Vaastu is the study of the impact of the Sun's rays on the earth. According to Vaastu, there are 5 basic elements in the world (Panch Mahabhutas). They are the Earth, Water, Air, Fire (Heat & Light) and Sky (Cosmic). Vaastu is a science of balancing these elements in the proper proportions for prosperity and harmony.

The principles of vaastu are based on directions, which are permanent. Ventilation plays a very important role in Vaastu, good cross-ventilation therefore is necessary. Since vaastu is based on the properties of the earth and the sun, it is surely universal. Nationality, religion, caste etc. have nothing to do with the science of vaastu, it is equal for one and all.

In modern times it is not feasible to build big houses having large number of rooms as mentioned in Vaastu Shastra. Houses are built on small plots which can not accommodate many rooms. Therefore it is advised to construct the house in accordance with the principles of Vaastu, in abridged form having rooms as per necessity and convenience.

Bath Room:- Proper place for bath-room has been suggested in the east direction. The mild rays of the morning sun are beneficial for health. These rays can be received by the body while bathing, there fore bath room in the east is good.

Kitchen:- South-east corner is the place of the god of fire (Agni Dev), therefore, the kitchen wherein fire has an important role, must be built in this corner. The Kitchen should never be built in the north-east, South-west or in the centre of north, south or west side.

Bed Room:- The Master bedroom should be in the south- south-west direction. Bed-rooms for unmarried children can be built on the east side and for unmarried youths or for guests, the bed room in north-west is good.

Dining Room:- Best place for the dining room is in the west. Nowadays, the dining room is adjusted with the kitchen or drawing room. In that case this room may be used for other purposes. The Dining table should be arranged in the South-west or north-west portion of the room. Water arrangement should be in the north-east corner and fridge etc. (electrical appliances, if any) should be kept in south-east corner. Persons should face towards the east or north while taking meals.

Pooja Room:- The North-east corner is governed by Eeshwar (God); Hence the Pooja room should be built in this corner. This corner should not be used for the bedroom, kitchen or any other room, and no other articles should be placed in the pooja room. There should not be any toilet or kitchen above, below or adjacent to the pooja room.

Toilet:- The place between south and south west is suggested for the toilet. It can also be built in the north-west.

Study Room:- The best place for the study room is between the west and south-west. The person should sit facing the north or east while studying. The study table should not be placed touching the walls. The Book-shelf should be placed along the north-east corner only.

A few more tips on Vaastu:
· Racks or almirahs should be in south & west direction in all the rooms.
· Doors of each room should be facing east.
· Never fix a mirror on south and west wall if possible.
· Toilets & bathrooms should be in south-east or north-west portion.
· Bedrooms should be in south and west.
· Master bed room should be in south-west.
· While sleeping head should be in south or west but never in north
· Pooja room should be in north east. All photos or idols should be facing east or   west only.
· Drainage pipes should be in north or east portion of the plot or house.
· Toilet seat (W.C.) should be north-south only. It should not be east-west.
· Septic tank should be in central-east towards south or central-north towards west.
· Over-head water tank should be in South-West. And if it is in north-west, then any other higher structure to be made in south-west. It should not touch the slab it should be above and on four pillars.
· Face east while cooking, west will be allowed if there is no alternative, but never face south while cooking.
· Ventilation plays a very important role in Vaastu, good cross-ventilation therefore is necessary.
· TV, Radio or any other such device for entertainment should be placed near the southwest corner.
· No two doors are opposite each other.
· Guestroom or drawing room should be in the north or west direction.

With the emergence of nuclear families, the growing apartment culture has been instrumental in breaking barriers and offering the advantages of community living. Apart from this, good apartments, offer its residents the convenience of lifestyle facilities like a club-house, swimming pool, gymnasium etc apart from increasing aesthetic value of the development by creating visually appealing landscapes. The security concern is also minimised to a large extent with the hi-tech security gadgets that good apartments offer today.

Read on, for a few tips to guide you in making the right choice:

Define your requirements for a home

• You want to buy an apartment for self occupation or for investment.
  Your preference of apartment size? How many bedrooms do you require? What should be the optimum size of each room? Does it meet your present and possible future requirements? This check should simultaneously be made for sizes of living room, dining room, kitchen and balconies.
   
• Decide on a budget. You also have the option of availing a housing loan.
   
• Your location preference - Close proximity to schools, colleges,hospitals, supermarkets, etc.
   
• Would you require an open or covered parking?
   
• What about water and power supply? Is it sufficient to meet all your needs and demands?
   
• How good is the ventilation and direction?
   
• What are the specifications offered i.e. the kind of floorings being offered, the tiles in all
  the rooms, the quality of woodwork for doors, windows etc. ?
   
• What are the amenities offered like club house, swimming pool, gymnasium,
  supermarket, etc.
   
• Security and maintenance.

Check the Legal Aspects

• Check whether the property has clear legal titles
   
• Carefully scrutinize the contract, and consider a legal review before signing.
   
• Ensure that the developer has entered into proper development agreements.
   
• Check if the developer has the authority to sell. Scrutinize the draft of agreements to be executed for sale by the developer
• The sanctioned building plan should be verified and a confirmation from the municipal authorities has to be taken about its adherence to building bylaws.
   
• Be sure that the developer has acquired approvals from the Municipal Corporation, Area Development Authorities, Electricity Boards, Water Supply & Sewage Boards.
   
• Check if the developer has title and possession, including the right to convey transfer.
   
• Check if the transfer of property approvals have been obtained from the statutory land development or planning authority or competent authority constituted under the Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act and the Income-Tax Act. If so, have the approvals been obtained?
   
• Ask for completion and occupation certificates.
• Check the approximate stamp duty & registration cost involved.

• Location of the building. Also check the approach roads and surrounding areas
   
• Check the distance from facilities like schools, colleges, transport facilities, markets, hospitals, etc
   
• Find out the general profile of owners in the building
   
• Visit the developer's earlier projects to check out the quality of the construction,
  landscaping, and other amenities.Find out about the architects and the contractors.
   
• Check for the specifications offered by the developer - flooring, sanitary / kitchen fittings, etc.
   
• Check on amenities provided in the building and if any additional cost is involved for the use of these amenities.
   
• Check on the availability of uninterrupted supply of utilities like water & power, a good drainage system.
   
• If the building is under construction, confirm tentative time for completion - enforce suitable penalty in case of delay.