Home Buyers Speak: How Online Real Estate Advisor Made Home Buying Process A Cakewalk

Ashish Khandelwal, 34, Sales Manager, Mumbai

Born in Gwalior, Ashish Khandelwal has lived in multiple cities. His journey to different cities began with his first job for which he re-located to Noida. He later moved to Bengaluru, and finally to Mumbai, where he is now settled with his wife, Shachi, and their two-year-old daughter, Pianshi. Working as a sales manager with an IT firm in the city, Ashish says that owning a flat in Mumbai was like a 'dream come true' for him. Read excerpts from an interview:

Could you please describe your new home?

Our new home is on the 15^th floor of the Satellite Tower, built by Satellite Developers. It is located on the Film City road in Goregaon. This residential property has two wings with 25 floors, each with two basements and one podium, and amenities like gymnasium and swimming pool. The property has 2 and 3BHK apartments. Ours is a 2BHK apartment with 1325 sq ft super built-up area and 825 sq ft carpet area. It has three balconies and a dining room, and the master bedroom comes with an attached spacious bathroom. Moreover, it offers a scenic view of the hill on one side while the market is visible from the other.

What made you buy a new home?
I had been living in a rented property for quite a long time. I was looking for a place with good amenities and surroundings where I can have my peace of mind, and spend my life. It is then I came across this property.

Mr & Mrs Khandelwal's home in Goregaon, Mumbai.

How did you get this home?
It is a resale property. The owner, from whom we bought the apartment, was already living there since he got the possession of the apartment in 2013. I began my home search in July, 2013. I consulted friends, colleagues, brokers, and even went through websites. Finally, I referred an online real estate advisor which helped me find this property.

Could you please share with us your buying experience?
The online advisor was a fruitful experience. They not only provided me with property options but also stated the pros and cons of each. Moreover, they also helped he with the background checks, verification and even the documentation, when I made a purchase decision. The whole home buying process became smooth, something which I was worried about as I am not from Maharashtra.

In the years since you have lived in Mumbai, how has the real estate market in the city changed?
In the last five years, the property prices in Mumbai have nearly doubled. For a property in Mumbai, which was priced at Rs 45-50 lakhs, now costs Rs 1 crore.

Is this your dream home?
Yes. Having a home in Mumbai is a dream come true for us. I liked this particular apartment because it offered all the amenities I was looking for. Moreover, there was no better option available in this area, which would also fit my budget.

What is your advice to the new home buyers?
Before choosing a property, check how old the construction is. In case of a resale property, do a complete background check of the existing owner, the developer and check mortgage, if any. Study the neighbourhood infrastructure, society and the people living there. Ensure that the society adheres to all security measures and offers all the promised amenities.