New year, new home, new beginnings this Gudi Padwa

There is a general belief that younger home buyers are less sentimental about home buying but we found that sentiment is still king for Indian home buyers. We spoke to 3 young buyers, who planned everything in a way that they would get their dream homes, during the auspicious Gudi Padwa

Gudi Padwa, a festival that ushers in the new year, is considered as an auspicious day for anything new – business, home, jewellery, etc. Property, in particular, involves a huge investment. Besides affordability and market conditions, sentiments play a significant role in buying one’s home. Consequently, many people, including young home buyers opt to buy close their property transactions during auspicious days, such as Gudi Padwa. We trace the story of three home buyers from Mumbai, who chose this day for their new home.

“Everything we have is God’s gift. So, we made a new beginning on Gudi Padwa”

– Shravan Singh, Kharghar

gudipadwa Shravan Singh Screenshot_20160404-203402

It is believed that Lord Brahma created the universe on Gudi Padwa. “My house is also my universe. So, I couldn’t have found a better day,” beams Singh, who zeroed-in on the house about three weeks before Gudi Padwa last year, but paid the token only on the auspicious day.

Singh and his wife Vijayalaxmi, started searching for a house well in advance, so that they could conclude their search before the festive season. He listed the locations that he could afford, the amenities that the family required and reputed developers providing them in his desired locations. The 35-year-old finally chose Kharghar, as it is an education hub with good connectivity. An added attraction for the location, was the golf course and central park.

All the planning was made in a way that their home purchase coincided with Gudi Padwa or the auspicious days that followed, including Akshay Tritiya or Ganesh Chaturthi. “Home buying is a big decision and I wanted it to be on a special day of the Hindu calendar,” he shares.

Singh has a word of caution for other home buyers: “It is important to stick to what you really want and need. In the long term, discounts, offers and attractive deals, will only make sense if it is attached to a home that you intend to live in.”

“It felt like everyone was celebrating my new home on Gudi Padwa”

– Mughda Waingankar, Virar

gudipadwa Mughda Screenshot_20160405-201914~2

Waingankar had been saving money for over a decade, to buy a house. “I have been working since the age of 18,” beams the 32-year-old IT professional, who paid token money for her home in Virar, on Gudi Padwa day, last year. Till date, the house is reserved for “Celebrating special achievements of the family, birthdays and the week that passed by on weekends,” she adds.

Mughda wanted to buy a home in the suburbs of Mumbai, so that it would be affordable and could also double-up as her weekend home. Although she considered areas like Dombivli and Panvel as well, she felt that houses in the western suburbs had better potential for appreciation. Hence, she bought a home in Virar.

Another important consideration for Mughda was documentation. “Most of the under-construction properties that I visited in Virar, did not have an occupancy certificate. So, I approached a broker, who helped me find a resale property that had all the documents in place. As it belonged to an investor who never occupied the flat, the house was almost new,” she elaborates.

Mughda’s decision to give the token money on Gudi Padwa, was largely influenced by her mother. “Wealth multiplies when you buy a home on the new year. It’s a gift of abundance. There is so much joy and fervour across India, with Vishu, Puthandu and Ugadi in the south and Baisakhi in the north around the same time. Large investment decisions require that festive boost,” she maintains, recalling the festive celebrations in her neighbourhood during the time she paid the token. “It felt like everyone was celebrating my new home,” she smiles.

“I am delighted to get possession of our home around Gudi Padwa”

– Vaishali Nalawade, Mulund

gudipadwa Vaishali Photo 2

Vaishali Nalawade and her husband Rohan, will be moving into their new flat in Mulund, on Gudi Padwa day, this year. The couple had been looking for a new home in Mulund and Bhandup, for over a year. “We wanted to ensure that our home was in the right location, with adequate amenities and from a reliable developer,” she says.

Nalawade chose Mulund due to its connectivity to all parts of the city. “Mulund has some of the largest developments, with a lot of open green spaces, which is rare in Mumbai these days. We chose our particular home, in Runwal Greens, as it has a sports ground, swimming pool, large clubhouse and many other features. Moreover, as the project is by a reputed developer, we felt confident about good quality and a legally clear home,” Nalawade explains.

Gudi Padwa is a special festival for her family, she adds. “This is a much-awaited festival, which brings a lot of happiness to my family. We offer prayer on this day, for the well-being of our loved ones. It is also an auspicious occasion, to acquire an asset or mark a new beginning. I am delighted to get possession of our home around Gudi Padwa. This is the perfect time, for stepping into a new home,” Nalawade concludes.

If you like this article, you can also read: Gudi Padwa 2016: Developers to attract buyers with compact homes
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