JOIN USAre you settling into a new city? Or, have you been forced to move within your city as the landlord had other plans? In most metropolitan cities these days, you can either opt for a ready-to-move-in apartment or a fully-furnished one. Of course, both have their merits and demerits. But ultimately, it all boils down to your requirement, budget and personal preferences.
When it’s all there...
For migrants who can afford to pay a slightly higher rent than average, a furnished apartment is a good choice. This is also the best bet for anyone moving into a place for a brief period, or for those who travel a lot for work. Furnished apartments have turned into a boon for those with less time on hand and no inclination to shop or decorate their homes. Above all, furnished apartments are ready to move in. Most of the times, they are handed over all spruced up, neat and tidy.
They are complete, with every aspect taken care of, and all you need to do is pay and move in. From curtains, foot rugs, sofa and television, to beds, bed covers, study table and the microwave oven, one cannot ask for more.
The only decision is to make your choice according to your requirements. If you plan on eating out more often, look for a place without an elaborate kitchen. If you plan on not socialising much, look towards minimum furniture. And if you are the partying kind, it is best to pick one with a refrigerator, oven, stove, cots and living room furniture.
Having said that, one must admit that it is not only the frequent traveller or student who benefits from furnished homes. If you are the kind who abhors shopping and making uncertain choices on furniture and the rest of the paraphernalia, furnished apartments are right up your alley. There are plenty of choices out there. You can go look at each of them or seek the advice of property management firms who can reduce the search time and save you the brokerage you shell out in the normal route.
Along with interior designers, these firms are increasingly stepping in to assist both residential owners and tenants in furnishing and managing homes. Aided by the information from rental firms, you can narrow down your choice from the visuals and then go pick your home.
For those individuals whose jobs require them to move, unseating the place of residence every three or five years, packing furniture and shipping it, tracking its progress, and then unpacking and rearranging them in the new environs can be a time-consuming and tiring process. Precious stuff that are prone to be broken in transit, heavy beds that need to be lugged up narrow stairs, the dust and grime to put up with, till one settles, can all be avoided by opting for a furnished house.
What you do with your furniture could pose a challenge. You can either sell them online or keep them stored safely in some place, or send them to your native residence. Some pieces you may want to carry along for nostalgic value. That is still fine with furnished apartments. You can play around by adding some pieces and rearrange the furniture to give it a new look. By opting for a furnished apartment, you are also making a green statement. The transport miles you save to move your stuff could add up to so many kilos of carbon not emitted.
If you’d like to start from scratch
Having said all that, there is no denying that unfurnished apartments are the best if you are choosy about your decor, or have stuff that you cannot sell or do not want to store someplace. It goes without saying that this is what best suits you if you cannot settle for hand-me-downs.
Also, the security deposit for furnished apartments could be higher, keeping in mind the money invested by the landlord in the furnishings. Having said that, rent is also a consideration. Furnished apartments are more expensive as the rent includes the comforts it brings. An unfurnished two-bedroom apartment in Electronics City may cost about Rs 22,000, while a furnished one might cost around Rs 28000.
To find the one that best suits your requirements and matches with your aesthetics, you may have to spend a day or two more looking at numerous apartments. Sometimes, you may have to compromise on some aspects. You also need to take that bit of extra care in a furnished apartment. Else, a chunk may be removed from your security to make good for the gash on the glass table, or a sound from the fridge. However, setting things right at home will be easier if you go through a property management company as they usually handle maintenance too.
(The author is CEO, Rentprop4u)