Thursday, November 22, 2007

Everybody on the waiting list of Paranjape Schemes' Blue Ridge township at Hinjewadi in Pune, can get a flat immediately!

The urban development ministry of the Central Government of India has asked state governments to permit a higher population density for housing projects. The move is aimed at bringing down property prices by allowing the creation of more housing units on every acre of land.

In toady's Economic Times, Rajat Guha & Mayur Shekhar report that this is part of a series of initiatives that the urban development ministry has taken up for addressing the issue of affordable urban housing. For instance, the ministry has also asked state governments to allow more floor area ratio(FAR)) to the developers and relax height restrictions.

If you remember, in Paranjape Schemes' advertorial, published on the day of launch (October 27, '07), Shrikant Paranjpe had talked about FSI. He has said the government allows point 5 FSI for on agricultural zone land and 1 FSI on residential lands.

True, Shrikant Paranjape hasn't said whether Blue Ridge is in the residential or agriculture zone. But whatever it is, if the state government permits higher population density, allows more FSI and relax height restrictions, for sure, Blue Ridge can have more floors means more flats. Add 8 more floors and make it 33 stories. There are 4 flats per floor (two flats of 3 and 2 bhk each in tower 2), so you get 32 more flats in one tower. There are 12 towers in the phase one. It means, roughly, everybody who is on the waiting list can get his flat immediately!

Of course, i know that the proposal is in a very preliminary stage and it will take ages to finalize but i can not stop dreaming! Particularly, when on the other side of the road at Balewadi, in a project of only 3 nine story buildings 'Kool Homes', salesman says booking rate is 3,700 Rs. per sq. ft.!


View Larger Map

Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 08:31 2 comments
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Saturday, November 3, 2007

Please, share your experience of online property listing service like indiaproperties.com

Finding any property for rent or worse sale, is a virtual time-consuming and risky nightmare for any one. A fairly recent, fast and reliable alternative is going through a credible online property listing service like Indiaproperties.com, finds out Shonali Misra.

Shonali has written an article "Clicking on the perfect property" on Deccan Herald.

Recently, Anupam Mittal's 'People Group' has launched real estate portal 'Makaan.com'. Which is getting close to 3 lac unique property seekers per month. But nearly 46 percent of registered users are real estate agents!


sold-sign-739635, originally uploaded by jogludee.


Of course, real estate agents or brokers and real estate developers or builders can't afford to ignore any online property listing service. Obviously, they are going to be there in big numbers.

I am interesting in knowing your experience of using these services. For example, i am very much curious to know how do you find virtual tours on my old friend's website SurajPropfair! Please, share your experience in the comments. Your views, reviews and tips will be useful to all. And more people can take the advantage of these excellent on line services.

Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 20:22 4 comments
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Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Waiting list of Paranjape Schemes' Blue Ridge Township at Hinjewadi, Pune closed after 400 bookings


, originally uploaded by karolina j'.


Somebody told me about it, so i called and confirmed at Paranjape Schemes' office. He said yes, in a day and half around 400 people put their names on the waiting list so now we have stopped taking anymore names. Obviously, my next question was 'when will 2nd phase open?'. No, i did not ask this question because from the day first phase is launched, i have heard people asking this question and the standard answer is 'after 6/8 months.'

What i admire about Paranjape Schemes' is their staff. Every body is well informed and open. So, you always feel free to call and ask.

One more thing, complete website of Blue Ridge is now indexed so you can search and log on anytime. It's good website. I liked it. On my "real estate marketing blog" i am going to blog it.

Share Your Views and Opinion:

On my "Pune Real Estate Market News" blog i have shared the general reaction of Pune to the grand response you all gave to 'Paranjape Schemes' Blue Ridge.'

But i am very curious to know your views about the projects in our part of the city: Aundh annex, Baner, Balewadi and Pashan. Somehow, i feel, bookings at the Blue Ridge reflects the negative opinion about these projects. Like they say in the Elections, negative vote against the ruling party!

Please, share your views and opinion in the comments.

Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 10:03 4 comments
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Monday, October 29, 2007

Are you on the Paranjape Schemes' Blue Ridge waiting list?

1) Section 8 waiting list

2) Liver transplant waiting list

3) Organ transplant waiting list

4) Direct TV HD DVR waiting list

5) Organ donation waiting list

6) Heart transplant waiting list

7) Giants season ticket waiting list

are the most important waiting lists in the world. Now, there is a new addition to this: Paranjape Schemes' Blue Ridge Waiting List.

How to get on the Paranjape Schemes' Blue Ridge waiting list?

It's simple. If you happened to visit Flagship Infrastructure (P) Ltd's Hinjewadi site in the lunch break and you are told that all flats are booked, please, do not get upset. Site down. Have a glass of cold water. Do not gulp down. Take slow sips. Wipe your face. Clean your glasses. You can use your friend's handkerchief. Take out your pen. Write a cheque of one lakh rupees. Hurray! you are going to get your 2 bhk flat when Paranjape Schemes' will launch a second phase of the Blue Ridge!

It works!

I told this to one of my client on Monday afternoon. It worked for him. I am sure, it will work for you too.

If you want to know what happened on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, please, click on the particular day and read!

Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 23:01 1 comments
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Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Buying a house? Beware of builders' tricks

What are the most common games that developers play? Here are eight common tricks and ways in which you can guard against them: I. When do I get my house? II. Where are my papers? III. What's the guarantee of quality? IV. What is the price really? V. What else do i pay for? VI. How big is house? VII. What's the carpet area? VIII. Will I get a well-managed property?

read more | digg story
Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 11:44 2 comments

Monday, October 22, 2007

HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh says prices in some parts of Pune have softened, many builders are giving freebies, offering to pay EMIs of up to 6 months


Freebie-FengShui, originally uploaded by openmls.

