Melonwood Homes - Villas, Apartments and Flats in Kochi

Transforming a home is easy with few thoughtful interior designing works. But many consider this as a costly affair and thus ignore it due to budget constraints. With the help of some creativity and cost-effective ideas, it is possible to convert your home into one that matches your dreams. Here are a few cost-effective ideas to decorate your home: 1.    Cane furniture A classy yet elegant choice of furniture piece, cane furniture is a budget-friendly alternative for those expensive leather or wooden furniture. You can also use traditional cane pieces to decorate lawns, sit-out areas or balconies for a unique look. 2.    Curtains Using curtains will help add a look of grandeur and make sure that you choose ones that go in sync with the wall colours and furniture shades. Play with colours, patterns and fabrics in order to add a different appeal to your rooms and being an economic option, you can get the best ones with ease. 3.    Green...

An easy way to stay close to the nature is by setting up a landscaped garden at home. Through the selection of right plants and gardening material you can easily design a fabulous landscaped garden. You may incorporate your favourite elements like a flower bed, fountain, climbers, flower pot, etc. Follow these easy tips to design your own landscaped garden at home:   1. Selection of plants Choose plants for your garden depending on the prevailing weather conditions. For places with humidity it is advised to avoid growing Mediterranean plants and for those dry inland zones, avoid rainforest plants. The best way to start setting up a garden is by growing a small flowerbed and gradually expanding it.  2. Wider berth Establish a wider berth for the garden giving adequate space for plants to flower and grow. While constructing a pathway make sure there's enough space for people to walk also.   3. Patio and desks Ensure that you have enough number of desks ...

Indian real estate is always regarded as a high investment avenue for NRIs with multiple investment opportunities due to flexible payment schemes, fruitful returns, luxury properties of global standards, etc. NRIs should take optimum advantage of the situation by ensuring to choose the right investment by adhering to all procedures in order to harvest a good deal. Here are a few key areas to be focused by NRIs to make a wise decision regarding investments: 1.    Buying and selling An NRI can buy or sell property in India either by being physically present in the country or by granting Power of Attorney to a trusted member without coming to India. 2.    Home loans NRIs are eligible to avail home loans in India though the procedure and documents would vary according to residing country. Loan tenure ranges from 10 to 15 years while the amount would depend on factors like age, income, education, etc. Setting up NRE (Non-Resident External) account is adv...

The rising energy bills are a concern for everyone, especially during summer season when the heat is unbearable which calls for using appliances more. In such situations, effective action should be taken to curb this increase in energy consumption in everyday life. Follow the below-listed tips to control the energy consumption at home: 1. Energy-efficient appliances Invest in energy-efficient appliances to reduce the electricity bills even though it would come at an expensive price tag initially. Buy appliances that has energy efficient rating as per the guidelines of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). Replace incandescent bulbs with CFL or LED to save energy. 2. Proper Insulation Heating and cooling systems add up almost 40 percent of the total electricity bill at home. Through proper insulation of the house, it is easy to ensure the effective working of these systems. Also, ensure that there are no cracks in doors, windows and walls for the entry of hot or cold air fro...

Buying an apartment could be a hasty affair when you are on the run to manage various activities of the purchase and registration process. The rights entitled to an owner must not be overlooked while buying an apartment. From the time when it is being booked to handing over the property, the home owners must be aware of their basic rights to ensure a transparent process while purchasing that is free from discrepancies. A few key things to be noted while booking an apartment includes: 1.    Letter of allotment Developer should issue letter of allotment as soon as the booking is confirmed. A receipt of any advanced paid or initial payments should be obtained. 2.    Payment schedule as per construction Prior to signing the agreement, a prospective homebuyer is entitled to a payment schedule that sets a date for each milestone to be achieved during the course of construction which must be adhered to by the builder. A construction-linked payment plan can b...

