Archives: September 30, 2013

ApnaComplex
September 30, 2013

What You Should Know About Choosing An Interior Designer

An interior designer works closely with you on the project and sees to it that your vision is given shape in the most effective way. Choosing an interior designer is highly subjective as the project involves personal taste and preferences. Here are a few things to consider before you select the right candidate for the job.

6 Guidelines For Choosing An Interior Designer

Be Clear About What You Want

You need to be sure about what you want before you can start calling prospects. Assess the level of your involvement in the creative process and the amount of guidance you need. Know whether you are open to suggestions from the designer, or if you are firm about what you have come up with. Having a clear picture about your needs will ensure that you hire the right person.

Verify Their Credentials

Before you hire an interior designer, verify his or her credentials. Check if they the prerequisite license to work as an interior designer. Ask about the designer’s education, training, work experience and other credentials. A good interior designer will have had a comprehensive training that includes flame-spread ratings, space planning, AutoCAD, 3-D modeling, and lighting.

Scrutinize Their Portfolio

Studying a designer’s portfolio will give you an idea about his or her style and working methods in similar projects.  If you can arrange for a visit to one of the designer’s completed works, you can get an up-close and personal taste of their finished project.

Ask Your Friends For References

One of the easiest ways to find a reliable and proven interior designer with good work habits is to ask your friends and relatives if they know any designer they have successfully worked with. This way you can not only be sure about the reference, but also have easy access to the designer’s work.

Choose A Designer With Transparent Billing Methods

Understand the fee structure of your prospects in order to know if their billing methods are transparent. Find out if the designer is going to charge you a flat fee or by the hour.  Make sure you let your prospective designer know about your predetermined budget. Having a clear understanding of what you are paying for will ensure that the work is not compromised by any financial disagreement that may come up later.

Choose A Designer You Are Comfortable With

You will be working together with your designer for the entire duration of the project. Choosing an interior designer with whom you are comfortable will ensure that the room ends up the way you envisioned it. You want a designer with whom you feel free to ask questions and make suggestions.

Interviewing and choosing an interior designer for your project can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to months. Do not hurry, as picking the right designer is critical to the long-term success of your project. Selecting the wrong designer, no matter how experienced or qualified he or she may be, can lead to a décor disaster.

Get your Society on ApnaComplex – Today!
ApnaComplex is India’s most comprehensive web based housing society accounting, management and communication software. It is designed to make the life of residents and owners a lot better by bringing in more transparency and accountability in managing a housing society. Check out the features of ApnaComplex and sign up your society today to get the benefits! We offer a free 30-day trial as well so that you can try before you buy!

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ApnaComplex
September 30, 2013

Home Renovation Tips To Avoid Common Blunders

Renovating a house can be quite demanding in terms of money, time, and effort. Here are a few common mistakes that most renovators make, that can prove very costly at the end of the day.

Here Are A Few Basic Home Renovation Tips

Going For Cheaper Materials

Although it might be very tempting, cutting corners to save money may put your home and yourself at serious risk. Prices vary on materials for a reason. High quality materials are more durable, and hence more expensive. Save yourself the trouble and future expense of frequent repairs by going for good quality products.  The same applies for the labor, interior designer, or engineer you’ll be hiring. It does not always pay to go for the lowest bidder. Go for the best that you can afford at the moment. If not, wait till you have enough funds.

Taking Inaccurate Measurements

One of the most basic home renovation tips is to make sure that you take accurate measurements. You spend a lot of money, time, and effort on a home renovation project, and you don’t want your halls to turn out too narrow, or the door frames to be crooked. Invest in quality measuring tools in order to avoid mistakes that will make you hate your renovated house. Also, be serious about taking accurate measurements, as even small discrepancies can result in drastic changes in the final outcome.