Yes, prices have come down in some pockets, but you can’t say that prices have come down across the nation. It’s best to say that sales have slowed down across the nation. Markets have softened. This is the prelude to prices coming down. The question is: who will blink first - — buyers or builders?

In an exclusive interview with DNA’s Salil Deshpande, HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh says it’s now a waiting game as builders try to hold on to prices despite a slowdown in sales.

If you know or want to know specific details about who is offering to pay EMIs of up to six months, furnish the house and other sops in Pune Real Estate Market, please, let me know in the comments and i will post about it.

Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 07:55 1 comments
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Friday, October 19, 2007

Satyagriha Project plans 1BHK (504 sq ft), 2BHK (900 sq ft) and 3BHK (1,206 sq ft) homes in the price bracket of Rs 7.75 lakh to Rs 23 lakh

Conceptualised along the Japanese idea of ‘space saving':

Bangalore-based Asipac, a provider of concepts, planning and marketing solutions to the real estate market, along with over 20 builders (domestic and international) are planning India's biggest private sector housing venture—the Rs 62,000-crore Satyagriha Project, which proposes to build 342,000 homes in the next six years across India.

Technology to save electricity and water:

The houses are fitted with sensors to conserve electricity and water. Bathrooms have shower cubicles split into a wet and dry area. These have weight sensors—when a person steps into the wet area the water starts, and turns off the moment he steps into the dry area. The toilet bowls are fitted with bum-washers, which too conserves water.

The Satyagriha consortium plans to customise these technologies to Indian requirements



DSC02065, originally uploaded by owba99.




The best toilet ever... heated seat and
a built in bum washer!, originally uploaded by Sasha D.


Dear Amit, (Amit Bagaria is the chairman of Asipac) simple or hi-tech, no bum-washer for me. I simple Indian toilet. It saves space and costs less. To save the water, i will stop enjoying washing my bum. Self-control! I am also follower of Mahatmaji! For my foreign friends i will put this board:



how to use indian toilet, originally uploaded by bindifry.


What about you? Do you prefer (hi-tech or simple) western toilet or Indian toilet? Please, let me know in the comments.

Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 08:49 1 comments
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Thursday, October 18, 2007

Pune Municipal Corporation launches a drive against vehicles parked in no-parking zones


No parking sign, originally uploaded by niallkennedy.

The nuisance detection squad and traffic wardens will take action against such vehicles by fixing jammers to immobilize them. The vehicle will be shifted to a nearby ward office if the owner fails to reach the spot within 2 hours.

1. Owners who leave their cars in no-parking zones with the driver seated in the vehicles will not be spared.

2. The fines: Two-wheelers: Rs 100
Four-wheelers (cars and jeeps), rickshaws, small tempos: Rs 500
Big tempos, trucks and tourist vehicles (heavy vehicles): Rs 2,000

3. No Parking: All vehicles parked in any chowk of the main city roads and within 15 metres from the chowk will be penalised.

4. No Parking: Vehicles parked in no-parking areas in front of commercial complexes and near bus stops.

5. No Parking: Vehicles parked within 200 metres of state transport bus stands and Pune railway station.

Happy Diwali!
(I am not wishing you.)

Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 11:07 2 comments

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Will better City-Village Links make affordable Housing available?

Pune’s guardian minister Ajit Pawar :
What an idea sir-ji!


Strengthening the road and rail network between the fringe areas and Pune city is one of the best ways to make affordable housing available to the lower and middle income groups, Pune’s guardian minister Ajit Pawar has said.

If the travel time between fringe villages like Urali Kanchan and Velhe to the city was reduced to less than 30 minutes, citizens would prefer to purchase affordable properties in these villages, he added.

Resident Editor, The Times of India, Pune
wants to know your views ! :

You can click on the link and post your comments or:
You may also SMS or e-mail your views. Mail at mytimesmyvoice@timesgroup.com with `Road Network' mentioned in the subject line. To SMS, type MTMV, leave a space, type ROADS, leave a space, Y or N, type your comments and your name and SMS to 58888

Honorable Guardian Minister-ji of Old Pune :

1. Budget: Thanks! It is very kind of you. But sir, first, please, define exactly what do you mean by "Lower and Middle Income Group"! I have heard, in Delhi the flats in the budget range of 30 to 40 lakhs are considers as low income group accommodation. In Pune situation is not much different. Budget of 2 bhk flat is around 30 lakhs! So, please, tell me what kind of budget you have in mind when you say housing for low and middle income group.

2. Rate : Sir, please, let me know if there is any pre-launching special offer!

Please, get out of Pune


Ideas Journal, originally uploaded by renmeleon.


I admire Mr. Ajit Pawar for his "original" ideas. For example, "New Pune"! What an idea Sir-ji!

Somebody told me, not only real estate but mobile service providers also takes his advice. Yes, Reliance, Adity Birla Group, everybody. You must have seen Idea cellulars' new TV commercial, "nobody will be known by his (cast)name". Who's idea is it? What an idea sir-ji!

But, sir-ji, this is not your "original" idea. Chief Minister of Maharashtra... (better i write the name of the CM, who knows whether he will be there till i push and publish this blog!).... Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, has already told us "get out" when he declared his scheme to let the builder buy and own hundreds of acres of agriculture land near city. But now a days, all of us pay attention only to his son, Riteish Deshmukh! So we failed to take a notice what chief minister had said.

