A Holistic Approach, Assistance From Friend Helped Me Seal The Deal, Says This Kolkata-Based Home Buyer

A senior manager at the National Investigation Security, Md. Anjar Alam's job took him to different parts of the country but the pull of his hometown Kolkata made him buy his dream home there. A father of three kids, Afreen, Afsha and Ansaar, it was the old-world rustic charm and notions of recreation that drew him to the city of joy. Willing to go an extra mile to fulfill the desires and ambitions of his family, Alam's children are his sole source of inspiration as he unwinds with them at their newly bought house each day after work. In an interview with Aditi Sharma, Md. Alam shares his home-buying experience. Edited excerpts

Q: How would you describe your new home?

Alam: Our first-floor apartment is a part of New Sreemaa project, Aman Apartments in Jalkal Maheshtala, Kolkata. It is a four-storey building which has 2BHK and 3BHK apartments. Mahindra Showroom, which is just opposite to our society, is the most apt landmark to our address. We have bought a 3BHK flat with attached washrooms and balconies, a living-cum-dining room, a modular kitchen and a utility room. To the credit of every member of the family, each one of us had a say in sprucing up our new home. It took us a while to decorate the interiors before getting the right look.

Q: How did you finalise this home?

Alam: I came to know about the property through an old friend. As I was living in a rented accommodation, I was desperately looking for a ready-to-move-in property in Kolkata when I got in touch with him. He gave me three options and I zeroed in on this one.

Q: What made you buy a new home?

Alam: I have travelled almost all my life. When I got married, I use to stay in Ranchi after which I shifted to Greater Noida, where I stayed for more than a decade. However, I was clear that I would buy a house only in Kolkata. As soon as we came here, the place one again captivated me with its affection and charm and the rest is history.

Q: How much price you had to pay for your house and how did you manage?

Alam: I bought it for Rs 50 lakh. As my wife and kids wanted to redo the interiors of the house completely, it took another Rs 10 lakh. A partial loan helped me seal the deal.

Q: How was your buying experience? Was it a tedious process?

Alam: The process was smooth as my friend helped me crack the deal. We did not face much difficulty. We only had to make the right selection.

Q: Is it your dream home?

Alam: Certainly. The ever-smiling faces of my wife and children is proof enough. On top of it, I am glad that I am back to the city, where I have lived the most precious time of my life, my childhood. My elder brother and my mother also live nearby.

Q: Your advice to new home buyers.

Alam: I did not encounter any problem but one needs to consider the bigger picture. For instance, you should always double check the groundwork of the project, the quality of construction material used, a complete recce of the location and identification of all the places from where you will source your daily essentials. Initially, we did face water crisis but it was soon fixed. So this calls for a good maintenance and administration of the community.