35, Govt. Job: Is My ₹1.8Cr Home Purchase Plan Sound?

Ans: Current Financial Situation

You have a strong investment portfolio worth Rs. 3.4 crore.
Your equity investments have grown well over 44 years.
Mutual fund investments also show good growth in 14 years.
You own a valuable land property worth Rs. 3 crore.

Proposed Plan

You want to build a 6-floor residential apartment.
You need Rs. 2 crore for construction costs.
Planning to take overdraft loans against equity and mutual funds.
Intend to repay interest through SWP of Rs. 10 lakh yearly.
Plan to sell one floor to clear overdraft loans.

Risks to Consider

Construction costs may exceed your estimates.
Market volatility could affect your investment values.
Interest rates on overdraft loans may increase.
Property market conditions may change.

Alternative Funding Options

Consider selling some equity or mutual fund units.
This could reduce your loan burden and interest costs.
Look into construction loans from banks.
They may offer better interest rates than overdraft loans.

Tax Implications

Selling investments may lead to capital gains tax.
Property sale will also have tax implications.
Plan for these taxes in your financial calculations.

Cash Flow Management

Ensure you have enough regular income for daily expenses.
Don't rely solely on investments for living costs.
Keep some funds aside for emergencies.

Investment Portfolio Review

Your portfolio has performed well over the years.
Consider rebalancing to maintain proper asset allocation.
Actively managed funds can help navigate market changes.

Construction Project Management

Get detailed cost estimates from reliable contractors.
Factor in potential delays and cost overruns.
Consider hiring a project manager to oversee construction.

Exit Strategy

Have a clear plan for selling or renting the apartments.
Research local property market trends.
Be prepared for possible delays in property sale.

Retirement Planning

Ensure this project doesn't jeopardize your retirement savings.
Keep a portion of your investments untouched for future needs.
Regular funds through CFP can provide ongoing guidance.

Finally

Your plan has potential but carries significant risks.
Consider less risky alternatives to achieve your goals.
Consult a Certified Financial Planner for personalized advice.
Regular review of your financial situation is crucial.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: Dear Friend, Given your current financial standing, closing your home loan by March 2025 seems like a wise choice. You have Rs 26.5L parked in the SBI Max Gain account, which already reduces your interest liability. By clearing the remaining Rs 12.65L, you can become debt-free, providing peace of mind and freeing up your EMI payments for additional investments. While the home loan offers tax benefits under the old regime, the psychological comfort of being debt-free may outweigh the potential tax savings, especially since your financial portfolio is already strong.
Once the loan is closed, increasing your monthly SIPs to Rs 2L would be a smart move. