Evaluating The Resale Value Of Your Home Is Important, Says Home Buyer Sunita Sharma

Sunita Sharma, a librarian at the Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College (GGDSD College) in Chandigarh, recently shifted to her new apartment in Zirakpur. Married to Ravi Sharma, who works at Blue Star Private Limited, the couple had bought their home in 2008 but shifted only a couple of months ago. A mother of two sons, Sushant and Mohit, she sees her home as a place that embraces her with affection and warmth. In an interview with Aditi Sharma, Sharma shares her home-buying experience. Edited excerpts:

Q: How would you describe your new home?

Sharma: Our home is an independent row house located in Zirakpur, which is a part of Mohali district, the satellite city of Chandigarh. It has three bedrooms with attached washrooms, a modular kitchen, two balconies and a living room. When we got the possession of our home, we could not shift here as the locality was not developed. The area is fast developing now.

Q: How did you finalise this home?

Sharma: After purchasing this property, we realised that we did trade off the region for the sake of low cost. But, things have transformed now and I am happy with my decision. My husband and I consulted our sons before we zeroed in on this bunglow.

Q: What made you buy a new home?

Sharma: Well, owning a home gives you the fulfilment of a steady life. While we use to live in a rented accommodation, at the back of our minds we always wished to own our sweet abode—my own dwelling which I can do up the way I like.

Q: How much price you had to pay for your house?

Sharma: We had bought it in 2006 for Rs 48 lakh. If we look at the current prices, it has gone up considerably.

Q: How was your buying experience? 

Sharma: Searching for a home is a Herculean task. You have to consider a lot of things before you buy a home. In our case, we found the deal decent and got the possession in time.

Q: Is it your dream home?

Sharma: I don't know how to define a dream home. But, this is a place where I spend the most important time of my life, which supports me to create a special bond with my family.

Q: What is your advice to new home buyers?

Sharma: My advice to new home buyers is that they should not make their decision in a haste. Choose a home where the social environment braces you. Reasonable prices are everybody's concern but one should also focus on the resale value of the project. The home should be such that it can be customised and the area should have all the basic amenities.