Wednesday 27 May 2015

How To Save Tax When Buying Or Selling A Home

Regardless of the class or income that one belongs to, the Indian investment approach often focuses in buying real estate and gold. While purchasing and selling commodities like gold is a rather simple affair, the ball game is completely different when one starts to think about buying property. Buying, owning and eventually selling a home can be a daunting process and needs to be approached intelligently to make sure that you minimize your tax outgoings as much as possible.

·         Minimizing Tax while Buying a Home

Even if you have closed on what you feel is the most affordable property in Lucknow, your home is without doubt the biggest purchase you will make in your life. The government recognizes this and hence allows IT deductions in case you are buying your home on a loan. Borrowers are allowed to claim a tax deduction under Section 80C for an amount up to INR 1.5 lakhs. In addition to this, note that if the property is self-occupied, you will be able to take benefit of Section 249 (b) for an amount of INR 2 Lakh for interest on the home loan. If the property is not self-occupied, you can get the entire interest you pay to the lender deducted from your income.

To be able to truly benefit from these laws, it is recommended that a married couple take a joint loan that is divided into equal proportions. This allows each spouse to claim complete tax deductions for the interest and the principle. This holds true even for a parent and a child choosing to purchase a property together.

·         Minimizing Tax when Selling a Home

When you sell a property, you will be expected to pay tax on the profits you make. Furthermore, if the property has been sold within three years of its acquisition, you will need to also pay what is known as the Short Term Capital Gains Tax (STCG). In such a sitation, the profits are added to the income and then you are taxed based on the IT slab that you fall into.

If your property is held for over three years, you will be expected to pay a Long Term Capital Gains Tax (LTCG) which is 20% tax + surcharge and cess after adjusting all the gains due to inflation. This is calculated with the help of the inflation index which is issued by the government.

If you want to save the entire amount of tax due, the easiest route to take is to use the proceeds that equal the long term gains to purchase a new affordable property in Lucknow. This purchase should be made within one year before the sale date or two years after the sale date. Furthermore, you are given a leeway of three years in case the property is still under construction.
 
Remember that while calculating the short term or long term capital gain tax on the sale of the property, you have the right to deduct any amount spent on the improvement of the property and the cost of acquiring the asset. This includes costs such as legal fees, brokerage and stamp duty.

Friday 8 May 2015

Things To Lookout For Before You Take Possession Of Your New Home




You have invested significant time in looking for the right house, negotiation with the Builders in Lucknow and finally closing in on a deal for your dream home. However, have you taken out the time to look into all the elements that help define the right property for you? Here are a few things you want to look out for before you take possession of your latest purchase –
·      
      The Legal Documents
A sale is not considered to be a complete one if all the legal documents are not in place. Make sure that all the documents in question are signed and in place. Some of these include;
  •   The sale deed
  •   The share certificate
  •   Society documents
  •   Encumbrance certificate
  •   Sanction plans
Also make it a point to get the property registered in your name with the relevant local authorities. The seller will need to attest that the ownership of the property in question is now being transferred to you. 

·     Assess the Walls
Walls are without doubt the most important architectural feature in any property. Before you move into your new home or take possession of the property, make sure you look out for any damp patches, peeling paint, cracks, leakages, chipper walls or other forms of damages. If you are buying a new home, the Builders in Lucknow make sure your home does not have any such damages at the time of ownership transfer. 

·     Take a Look at the Fittings, Fixtures and Flooring
Make sure you also survey all the taps, bathroom fittings and faucets around the property before you take possession. Make sure that they work fine and meet all the specifications that you were promised. Also look out for any possible leakages in the bathroom as well as the kitchen area. You can test your granite platforms by pouring a bucket of water and looking for any leakages under it. Look at the flooring for any holes, cracks or damage. 

·     Assess the Electrical Points
Make sure that the wiring of your new home is without any faults. Make sure that all the plugs and sockets are connected to the main supply and that they are in working condition. Also, test whether the supply automatically moves to the inverter as soon as the main switch is turned off.
 
In addition to this, you also want to make sure the doors and windows work well, the piped gas connection is secure, and all the other amenities promised to you are as expected.

Tuesday 14 April 2015

Busting Common Real Estate Myths




If you have expressed your desire to purchase residential apartment houses in Lucknow or even just browse through a list, you will be questioned and interrogated on this decision by a number of people who may not even always be family. You will at this point also hear a number of statements and comments that aren’t entirely true. Here are some common real estate myths that should not be given any heed to-

·         Real Estate Investments can be made only by the Rich
Just as a childhood tale, this statement was born due to sheer misconceptions. People often compare the prices of only big cities and urban plots. As a developing country, India offers a number of investment opportunities that are economical and smart. If you do the right research, anyone can find the perfect investment opportunities.

·         A High Level of Risk is Involved in Real Estate Investments
Real estate is plagued by an equal amount of calculated risks as any other form of investment. There is a flip side to every transaction and at some point you will be forced to gamble. However, if you play your odds right you can ensure a better rate of success. The only reason people fear this type of investment is because it requires a larger sum of money than the rest. Considering how a number of people have become millionaires due to such investments and India being a lucrative real estate investment pool, you can make this one of the best investments ever made.