But in your case, your followers in Pimpri Chinchwad may not follow you but media follows you without fail! Sir, we, citizens of Pune, are intelligent enough to understand what do you really mean when you suggest this. You want to say "Get out of Pune if you can not purchase a flat for 30 lakhs of rupees."

It is very kind of you to say so politely! You are a true guardian. Very caring! Thanks!!

Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 22:24 1 comments

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Do you think Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Corporation Ltd (MSEDCL) is exploiting you?


power cut
Originally uploaded by pshab

Residents of Mumbai's eastern suburbs, Thane and Navi Mumbai believe that Maharashtra Government is "discriminating" and they have decided to launch an agitation against it.

Residents of the eastern suburbs of Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai ask "Why don't they get power supply from Tata, Reliance and BEST as most of Mumbai? Why are they left at the mercy of state-controlled monopoly, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Corporation Ltd (MSEDCL) and forced to suffer frequent power cuts? Why can't they enjoy no-power-cuts like most of Mumbai?

I find residents of the eastern suburbs of Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai are absolutely right. They do not have to convince anybody or argue their case. This is discrimination. We all support them in their agitation. But tell me if frequent power cuts is a discrimination then 'no power supply' and 'higher rates' is what, an exploitation?

When you pay your electricity bill do you wonder why rural areas get free power, even those farmers who can afford motors do not have to pay for the electricity? Isn't it an exploitation of an honest tax payer like you?



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Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 10:19 1 comments

Friday, October 5, 2007

welcome2pune! Get the updates of what is Pune doing on Twitter!

I love Twitter. I love Pune. Naturally, i love my micro blog, "welcome2pune"! I am sure, you will also love to know what Pune is doing. So get the news links about Pune. The widget is in the side column. Be in touch with Pune.

Besides, "welcome2Pune", you can also follow "PuneRealEstate" on Twitter. Here you can keep yourself updated with the Pune real estate news. If you want more details click the Tiny URL and read the post on Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog! Yes, it is a sort of industry blog but there are some interesting related posts also. For example, the post about...no, I will write a blog on this!

Great thing is not only on the web, you can follow Twitter on your mobile and IM! Try "welcome2pune" and "PuneRealEstate" on Twitter, you will love it too!

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Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 15:12 0 comments
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Thanks to FeedM8! Now, you can read my Pune Real Estate blogs on your mobile! [FM8579-29]

Yes, please, get a mobile version of my blog from the widget in the side column. You can enter your phone number to get the link via SMS. Or you can also use alternate method to get to your site: by entering the address directly into the browser of your mobile.

This service is provided by FeedM8. It is instant and works excellent. You know, you can also read my other blog, Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog, on your mobile. To get it on your mobile, please, visit the blog once and you can be in touch with the latest news about Pune and Indian real estate, even when you are on the go!

Along with my blogs, you can read some of the best blogs on your mobile. I personally read, Digg, CNN, Times of India, Economic Times, NY Times and Lifehacker. I am sure, you will enjoy FeedM8!

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Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 14:20 0 comments
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Monday, October 1, 2007

Didn't i tell you it is very much possible to manufature a car in one lakh rupees? See, Ratan Tata has almost done it!

Next September Ratan Tata's 1 lakh Rupees car will be in the showroom. It is a top secret but every body knows it. I myself read it in The Economic Times. Do you know what Ratan Tata has done? Cost cutting and saving! See, how easy it is! You know, even his suppliers are charging him less. All this is possible because cars are made in the factory in big numbers! His suppliers are going to earn on the volume!

Not only that, he is not using some parts at all. For example, gears! His car will be without gear! There will be an engine but not where it generally is. It will be at the back in place of the dickey, directly on the rear wheels! For body panels, Tata is using steel of low-gauge!

You may be wondering about performance, engine power and speed! Do not worry at all because one of the vendor who is working on Ratan Tata's car said, "“It will be a light-weight vehicle with a frugal engine. In terms of fuel-efficiency, the car has been benchmarked with upper-end motorcycles,”

Now tell me, when your suppliers are ready to charge you less, when your suppliers develop special parts for you, when you can use cost effective materials, when you can do without some parts and save a lot and over and above when you can produce the same thing on the assembly line in big numbers isn't it easy to manufacture a car in one lakh!

Remember all this and repeat it loudly if you lose the control of your mind and are tempted to ask "why should I pay one and half lakh rupees for the car park?"

Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 17:48 1 comments

Are you planning to visit Index International Furniture Fair 2007 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai?

Almost 50 Italian companies, 40 companies from China, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil and Germany will showcase their designs at the Index fair, which is scheduled to start on October 18, in Mumbai.

Besides the great opportunity to see imported furniture from all over the world, i am very curious to see Dilip Chhabria's "designer furniture". Yes, that same ace automobile designer, Dilip Chhabria is now revving up to give the Italians, a run for their money.

“I have booked space at this exhibition next to the Italian counters and i will showcase my creations. If my clients can spend Rs 50 lakh for designing a car, they can spend an equal amount in furniture,” Chhabria had said.

Dilip is talking about you, sir! I request all my clients, please, do not let him down. Personally, i am going to wait till his first "designer discount sale". Generally, imported furniture showrooms give up to 40% discount in their sale. How much discount will he offer? Any guess?

Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 09:47 3 comments

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Prepayment clauses are restrictive trade practices, which restrict the consumers' right to avail home loans at a lesser rate of interest !

National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission had, in a recent case ruled that prepayment clauses are restrictive trade practices, which restrict the consumers' right to avail loans at a lesser rate of interest.

