Which BHK apartment to buy – 1, 2 or 3? Points to Consider
As a first time home-buyer, it may not always be easy to choose the right apartment configuration. There are several factors to consider such as your present requirements, property prices, locality and future preferences. As such, it may be quite confusing to choose between a 1, 2 or a 3BHK apartment. This article gives you a clear picture of what all factors you should consider before buying a particular configuration.
The first thing you should consider while making a choice for buying a 1, 2 or 3BHK apartment is to know your requirements. Ask yourself simple questions like “why am I buying this apartment?”, “Is it for my own use or renting out?”, “how many family members will stay in the house?” or “what is the space I will need in my house for now and future?” and so on.
Understanding the pros and cons
When you are planning to buy an apartment of a particular BHK configuration, there are certain advantages and disadvantages associated with each of these configurations. Understand these pros and cons. The following table describes in detail, the various pros and cons associated with these BHK configurations.
|
BHK type |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|
1BHK |
– Small size and comfortable- Low cost, hence more affordable- Easy maintenance due to smaller space
– May be a good alternative to paying high rentals – Generally easier to rent it out – Best suited for those travelling frequently to work & prefer home-like comfort when back home – When compared to a 3 or 4 BHK, loading factor per unit is relatively low. This means that you get more space within your unit |
– Ideal mostly for bachelors or couples- Demand-supply gap in most metros other than Mumbai |
|
2BHK |
– Ideal for first-time home buyers- Comfortable for couples and nuclear families- High availability
– Easy on maintenance – Good value appreciation compared to other configurations like 1 and 3 BHK – Easy to sell or rent out as demand is high |
– Usually doesn’t have sufficient space for a growing family- Due to high demand, if not booked early then you may not get the unit of your preference- limited scope for carving out additional spaces, if required
– Due to high demand, builders seldom give any discount on this configuration |
|
3BHK |
– Ample space within the home- Best choice for large families due to bigger space availability- Few come with servant room, which makes it ideal for families with working parents
|
– Not so easy on maintenance- Relatively Difficult to rent out and sell- Generally lower return on investment as compared to 2 BHKs
– Rent differential between 2 and 3BHK is generally low, though 3BHK costs more |
Know your Preferences!
One thing you should know is that apartment sizes vary in the same project as well as across projects. There may be a possibility that a 2BHK apartment maybe almost as big as a 3BHK apartment in the same project. You may also find a 1BHK apartment whose size may vary from 400-600 sq. ft. For instance, one builder may offer a 2 BHK of 1300 sq. ft. area while another builder in another project may offer a 3BHK in 1300 sq. ft. area. In this case, you will need to know your preference – would you prefer to have more number of small-size rooms or would you prefer to buy less number of rooms but of a larger size.
Another point that may also help you decide your BHK configuration is the budget. For example, let’s say your budget for your dream home is Rs 60 lakhs. Several questions can come in– “should I buy a large-size 3 BHK home in this budget towards the outskirts of the city” or “should I opt for a small-size 2 BHK within the city where prices are higher?” “Should I opt for a Grade A builder and buy 2 BHK or should I buy a 3BHK by a Grade B builder whose property would be costing less.” These are just some of the points that need to be considered while selecting your preferred BHK configuration. It is advisable that you understand your requirements, budget and try to stick to it.
Keep these simple things in mind and you will be in a better position to buy the right apartment configuration.
You should also be aware of certain terms a builder uses, such as carpet area, built-up area and super built-up area. Carpet area, which is the actual usable area within your apartment, is always smaller than the super built-up area. Ask the builder for the actual carpet area that you will be getting in the unit. In fact, the government is considering it to make it mandatory for builders to mention the carpet area in the brochure instead of the super built-up area, which is the general norm practised all across currently.