·         The property Next to Business and Trade Centers are the Only Lucrative Ones
Development in India is at its fastest ever. With government support and funding, the market seems to developing in full scale. However, a number of people avoid paying attention to the potential of an area or property and instead go on the face value. Although properties next to areas of interest are popular, they are also expensive. As an investment you will need to keep an eye out for the future potential of the investment as much as its viability today.

·         A Property is best purchased in the Locality itself
This age old belief is today an outdated thought to live by. With the ease and connection provided to us by ways of technological advancements, checking up on the property is not as tough as before. There is no need to physically inspect the property all the time.

·         Real Estate Investors are only Landlords with Generations of Experience
You need not have years of experience before making such an investment. As long as you have the right professional help, you can invest in a property yourself as well. If you manage it right, this investment can be the one that turns tables for you.  

Today purchasing residential apartment houses in Lucknow as a form of investment is no longer a farfetched thought. A number of people are even managing such investments internationally. The changing dynamics of the market and economic landscape has allowed for a change in the fundamental ideology as well.

Monday 9 March 2015

Essential Do’s and Don’ts of Buying Property in India


Putting your hard earned money into real estate can be tricky as well as extremely rewarding. However, it is often seen that people investing in property tend to not only put in all their savings but also choose to take loans for the purchase. Extreme caution when finalizing a property deal is thus highly recommended. 

·         Budgeting your Purchase 

Make sure that you have all your finances in order before you take the plunge. Even if you are dealing with one of the top real estate builders in India don’t get tempted to stray away from the budget you set for this endeavor. Make sure that the EMI you spend on the purchase doesn’t exceed 40% of your monthly income.

·         Conducting Research 

The next step is to do your homework. After understanding your requirements, work on properties that suit your needs. Take into account factors such as-
-         Locale
-         Accessibility and connectivity
-         Proposed and existing infrastructure development
-         Social infrastructure
-         Safety
It is ideal to avoid areas that are out of the way and lack basic infrastructure such as water supply, drainage systems and roads. Make sure you engage only with the top real estate builders in India and do not get swayed by promises made by developers that are in reality relying on your money. Since infrastructural projects can take eons to actually kick off, it is best not to pin your hopes on a possibility that is will never happen. 

·         Credentials of the Builder 

The Indian real estate market is littered with developers that are not necessarily reliable. If you come across an offer that is too good to be true from a builder that isn’t really well known in the market, avoid funneling your hard earned money for this project. Check the credibility of the developers and go take a look at some of their older projects. This will give you a better idea on how reliable they are.

·         Sorting out the Legal Documents 

The title deed is critical to any successful property transaction. If the seller isn’t able to provide a clear title deed, avoid investing in that property. Note that the absence of a clear title deed can result in legal problems in the future. Make sure you insist on one and have it verified by a lawyer before you confirm the purchase. Also make sure that all clearances related to the property are in place before you purchase the property and if it is still under construction, make sure the developer is able to provide you an allotment letter along with a development agreement. The allotment letter highlights the price of the property, the date of delivery, the floor plan and the details of the liability the builder holds in case of any delays. In the development agreement you will be able to confirm the terms under which the landowner has permitted to use the land.

Finally, make sure that all the taxes associated with the property you intend to purchase are duly cleared. If you have any kind of doubt, it is best to get an expert involved for assistance.

Monday 23 February 2015

Get Your Dream Home within Your Budget Which is Near to All the Urban Facilities




                   Prospective home buyers are habitually faced with the age-old dilemma of choosing between the peaceful suburbs or the bustling city-centre when they plan to relocate. As they say – to each his own. But do we know for sure what we want? And even if we do, is it necessarily practical? Moving and investing a lot of money in the house is a herculean task and if one is later dissatisfied by it, there’s no point in the process. Hence, it is necessary to act after proper deliberation. 

The following four points should be intricately considered prior to choosing the city or suburbs to dwell in –
1.      Convenient Location – A convenient location is paramount. Usually the heart of the city offers everything from local baniyas to malls, schools, hospitals, gyms, clubs and much more within a short walking distance. However, it is impractical to live in the city if your workplace is four hours away and transit is either troublesome or long. Nowadays even the sprawling suburbs have many amenities that match and sometimes surpass the posher segment of town. Flats in Gomti Nagar Extension Luknow are a perfect example of convenient and posh living, not only are they proximate to basic amenities, most developers offer world-class features and a combination of city and suburban living.

2.      Space Needs – It is important to take a pick depending upon the number of family members and the space required by them. Usually, more room can be found in the suburbs with bigger houses and greener surrounds than in the city where the sky-high prices lead to smaller apartments and clustered living.

3.      Recreational Facilities – Check the proximity to recreational facilities like cinema halls, gardens, amusement parks, bowling alleys and other entertainment outlets. Whether you choose the glamorous city or the quieter suburbs, being close to leisure activities that you enjoy is a boon.

4.      Cost – Buy an apartment that falls within your budget. Apart from the cost of the house, many supplementary charges to make it habitable or refurbishing it and paying government dues can burn a hole in your pocket. Along with that it is important to consider the maintenance and additional fees to be paid while living there. Generally, if you want to save some money, suburban flats are cheaper than city spaces.

                                        If you are confused even after carefully analysing the pros and cons of each locality – urban and suburban your solution lies in planned developments that offer the perfect blend of both. LDA flats in Gomti Nagar extension, Lucknow provides the best of both worlds.