The latest concept that is favoured in interior décor industry, eco-friendly window installations are popular due to its inclination towards green living. As an economic and durable option, eco-friendly window installations are used to refurbish modern apartments and homes due to several reasons. Here are the key reasons to consider opting this eco-friendly installations: 1.        Environment-friendly Eco-friendly window installations help in saving energy while being a nature-friendly option too. During summer season, they reflect heat outside and during winter season, it helps in maintaining the temperature inside the room normal through the principle of insulation. 2.        Convenience Even under a drastic climatic change outside, its impact will not be felt indoors in the presence of these installations as they neutralise the temperature. And its inbuilt feature to reduce the difference in ...

When looking for a new home whether for residential purpose or as an investment choice, many consider a second home for many reasons. What are the benefits of investing in a second home? Investment choice Investing in a real estate residential property brings you great returns in a short span of time.   In the case of a second home, it is an affordable investment choice. Tax benefits The home buyer can avail tax benefits on the interest payment of the home loan in the case of investing in a second home. Retirement or vacation home A second home is a great investment choice for one who plans to settle at his native place after retirement. The investment in a second home can also be in the form of a vacation home in an ideal location to enjoy your holiday with your family. Source of steady income One can generate extra income apart from the long term price appreciation by renting it out the property. Melonwood Greens is one of the top-rated luxury ...

Home loans are the most feasible option to finance a home. Banks offer various schemes and benefits to prospective home buyers. While choosing a bank for loan, conduct a proper research on the policies of a bank, their interest rates and loan process to avail maximum benefits out of it. Following are a fewtips to choose the best bank for a home loan: 1    1. Loan process Check a bank’s loan process and analyse the time they require to verify the credentials of the builder and sanction the loan. Ensure that the bank does an exhaustive review regarding your loan eligibility and other conditions involved, as it proves that the bank follows a robust process without any loopholes which could become a trouble in the future. 2   2. Hidden costs The terms associated with the loan should be clearly communicated to the applicant by the bank and should educate them regarding all the costs involved in it which includes legal charges, valuation charges, prepaym...

Everything is smart now – phone, television, airconditioner and what not. The technology you use is smart and now it’s time to make your home smart too. With best tech companies all around the world constantly innovating new technologies and home products aimed at enhancing and making life easier, it’s high time you switch to a smart home. Here is how a smart home can help ease your life: 1.     Smart Home Security From digital locks to door locks to surveillance cameras, install these smart devices to secure your family and home. Door locks are now made keyless with technology and integrated with smart home; indoor and outdoor cameras are installed to monitor your home at any time from your smartphone. 2.     Smart lighting Imagine having a lighting system that functions according to your daily reactions, dreamy isn’t it? Smart lights are those that brighten and diminish as per your requirements with just a click. 3.   ...

Real estate is a dynamic industry evolving with time and latest market trends. Therefore, real estate investments should be done only after deliberation, contemplation, and research to increase the rate of success. Here are the top 3 strategies that ensure success in property investment: 1.     Find growth factors After learning the pricing trends in the market, identify the factors influencing the price variations in the market. Macro and microeconomic factors influencing the market has also got an impact on the value of a property. Civic and social infrastructural facilities like schools, colleges, roads, hospitals, bridges, public services, and transport tend to boost the market growth in real estate. 2.     Learn about pricing trends Study the prevailing trends to provide inputs about the real estate market of a location. Then compare the pricing information to evaluate the growth of the market and make an estimate regarding inves...

Tenants are restricted from renovating homes and modifying them. However, bringing minor changes in the décor and incorporating certain design elements for improvement can be done without violating the lease conditions. The following are some of the home improvement tips that can be implemented by tenants:       Interior decoration Be it in the living room or bedroom, adding various colour elements according to the settings will help in making the room vibrant. Colourful bedding set, cushions and curtains that match the wall colour is ideal. Also, replace the lighting system with new and trendy options to lift the mood and create a positive ambience. Replacing the sanitary and bathroom fixtures to ones that are comfortable and welcoming or as per their preferences are also a good option.         Temporary changes Often landlords refuse to accept any changes in their property like repainting the house or polishing the floors. In ...