Failing To Prepare Well

Plan well before you begin the project. Do not start off and expect to tweet your plans as the work progresses. It never works. Do a lot of research, read plenty of books, and talk to people who have already renovated their houses. You might end up spending hours chalking out the last detail of the plan before you ever pick up a tool, but it’ll be worth the time and effort. If you do not have the time or interest to get things done yourself, hiring a professional would be a smart choice.

Biting More Than You Can Chew

A common mistake that most renovators make is to plan big and go over the top in their home renovation efforts. Make sure you know what you are getting into. Be realistic and factor in your finances, abilities, and resources before you begin tearing your house apart. It might be a better idea to work on smaller sections than to renovate the entire house at once. Running out of cash, time or interest midway, will only leave you with a poorly renovated house.

Failing To Obtain Prerequisite Permissions

While this is very obvious, some homeowners fail to secure the required work permit before starting a home renovation. Be on the safe side and avoid unnecessary fines and legal fees by getting all necessary permissions for the renovation plan. Do keep in mind that your house insurance will not cover damages or injury if you go ahead without required permissions.

Make sure you follow these basic home renovation tips to avoid costly mistakes. The golden rule is to plan well, and know what you are getting into, beforeyou pick up that hammer or paint brush.

Have more tips to share with us? Let us know in the comments below!

Get your Society on ApnaComplex – Today!
ApnaComplex is India’s most comprehensive web based housing society accounting, management and communication software. It is designed to make the life of residents and owners a lot better by bringing in more transparency and accountability in managing a housing society. Check out the features of ApnaComplex and sign up your society today to get the benefits! We offer a free 30-day trial as well so that you can try before you buy!

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ApnaComplex
September 29, 2013

The Three Best Flooring Options For Your Apartment

Choosing the best floor for your apartment can be a tough decision. Should you stress on looks, durability, or high-quality? The answer lies in finding the right balance depending on your needs, finances, location of apartment, and whether you intend to stay there or rent it out. Here are the three best flooring options you might want to take a look at.

Marble Flooring Options

Marble flooring is the most popular type of flooring in Indian households. It is also the most expensive type of flooring. Marble is available is a range of three shades- white, black, and green. The pieces normally come in the form of slabs, blocks and tiles. The cost of marble flooring depends on the colour and design pattern. Marble floors are highly durable, and can last for years.

On the downside, one has to be careful with spillage, as marble can get permanently stained with certain chemicals or foods. Marble floors also develop cracks easily, and require regular polishing. If you wish to go with marble, you can choose from among Indian, Greek, Italian, or Spanish varieties.

Tile Flooring Options

Tiles have replaced cemented or stone flooring in most Indian homes. Versatile, durable and affordable, tiles come in a wide range of designs and patterns. Tiles are moisture resistant, and easy to clean. Pet lovers might want to reconsider, as tiles easily crack under stress and rough use. Replacing broken or cracked tiles is however easy, you just need to replace the damaged tile instead of replacing the entire flooring.

Tiles come in a variety of materials such as ceramic, stone, metal, vinyl, porcelain, and even glass. Ceramic and vitrified tiles are the most popular variety as they are easy to maintain, and comparatively less prone to scratches. Tiles are however very slipper. Choose tiles that offer more traction, and opt for anti-skid tiles for bathrooms.  Prices for tiles vary, depending on the material, quality and designs.

Hardwood Flooring Options

Hardwood floors are an excellent choice for a warm feel around the house. These floors are expensive and can cost you most than marble if you go for high quality oak or teak flooring. Hardwood floors are durable, but are not recommended for pet owners, or for people who like to move their furniture around a lot. They are prone to scratches, and may require regular polishing. These floors also have an affinity for moisture, and attract termites if not well maintained.

Hardwood floors come in two types. Solid hardwood floors consist of planks sawn from a single piece of timber. They have a thicker wear surface, and can be sanded and polished more number of times. Engineered wood flooring, on the other hand, is made up of two or more layers of wood that form a plank. These floors are more stable and are the most common type of hardwood floors.