Not only that, it called upon the country's largest bank, State Bank of India, to refund the Rs 40,000 it had collected as pre-payment charges from Usha Vaid, who had shifted to another bank.

The forum said it appeared that this amount was charged as punishment to the consumer who sought transfer of the loan amount to another bank, giving a lower rate of interest.

Now, The Supreme Court will decide whether it is right for banks and housing finance companies to charge pre-payment fees on customers repaying loans ahead of their tenure.

What is your opinion? Please, let me know!

A heavy price?- Pune-Cities-Property-Personal Finance-The Economic Times

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Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 18:03 1 comments
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Thursday, August 9, 2007

Come on, let us "see" Pune with Tushar Suradkar!

Recently, in Pune, lot of things are becoming invisible. Just vanishing away in the thin air. For example, Ramnadi! Why blame others, when we go around even we have stopped 'seeing' things. No, i am not talking about traffic signals! Have a look at Tushar Suradkar's photos and you will come to know what we do not see. All this is in Pune, at Sambhaji Park, Pashan Lake, Saras Baug, Peshwe Park, on Pashan - Baner Link Road, and in Magarpatta! Thanks Tushar, for opening my eyes!


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.
Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 00:55 3 comments
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Friday, July 6, 2007

Now, making "Our Pune" better is in our hands!

Be Better Punekar

Yes, Pune Municipal Corporation and Citzen's Empowerment Forum have come together and launched a website www.ourpune.com . Now, it is in our hands to put it to good use. Instead of only complaining and blaming about the condition of the roads, this monsoon, you can take an initiative to keep them in good condition. On this website, you can report and track your observations regarding the condition of the roads. I am giving a link to this website in the sidebar. Please, report and contribute to make 'Our Pune' a better place to live in.

Mechanism for Betterment

"How my reporting is going to make things better?" "Ravi, has lost touch with the reality or what!" You must be wondering. You may have gone into flash back. Memories of last monsoon may have brought a cynical smile on your face. You may have started getting a little bit angry with me. But wait. Read the complete news on "Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog". Look, Municipal Commissioner of Pune has a plan of action.
1) When you register your complaint on the website, in 'real time', it will be forwarded to the concerned junior engineer and contractor via 'sms'.
2) In the next 72 hours, action will be taken on your complaint.
3) If your complaint is not attended to, 'this matter' will be informed to the head of the concerned department.
4) You and Citizen's Empowerment Forum will constantly monitor the website and keep track of the progress of the work.

Be a Proactive Punekar

Now the ball is in our court. Be proactive. Whenever you see a 'manhole rising', a 'pothole' or 'storm water logging'log on to www.ourpune.com, register your complaint and keep track of the progress. Come on, make things happen. Making "Our Pune" better is in our hands.


Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 19:25 0 comments

Saturday, June 9, 2007

Very cool launching of 'Kool Homes' at Balewadi, Pune

In Pune, after a long time, a project was launched in such a cool way. Teaser advertising campaign "What is Kool for you?" generated some curiosity. Surprisingly, even when i came to know that it is only another residential project, with some Techi Gadgets, i didn't ignore it! "Kool Homes" at Balewadi(Pune), is one more 'happening' (we are making a list, remember?) that happened in the last couple of weeks.

Hoardings of "Kool Homes" were well designed and put at all prominent locations. Models were smart, sophisticated and pleasant to look at. After a long time, i didn't mind looking at the same hoarding once again. Otherwise, i blame 'flex printing' technology and complain to my ex-partner, (now Webdesigner), Prakash Thombre, for 'humanizing' Pune real estate advertising.

Using 'human' models, instead of just 'buildings', in the real estate ads became popular only after the success of 'Pride Panorama', an exclusive project by Pride Housing on Senapati Bapat Road. Before Real Estate Marketing, i was into Real Estate Advertising. Prakash was my Partner and Creative Director. Pride Housing was our favorite client. Prakash had designed the campaign, Bunty-Prashant were the photographers and the models were beautiful TV actress Mrinal Kulkarni and sweet little Mukta Ranade.

Naturally, for the first time in Pune, looking at the hoardings became a pleasant experience. Everybody admired and enjoyed the experience. Unfortunately, i don't have photographs of the hoardings but you can see the cover of the brochure. These will tell you that the idea was not to show 'smiling faces' but emotional bonding we value and cherish in our homes and family. But most took it superficially and went for the 'face value'! Anyway, this advertising campaign revolutionized the real estate advertising in Pune. That is why nowadays, you see smiling human faces on every hoarding all over Pune.

One of my client feels that by the beauty of the face on the hoarding he can judge the quality of the construction of that particular project in Aundh Annex! Other finds it very confusing and irritating because it becomes very difficult to distinguish one project from another.

Someone said, he can't open his car windows and enjoy the cool evening or morning breeze on his way to Hinjewadi from Parihar Chowk, Aundh. "I am forced to close them because i don't want to look at those same horrible faces on these hoardings which are there on both the sides of the road, one after another, day in and day out, for months!"

I think, we should have a competition. Whoever identifies every hoarding with the project will get a prize: "2 bhk flat in Orchid at Pimple Saudagar, Aundh annex!"

If you or your friend is planning to book a flat in Aundh annex, Baner-Balewadi, Sus Road-Pashan or even in Kothrud, please read this post: "Buying a flat in Pune? Get valuable tips. subscribe to my free newsletter."



Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 03:08 4 comments

Now, in PCMC you can construct upto 12 storeys !


Tall Story!

