Your house is one of your biggest assets and it is prudent to insure your house and its contents.

WHAT IS HOME INSURANCE?

Home Insurance can be of two types:

• Basic Fire Insurance Policy.
• Comprehensive policy or the Householder’s Package Policy (HPP).

Fire insurance policy covers your house against:

Fire and other allied perils including lightening, storm, flood and riot.

Some insurers may ask you to pay an extra premium in order to cover disasters such as earthquake and landslides. You can also insure your house and contents against terrorism by buying an add-on cover.

HPP on the other hand provides a little more:

A Basic Cover –  insures the structure of the building against fire and other allied perils.

A second Cover – insures  the contents of the house.

For example – your Tenant can opt for cover for just the contents.

A HPP also offers optional covers that insure contents of your house against burglary, damage, mechanical or electrical breakdown.

HOW IS THE SUM INSURED CALCULATED?

The value of your house has three components: land, building and locality costs. Insurance will cover only the building cost. For example, if the market value of your house is Rs.1crore, of which the building cost is Rs 30 lakhs, your policy will insure only Rs 30 lakhs.

But, what happens when the entire house is brought down? (Think Chennai floods or the Uttarakhand disaster where rows of houses got flushed away).

Here, if the land is yours, you will be able to rebuild the house.

But if you have an apartment, you alone can’t reinstate the house. It is hence wise to buy insurance for entire premises if you are a part of a  housing society or association.

TWO WAYS TO INSURE YOUR HOUSE

• On the market value basis or depreciated cost basis.
• On reinstatement basis.

Market value vs Resale value

In insurance, market value is akin to the value of your house after factoring in depreciation. The Insurer will depreciate the market value by 2% per annum going up to 100% in 50 years.

Reinstatement on the other hand is the value of reconstructing the house. The insurer in this case will not deduct depreciation.

Advice- Go for reinstatement cover even in case of the contents of the house. But keep in mind that the insurer will settle the claim only after the house is reconstructed. Some insurers may make partial payments to help you reconstruct the house.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU ARE UNDER-INSURED?

Insurance claim in this case will reduce proportionately. Let’s say, you buy a building cover for Rs.5 lakhs. After five years, your insurer assesses its cost of construction to be Rs 7.5 lakh. In this case you have paid for only two-thirds of the risk and therefore you will be paid only two-thirds of the claim.

WHAT’S THE COST OF  A HOME INSURANCE ?

Insuring the house and its contents is not very expensive.

For instance, for a sum insured of Rs.30 lakhs for the building and Rs.5 lakh for the contents a pure fire insurance cover that covers against fire and other allied perils along with a terrorism cover would come to about Rs.2,000 for a year. Pack in burglary and theft cover for a sum insured of Rs 5 lakh and the premium will be Rs 3,155. Add additional cover for breakdown domestic appliances for a sum insured of Rs 4 lakh, the policy will come for about Rs 5,600 for a year.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CLAIM ARISES?

It’s important to cover your house, but do not ignore the claims process. At the time of a claim the insurer will have the damaged goods inspected thoroughly. Therefore you will need to ensure that you have made the right declaration and you have sufficient proof.

The Insurer can refuse claim in case of subsidence building or poorly maintained building or unauthorized construction.

To know more about this policy click here –  https://www.bankbazaar.com/insurance/home-insurance.html

With Valentine’s Day round the corner, here’s a guide to plants that add some romance to your home and garden.

The Heartleaf philodendron – needs very little light and water but throbs around you with heart shaped leaves.

Love-in-a-puff or the Balloon Vine ( Cardiospermum halicacabum) – gets its name  from the heart shaped imprint on the seeds and is one of Kerala’s top ten sacred flowers with medicinal properties.

Gerber Daisy

Red like roses they are happy flowers that spell instant warmth and affection and spread cheer in your green green garden.

Do you have any plants to share? Do share it here with pictures.

Embrace the happy hue this year. 2017 is all about knowing the colors that will define your home and sheen. Transform your home with pastels and seasonal accents. Or, like the décor experts say, 2017 is all about drawing inspiration from your personality.

 THE CONFIDENT HUE

Dusky blues and Lime greens are topping the favourites list.

THE COMPOSED HUE

Earthy greens it will be – a front-runner, from plants in the living room and balcony to walls in the living room.

COMFORTABLE HUE

You are instantly at ease with light pinks, powdery blues, and candy yellows. Many homeowners though are opting for the mushroom shade which may probably end up as the color for 2017.

Need some help imagining how they might play out in your own space? Just look right below. And share your choice with us.

HOME TRENDS IN 2017

What’s fashionable today becomes a reality tomorrow.

We take a look at some real estate trends that will soon become a way of life in the coming years.

SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES

Sreerosh Harmony – Muzhappilangad, Kannur. More details »

The self-sufficient residential community that has it all- schools, colleges and workplaces a ride, drive or just a walk away to restaurants, parks, theaters and malls converged conveniently around is fast becoming the new way to live.

TECH-SAVVY HOMES

Technology is fast becoming the important element in a full and convenient life. Home buyers are already waking up to solar panels and USB hubs. With automated home functions slowly finding its way to the doorstep, smart homes will soon define lifestyles even as they spell comfort and independence to the residents- especially the retirees and millennials.

