Tuesday 24 October 2017

My Personal Experiences while Buying a New Flat/Apartment





“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” — Maya Angelou


When I decided to buy an apartment/flat, I had lots of concerns about funds, prices, new location and community. I stayed in a single bedroom rented apartment in a place for almost a decade. Hence, I developed an emotional attachment to the place. People revered and respected me a lot in the locality despite being a tenant in a single bedroom apartment. I always minded my business without interfering into others’ affairs. However, I helped people whenever they approached me by offering career guidance free and inspiring them with appreciation.


My Personal Experience to Buy a New Flat

“Make sure everyone who works with you or for you, feels the need to tell others about the incredible experience.” — Chris Murray

I experienced unique emotions and feelings when I was planning to buy my dream flat. I realized that I love to be in the comfort zone. I know that I stay in a mass area where there is no scope and appreciation of property. But I must move in my life to another location permanently one day. Hence, I decided mentally to move to another location.

I researched about the areas I wanted to move based on my economy budget. I searched online to find out the properties falling within my budget. I physically went to the locations to search the properties. I came across real estate agents with many false promises with wrong information. I shortlisted a few agents. I moved along with them physically to search the properties. I shortlisted a few properties. I went to the buyers to negotiate. I found that the prices given by some agents wrong. As a result, the negotiations failed. In some cases, the properties are litigant. Some of them are not Vaastu compliant. Once again, I searched new properties. The agents talked about the properties from other locations falling within my budget. I physically went to see them. Most times I found the information given by the agents is different from the information shared by the sellers. I did not appreciate such irregularities. In some cases, the sellers did not want to pay commission to the agents. They wanted to have a direct discussion with the sellers which is not possible always.


Dos and Don’ts in Buying Your Dream Home
  • Be clear who pays the commission to the real estate agent or broker whether the seller or buyer.
  • Negotiate directly with the seller.
  • Check the documents physically and get them verified by professionals and legal experts.
  • Check and recheck the facts and figures to avoid ending up in a fiasco.

Remember that land value appreciates while the construction value depreciates over a period of time. If you want good appreciation, invest in land, not in apartment. If you don’t have any flat, then buy one flat because owing your dream home is like feeling at the top of the world. Kenny Guinn rightly remarked, “There is something permanent, and something extremely profound, in owning a home.”


Conclusion

“In the real estate business, you learn more about people, and you learn more about community issues, you learn more about life, you learn more about the impact of government, probably than any other profession that I know of.” — Johnny Isakson

It was a great experience meeting new people, communities and understanding their perspectives. I built new connections and came to know the psychology of builders, agents and landowners. But I did not unveil my identity as an author of 36 books and a professor with a PhD in soft skills. I was concerned that people perceive me differently based on my professional profile. Hence, I disclosed everywhere that I served in Indian Air Force and am looking for a new flat to settle down in my life.


“The best time to buy a home is always five years ago.” — Ray Brown






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Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India




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Copyright©2017 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.


Sunday 22 October 2017

Life is a Train, not a Station




“Our life is a constant journey, from birth to death. The landscape changes, the people change, our needs change, but the train keeps moving. Life is the train, not the station.” ― Paulo Coelho


We often hear that life is a journey and we must enjoy every moment of it rather than worry about the destination. It is fact that everyone intends to reach their destination but they sacrifice their present moments by thinking about the future. In a similar context, life is a train, not a station. When you think of only station you are confined to a particular moment of your life, not the life. The collection of stations become the process of train journey complete. You don’t know when you will step down from the train forever.

You are born to your parents and will be supported by them and your friends. You will meet strangers and known people in each station. Some will step down while some will travel along with you. But remember, you are born alone and die alone. Hence, do good to others; make others comfortable and happy; and make a difference to them to leave your legacy to your next generations. Life is great!




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Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2017 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

Saturday 21 October 2017

Worst Things Open the Door for the Best Things in Your Life





“Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.” — Oscar Wilde


Everyone has challenges in life. How you overcome them matters the most. Do you avoid them or address them? Avoiding them remains as a comma and addressing them becomes a full stop.  In this regard, we will discuss about addressing the challenges.    


Address the Challenges

“We all have problems. The way we solve them is what makes us different.” —Unknown

When you avoid challenges, they become crises. In contrast, when you address the challenges, you clear your mind and concentrate on other productive activities. Harold Hill once remarked, “You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you are left with nothing but a lot of empty yesterdays.” Hence, address challenges earnestly and immediately to avoid empty yesterdays. To overcome challenges, write them on a paper to analyze and understand. It relieves your tension and anxiety and offers amazing solutions. Accept the fact that you are not alone to encounter challenges in this world. Everyone has their own share of challenges and hidden stories. Some express while some hide them. Develop a right attitude to address the challenges. What differentiates between the ordinary people and extraordinary people is that ordinary people suffer silently while the extraordinary people address them quickly to move to the next higher level.  Here are some tips to overcome your challenges:
  • Identify the root of the challenges to address them earnestly.
  • If you are upset, talk to your close friends about it. Expressing your emotions is the key to relieving your inner anxieties and feelings.  
  • Discuss with more friends and relatives about the challenges to seek their ideas and insights. Choose the best solution to overcome them.