Arc.Sachin Sutar, an architect of our Orchid:2 bhk flats at Pimple Saudagar, told me very proudly that his project "Mirchandani Group's Palms" at Rahatani, (Aundh annex), was the first one to get the sanction. Congrats Arc. Sutar and Mr. Mirchandani. Didn't i tell you? In the last couple of weeks, lots of things have happened in Pune Real Estate.

The center of Pune has moved!

Did you know this? My friend and very talented Creative Director Mr. Anil Uzgare told me, "Now, 'Pimple Gurav' is the center of Pune." Yes, they have even put the hoardings all over Aundh annex! But i only know Pimple Nilakh and Pimle Saudagar. Anybody knows where is Pimple Gurav?

Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 01:41 2 comments

Friday, June 8, 2007

Available...Ready Possession Flats Available....!


Honeymoon is over!

In the last four years, i have never seen this kind of a banner anywhere in Aundh annex. I took a vacation from blogging only for a couple of weeks but lot of things have changed. First, let me take a quick stock of things and then we will get down to business.

Why are you all so naughty?

Why flats are available "Ready Possession"? Yes, because they are not booked! But why are they not booked? Is it because of the over supply? or they were not worth "Booking"? Has anybody been there? Please, tell me what do you think. The other day, a sales person from that project told me, "customers are very naughty, when we didn't have anything in ready possession they wanted ready possession. Now when we have, they say we are ready to wait, we want under construction!"

Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 18:59 2 comments

Friday, May 4, 2007

Top SEO secret every blogger wants to know!

Simple idea!

I started this Pune Real Estate Blog with a very simple idea:
1) I wanted to keep in touch with my clients even after the particular transaction is over.
2) I wished to become available to my clients whenever they need any kind of service and/or advice.
3) I wanted to share my and my client's experience and knowledge with the first time home buyers in Pune.

Complex SEO!

First thing i realized that i have to do search engine optimization to achieve my goal. I have to make my blog easily available and accessible to my clients. Fortunately, there is a lot of information and help available on the net about SEO. So i went on exploring it.

But as i went on reading about SEO, it only confused me and convinced me that i can't do it on my own. I also realized why there are so many people who make a career out of it! I was more than sure about the success of my blog when i happened to read Mike Carter on "Web or Dead SEO Blog".

Result is, i am not only on the web but in top 10 on Google and my PR is 3! Thanks! Mike because of you, now my clients can read my blog and things have started happening!

Gentleman and his girl friend!

Though Mike Carter is a professional SEO consultant, he is a perfect gentleman. He did not abuse me with his knowledge and expertise. He never claimed he has any supernatural powers. He did not convinced me that SEO is any kind of a trick or magic.

Mike only gave me a simple advice. Yes, he gave me free advice. He told me Google is his girl friend. If i behave like a gentleman Google could become my friend too! Once in a while, i can flirt with her but i should never treat her like i treat my wife!

Mike, now not only Pune Real Estate Market but even my wife is very thankful to you. I wish every blogger should have a friend, philosopher and guide like you!


P. S. Mike, i even convinced my associates to create a website of our new project on Google pages!
Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 06:15 1 comments
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Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Orchid - 2 bhk designer apartments on Google pages!


Orchid is an exclusive residential project at PimpleSaudagar. In Pune, PimpleSaudagar is called 'Aundh Annex.' Because it is just 3 kms from Parihar Chowk, main square of Aundh. IT professionals working in the software technology parks at Hinjewadi prefer to stay in this area.

Nice Home in Good Neighborhood!

PimpleSaudagar is developing into a somewhat laid back, a little aloof but complete neighborhood. Orchid is a stand alone single building in this neighborhood. Naturally focus is on the planning. I am sure, those who give more importance to the lifestyle will appreciate it very much. I am tempted to tell you more about it but i will not! Why? Because you can visit the web site. Orchid has its own website on Google pages!

Amazingly Powerful with Awesome Simplicity!

 I am totally impressed with Google pages. I always thought Google pages are not for professionals. But while working on Orchid i visited lot of websites. Then i realized the awesome simplicity and amazing power of Google pages. They are not at all for 'amateurs' but very effective marketing tool for professionals! Plus every site has by default optimized mobile edition! Why don't you visit 'rami mawas'? You will get a good idea about Google pages.

Web Marketing Story:

Good project, great location, all net savvy and GPRS enabled customers and effective marketing tool is going to make 'Marketing of Orchid' an exiting experience! Keep on visiting regularly. If you are planning to buy a property in Pune, please read this post:
Booking a flat in Pune? Get valuable tips, subscribe to my free newsletter...
Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 22:08 2 comments
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Monday, April 30, 2007

How to get PageRank 7 for my Pune Real Estate Blog?

Desperate Blogger:
I didn't believe what i saw on my Google Firefox Toolbar. I opened my Pune Real Estate blog and for the first time in my life that PageRank window was not empty. There was some green color in it! I was tempted to touch the cursor and check the page rank. I do it every time. Even when i know very well the exact page rank of the blog. Lately, i am sort of obsessed with it. But who is not?

My PageRank3!
But this time, i didn't dare to do it. I just closed my browser! Got out of the chair. Went to the fridge and gulped down a glass of cold water. Came back and opened the browser and logged on to my Pune Real Estate blog. Yes, this time too, there was some green color in the page rank window. Now i couldn't hold myself back. I checked it. Yes! It was there. I read it very loudly, "PageRank is Google's view of the importance of this page (3/10)"

PR Tool and Toolbar!
I took the cursor away and it vanished. Again i touched it. It was there! " PageRank is Google's view of the importance of this page...." i went on reading. I did it again and again. Touched the tool bar. Read the statement. Oh! what an experience. Even you can do it if you are using Firefox Google Tool bar with page rank. If you don't have download it here, on my Pune Real Estate blog - Yes, i can encourage you! (of course, you can see my 'prchecker' button on the side column) I never felt so proud of myself before! Sorry, i felt it once. When my kinder garden teacher praised my hand writing and gave me the permission to use the fountain pen!

