Godrej 24

Godrej 24 stands beside the Wipro campus, within the first phase of the Hinjewadi IT park, pincode 411057. For anyone who works in that phase, the commute can shrink to a short walk or a quick ride.

For trips further out, you will use Dange Chowk Road or the Hinjewadi–Marunji road. For trains, Chinchwad is the closest station; for flights, you head to Pune airport. The developer has not published distances or times for these, so we give none. Try the drive to the station and the airport at the hours you would travel.

Daily needs are covered in the locality. Blue Ridge Public School is in Hinjewadi, which helps with the school run, and Xion Mall is in the area for shopping and a meal out. Inside the project, a convenience store, a café, an ATM and health facilities cover small errands.

An IT-park address has one clear downside: peak-hour traffic. Tens of thousands of people come in and out of Hinjewadi each working day. Visit at 9 in the morning and 6 in the evening, and see how long it takes to get out of the gate and onto the main road.

Godrej 24 was built in five plans, and only two are still for sale from the developer:

• 2 BHK Large, about 798 sq ft: sold out
• 2 BHK Large, about 826 sq ft: sold out
• 2 BHK XL, about 920 sq ft: Rs. 86 Lakhs
• 2 BHK XL, about 940 sq ft: Rs. 88 Lakhs
• 3 BHK, about 1,160 sq ft: sold out

The listed XL prices come to about Rs. 9,350 per sq ft. A rate of Rs. 6,329 per sq ft also appears on file, which does not match those prices, so ask for today's figure in writing. Sizes are given without a basis; Pune projects usually quote carpet area, so confirm.

A finished flat with its occupancy certificate carries no GST. Maharashtra stamp duty and registration apply to every sale. For a new XL flat, ask for a cost sheet with:

• Base price and the area it covers
• Floor and facing charges
• Car parking
• Society formation and maintenance deposits
• Stamp duty and registration

For a resale flat, compare the asking price with recent sales in the society and inspect the flat's condition.

Godrej 24 has no RERA registration number on file. It is shown as having all approvals, but a statement is not proof. Ask Godrej Properties for the papers, and search the MahaRERA website, maharera.maharashtra.gov.in, in case a registration exists for any phase.

Since the towers are finished and occupied, the papers that matter show the building is complete and legal. For a new flat from the developer, ask for:

• The occupancy certificate for your tower
• The approved building plan showing your unit
• Title documents and a search report for the land
• A draft agreement for sale with the carpet area

For a resale flat, add the seller's checks:

• The seller's registered agreement and the earlier chain of sale
• The society share certificate and a no-dues letter
• Latest property tax and electricity bills
• Proof that any loan on the flat has been closed

On completion, register the sale at the sub-registrar's office and pay stamp duty and registration. Then have the society record the transfer, and move the property tax and power accounts into your name.

Godrej 24 covers 17 acres, with 12 towers, the tallest rising 17 floors, and 800 homes around a clubhouse, pools, courts and lawns. Since the project is complete, you can walk the grounds and see how much green space there really is.

A morning could start on the jogging trail or at the yoga area, followed by a swim in the pool with its cabanas. The gym, spa and sauna are in the clubhouse. If you work from home some days, the business centre, the library with its reading coves and the Wi-Fi give you a place to work outside the flat.

For children, there is a kids' pool, play and recreation areas, and a day care. Older children can use the tennis, basketball and cricket courts, several lit for evening play, or the table tennis and indoor game room. A senior citizen corner gives grandparents their own space.

Weekends can bring the amphitheatre, the party lawns and the barbecue deck. With a list this long, ask the residents' association which facilities are working, what the monthly maintenance charge is, and whether any extra fees apply for the clubhouse.