Choosing a floor requires factoring in a lot of variables like cost, durability, personal preferences, and not to mention comfort. Research more about the flooring options you are considering, and go for the floor that is most likely to make your house your dream home.

Get your Society on ApnaComplex – Today!
ApnaComplex is India’s most comprehensive web based housing society accounting, management and communication software. It is designed to make the life of residents and owners a lot better by bringing in more transparency and accountability in managing a housing society. Check out the features of ApnaComplex and sign up your society today to get the benefits! We offer a free 30-day trial as well so that you can try before you buy!

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ApnaComplex
September 28, 2013

All You Need To Know About How To Soundproof An Apartment

Living in an apartment can be fun, with plenty of interesting neighbors. On the downside, sharing common walls means you can hear every move your neighbor makes as clearly as they can hear yours. Music and heavy bass often pumps through these common walls late into the night. You can even hear your neighbor’s footsteps overhead, often flat-out stomping.

Learn How To Soundproof An Apartment

Learning how to soundproof an apartment can help preserve your privacy and at the same time stop you from involuntarily being privy to your neighbor’s personal life. Here a few inexpensive ways to soundproof an apartment that will muffle, if not entirely eliminate sounds from entering or leaving your rooms. Most of these tips do not require any major changes to your room’s interior.

  • Add weather stripping to the sides of the door and window frames to prevent gaps around the frame.
  • Put up decorative foam sheets or patterns on the walls as foam is quite absorbing.
  • Use thick sound reduction curtains and draperies on your windows and doors to dampen any sound waves that might ordinarily pass through.
  • An easy and inexpensive way to soundproof you walls is to line noisy walls with bookshelves full of books.
  • Make sure your rooms are not sparsely filled as sound travels well in empty spaces.
  • Use a vinyl barrier on the walls to improve soundproofing.
  • You can create a drop or false ceiling to reduce sound from going or coming from upstairs. The dead air space between the false ceiling and the real one creates a sound-trapping chamber.
  • Use thick carpeting on floors to minimize sound from bouncing off the floors or transmitting into the rooms below.
  • You can further increase the density of the carpets by adding some high-density, mass-loaded vinyl.
  • Replace hollow doors with heavy solid ones to reduced sound transmission through doors.
  • Install automatic door bases that drop retractable neoprene sound seals to the floors whenever you close the door.
  • Fill in any cracks or gaps in walls, around faceplates of electrical outlets and switches and recessed light fixtures with non-hardening flexible caulk.
  • Mount speakers, washing machines, televisions, refrigerators, and other instruments that shake on neoprene vibration isolation pads to stop sound from flowing into your floor.
  • Put up some high-density fiberglass baffles on your ceiling and walls.
  • Put potted plants with broad-leaves in your balcony or indoors wherever possible as they are very effective noise blockers.

Follow these simple tips on how to soundproof an apartment in order to make your home a more personal and sound-free space. In most cases, you could dramatically change the acoustics of a room by simply rearranging the furniture. However, if you need to record audio in your apartment, you might want to consider hiring a professional to completely cut out noise and reduce echoes.

Get your Society on ApnaComplex – Today!
ApnaComplex is India’s most comprehensive web based housing society accounting, management and communication software. It is designed to make the life of residents and owners a lot better by bringing in more transparency and accountability in managing a housing society. Check out the features of ApnaComplex and sign up your society today to get the benefits! We offer a free 30-day trial as well so that you can try before you buy!

Leave a comment InApartment Management Home Decor
ApnaComplex
September 24, 2013

Housing Society Knowhow – Why Green Buildings Have Higher Resale Value

Higher Resale Value
In India, the concept of Green Homes is not new anymore and neither is the idea of buying a real estate property. A green home means an apartment where the builder incorporates all the green principles such as effective waste management, rainwater harvesting, water efficiency or focusing on energy conservation.