Algorithm!
I don't know, how many times i checked it again and again or was i reading loudly or shouting? My dear dog, Don didn't take it in the right spirit and started barking at me. This disturbed my wife's sleep. She cried from the bedroom, "come to me or go out with the dog but shut that damn computer off." I had to stop feeling proud of myself. But i preferred to take the dog out for a walk.

Danny Sullivan and Matt Cutts: Web gurus!
While walking i realized that to improve my Pune Real Estate blog's ranking, first thing i have to do is get rid of this dog. Dogs are of no use. Even Danny Sullivan didn't blog about his dog, Daisy, till this month. I will Google for some one like Emmy, who loves blogging. Who will sleep on my chest when i am blogging. Even some one like Ozzie, Matt's other cat, will also do. Or should i go for 'googlebot'? According to the poll 225 out of 1023 people have it as a pet!

As i went on thinking, i realized it is a very serious issue. But getting a 21K+ rss subscriber's and page rank 7/10 may be difficult but not impossible target for my Pune Real Estate Blog!
Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 21:27 0 comments
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Monday, April 16, 2007

'Pune Real Estate Blog': I am in Top 10!

In Google Search for the search term 'Pune Real Estate Blog' i am on 5th position!

First is 'Real Estate Times' which covers Indian real estate news.

You can publish your free housing classifieds in the city pages of 'India City Pages' which is second.

"Sramana Mitra" is a strategy consultant from silicon valley. I request all of you to read her blog for the seed, venture capital and strategy for your startup!

It's honor to be in this company!

Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 06:40 0 comments
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Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Pune/L.A./NY: Real Estate Agent has to deal with Saddam, Batman, Lawn Jockey and 1Bathroom House.....and what not!

  1. "Americans have decided that we like a private bathroom for ourselves and another bathroom for our guests and children. " So 1 Bathroom houses from 1970 and earlier have become obsolete! From Virginia Real Estate Settlement Service. Their 'Home Owner's Manual' has very useful tips.
  2. "What to do with Monuments in Iraq?" Mr. Al Brophy says," The same monument may mean very different things to different people" (!) His blog 'PropertyProf Blog' is a member of the Law Professor Blogs Network.
  3. "Like living in Times Square West" claims the ad of 'Sky Lofts', a real estate project in Los Angeles!
  4. "April Fool!" Read this and you will come to know why Mr.Tim O'Keefe (Real Estate Marketing Blog) is called the guru of online real estate marketing.
  5. "Holy Smokes, Batman, That Was Fast!" within 3 hours after the publishing the blog post, from no ranking '3Ocean Real Estate' blog becomes number 14 on Google! Congrats Mr.Kevin Boer!
  6. Advice to home sellers? Mr. Al Brophy, ProperyProf Blog, raises a question about the advice to 'de-black' homes while selling by removing pictures, books and even poster of Martin Luther King. He also talks about 'Lawn Jockey' - symbol of white supremacy or tribute to faithful slaves?
Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 20:53 0 comments
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Monday, April 9, 2007

Booking a flat in Pune? Get valuable tips, subscribe to my 'Free Newsletter'!

Yes! By subscribing to my 'Free Newsletter', you will automatically become a member of the "exclusive inner group"! Naturally, you will get lot more than a regular readers of my blog! Let me tell you how you will benefit:

  1. The first thing is that you will not miss the topics of your interest. How? Simple, when you subscribe you will give your e mail id. I will email you my 'Free Newsletter' on that address. In the 'Free Newsletter' i will tell you on which topic i have written. Plus there will be a link which will take you to that post on this blog! For example, if you are interested in Domain names you will not miss reading "My name is Bond, James Bond; James Bond Dot Com!"
  1. Your can take more profitable investment decisions. Why? Because in my 'Free Newsletter' i will give you some exclusive insights and advance tips about investment opportunities in the Pune Real Estate Market.
  1. "What more could i get if i subscribe to 'Free Newsletter? Any exclusive special offer?" Hopefully yes ! See, i have just started this blog but for more than decade i am here in Pune Real Estate Market. The Idea behind starting this blog is to keep serving my clients, spread all over the world, even after a particular transaction is over. Still, being very modest i will only say, "Why not?"
For this 'Free Newsletter' i am using services of Zookoda. Zookoda is owned and operated by Quivalent, based in Sydney, Australia. Quivalent specializes in commercial email campaign management solutions and services. They deliver millions of emails for large and small corporations.

How to subscribe to my 'Free Newsletter'? Please, use the box in the side bar. Enter your email id. Confirm your subscription and you become a member of my exclusive inner group!
Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 17:52 0 comments
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Saturday, April 7, 2007

Welcome to Bill Gates' digital home!

Flat is not only a bunch of rooms but a place for people to live ; which is called 'home' is very well accepted by one and all at least in Pune Real Estate Market. Particularly by builders and architects! So now on, all of us are going to focus on making a suitable living space. Yes, built up area, fsi, tdr and all are legally and commercially important but focus of the planning is human beings who are going to live happy family life in it. Naturally, people are booking fast, paying premium price and new projects are sold out in no time.

But are we really going to enjoy living our life on this planet in these homes? Some times, i not only wonder but start worrying about. Particularly when i read what has happened at Consumer Electronic Show this year as well as last year.

