She is building castles for real...

Gone are the days when a woman’s contribution to her dream home was restricted to its interior decor. Gayatri Ruia jots down a checklist to help the woman of today to find her personal abode.

For centuries, fairy tales led us to believe that a woman cherished her home, kept it well and treated it as the centre of her universe. True. But today’s woman is so much more than just that. Thankfully, women have come a long way from there and nowhere is it more evident, than when it comes to the decision to own a home. The difference is that a woman today has the financial wherewithal to buy a place for herself, or if in a relationship, is the significant voice when it comes to making the home-buying decisions. A financially-independent woman prefers buying a home before her first car and the number of single women buying homes is fast
increasing.

While we, women, are known to have a keen eye for detail – we research the
developers, gauge market perception and acceptability, project details, security,
facilities – we also end up making some disastrous choices and mistakes when it comes to real estate decisions. While we will check the label on our organic foods with immense seriousness, reams of legalese and fine print do have a way of tiring most of us! So, here is a quick guide that can help you eliminate the possibility of any error that may prove to be an expensive one while home-shopping:

Know what you want – Almost 80 per cent of all home searches begin on the
Internet today. Take the time to pore through the thousands of options available, experience virtual tours and look at dozens of photographs. Knowing what you want or pre-defining important parameters such as proximity to schools or a state-of-the-art clubhouse, can only simplify the process, and bring you that much closer to the place that you love calling home.

Safety first – Let’s face it, the stories we read and the things we see are not fictitious; they are way too real. When looking for your dream home, scan the neighbourhood for emergency services like the fire and police stations. Talk to potential neighbours (if any) to learn about the crime rate in the area. Get practical and figure out the distance to and from your workplace (when there’s a late night, coming home should not be a nightmare!)

Gated communities – Not only are gated communities a safe option, they also offer a variety of facilities which are convenient and time saving. A marked upward trend while considering gated communities is visible, and has gained huge preference lately. Whether you’re single or have a family, living in a gated community gives you the privacy you need with the added benefits of everything within arms’ reach.

Go geeky to stay safe – With the kind of technology available in today’s age, it would be plain silly to rely on the good old lock and key. Depending on how safe (paranoid is not a bad thing in this case) you want to be, everything from monitoring a window being opened to knowing when someone enters the home or property is possible. CCTVs and home automation systems are on the list of many developers for a good reason.

Insurance is totally worth it – Basic insurance typically covers fire and theft. But adding on riders for expensive jewellery, furniture and home-office equipment means that in the event of unwanted excitement like a burglary or thieving, help is somewhat mitigated.

No romance in dimly-lit neighbourhoods – We like our independence whether it is taking a walk after dinner or running across to the grocery for a tub of ice cream. Ensure that the place you live in has ample street lighting, it is simply safer.

The fun part of playing house – Let’s face it – even before we have the key in our
possession, most of us already know what we are going to do with our homes, down to the last lamp and painting. Many reputed builders work with interior designers to meet your furnishing and decor needs. Meet them in advance and plan your
interiors to suit the decor of your home. That way, the design you had in mind has a better chance of becoming a reality!

The green thumb – Keeping in mind modern trends of terrace gardens and organic eating habits, work with builders or landscape architects to plan your terrace garden and kitchen garden patches, well in advance. Builders work with specialists, who can consult you on suitable plants you can grow in your home. Good to remember especially for those that are die-hard Martha Stewart fans!

Amenities are a girl’s best friend – Admit it, having a home where every amenity is a stone’s throw away is a dream that keeps you awake. Take a good look at the
amenities that the property offers – a temperature-controlled pool, bowling alley, fine dining, beauty salon, doctor on call, convenience store, cafe lounge and 24/7 concierge services can make everyday living resort-like.

Reputation matters – Look up the builder on the Internet, talk to other customers and ask your trusted network for their opinion. Make the effort to visit the site regularly and stay updated on the developments. We work really hard for money and a decision like buying a home is one where our instincts, pragmatism and intellect have to work together.

Last but not the least, take a deep breath, smile a big smile and enjoy the fairytale of your own making.

(The author is business development director at The Phoenix Mills Ltd)