MIXED COMMUNITIES

Sreerosh Anthea – Nolambur, Mogappair West, Chennai. More details »

Redevelopment of urban areas by making them mimic the suburban lifestyle is also gaining popularity. So you have mixed residential spaces which include commercial and residential zones and in some cases, apartments revisited with modern amenities.

Accommodating facilities and amenities in living spaces are fast becoming the new mantra of modern day living. What do you have to say about this?

Leave your comment.

The suburbs are cool. Though the preference for living in the city remains unchanged, home buyers are now moving to the suburbs where an urban layout and lifestyle are now available at affordable prices.

Suburbs are no longer seen as being too far from the city and are actually considered as a retreat and a true home that compensates for the daily grind.

Sreerosh Athena – Nolambur, Mogappair West, Chennai. More details »

Today, the apartment and villa homes in the suburbs combine the best of childhood experiences with urban perks and all things vital to cleverly redefine living spaces. Affordability and accessibility apart, they provide a sense of community, an authentic lifestyle and a vibrancy that people of all ages can embrace.

Sreerosh Anthea – Nolambur, Mogappair West, Chennai. More details »

Shifting to the suburbs is not a bad idea at all and you get to choose from clever mixed use spaces that are inclusive and comfortably far from the hustle and bustle.

We are a country where the senior citizens are treated with utmost respect.

Our families usually have several generations living together in one house.

But times are changing.

Work related reasons are forcing us to move out to other cities or abroad and our aging parents are often left alone to fend for themselves. If you are one among those buying a home for your parents to stay, you are left with worries about their safety and comfort.

Keeping these issues in mind, The National Policy of Older Persons declared by the Government of India in 1999 made provisions to ensure that housing facilities comply with certain senior citizen-friendly norms like:

Layouts that can be embraced by the elderly; physical barriers free mobility areas and easy access to areas outside the apartment/house, to mention a few.

“Layouts of housing colonies will have to respond to the lifestyles of the elderly. It will have to be ensured that there are no physical barriers to mobility, and accessibility to shopping complexes, community centers, parks and other services is safe and easy… A multi­purpose centre for older persons is a necessity for social interaction and to meet other needs. It will, therefore, be necessary to earmark sites for such centers in all housing colonies…Three or four- storied houses without lifts are unfriendly to older persons, tend to isolate them, restraints their movement outside the home, and are a serious barrier to access to services… Norms will be laid down and strictly enforced.”

(http://socialjustice.nic.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/National%20Policy%20for%20Older%20Persons
%20Year%201999.pdf)

If you are looking at an apartment for your parents, here are some tips to make your apartment home elder-friendly.

 

24×7 power backed escalators

A well-maintained escalator that’s fully operational is a blessing for the elderly with knee problems and arthritic pain.

“An escalator that can accommodate a wheelchair and is fully-operational makes the apartment secure for the elderly.“

 

 

Safe Washrooms

Bathrooms are potential areas for accidents. Thoughtful features like a rod for support, non-slip floor tiles and door locks that can be unlocked from both sides helps.

“An easy to open and close ventilator in the bathroom makes it easy to help the elderly especially when they get locked up in the bathroom, or in times of an unexpected emergency.”

 

Elder-friendly features

Switches right next to the bed, provision for night lights and large windows to watch the world go by help the elderly feel at home.

“A large window that opens to the road and the garden outside is supremely relaxing.”

 

 

Easy to manage kitchens

The elderly always like to be useful.  Lowering the height of countertops a little or even providing sinks with knee clearance helps.

“If the cooking surface is low, the elderly can conveniently make a cup of tea when nobody is around to help.”

Add to this a security feature like a screening device at the entrance that helps them stay safe and you can be sure that they are happy and comfortable.

 

Anything you can add to this list to make their life easier? Go ahead! Leave your suggestions.

If you think weekends are for cleaning, you are probably not alone.

Often, we go through the week trying to balance workload with  family time  and end up postponing the all important chore to the weekends.

Come Saturday, and there’s a lot to do- the fans need a wipe, the bookshelves need to be dusted and so it goes on and on. Here’s a quick checklist that will help you organize the cleaning, and when followed diligently can help you keep a squeaky clean house effortlessly.

Surface Cleaning every day

• Living Room/Kitchen – Clear the stray items, dusting and sweeping.
• Bedroom – Dusting and putting away toys and clothes. (Don’t forget to check under the bed).
• Bathrooms – A quick clean every day with sanitizers will keep the germs at bay.
• Extra Rooms – the basement or the playroom-put everything in order.

Deep Cleaning – Once a week – half an hour with some help!

• Glass windows – White vinegar and newspapers do a great job and really inexpensive. Enroll the kids to help you, when possible.
• Switches – Use a cotton swab/ ear bud dipped in nail polish remover.
• Windows and grills – dusting once in two days.
• Bathrooms – Showers/walls with a  strong cleaning detergent.

