Choosing between an apartment vs independent house is a significant decision for homebuyers in Kerala, especially in rapidly developing urban centers like Kochi. While independent houses have traditionally been preferred for their privacy and space, apartments are increasingly emerging as the smarter choice. This shift is driven by several practical, financial, and lifestyle advantages that apartments offer, particularly those developed by reputed builders in Kerala such as Abad Builders.

Affordability and Cost Efficiency

One of the foremost reasons why apartments are a smarter choice is affordability. Apartments, including 2 BHK and 3 BHK flats in Kochi, generally come at a lower price point compared to independent houses in prime locations. The shared infrastructure and amenities reduce the overall cost burden on individual homeowners. Moreover, apartments often incur lower utility bills due to their compact size and efficient design. Maintenance costs, while present as monthly fees, are often less cumbersome than the ongoing upkeep required for independent houses, which include gardening, repairs, and security arrangements.

Modern Amenities and Convenience

Apartments developed by leading builders in Kerala, such as Abad Builders, offer modern lifestyle amenities that are difficult and expensive to replicate in independent houses. Projects in Kochi like Abad Woods Park and Abad Reflections provide residents access to gyms, swimming pools, landscaped gardens, children’s play areas, and 24/7 security. These facilities enhance the quality of life and provide convenience, promoting a community-centric living environment. Such amenities also contribute to better social interaction and a sense of belonging among residents, which is a valuable aspect in today’s fast-paced urban life.

Security and Safety

Security is a paramount concern for families, and apartments provide a safer environment through controlled access, CCTV surveillance, and professional security personnel. Independent houses, especially those located in less densely populated areas, may lack such comprehensive security measures. The collective security infrastructure in apartment complexes ensures peace of mind for residents, making apartments particularly attractive for families and working professionals.

Location and Accessibility

Apartments are often situated in well-connected urban localities, offering easy access to workplaces, schools, hospitals, shopping centers, and public transport. For instance, Abad Builders’ projects in Kochi are strategically located near key hubs like Vytilla and Kadavanthra, ensuring residents enjoy both convenience and connectivity. Independent houses, on the other hand, are frequently located in suburban or semi-rural areas, which might involve longer commutes and less access to urban facilities.

Sustainability and Future Investment

Modern apartments incorporate sustainable features such as rainwater harvesting and energy-efficient designs, reducing long-term utility costs. Additionally, with the rising demand for

apartments in Kerala’s urban centers, flats tend to have better resale value and rental income potential compared to independent houses. This makes apartments a sound investment choice for both end-users and investors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, apartments stand out as the smarter choice in Kerala’s evolving real estate landscape. They combine affordability, security, modern amenities, and strategic locations, offering a lifestyle that independent houses often cannot match. Builders in Kerala, particularly Abad Builders with their premium projects in Kochi, are setting new benchmarks by delivering 2 BHK flats in Kochi and 3 BHK flats in Kochi that cater to contemporary needs. For homebuyers seeking convenience, safety, and value, investing in an apartment is a decision that promises both comfort and long-term benefits.

There was a time when owning a home was not easy. The proverbial roof over the head was a state of mind given limited means of wealth creation. Today, with economic growth, people have more personal wealth. This wealth can be used to fulfill wishes and desires beyond the necessities. The rise in income allows people to reach out for a luxurious life at a pace like never before. Luxury apartments are not an indulgence limited to celebrities and industrialists only. They can be sought by anyone who desires it. Living in luxury apartments has its unique advantages.

Let us understand why one should upgrade to luxury apartments:

1. Architecture and Design

Luxury apartments in Ernakulam are designed to look grand and spacious. They have ample daylight inside the apartment with optimum ventilation so that the interiors are comfortable. The fixtures and appliances are of the best quality with good finishing that spells out elegance. The blend of aesthetics and functionality are perfect creating an ambience of luxury that is not found in budget apartments.

2. Prime Location and Convenience

Luxury apartments are always located in the prime locations of the city. They have access to the best social infrastructure and conveniences. The views from the apartments capture nature at its best offering a captivating experience. Living in the heart of the city or the best localities adds a sense of pride and allure to the residential experience.

3. Exceptional Amenities

Most residential projects offer basic amenities, however, luxury apartment amenities are exclusive and Uber. Some luxury apartments in Kochi have swimming pools of Olympic size or could be on the rooftops with mesmerizing views of the sky and the city. The fitness centres may have sophisticated equipment with provisions for all the types of exercises. Some of the amenities like rooftop gardens, concierge services and in-house gourmet cafes complete the experience of living the opulent lifestyle.

