D
Dev Sen
posted on 25 MayMalibu Town: Are hidden costs the real deal-breaker?
Since selling our big house, I'm eyeing a 3BHK in Malibu Town. Everyone says negotiate, but Solutrean-type builders won't budge. Aren't hidden maintenance costs after possession the *real* trap? Change my mind.
#malibu-town#hidden-costs#negotiation#maintenance-charges#3bhk
Comments
I'm still confused. Is there any way to get clarity
You're absolutely right about the hidden costs. My brother booked a 2BHK in Malibu Town about 3 years ago. Initially, it looked like a great deal. But after possession, the builder kept increasing the maintenance charges every 6 months. Plus, the quality of construction for common areas is pathetic. The lifts break down frequently, and the backup generator barely works. We're paying premium maintenance for sub-standard services. Solutrean builders have a reputation for this, they make you feel like you're getting a steal, but then they recover it all later.
Rs. 4.5/sqft?! That's highway robbery! My budget cannot handle this.
U6, to answer your question, one of my colleagues who lives in Malibu Town told me they are paying around Rs. 4.5 per sqft for maintenance, which is insane for the facilities provided. Plus, there was an 'infrastructure development charge' that came up a year after possession. It was a one-time payment of almost 1.5 lakhs! These builders exploit the fact that once you've invested, you're stuck. Current market conditions in Gurugram are tough, and buyers are desperate, so builders get away with this.
This is my biggest fear! What's the current maintenance charge per sqft your brother is paying now? And are there any other unexpected costs that came up? I'm looking at a place there too and want to be prepared.
Totally agree with you! Malibu Town is well-located, no doubt, but the 'Solutrean-type' description hits home. My cousin bought a flat near Airport Road (Gurgaon side) from a similar builder and got burnt. They promise the moon pre-possession, but post-possession, the maintenance charges are astronomical, and amenities are always 'under development.' It's a classic bait and switch, yaar.
Exactly! And it's not just maintenance. They add charges for parking, club membership, even 'corpus fund' that you never see again. We were looking at a project in Baharampur Naya and the broker showed us a breakdown, after adding all these, the effective price per sqft jumped by almost 15%. This is the real deal-breaker for first-time buyers like us.
Haan bhai, same experience. My friend in Basai faced this. Maintenance is a black hole.