Intense Cleaning – Once in 10 days

• Closets – Hang and stack after dusting and airing the shelves. Some neem leaves  will keep the pests at bay. Watch out for white ants.
• Clean linen closet, straighten towels, sheets.
• Vacuum all floors and the staircase in the house.
• Get the beds out in the sun and vacuum them. Organize drawers.
• Wipe the electrical fixtures like lights and fans clean.
• Deep clean bathrooms (clean inside drawers, inside of trash cans, tops of mirrors and tiles.)
• Clean all door knobs, phones, entertainment equipment (remote controls), switch plates, banisters and other things that are repeatedly touched.
• Clean out the refrigerator, take stock of food.
• Clean your car. (They’re often our home away from home).
• Clean your stove.
• A pest control spray and naphthalene balls will be handy. Use them for the nooks and crannies and in the cupboard, edges to keep the peskies at bay.

And here’s what you do while you clean.

Cleaning is boring. Make it easy and enjoyable with some  singing, humming, whistling or turning up the stereo. They will keep the beat in your feet and add some fun in an otherwise mundane chore.

Have an idea? Share it with us. Leave a comment to let us know which one worked for you.

We do a lot of things together as a family. Saturday grocery shopping, eating ice-cream at the beach, sailing paper boats in puddles, decorating the house with lamps and bursting crackers with cousins on Diwali to putting up a Christmas tree. Over a period of time, they become happy traditions and we eagerly wait for them to happen.

Traditions strengthen family bonds, contribute to your well being, create lasting memories and enrich the life you share together. And in the course of time becomes an interesting story by itself.

Every family has a story. We are sure, you have one too. In this article we put together some family traditions that have become a ritual.

 

Family Meals Together

The positive influence of sharing a meal together as a family on children is proven. Especially the ones that don’t feature the ubiquitous television and mobile phones. Everyone taking turns sharing something that happened to them, stories to be shared…a family dinner is a great way to connect and bring joy to the table.

 

Bedtime Stories

Children who have parents that read to them regularly do well in school and have larger vocabularies than children who don’t. Reading is a great way to bond. It’s like a lullaby and is actually comforting for a child who hears the comforting voice of a parent. And here’s something to inspire- a dad and daughter read together every night for 3,128 days straight until the daughter was in college!

 

 

Evening Walks

Walking strengthens families. Literally. It is a great time to talk about problems, chat, connect and interact in a busy life. Take a walk with your spouse, sibling, parent or child and get some fresh air and digest the day’s events along with your dinner!

 

 

Special Sunday Morning Breakfasts

It could be a breakfast out at a restaurant or by the beach.

A drive to some place or a signature Sunday dish cooked by dad or children. It could be the husband cooking a family breakfast or taking out the grandparents or spouse for some breakfast, or, just you stepping out alone for some ‘me’ time.

 

 

Friday Movie Night

The family gets together to watch old classics at home on the DVD or steps out to catch a movie together. Special pop corn and some snacks make it more enjoyable.

 

 

 

Festival Times

Setting up a tree or celebrating Ramzan and Diwali as a family is a timeless memory. New clothes, food and happiness all around-can you beat that feeling? I know a family that gets together on Diwali night to burst crackers and it’s great to watch everyone young and old enjoying the moment, hoping it lasts forever.

 

And we could go on and on. We often catch a family dining out and taking selfies these days. And there’s something nostalgic and beautiful about it that we want to make them our own. Family Traditions that help you bond are limited only by your creativity. Go ahead! Get home and start one.

Please share your family’s traditions in the comments.

More and more people are getting back to the old-times multi-generational homes.

So, if your family is one of them, you have obviously created spaces to make every generation feel at home. In some houses, parents and kids share a bedroom to accommodate the grandparents in another room. Or, there are two floors to accommodate different generations.

Some homes have a common dining area to connect and bond.

Here’s an interesting video, we thought you would like on this topic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-gXTl4oIrg

If your family is one of them, with private retreat zones for both the generations, do share your tips on happy, healthy ways to share space even as you ensure peace and privacy. Thanks.

Send us your suggestions with a photo and the best ones will be featured on this page.

Attached to the real world and living in the virtual world, the tech savvy generation is all about making the right moves. And if you are one of them who wants just a little more, a real estate investment is just what you need for a secure future.

WHERE DO YOU START?
Optimum use of technology is what you need. The internet is an ocean of information. You just need to extract the procedures and techniques from it. Look up various articles, forums, portals and more to get a realistic update  about the happenings in the real estate business.

INVEST WITH A VISION
Your current investment can become your lifelong investment. So invest wisely. Keep in mind that situations are never static. An investment in a 1BHK Apartment today might seem reasonable but insufficient five years later.

Assess your investment capacity. Base your decision on an exhaustive range of possibilities – what you require, what you can afford and the provisions you need to make for improvement along the years.

INVEST FOR INCOME
Rent is an additional income. If you are young and unmarried, you can buy and rent your apartment. It can help you take care of your EMIs. You can also make it an extra source of income.

The hands–on training as a landlord is one big bonus!

Investing in an apartment gives you all the advantages of a secured lifestyle and a sense of relief as you move up in life without financial woes. So, what are you waiting for? Your time starts now.