4. Enhanced Security and Privacy

Luxury flats in Ernakulam provide enhanced security and privacy with technologically advanced systems and dedicated staff. The residents can rest assured of their safety and peace of mind in their living environment fortified by gated entrances, security personnel, CCTV security system, and monitoring. Residents also enjoy the best of privacy with the apartment design cancelling out noise and keeping prying entities away.

5. Community Living

The lifestyle amenities in luxury apartments allow safe spaces for people to socialize and form communities. Events organized by the management of the complexes help people to form meaningful connections and create enriching social experiences. Festivals, Holidays, organized gatherings, and cultural activities help create communities and a feeling of belonging improving the life experience of the members living there.

Upgrading to a luxury apartment makes a difference in the overall experience of living in a residential complex. They offer both the physical and experiential advantages over living in budgeted residential projects.

In the young generation buying a home comes last on their priority list. They always like to enjoy their present life and live in the present moment. Living in the present moment is a good thing but sometimes you should think about the future also. Buying a home or apartment in Kochi is a wise decision if you are done at a young age. Most of the people are going to invest in homes only when they are in middle age. But buying flats in Ernakulam while you are young is the best option. Also, it is a valuable asset for them.

Here few benefits of buying homes at a young age:

Investing in your future:

Buying a home is a lifelong investment for your future. A house is one of the most important shelters for a human. Also, it is most valuable. Buying a home at your younger age is a good decision for you to invest in your future. Also, you can sell the property at any time.

Get loans easily:

We all need to calculate the funds and capital before any investment is done. So all of them apply for home loans. Because you are young, then you get sufficient time to pay the loan amount.

Get tax benefits:

One of the main benefits of buying a home with home loans can help you to be exempt from tax. Under 80C of the income tax act, homebuyers can get deductions up to 1.5 lakhs. If you are buying a home at a young age, then you can get a tax deduction at an early stage.

An additional source of income:

You rent out the new home for others and you have to reside in another place. Then you get additional income from the rent-out of a property. This is one of the good ideas for an additional source of income.

Retire early:

One of the main reasons for investment at an early age is the option to retire early and live a peaceful life. Investment in home property gives you a secondary income and also a passive income. Investment in the home will give an option to retire early. If you invest at the age of 50 then you have approx 10 years to achieve whatever you need.  But you invest at the age of 30 you can achieve up to the age of 45 to 50.

You get a high return on investment:

When you invest money in buying homes or property, you will get benefits tomorrow. Land prices are steadily increasing day by day. So you can sell the property at any time for profit. So real estate is a better investment than any other investment.

At the early stage of your life, you are your boss and your income is passive. But starting your career you have so many responsibilities like family, etc. So this kind of investment is a very good idea. Once you invest money in-home or buy any property. Then you will be responsible for handling money flow. So the rental income from the property is very beneficial to you.

Some tips to buy the home at a young age:

• Knowledge about your budget
• Research on your home or property
• Awareness about the home loan
• Compare home loans
• Improve your credit scores.
• Latest real estate demand

Homeownership is a better way to invest in your future. When you give rental income to someone, there is no profit or benefit. But when you buy a home, the value of the home will increase day by day. So buying a home or flats for sale in Ernakulam is a better option to earn more in the future.

The experiences and learnings of the last two years during the pandemic have reinforced the idea that apart from health, a safe and convenient home is the single most important and valuable place every one would like to be when the chips are down. Kerala is unique and always different to the rest of India in so many ways as has been proven even during this pandemic. Even as kerala remains a great tourist destination with outstanding natural beauty and great facilities, the very high percentage of keralites residing outside the State for better livelihood opportunities goes to prove the paradox that kerala still remains one of the most difficult states in India in the Ease Of Doing Business for entrepreneurs especially in the infrastructure sector.

Inspite of that fact, the development of numerous best in class housing projects across the State over the years to cater to specific needs of different segments of society augers well and is a key attraction to any Keralite to prefer to own an address which they can safely come home to. A comparison of housing stock of developments in kerala market and outside has many stark differences. For one, the limited availability and high value of developable land in kerala cities restricts the volume of such developments. Even as there is very little urban rural divide across cities and towns in terms of infrastructure, the social facilities provided both by private and govt initiatives in kerala cities go a long way to make city living easier and wholesome, thereby improving its attractiveness.