This increases a level of eco-consciousness in people, and hence, such houses have been in great demand in the recent times. This unique combination of high-end technology and green principles has provided a huge boost to the real estate sector and has taken this to an altogether new level. Green technology also eliminates the wastage of building material, water and energy.

The Rules of Buying a Green House that will Have a High Resale Value

You should not necessarily spend a lot to make your neighbourhood and home clean and green. Now developers and builder bring innovative techniques to transform their project into a green home that is affordable. However, if you already have built a home few years back, it would not be advisable to spend a lot of money in making it green.

Easy and simple ways to conserve the environment and at the same time to transform your existing apartments into green ones is to replace your home appliances that consume a lot of electricity or the fittings or taps which have water seepages. You can insulate your homes with lightings and natural ventilation and also replace them with energy star appliances and other water saving features.

You can also convert your apartment into a green one by hanging container gardens and balcony gardening. Using single coloured flower sticks or a bunch of flowers in your bedroom could ensure some extra oxygen to these plants.

What to Look for While Buying a Green Home

  • Make sure that the property has proper energy saving and water-saving devices.
  • Choose marbles as the flooring option as they are eco-friendly.
  • Granite has an added advantage of absorbing heat and hence, is recommended as cooking slabs.
  • The location of your property should be closer to office, school and entertainment centres.
  • If the distance or location between office and home is very easy to commute on a bicycle; use the option at least twice a week.
  • Allow natural sunlight to come into your house, as it prevents the growth of mites and bed bugs.
  • Promote composting in the area you leave and avoid your usage of plastics.
  • Go for a low-VOC paint while painting your place.

All these tips can help you figure out the right eco-friendly apartment for you and lead a green life. This in turn gives you a healthy lifestyle and also helps conserve the environment. As these homes are in a great demand now, it comes with a huge resale value. This trend will continue even after a few years from now when you might look forward to buy a new apartment. Hence, make a wise purchase while buying a home as it can be helpful years down the line.

Get your Society on ApnaComplex – Today!
ApnaComplex is India’s most comprehensive web based housing society accounting, management and communication software. It is designed to make the life of residents and owners a lot better by bringing in more transparency and accountability in managing a housing society. Check out the features of ApnaComplex and sign up your society today to get the benefits! We offer a free 30-day trail as well so that you can try before you buy!

Leave a comment InEco Living Smart Living Tips
ApnaComplex
September 23, 2013

Property Value Estimate: How To Crunch The Numbers

When you decide to put your property up for sale, the first thing you need to do is get a property value estimate done. To calculate the value of a property, you need to consider a number of factors, which may be direct or indirect in nature. While direct factors include location and square footage, indirect factors may include real estate climate market and demographic changes.

Commonly Used Method For Property Value Estimate

The most accurate and commonly used method for property value estimate is the Comparable Sales or Market Comparison method. In this method, the sales of similar houses in the neighborhood over the last six months is identified and recorded, and the value of your property is suitably assigned. For instance, if properties similar to yours have been sold in the neighborhood in a range varying from Rs. X to Rs. Y, then the value of your property will also take the range from Rs. X through Rs. Y.

Factors That Matter

Start By Finding The Rates In The Neighborhood

You can either run an online search or directly visit the website of your local government or municipality to determine rates of neighborhood properties similar to yours. It’s likely that the rates are determined by numerous agencies, both government and non-government. You need to record those rates, which often take into account factors such as square footage and the number of facilities.

The Physical Dimensions Of Your Property

  • Square Footage: To apply the rates/sq. foot in your neighborhood to your own property, you must first be aware of the square footage of your property. Be sure to have it measured.
  • Location: It’s one of the most important factors. Typically, over a kilometer radius around your property is in consideration. The presence of facilities such as parks, schools, and bus stops add to the value of your property.
  • Bedroom-Hall-Kitchen (BHK): In addition to square footage, the BHK of a house is very important. It’s used like a unit. In common parlance, properties are identified as “2BHK” or “3BHK,” meaning that there are 2 bedrooms, a hall, and kitchen, or 3 bedrooms, a hall, and kitchen.