Most dangerous is that fellow who is actually on the way of retiring from business but still we have to watch his moves. We all know and admire him. His softwares made that box on our office table very useful for some time. But since the web has come it has lost it's charm. So this fellow is now trying to come in to our homes. First he tried to make a toy on which we can play some games. 'Good fun!' we said and let him in. But now he is planning to take a control of our entire home!

In this year's show he actually showed a mock up of his Bedroom which has multi wall size screens for multitasking! I fully agree with Mr. Nicholas Carr about the impending danger. From the time we get out of the bed till we go back to the bed, this fellow wants us to use, play and work with software. If we go on fiddling with software day in and day out like this what will happen is we will start living in geeks paradise but loose touch with family members and fellow human beings. We will be trapped in the box in our own homes! If you think i am over exaggerating try to discuss this with your wife when she is watching Ekata Kapur's serial. He knows we are quite prone to get hooked to the box and lose touch with reality.

As a real estate professional i wish you happy 'family life' and not a digital life. But how does he live? I was very much curious to know. Thanks to Mr. Amit Agarwal, he has very good post "Inside Bill Gates House- Pictures of Bill Gates Home" Have a look!
Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 17:48 0 comments

When you book a flat in Pune, do not even think of negotiating car parking charges!

A Great thing about Pune Real Estate market is, we charge very less for reserved car parking! In the last couple of years practically all good projects have podium parking or basement parking. Provision for one car park per flat is not enough any more, ideally there has to be minimum provision for two car parks per flat! This is substantially increasing the cost of construction. While booking a flat, you know parking becomes a big issue. Naturally, you are tempted to negotiate about charges as well as location. But before you think of doing that, please consider "the full social cost" your car and even your two wheeler is imposing on the economy!

Mr. Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar has written a great article "The Hidden Social Cost of Vehicles" in the Times of India. Mr. Swaminathan is not among those who want cars to be abolished and replaced entirely by buses and trams. He believes in the 'freedom to travel where and when we want to' but referring to 'The Center of Science and Environment' he says, "This freedom imposes a wide array of hidden costs on a city economy, and car-owners should pay these costs in full. Otherwise we will be subsidizing pollution, fuel adulteration, congestion, respiratory disease, and the disappearance of green spaces."

After reading his article, i am sure, you will be more than happy to pay car park charges!
Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 14:53 0 comments

BRT, Bus Rapid Transit on Ganesh Khind Road in Pune!

Any thing moving in speed on Pune's Ganeshkhind Road to Aundh, is beyond imagination. Moving itself is a dream come true. But not any more! ( Is this going to fuel prices in Pune Real Estate Market?)

In a joint report submitted to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) , Delhi, and the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), Pune, has recommended that Pune should have 117 kms network of BRT Routes spanning 26 roads. According to them Ganeshkhind Road, Paud Road and Sangamwadi to Kharadi riverside expressway and Pune-Mumbai highway are among 8 top priority routes.

But there is one hitch. Most of the roads in Pune are less than 10 kms in length. And BRT experts may object! I fail to understand why.. length of the road may be less but the route can be 10 Kms! And what about traveling time? Paud Road or Ganeshkhind Road may not be 10 km long but see the volume of the traffic and traveling time.

Along with the BRT, i would like to see the special reserved lane on the left side of the road for two wheelers and bicycles. Like we have on Rajbhavan Road. Do you know, why i prefer to work in Aundh annex area? Only because, i can conveniently go to project sites on my bicycle! If you don't mind, i would like to ask you one simple question. Do you remember when was the last time you walked from your home to the vegetable shop at the corner? There used to be 'foot paths' on the both sides of the road for us to walk. Are we all some what forgetting that?
Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 13:21 0 comments
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"Buying a House? Wait for a while!"

Every body who is looking around to book a flat in Pune, desperately wants to read this kind of a 'head line'. It sounds great! Isn't it? That is what 'head lines' are all about. But when you read the complete news, you realize that there is no point in waiting at all!

Particularly for you who want to book a flat in Pune, Gulam Zia, national director for advisory services, Knight Frank (India) Pvt Ltd, is suggesting not to wait at all! In an hour-long chat on rediff.com on Thursday, April 5, he says "We can expect prices melting down in a few months"! Now, when you read these words, particularly when temperature is going above 40 degrees, what you see is a plate of melting slice of ice cream! But you know this is real estate. Here 'melting down' means, prices coming down by.... how much? What is your guess? 10% or 13%!

Wait, before you make any guesses, see what he says about Pune Real Estate Market in particular. "The prices are still in the affordable range unlike say Mumbai, Delhi, etc." So be happy! Or does it mean that, since the price is still affordable it will not come down or what? But don't be sad, according to him, "You will still find good deals to invest in specially in the areas near upcoming IT destinations." (Aundh, Nagar Road, Hadapsar)

Now, tell me, should we wait? or go ahead and book right now!
Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 11:46 1 comments

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

"My name is Bond, James Bond, James Bond Dot Com!"

Shaking my hand very confidently he introduced himself,
"My name is Bond, James Bond, James Bond Dot Com!"
"Glad to see you, Mr.Bond!" I said. I was more than glad, i was shocked!
"But i was not expecting to see you here! What's up, man?" I asked him.
Ignoring my question he was already on his way
to that secluded corner where Shilpa Shetty was meditating!

"What's going on here? I have to find out." i started talking to myself.
True, this is a secret rehab, but it is not for 'secret agents'.
Definitely this is not for Mr. Bond. This is only for Shilpa, me
and a couple of others like us!

