Hi, I have 40 lakhs in hand coming from ancestors property and same saving. I need to purchase a home in Delhi NCR but current real estate prices are way above my budget even if I take loan of 50 lakhs. I am thinking of investing this amount in mutual funds having diversified balanced portfolio of equity and debt sectors for a timeline of 5-8 years. I am hoping in 5-8, I will enough amount for atleast 60% down payment on my house. I am assuming a return of 12-15%. Can you suggest the approach I should use to reach my goal? Do you recommend financial advisory services as well.

Ans: Please continue; these are decent funds

Ans: Hi Murgendra, thank you for writing in.

I notice you are currently investing around 70% of your funds in index funds, HDFC Nifty 50 & HDFC Nifty Next 50. With this, your portfolio returns will mostly mirror index returns.

You can consider investing Rs.10,000 in HDFC Nifty 50 Index Fund and Rs.10,000 in HDFC Nifty Next 50 Index Fund & invest the balance Rs.10,000 as follows:
1-SBI Magnum Midcap Fund-Growth Rs.5,000
2-Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund- Growth Rs.5,000

This will give you more midcap and smallcap exposure that have the potential to outperform the index and help you generate higher returns.

To create a corpus of Rs.50 Lakh in 5 years, you will need to invest around Rs.60,500 per month, that is increase your SIP’s by Rs.17,500. You need not invest in any new schemes, but simply increase the SIP amounts in the same proportion.

Annual step ups of around 10% will help you achieve your goals faster.

Ans: Thank you for reaching out. Your goal of buying a house and investing in mutual funds is commendable. Let’s break down your questions and provide a structured plan.

Saving for a House Purchase
Understanding Down Payment and Loan Amount
When buying a house, financial discipline is crucial. Typically, banks require a down payment of 20% of the property value. For a flat costing Rs. 1 crore, you need to save Rs. 20 lakhs as a down payment.

Planning Your Down Payment
Assess Your Savings: Calculate your current savings and how much you need to accumulate.

Monthly Savings Goal: Determine how much you need to save monthly to reach Rs. 20 lakhs. This will depend on your timeframe.

Automate Savings: Set up an automatic transfer to a high-interest savings account or a liquid mutual fund. This ensures disciplined saving.

Managing Your Loan
Loan Amount: After the down payment, you will need a loan of Rs. 80 lakhs.

Loan EMI Calculation: Ensure your EMI does not exceed 40% of your monthly income to maintain financial stability.

Investment Strategy for High Returns
Realistic Expectations
Achieving a 25-30% annual return consistently is unrealistic and risky. The Indian equity market averages around 12-15% annually over the long term. High returns come with high risk, and such expectations can lead to significant losses.

Recommended Mutual Funds
While aiming for high returns, consider a balanced approach with diversified equity funds and some exposure to mid and small caps. Here are some fund types to consider:

Flexi Cap Funds: These funds invest across market capitalizations and adapt to market conditions.

Mid Cap Funds: Focus on mid-sized companies with growth potential but higher risk than large caps.

Small Cap Funds: Invest in smaller companies with high growth potential and high risk.

Sectoral/Thematic Funds: Target specific sectors which may offer high returns but are also very risky.

Suggested Mutual Funds Allocation
Flexi Cap Fund: 40%

Mid Cap Fund: 30%

Small Cap Fund: 20%

Sectoral/Thematic Fund: 10%

Your Current Financial Commitments
Existing Car Loan
Your car loan EMI is Rs. 13,000 per month. Ensure this does not strain your finances when combined with other obligations.

Investing Rs. 10,000 in SIPs
Given your goal of high returns, here’s how you can allocate your Rs. 10,000 monthly SIP:

Flexi Cap Fund: Rs. 4,000

Mid Cap Fund: Rs. 3,000

Small Cap Fund: Rs. 2,000

Sectoral/Thematic Fund: Rs. 1,000

Risk Management and Diversification
Diversification
Diversification reduces risk. Spread your investments across different asset classes and sectors to mitigate potential losses.

Regular Review and Rebalancing
Review your portfolio every 6-12 months. Rebalance to align with your financial goals and market conditions.

Professional Guidance
Certified Financial Planner
Consult a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for personalized advice. A CFP can help tailor your investment strategy, manage risks, and achieve your financial goals.

Conclusion
Your financial discipline and clear goals are commendable. By saving diligently for your down payment and investing wisely, you can achieve your dream of buying a house and building substantial wealth. Remember, while high returns are desirable, maintaining a balanced and diversified portfolio is key to long-term success.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: You are 31 years old.
Your goal is to buy a house in Mumbai in the next 5 years with a budget of Rs. 35-40 lakhs.
You seek investments for both long-term and short-term with minimal risk.
Financial Planning for House Purchase
Short-Term Investment Strategy (5 Years)
Recurring Deposits (RDs):

Suitable for disciplined savings.
Low risk and guaranteed returns.
Ideal for accumulating funds over a fixed period.
Bank Fixed Deposits (FDs):

Safe investment with fixed returns.
Opt for a laddering strategy to ensure liquidity.
Debt Mutual Funds:

Invest in high-quality corporate bonds and government securities.
Lower risk compared to equity funds.
Suitable for generating stable returns with moderate risk.
Suggested Allocation for Short-Term
Recurring Deposits (RDs): 30%

Provides disciplined savings with fixed returns.
Bank Fixed Deposits (FDs): 40%

Safe investment with fixed returns.
Ensure liquidity by laddering FDs.
Debt Mutual Funds: 30%

Invest in high-quality debt funds for stability.
Aim for moderate returns with lower risk.
Calculating Monthly Investment for House Purchase
Assuming you need Rs. 40 lakhs in 5 years.
Recurring Deposits (RDs): Rs. 12 lakhs
Monthly investment: Rs. 20,000 (approx.)
Bank Fixed Deposits (FDs): Rs. 16 lakhs
Monthly investment: Rs. 27,000 (approx.)
Debt Mutual Funds: Rs. 12 lakhs
Monthly investment: Rs. 20,000 (approx.)
Long-Term Investment Strategy
For Retirement and Other Long-Term Goals
Public Provident Fund (PPF):

Safe investment with tax benefits.
Long lock-in period suitable for retirement savings.
Employee Provident Fund (EPF):

Ensure regular contributions if employed.
Provides long-term growth with tax benefits.
Equity Mutual Funds:

Invest in high-quality actively managed funds.
Aim for long-term growth with moderate to high risk.
Suitable for wealth creation over 10-15 years.
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP):

Regular investment in equity mutual funds.
Helps in rupee cost averaging and disciplined investing.
Suggested Allocation for Long-Term
Public Provident Fund (PPF): 20%
Provides safe returns with tax benefits.
Employee Provident Fund (EPF): 20%
Ensure regular contributions for long-term growth.
Equity Mutual Funds: 60%
Invest in high-quality actively managed funds.
Aim for wealth creation over the long term.
Final Insights
For Short-Term: Invest in recurring deposits, fixed deposits, and debt mutual funds for house purchase.
For Long-Term: Invest in PPF, EPF, and equity mutual funds for wealth creation and retirement.
With disciplined investing and regular reviews, you can achieve your financial goals with minimal risk.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in