The Economic And Real Estate Climate

This is an indirect factor, as it doesn’t influence the value of your property directly. When the economy is looking up, there is an increased flow of money, resulting in increased purchases of property. Similarly, in times of economic gloom, the property purchases reduce. In either situation, the market value is influenced. The price of properties increases when the number of homes available for sale does not meet the demand. On the other hand, the price decreases when there are more sellers than buyers.

Since getting a property value estimate done is essential for a smooth sale, you should not ignore these crucial factors. Take them into consideration, arrive at a value, and you’re ready to make that sale!

Get your Society on ApnaComplex – Today!
ApnaComplex is India’s most comprehensive web based housing society accounting, management and communication software. It is designed to make the life of residents and owners a lot better by bringing in more transparency and accountability in managing a housing society. Check out the features of ApnaComplex and sign up your society today to get the benefits! We offer a free 30-day trial as well so that you can try before you buy!

Leave a comment InReal Estate Selling Property
ApnaComplex
September 21, 2013

All You Need To Know About NRI Property Investment In India

The Indian government, through a general permission issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), allows a non-resident Indian (NRI), and a person of Indian origin (PIO) to acquire immovable property in India. However, there are certain restrictions on NRI property investment in India that every NRI and PIO ought to know before deciding to invest their hard earned money back home.

Guidelines For NRI Property Investment In India

If you fall under the above two categories please read the following points to know all about NRI property investment in India.

  • The general permission issued by RBI covers only the purchase of commercial and residential property.
  • NRIs and PIOs cannot purchase agricultural land, farmhouses or plantation property in India without specific permission from RBI.
  • An NRI or a PIO can purchase any number of residential or commercial properties.
  • For a general purchase, an NRI is not required to file any documentation or report with the RBI.
  • An NRI or a PIO is at liberty to lease out an immovable property in India without specific permission from the RBI, provided that the lease period is not more than five years.
  • A foreign citizen of non-Indian origin, who is residing outside India, cannot purchase any immovable property in India. However, he or she is permitted to inherit property from a person who was a resident in India.
  • An NRI or A PIO is permitted to acquire immovable property in India by way of gift either from an Indian resident or another NRI, provided that the property is residential or commercial in nature.
  • NRIs and PIOs cannot possess agricultural land, plantation property, and farmhouses in India by way of gift.
  • Foreign companies can purchase immovable commercial property in India for the purpose of setting up branch offices.
  • NRIs who have acquired property in India are permitted to rent it out without any specific permission from the RBI. The earnings in the form of rent can be remitted to their NRO or NRE accounts or credited abroad.

In case of converted property, you need to make sure that the conversion took place more than five years. The person converting an agricultural land is required to use it for a minimum period of five years for the purpose of conversion, failing which the conversion would be automatically cancelled.

Now that you know all about NRI property investment in India, make sure you verify all the documentation before you close the deal. Keep in mind that as an NRI or a PIO you are eligible to only purchase residential or commercial property.

Get your Society on ApnaComplex – Today!
ApnaComplex is India’s most comprehensive web based housing society accounting, management and communication software. It is designed to make the life of residents and owners a lot better by bringing in more transparency and accountability in managing a housing society. Check out the features of ApnaComplex and sign up your society today to get the benefits! We offer a free 30-day trial as well so that you can try before you buy!

Leave a comment InNRI Property Investment Real Estate
ApnaComplex
September 21, 2013

Land Patta And Its Importance As A Legal Document

Land patta is a legal document that states that the person in whose name it is registered is the owner of the land. The revenue record is maintained at the office of the concerned Tahsildar, and is issued by the Registrar of land holdings. A patta signifies the lawful possession of the land, and is therefore an essential document required property transactions.

How To Obtain A Land Patta?

