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Properties in Chennai

Couple of Builders in Chennai , India - Visited during Oct 2010 brief analysis

1. Alliance Builders - Orchid Springs

http://www.alliancein.com/projectoverview.asp?cityid=3&categoryid=7&projectid=23

Exact Location - 

Thirumangalam - Anna Nagar West Extension Road 

Once you cross the Anna Nagar Bus Stand - Traffic Circle - Once you get down Right Side Padi Station and Left Side  DRJ Hospital

Around 0.5Kms from the 100 Ft Road - Canal Road Alongside DRJ Hospital

THe areas around this place is all Plots and Individual Houses with lots of Free land around.

2233 Sq Ft apartments and around 3-4 models of 1500-1600 SqFt apartments.

Quoting rate is 4175/- Per SqFt ( Corner Flat 500Rs Extra , Per Floor Increase 25Rs Extra )

I was given a flat in 12th floor  . They have approval till 12th floor and expecting to get another 5 floors

Flat rate is around 97Lacs and additional 6-7 Lacs for the closing cost and other features ..

There are lots of model and you have flats in the range of 39 - 97 Lacs

Pros -

Better Location

Definitely the area will develop as its very close to the city and other amenities

Cons -

Very far from IT corridor - Next to Impossible to travel ;)

Builder reputation - When I googled .. Looks like they were collecting money for the very same apartments from 2006 and did not do anything till date.

( Good thing is the construction has started I had been to the site and work has started )

2. Spanish City - CitySquare - Plots in Sriperumpudhur

Exact Location -

Exit - Empee Distilleries on NH-4 , around 5 Kms from the this location . Local road crossing around 2 villages ( Completely Village )

There are lots of Plots on Sale and Row Houses around this place . Definitely this place is happening .. but not in next 1-2 years but on a longer period.

1 Ground is around 12-15 Lacs at this location. There are lots of plots available and 2 houses ( Big Ones ) under construction

Pros -

Gated place

Lots of builders and plot developers around this place

3-4 Automobile industry around this place - Manufacturing units 

The places which was like this 2 years back is hot cake now ( my chittappa looked for some land and he confirmed that )

Cons -

Very far from the city

Remote location definitely not liveable right now

May be in 5-10 years this place would be appreciating 

3. Couple of Houses and Land in and around Velachery

Exact Location -

1 Ground of Land -  around 73 Lacs in Palikaranai - Very Good Location but not approved land .. People confirmed that spending some money can get the approval so thats not an issue

1/2 Ground of Land and 2 storey Duplex home recently constructed around 2200 SqFt built up area - Asking rate 75 Lacs ( Wanted 50% on cash Black ;) ) and the rest on loan is ok ...

1 Ground of land and a very old house ( House is of no use ) just the land value quoted aorund 90 Lacs

Only problem with this land was that the size of the land was not square/ Rectangle... It was longer on one side and shorter on the other side ( not vasthu compliant it seems -- I got to know at that point ;) )

4. Eta Star - Rosedale

Exact Location-

Opposite to Hindustan University - Almost at the end of the IT corridor Very close to the Siruseri SEPZ Location

Lots of builders in and around that location 

Too many apartments not sure who is going to stay there..

Model house was too good and the rate is around 3200Rs ... The guy was telling that all the apartments are booked and did not give us many options to select from..

This was one of the apartment we decided from here ... First Phase is almost done and the second phase construction has started ..

5. Metrozone 

http://www.metrozone.in/

Exact Location-

Koymabedu Circle - Towards Thirumangalam Next to the Bank Quarters

Very good location . every chance of appreciating ..

Quoting price - 6800 Rs .. 2 Bed Apartment is almost 1.1 C and 3 Bed is like 1.5 C ...

General Feelers : ( Please do not get biased with this .. Every Tom in the city of chennai has his own Idea .. I also have one and giving it to you for free )

Thats the whole lot of analysis I did in just 4-5 hours before flying back from Chennai.

The analysis we did from here is all on air and the ground reality is completely different ...

1. Apartments in general has gone up in the last 3-4 months ... Guys are tellling that the apartment they got for 40-45 lacs is now 65-70lacs .. Confirmed with at least 2-3 of my friends as well ..

2. Apartments would have lots of hidden cost which will not be covered by the bank loan

3. Apartment's would have car parking charges more than the Car .. Like 3-4 Lacs per car park

4. Lands are good for investment

5. Hi End apartment is good if you go back in another 5 years. otherwise go for the low end apartments ( lower Sq Ft area once and 2 bed )

All the photos I have taken on my iphone is available in the following location.

http://picasaweb.google.com/photos.nk.online/PropertiesChennai?authkey=Gv1sRgCNeIrIz43vrpNg&feat=directlink

PIO Application @ SF Indian Consulate

Follow the instructions for applying PIO card for the US born applicant


1. Download the PIO application form from http://cgisf.org
    -- Consular Services -->Person of Indian Origin ( PIO )
2. Documents required ( In Original when applying in person )
    -- Filled application form 
    -- Thumb impression ( of minor kids ) in first page ( under the photo ) and second page
    -- Original Passport of the applicant
    -- Original Birth Certificate of the applicant
    -- Original Driver's license of the applicant / Parent ( if applicant is minor )
    -- Original passport of both the parents ( Indian passport of father & Mother ) 
Take photocopy of the above documents . Color copy is preferred .


3. Cashier's check for the fees amount -- $ 185.00 for children ( Please check http://cgisf.org for the latest fees ) . You can also use debit card ( with $3 service charge ) at the consulate.
4. Avoid Fridays and Mondays when applying in person at the SF consulate. Typical processing time during other weekdays is 30-45 mins for PIO processing.
5. Passport photo can be taken at home . Usually babies are not photo friendly when you try at Walgreens / Costco . You can try taking snaps at home . Upload the photo in http://epassportphoto.com/
  Composition checklist:

1. Photographer: Stand about 6 feet away from the subject. Capture the subject from the shoulders and leave space above the head
2. Shadows: ensure the subject stands one feet away from the background to avoid shadows
3. Expression: make sure the subject has a neutral expression with no teeth showing
4. Glasses: remove to avoid hiding the eyes
5. Eyes: make sure no red eye in your photos
6. Background Color: white or light-coloured

6. Paste the photo in the first page of the application using glue stick and staple the applicant photo in the second page ( just underneath mailing instructions block )

Other Important information :

1. OfficeMax is right across the corner of Indian Consulate. Geary Blvd X Arguello Blvd

2. Photocopy inside the consulate is $ 1 per copy and 9c at OfficeMax / 49c for color copies.

Parking Near Consulate :

1. Continue on Arguello Boulevard , you would see the Indian Consulate on the left side.

2. Continue straight in the Anza St X Arguello Blvd intersection

3. Turn left on the next left st ( Edward St ) - This street is adjacent to the Rossi Playground.

4. Usually you get parking in this street and it doesn't have the parking meters installed ( Parking Cops are very active in and around the consulate in issuing the tickets ) Carry enough Quarters to feed the parking meters.

All the above information is based on the personal experience at SF consulate while applying PIO card. Please refer to http://cgisf.org  for the latest information.