can also camouflage a wall that is in poor condition.

home documentation

Though the process of buying a home can cause heartache, it is most important that you get the paperwork right.

Identity

You can establish your identity through copies of passports, birth/school leaving certificates, driver’s license or organizational identity/labor cards. You may have to provide a certificate of your educational qualifications too.

Proof of residence

Copies of a valid resident visa stamped on your passport, utility bills or insurance premium receipts can provide proof of residence. You will need your employer to certify your designation, length of employment, passport number and salary slip, along with a copy of your latest work permit. You will also need three years’ tax returns and copies of bank statements for the past four months.

Self employed
If self employed, you have to provide a brief introduction to your business or profession and copies of trade licenses/certificate of incorporation, copies of balance sheets, profit and loss statements for the past three years and details of current and savings accounts for the past six months.

Proposed buy

The details of your proposed buy are required. These are the builder’s allotment letter, cash receipts, construction plans, cost, approved drawing and agreement of sale/sale deed.

Have the deed inspected thoroughly to prevent fraud. Take out homeowner’s insurance in advance. In addition, a lender’s coverage insurance may be required. Get a completion certificate from the seller as it tells you that your home conforms to local laws.

Additionally, details of assets and liabilities are required from all applicants. Finally, you may need to show your PIO card, Power of Attorney to a local representative, guarantor forms along with net worth and Continuous Discharge certificate.

The paper is as important as the home itself! Don’t let this get you down; the thing to remember is that when the home is finally yours, it will have been worth the effort.

land purchase and house construction

Purchasing land and constructing your own house is the dream of almost every middle-class Indian and even NRIs. But are you aware of the issues involved? If not, read on for a ready reckoner of what you need to know before you embark upon building your dream home.

Land purchase

The seller from whom you wish to purchase the land must have bought it from their own earnings or through:
The Hindu Succession Act or the Muslim Law or the Indian Succession Act
A legal will probated by the concerned court
Gift or partition of property or exchange. Verify that a deed has been executed to this effect
A minor’s (person below 18 years of age) share in a property cannot be mortgaged, transferred, or charged through gift, exchange, or sale or in any other manner without prior permission of the court.

Ensure that there is no claim on the property from the government or any statutory body and that the land does not fall under the Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act, CRZ (Coastal Regulatory Zone) or Archaeology department restrictions. Also check if the land is designated for residential purpose by the planning authorities.

Legal issues:
Ensure that the title of your land is clear.
Register your property.
Get your property valued by an authorized valuer.
Obtain an encumbrance certificate to ensure that your property is unencumbered (ideally for the past 30 years).
Get your construction plan sanctioned from the concerned authorities.
Ensure that all taxes are paid and retain the receipts for record.
Amenities

Ensure that your property has an independent approach road and is not accessible via a neighbor’s property. Get adequate electrical connections, drinking and cleaning water connections, and provide for facilities such as sewage, garbage disposal, and drainage.

House construction

Before constructing your house, it is necessary to obtain certain approvals from the concerned authorities such as the Municipal Corporation, Area Development Authority, electricity authorities, Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Airport Authorities etc. You must submit relevant documents/certificates along with the plan to the concerned authorities. Avoid unauthorized construction or any deviation from the plan to prevent legal enforcement action later on. Try and consult a lawyer or friend with adequate knowledge of such issues to guide you through the process.