Application in the form of a simple requisition to issue the patta has to be made to the concerned Tahsildar, along with necessary documents and relevant details. If the officer concerned feels that additional details are required, he or she may ask the applicant to provide those details in a particular format. Additionally, an enquiry or survey may be conducted before granting the patta.

Why Is It Necessary?

Patta establishes the lawful ownership and possession of a property. In case of disputes between the government and a land holder, or a third party and a land holder, the patta acts as a safeguard for the interests of the legal owners in whose name it is issued.

Further, in case the government acquires the land, the patta holder receive a compensation as he or she holds the first right over that property.

Patta also bears important details regarding the extent of the property and its measurements.

Should My Property Have A Patta?

Properties with buildings or structures clearly demonstrate their physical occupation and possession. In case of empty plots or vacant lands, a patta is the main document that establishes legal ownership and possession. In either case, an owner of a landed property must ensure that he or she possesses the required patta for the land.

Should My Apartment Have A Patta?

Patta is a legal document pertaining to land and not buildings, though it may include details about buildings on the land. In case of apartments, the land is generally registered in the names of co-owners who own the land as undivided shares. Patta is not issued for undivided shares of land. It is however possible to get the patta in the names of the co-owners jointly, but the patta will not specify the shares of the individual owners.

When Can A Patta Be Transferred?

Pattas are normally transferred in instances of sale of property, gift, or death of the patta holder(s).

In the case of death of the owner, the legal heirs of the deceased person are entitled to transfer the land patta in their names. If the deceased has left a will, the patta can be transferred to the beneficiary, provided that the immediate heirs of the deceased person do not object.

A patta is one of the most important legal documents pertaining to land. Make sure that your patta papers are in order to ensure that you don’t face any hassles or complications when conducting any land related transactions.

Get your Society on ApnaComplex – Today!
ApnaComplex is India’s most comprehensive web based housing society accounting, management and communication software. It is designed to make the life of residents and owners a lot better by bringing in more transparency and accountability in managing a housing society. Check out the features of ApnaComplex and sign up your society today to get the benefits! We offer a free 30-day trial as well so that you can try before you buy!

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ApnaComplex
September 20, 2013

Helpful Guidelines For NRI Property Investment

The depreciation of the Indian rupee against the US dollar, simplification of the procedure for NRIs to acquire immovable property in India, and the special tax benefits are some of the reasons why investing in Indian real estate is a lucrative venture for NRIs in the current global economic scenario. Here a few important things you should know about NRI property investment in India.

NRI Property Investment Options

According to RBI and FEMA regulations an NRI is eligible to acquire or carry out the following types of real estate transactions in India.

  • Purchase any immovable property except agricultural land. This means NRIs can only buy commercial or residential property.
  • Acquire any commercial or residential property in India by virtue of a gift from an Indian resident, person of Indian origin, or an Indian citizen residing outside India.
  • Inherit any property including agricultural land from an Indian resident, person of Indian origin, or non-resident Indian, provided he does not sell the agricultural land.
  • Transfer his or her immovable nonagricultural property to any resident of India by sale.
  • Gift or bequeath any agricultural or plantation land, or farm house to any resident of India.
  • Gift or bequeath any residential or commercial property to any person either residing in India or abroad, or to any person of Indian origin.

Financing Options For NRIs

Financial institutions readily provide home loans to NRIs as they are more likely to make prompt repayments. According to RBI guidelines, an NRI can avail the following benefits for NRI property investment in India.

  • An NRI is eligible to a home loan of up to 80 % of the cost.
  • An NRI can remit the down payment directly from the country of current residence through NRO/NRE accounts in India.
  • The payment of the principal and the interest amount to the financial agency can also be done through similar channels.

Taxation Policies

An NRI will have to pay for stamp duty as well as registration fee at the time of purchase. NRIs are eligible to the benefits on the interest paid for home loan at par with Indian residents. In case the property is leased out, the NRI will have to pay the applicable tax if he or she is residing in a country where worldwide income is taxable and which has not signed a Double Tax Avoidance Agreement with India.