My consultant has strongly recommended this as a preventive therapy for me.
I am going to launch my Website and Blog in a couple of weeks.
So he wanted me to be mentally strong and emotionally well balanced
to face the realities of the live web world.

You are 'in the know'!
Since, you are already 'in the know', i hope, you can understand me.
Isn't it great 'to own' your own name?
Having your own name to your website with Top Level Domain, like Dot Com!
It has not only an emotional value but is also a great asset!
There are very few persons who own this asset.
I know one; Oprah! She has 'Oprah dot com'

Why am i telling all this to you? You have experienced it.
Generally it happens like this...1)You go on the net. 2)You enter your name
and hit the button. And 3)The 'search result breaks your heart.
What do you see? Karandikar, Bapat, Barve, Joshi,
Pandit, Patwardhan, Kukreja all are taken, gone, registered!
Your name is not 'available' to you!

But you are not ready to give upYou ask "How much? Tell me the price! I will buy my own name"
"Sorry sir, it is not for sale. Would you like to go for 'Chowgule' or 'Konduskar'?
Asking price is only 2,200 and 2,500 US Dollars.
Or 'Bhujbal'? Only for 220 US Dollars!"
No! You will not go for it even somebody gives it free.
Damn it, it is not your name. You want your own name.
(You know what happened to me?
Even "Ravi" was not available!)

WTF?: What's The Fire?
At the rehab everybody knew 'What's The Fire' was: Shilpa!
On the flight i had a heart to heart conversation about the issues
Shilpa was facing after that reality show on the TV channel.
So, I had made up my mind to let her cool.
But i didn't want Mr. Bond to bother her.
It was also not safe to let her be with him all by herself.
Particularly, when it is not final whether she will be in the next Bond film.
Yes, true, there was no couch in that corner of the rehab.
But, why take a risk? Culturally Bollywood and Hollywood are very close.

As a true responsible Indian citizen I went to that corner.
I felt so very ashamed of myself when i saw
what was going on there between the two of them.
I didn't know Mr. Bond carries a handkerchief in his pocket.
I had never seen him wiping eyes of a beautiful girl.
Here he was doing exactly that.He was wiping Shilpa's eyes!
That must be his handkerchief.
Shilpa was not wearing anything of that big a size on her at that time.
He was in her service. Sorry, her majesty, it happens, be realistic.

You are not safe even you have a license to kill!
"Come on Ravi, now i will tell you why i am here!"
Mr.Zero Zero Seven said to me.
"Thanks, but you don't have to tell. I got it very well"
I was relived and somewhat disappointed.
"No. You haven't. I am here for the same reasons both of you are." He mumbled.
"What are your worried about Mr. Bond? You are very safe.
You own not only 'dot com' but all possible known TLDs. Even you have 'dot as'
Perfect multiple domain name registration! Plus you have license to kill!
What more do you want Mr. Bond? You don't have any reason to be here except her.
Accept it Mr. Bond" I was sounding like Mr.Rajat Sharma.
"Ravi, those multiple domain registrations and license to kill is of no use
when all alone you have to face the Domain Resale Agents day in and day out!
Shilpa, i am here to work on this issue. Understand?" he was really upset,
i could see that.
So i decided to leave them by themselves.

Success is not cheap!
I was more focused on her big heart, so i am not hundred percent sure
about what was Shilpa's issue.
But after her sudden fame, Shilpa must have her 'own name' for her Domain.
But someone, who owned her name, was demanding exorbitant amount
or something like that.
So she was somewhat upset, no, not because of the amount of money;
she smelled some discrimination issue in this too!
Her logic was, when even her astrologer failed to predict;
"How could, in 2003 itself, somebody from California imagine that
she would become world famous in 2007?"
I don't disagree with her, but even 'Shetty' is also not available.
And in this part of the world, i do not come across many Uduppi restaurants.
Sad but true, you have to pay a heavy price for success.

See my Vision!
Thank god, i knew this and i had planned out everything in advance.
I may not have registered my name as a brand name
with trade mark like Mr. Bobby Parson of Go Daddy dot com.
I may not be as brand conscious as Mr. Donald Trump or Mr. Richard Bronson is.
Neither do i have the backing of a big studio nor have i Mr. M like Mr. Bond has.

But see what i have done!
I had registered my domain name long time back.
Today, website designing is almost done.
And in a couple of weeks it will be up and running!
"Ravi Karandeekar Dot Com"
Isn't it great!

Let us keep it all in the family!
On the way back from my secret rehab, i was all alone on the flight.
I had no idea where Mr. Bond and Shilpa were going to go from there.
I didn't bother about them much because i was thinking
about all of you, my brothers and sisters.
Thanks to Mr. Bond. After talking to him,
i have conceived a great plan.

Listen, we all care more for our surnames
than our first names, right?
And dot com TLD is not available, right?
But we are not all alone like Mr. Bond.
We all have siblings all over the planet.
So why not register all available TLDs in our surnames?
My brother Bhushan will own 'karandikar dot au',
Sunil can be ' karandikar dot uk', Manoj - 'karandikar dot as' .and so on...
By adding all TLDs our surname will remain in our family!

Long live Mr. Bond!
Politically, you know, it is always correct
to give credit to somebody else!
So why not both of us shout very loudly,
"Thanks Mr. Bond, you live 100 years!"

After all, both of us know 'Domain Name'
can be registered for a maximum period of 100 years only.
After that, who knows, Chinmoy,
my son will introduce himself,
"My name is Bond, James Bond, James Bond Dot Com!"
Posted by Ravi Karandeekar at 11:05 1 comments
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