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Aparna Pillai
posted on 9 MayGurgaon amenities are just high PLC and zero ROI
Okay, I'll be honest — EMI vs rent math makes me think I'm crazy for not buying sooner. But yaar, everyone glorifies these fancy amenities, but nobody talks about their actual ROI for an investor. Like, Surendra Home 14 mein jo clubhouse dikhate hain, kitne log use karte hain daily? I'm fed up of renting, so finally taking the plunge. My concern is, do these high-end amenities really attract better tenants or boost resale value, or are they just a maintenance charge liability? Seems like builders just add them for show and higher PLCs. Disagree? Tell me why.
#investor-perspective#amenity-reality#resale-value#gurgaon-real-estate#surendra-home-14
Comments
I think it boils down to individual priorities and what you value. For some, a well-maintained club or pool IS a deal-breaker, and they're willing to pay for it, especially if it saves them external memberships. For others, it's an unnecessary expense. The OP's point about ROI for an investor is crucial though. If you're buying purely as an investment, fancy amenities might not translate to a proportional increase in rent or resale value, especially if the maintenance eats into your profits. It's a calculation each buyer has to make, weighing lifestyle against financial prudence, especially in a city like Gurgaon where property prices are already so high.
My personal experience with a builder who promised 'world-class amenities' was a nightmare. They showed us grand plans for a sports complex and a departmental store within the premises. Fast forward to possession, the sports complex was half-built, and the store was just a tiny general provision shop. Builders often over-promise to lure buyers and then cut corners. It's hard to trust what they show in the brochures vs. what gets delivered or even maintained years later.
The OP is spot on. Surendra Home 14, at ₹90 L for a completed project with only 16 units, is a classic example. When there are so few units, the per-unit share for maintaining a large clubhouse, gym, or even security for fancy gates becomes exorbitant. Builders use these amenities as a hook to justify higher PLCs and then you, the buyer, are left holding the maintenance bill. It's not about ROI, it's about basic financial sense for a first-time buyer.
Not necessarily avoid *all* amenities, but be realistic. Look for projects where the amenity-to-unit ratio makes sense, or where the amenities are practical and truly add value to daily life, not just for show. A good community hall or a small park for kids might be useful, but a sprawling, underutilized clubhouse with a heated pool in a 16-unit complex? Probably not. Sometimes, older, more established societies with fewer 'fancy' features have better value and lower maintenance. Focus on location, build quality, and unit size first.
So, for budget-conscious first-time buyers like us, what's the alternative then? Should we just avoid projects with any amenities at all?
Exactly! My neighbour booked near Airport Road (Gurgaon side) and he's regretting it now. Same story – fancy brochure, but now he's paying through his nose for maintenance of things he barely uses. He says he could have gotten a much bigger place with basic amenities for the same EMI if he'd just looked a little further out.
Yaar, but sometimes having a good clubhouse or a swimming pool does make a difference for families, right? Especially if you have kids. My cousin bought in a society near Badshahpur, and their kids love the common areas. Doesn't that make it more attractive to tenants or for resale later?
Good point about families. But the question is, how much extra are we paying for that 'difference'? In today's market, with interest rates still high, every rupee counts. Are tenants really willing to pay significantly more rent just for a swimming pool they might use once a month? Or are we just stuck with a higher EMI for a perceived luxury?
Honestly, from my experience, it's a mixed bag. I looked at Surendra Home 14 last year. The clubhouse looked fancy, but the actual usage seemed low, especially during weekdays. And then the maintenance charges! Bhai, ₹90 L for just 16 units means the common expenses get divided among very few people. Builders show you the dream, but the reality is often underutilized facilities with high running costs. My friend in Baliawas has a small society with basic amenities, and their maintenance is half of what I was quoted for Surendra Home 14.
Totally agree with you! Yeh amenities toh bas photo mein achhe lagte hain. Surendra Home 14 mein 90L mein agar sirf gym aur clubhouse ke liye extra pay karna pade, toh kya faayda? Maintenance bhi toh badhta hai.