In case an NRI sells his or her property then he or she has to pay the capital gains tax as applicable under the Income Tax Act. A special benefit for NRIs is that the amount payable as interest of home loan is deductible from their taxable income without upper limit.

Now that you have the basics of NRI property investment covered, all you need to do now before you acquire a new property is to verify the details of the property such as the property title, no due certificate, relevant civic authority construction approvals, and bank release letter if applicable.

Get your Society on ApnaComplex – Today!
ApnaComplex is India’s most comprehensive web based housing society accounting, management and communication software. It is designed to make the life of residents and owners a lot better by bringing in more transparency and accountability in managing a housing society. Check out the features of ApnaComplex and sign up your society today to get the benefits! We offer a free 30-day trial as well so that you can try before you buy!

Leave a comment InNRI Property Investment Real Estate
ApnaComplex
September 20, 2013

How To Choose A Real Estate Agent: A Guide For The Clueless

Hiring a good real estate agent is the first and foremost step in the process of making a successful and hassle free property transaction, but when it comes to buying property, though, most people discover a little too late that they’re clueless on how to choose a real estate agent.

How do you know if the agent you are looking at is the right agent for you? Here are a few tips to help you pick the best of the lot.

Some Tips On How To Choose A Real Estate Agent

Go For Experience

Find out how many transactions the agent has carried out in the last few years. If your agent has closed more than two property deals a year, it means he or she has more experience to bring on board. Choose experienced agents as they should be able to fluidly guide you through the entire transaction including the loan process.

Make Use Of Referrals

It is always a good idea to shortlist agents with whom a friend or relative has worked before. If your friend was happy with the agent’s work, chances are you’ll also get the same positive results. Ask other agents you interview if they know the other agent, and if they would recommend him or her. Also, don’t forget to check the references that an agent is expected to provide you.

Opt For Local Agents

Ask your agent where he or she lives. A local agent will have a better feel of the market, and will be able to give you relevant information about the community. A good agent should have a fair idea about the neighborhood schools, hospitals, shopping complexes, and other amenities.

Choose Full-Time Real Estate Agents

Most part time agents aren’t likely to give you their best, as their energy and time is divided. It is always a safer bet to go with a full-time agent.

Web Savvy Agents

Choose a real estate agent who is online, as over 85 % of real estate listings are made online. Your agent should be web savvy and must email, text, and be connected on the move. Check if an agent’s multiple listing services (MLS) come up in searches, and if they have professional photos. If not, move on to another agent.

Keep Several Options Handy

Interview several agents before you select the right one. Agents will often tell you whatever you want to hear. Make sure you hire a realistic real estate agent.

Stay Away From Busy Bees

Watch out for signs that the agent is very busy. A hard-working, successful agent is good. Be careful if they are too busy, as they will not be able to give you enough time. If they pass you on to their assistant, move on to another agent.

Test Their Knowledge

Research about the local real estate market, and prepare a list of questions that you expect your agent to know the answers to. If your agent doesn’t know more than you, he or she isn’t knowledgeable enough.

Buyer’s Agent Or Seller’s Agent

If you are in the market to buy a house, choose a dedicated buyer’s agent. If you want to sell a house, choose a dedicated seller’s agent. A dedicated agent will work towards protecting your interests in the transaction, unlike a dual agent, who is set to gain from both the buyer and seller.

These tips should help you understand how to choose a real estate agent – one who can help you find your dream home.

Have more tips to share with us? Let us know in the comments below!

Get your Society on ApnaComplex – Today!
ApnaComplex is India’s most comprehensive web based housing society accounting, management and communication software. It is designed to make the life of residents and owners a lot better by bringing in more transparency and accountability in managing a housing society. Check out the features of ApnaComplex and sign up your society today to get the benefits! We offer a free 30-day trial as well so that you can try before you buy!

Leave a comment InBuying Property Real Estate