Conclusion

“It isn’t what happens to us that causes us to suffer; it’s what we say to ourselves about what happens.” — Pema Chodron

When you want to grow in life, identify what is holding you back to address them. Life is a circus with ups and downs. Be prepared to encounter the challenges. When one door closes, you must open ten doors. Remember, worst things open the door for the best things in your life. Hence, be optimistic and confident to achieve all-round peace and prosperity in your life. Life is great!







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Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2017 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

Friday 20 October 2017

Everything Happens for a Reason – A Short Story





“Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.” — Dalai Lama

Most people think that they alone have challenges in their lives. However, the fact is that everyone has their own share of challenges and hidden stories. Some people unveil while some keep within themselves. In this post, we will discuss that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and everything happens for a reason.


Everything Happens for a Reason — A Short Story

“We all have within us the ability to move from struggle to grace.” ― Arianna Huffington

When I was in Chennai (India), things got worse financially in 2006. I did not know what to do because things went out of my control. I tried to resolve them smoothly, but the challenges came in battalions. Finally, I was forced to leave Chennai in 2007 and relocate to another place in India along with my wife and two sons. I did not know what to do then but I took risk by moving permanently from Chennai. I was very confident of surviving in a new place despite financial difficulties as I was qualified with an MBA degree and being hailed from military background. Little did I realize that the MBA would be useful in my life during my tough times. Within a span of a month of my relocation, I joined as a faculty member to teach management subjects and soft skills for engineering students. I got positive vibrations from students and I thanked almighty for showing the right path when I did not know what to do. I was getting regular income and got my two sons admitted in schools to continue their regular education. From this, I came to know that everything happens for a reason. My services were not required in Chennai. Hence, problems came up and I was forced to relocate to a different place to pursue a noble career of teaching. I also discovered for my passion for teaching, training, research and consultancy. Whenever you encounter challenges in life, pray to God to provide you strength to overcome them. Never pray for an easy and calm life because leaders don’t rise when the sea is smooth.

When you are pushed to the corner, you must think creatively to raise resources and utilize your hidden talents and strengths. You must build new connections to overcome challenges and think creatively to work with what you have rather than blaming others. It is a fact that nobody leads an easy life. Everyone has a hidden story. In fact, there are four kinds of life ― private life, professional life, public life and secret life. 


Conclusion

“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.  Because it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” ― Maya Angelou

We cannot control everything in our life, but we can change our attitude toward life. Remember, tough times don’t last but tough people do last.  Life is great when it has peaks and valleys. God throws challenges to humans to make them stronger and winners. Don’t lose hope when your are forced to the corner. Fight to the finish to come out with flying colors.


“There is no need to run outside for better seeing…Rather abide at the center of your being; for the more you leave it the less you learn. Search your heart and see…The way to do is to be.” ― Lao-Tzu





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Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2017 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.


Wednesday 18 October 2017

Make Your Decision Wisely while Buying Your Dream Home/Apartment



“Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense, paid for in full, and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt


We make several decisions in life. Unfortunately, some of them fail while some succeed. Despite rich experience, intelligence and availability of information, people fail due to external distractions and disturbances. At times it raises doubts in people whether something is wrong with their decision-making. In this post, I will share my experiences while buying my dream home.

I stay in a single bedroom flat since I hail from a lower middle-class family. Most people think that I belong to an aristocratic or affluent background by looking at my profile on social media. In fact, I was born in a poor family and rose from humble origins without regular education. Fortunately, a piece of land I bought more than a decade ago appreciated and I utilized some of the money for my younger son’s overseas education. I decided to own a flat with the balance little money. However, I encountered several challenges such as wrong agents who pressurized me to buy the property. Some agents showed only two or three properties and pressurized me to buy. They did not show me more properties when I requested. When I clearly told my budget and location, they showed properties with legal litigations to trap me. Since I have the habit of gathering information from multiple sources before making decisions, I found them to be with irregularities and litigations. Some brokers pressurized me to buy property through their connections and by influencing my connections. But I did not succumb to such pressure tactics. In some cases, when I decided to buy property it was grabbed by other buyers. In some cases, brokers presented me wrong picture about the prices. When I enquired sellers through direct negotiations, I came to know that they did not fall within my budget. Likewise, I encountered several challenges to buy my dream flat.