The latest buzzword in interior designing is zoning which means creating smaller spaces in larger areas at home and then dividing them as per our usage and accessibility. This creates extra capacity for better utilization of space depending on the multiple needs and requirements. The following are a few effective tips for creating zones at home: 1.     Lighting It is possible to create zoning effects by employing different lights to bring in visual breaks. With soft and bright lights installed above the dining area and living room, you can separate both the rooms by creating a double room impression. 2.     Furniture The easiest ways to create zones and to segment two or three spaces, it is better to thoughtfully place furniture and choose the right ones. For example, you can add a couch and a table lamp right next to the bedroom as a space to relax and unwind. Seating arrangements in different patterns like placing sofas to form a sq...

Kochi is a major hotspot for real estate with leading builders and developers launching their projects designed for an impeccable lifestyle at the heart of the city. The myriad of benefits offered by flats and apartments makes it the most favorable and profitable real estate avenue. Here are the top benefits of investing in a flat: 1.     Convenience Equipped with modern amenities and facilities, apartments facilitate convenient living. Nowadays most of the projects has got features like swimming pool, rooftop party areas, health club, terrace gardens, surveillance system and what not. 2.     Appreciation Flats and apartment projects have immense growth potential in the market with its percentage always rising with respect to the appreciation value in cities. 3.     Bank assistance Banks and other financial institutions provide extensive support and financial assistance while purchasing flats or apartments. Around...

Choosing the right flooring for your home could be a tough call for everyone. Should it be marble or vitrified tiles? While marbles traditionally have a classy position in our minds, vitrified tiles have made it into the popular list due to the variety of designs and low cost. Here is a look at the pros and cons of using marble and vitrified tiles for your home: 1.     Composition Marble is mostly very soft and not much resistant to abrasion. They don’t highly resist acids and leaves stain marks if not properly taken care of. Marbles require polishing to retain a mirror finish. Its elegant look makes it a premium choice for all home buyers. Whereas, vitrified tiles are made artificially to conveniently fit for the purpose of flooring. They are non-porous and do not absorb liquid and is stain resistant. With the variety in designs, it lets us select according to the style and resources available. 2.     Installation While installin...

E-commerce has become a booming trend and its growth is commendable over the last few years. This growth has reflected in the real estate sector also, with online home shopping taken up by prospective buyers and investors. Here are 3 major reasons for the booming trend of online home shopping in real estate:        Immense amount of data Home shopping sites and real estate portals provide a great deal of data that promotes buying, renting and leasing decisions of properties. These platforms provide information related to property listings, project value and comparative analysis between various builders and their upcoming projects from various sources and public records for easy decision making.         Smart age With technological advancements it has become relatively easy to drive real estate sales. The virtual presence of builders and developers from all around the world and the availability of detailed information for ...

Real estate is synonymous to a lucrative investment avenue and hence building a strong real estate investment portfolio mentioning the impressive list of real estate assets will only direct towards a commendable financial growth. Follow these effective guidelines to maintain a strong real estate portfolio: 1.    Evaluate your finances Prior to all steps the first step an individual must do is to conduct a cost analysis after listing all the assets held by him to give an estimate of the budget you can allocate for property investment. Keep 25-30% aside to garner profits from investment. 2.    Property type Plan an appropriate strategy for investment in accordance to the property type so as to maximise output. Be it a vacant land, residential property or even commercial space, identify the core reason for investment from rental returns, tax benefits and capital appreciation. 3.    Assess location and property Conduct a thorough researc...

Bare and empty walls bring down the elegance of your home and its complete ambience. Decorating those walls add a touch of vibrancy transforming the complete interior space. Here are the best hacks to follow to dress up those empty walls at home:        Modular shelves Modular shelves add style and elegance to the wall and also serves a functional purpose to organize and store aesthetically. Available in different materials such as wood, plastic, metal and glass, choose the best one according to the style of home décor.      Mirrors Placing a large mirror with ornate wooden borders enhances the appeal of the room and casts an illusion of larger space. It is a cost-effective option with the dependence of artificial lights reflecting light and thereby illuminating its interiors.       Hollow space A much preferred contemporary technique is to create a hollow space on the ...