by Murtaza Abbas

Created on: August 30, 2011   Last Updated: August 31, 2011

It is no hidden fact that people feel most secure and happy in their homes. A house is like a fortress wherein everyone feels like the “king”. It is not surprising to find that most people think of their homes as just another family member. The need of housing has been felt right from the Stone Age since man started to build shelters. For modern day people, building a new home is a mega project. Here are some of the things to keep in mind before venturing out for this crusade.

Do your homework

War without planning and building without research are both bound to fail. First of all you need to get the facts straight. How much money do you have and are willing to spend? It is also equally important to talk openly with all the stakeholders (i.e. family etc). What could be their requirements? This will give you a clear idea of “the castles in air” that you are going to build. This would include the size of home, the number of rooms, aesthetic requirements etc.  If you are thinking about possible commercial use (e.g. renting a portion) adequate provision must be given in design.

Conduct a survey

You must know the areas in which you might want to settle in. You should be well aware of the civic amenities they offer which appeal to you the most. A very important factor would be the distance from place you need to go frequently (office, school, relatives & shopping venues etc). The price of land varies considerably from area to area & even within the same neighborhood. Of course there are added benefits of higher market price but the benefit of it must be justifiable.

Choosing the “one”

Once the locality has been selected, it should be visited frequently and you should try to gather as much information as you can. This can involve talking to general residents, shopkeepers or even property dealers. Having friends/relatives in the area can prove very handy as well. Doing so, you would be very clear on the market prices and (if there are) some issues in the places. Based on all the knowledge, you can make a very well informed decision on the plot you are going to buy. Before buying the very plot you have short-listed, be sure to talk to all the neighbors first, they might tell you “new” things you over looked.

Going to the “doc”

Now that you own a piece of land, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to consult a civil engineer/architect (unless you are one yourself). It’s their bread and butter but

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>