Being a state where the majority of the raw materials for development comes from across the country and carrying the tag of providing the highest labour wages in India (nearly twice more than the next highest State) thereby attracting significant migrant labourers, the value of creating any real estate asset in kerala has always been much more than other tier 2 or 3 cities outside kerala. With emphasis of most residential developments being more on quality than on quantity, it augers well for the future of the discerning home buyer. A lot more time and effort towards design, products offering and services are provided by reputed developers in the creation of such sustainable edifices.

It is indeed remarkable that during the numerous natural calamities which unfortunately kerala had to bear the brunt off over the last four years, the residential and commercial developments of the credible and organised developers stood out as pockets of excellence and safe investment haven. This goes to show that any judgment to acquire property should be made based on full understanding of the product and the overall big picture. Nevertheless kerala society as a whole including NRKs has had to face numerous challenges during the last decade one after another, and its stoic resilience in the face of adversity and hardship is indeed remarkable.

As for kerala real estate, a new dawn beckons in the horizon for the home choices available, the attractiveness of low home loan finances (lowest ever in banking history) , the reduction of risk of delivery and the certainty of quality it promises (with RERA in place) . This new phase is undoubtedly going to transform housing with the variety it provides, the inclusion of asset management services for better and longer quality of the property, and the transformation of interior spaces with the largest collection of furnishing solutions available.

It is always good to remember that the future replacement cost of a good quality real estate asset is much more than when it was initially created. With inflation playing a factor and market appreciation of the product being another, the intrinsic value of homes have only seen a steady increase. Once the national model rental act becomes applicable the certainty of improved rental incomes will accelerate the attractiveness of housing as an asset class. Though there is a timeframe and documentation process to transact this asset class, the compliances for such matters in kerala are far improved and much better compared to the neighbouring States.

CREDAI kerala has been continually working pro actively over the last 15 years with the local and state government to ensure the uncertainties and challenges of real estate developments are minimised. Most of the statutory bodies like KWA, Kseb, PCB, LSGD, Revenue, etc still follow complicated and time consuming procedures and its functionings are still far from satisfactory needing many interventions from time to time to rectify and streamline it . But for credai kerala providing relevant inputs and highlighting to the government such problem areas, the scenario would not have been manageable. Though the Right to Services Act is in place, the effectiveness of these govt departments in quickly responding to provide the basic necessities leaves much to be desired. Both the home owners and the developers will be much relieved once the vexed issue of inordinate delays in service connections are sorted out once and for all!

Unfortunately, as entry barriers to housing development were few in India , we also saw poorly planned and risky projects in kerala failing which gave a bad name occasionally for the industry of organized housing. Obviously failed or stalled projects attract significant negative attention with investors and buyers funds stuck for long periods of time. And it isn’t easy to complete such projects due to multiplicity of issues involved. Of course, with more awareness now, the buyers are able to now better judge and decide their preferred property from among the viable options available.

It goes without saying that community living is the future for housing as it brings forth a lot of advantages together and instills a sense of belonging among the residents. Apart from making economic sense, it is better towards environmental issues and more sustainable in the longer run. There are hundreds of wonderful projects established over the years in our cities by seasoned developers which are shining examples of great development. Aided by a responsible residents association willing to manage the community affairs subsequently, the transition and support to maintaining the residential asset to its desired standards can be easily ensured. In larger developments , professional property management agencies are engaged to provide the highest standards of continuing care for a wide range of services which gives complete comfort and peace of mind to all the residents and owners.

Overall, with the sharp increase in all raw materials prices over the last one year across India, the cost of real estate development has shot up drastically. In keeping with the demand, this has resulted in quicker sales of ready to occupy stock, leading to many projects being launched in the last one year. And with the safety net of RERA available, customers can be more relaxed on product delivery timelines. Specific requirements of new age customers and improved amenities are also being offered keeping in view the changes happening in the work place, travel and communication platforms.

So the next few years looks promising for the organised real estate market as even well settled Keralites from across India make a renewed comeback to the State preferring the wholesome lifestyle kerala cities offers its citizens. That is a testimony to the high standards maintained and unique value offered by Kerala developers in their projects.

Dr. Najeeb Zackeria

Managing director

Abad builders private limited