Dos and Don’ts When You Buy Your Dream Home

“Find out where the people are going and buy the land before they get there.” —William Penn Adair

It is the dream of most people to own a flat or apartment in their lifetime. There are many precautions the buyers must take before buying property from sellers. There are lots of formalities and techniques involved in buying your dream home. Making a wise decision is key to own your flat. And making decision is not an easy one as your mind wanders from time to time depending on the available opportunities and the fluctuating prices. There are many channels involved in buying your apartment. Usually there is an agent or broker between the seller and the buyer. If you get a genuine agent who can serve as a bridge between the seller and buyer to clinch the deal with a win-win, you can accomplish your lifetime dream to buy your flat or home.  Here are some dos and don’ts to observe while buying your dream home:
  • Do research about the prospective areas for appreciation and good neighborhood.
  • Ensure that you have a good neighborhood to lead a pleasant and peaceful life.  
  • Check for quality of construction. Ensure that the builder complied with the rules and regulations and there is no deviation from the given plan to avoid paying any penalties to the authorities.
  • Look for communication and transportation facilities.
  • Look for legal aspects.


Make Your Decision Wisely

“You can’t have everything you want, but you can have the things that really matter to you.” — Marissa Mayer

When you want to buy your dream home there are certain factors that prevent you from moving forward such as fear of unknown, new location, finance, your emotional connection to the present house and concerns about the new neighborhood to name a few. If you accept the fact that change is the only thing constant in this world, you will take things in your stride to move forward aggressively to your new home with happiness and joy.

Make your decision based on your head, heart and gut. Don’t be sentimental and emotional. Wait for some time if thing don’t fall into place. Remember that everything happens for a reason. Buying your dream home requires patience and perseverance. Take a little longer time to buy your dream home as it is a lifetime investment. There are several costs involved while shifting your home. Hence, take all precautions and steps before buying your dream home and shifting into it.  Good luck!


“If you don’t own a home, buy one. If you own a home, buy another one. If you own two homes, buy a third.” — John Paulson, Hedge Fund Manager and billionaire




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Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2017 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.

Tuesday 17 October 2017

How to Buy Your Dream Home/Flat?






“There is something permanent, and something extremely profound, in owning a home.” — Kenny Guinn


Everyone wants to own their dream flat or independent house. They must be clear in their mind how to proceed to accomplish their dream. Here is a series of steps to consider while buying your dream flat or home. 
·         Find out your budget, consider your age, employment and risk appetite.  
·         Identify the location that is promising and likely to appreciate outsmarting inflation.
·         Search for flats in that area within your budget.
·         Ensure that the flat is Vaastu compliant, if you believe in Vaastu.
·         Find out the prevailing prices in that area. Identify the hidden costs involved.
·         Ensure that the title of the property is clear.
·         Be clear about the terms and conditions including who pays commission to the broker or agent.
·         Find out the resale value.
·         Negotiate with the seller. Be flexible in your negotiations. If you like the flat, don’t hesitate to pay a little more. Check whether you can get loan for it.
·         Verify legal aspects. 
·         Register your property and get it furnished to suit your requirements and taste.
·         Come out of your comfort zone to move to your dream flat.


Make Your Decision Wisely

“You can’t have everything you want, but you can have the things that really matter to you.” — Marissa Mayer

Find out advertisements on properties and prepare a list of prospective sellers in your preferred location. Visit and verify them physically. Don’t get influenced by agents and brokers. Check everything from all quarters before making your decision. Be careful with fly by night operators in real estate business.  

Don’t lose your heart if you encounter frequent failures to own your dream flat. At times, things come very close to the deal but fail. It seems something better is awaiting you. Remember, everything happens for a reason. Dalai Lama rightly remarked, “Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.”

Make your decision based on your head, not heart because buying your flat involves logic and reasoning, not emotions. However, you must consider your emotions when you leave a house in which you stayed for many years.


Conclusion

“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” — Maya Angelou

Buying a dream home/flat can be tiring especially if you are a first-time buyer. Don’t lose your hope and don’t get influenced by brokers and agents. Buy it where you find positive vibrations. If you find any negative signals, avoid purchasing it.  To summarize, buying your dream flat or home is easier said than done. You must make decisions based on the prevailing scenario. Don’t regret if there are any gaps between your expectations and realities because what was right yesterday is not right today and what is right today may not be right tomorrow.

Good luck!


“Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” — Mark Twain









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Life is great!

Professor M.S.Rao
Founder of MSR Leadership Consultants India




Thanks for reading!

Kindly share your thoughts and comments below, I’m sure someone out there will find your story useful.



Copyright©2017 MSR Leadership Consultants India. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


This is a nonprofit blog to share Professor M.S.Rao’s passion and vision to build one million students as global leaders by 2030. Please don't cut articles from my blog and redistribute by email or post to the web. The use of this material is free provided copyright is acknowledged and reference or link is made to the Blog http://professormsraovision2030.blogspot.in.  This material may not be sold, or published in any form, or used in the provision of business services to a third party without permission.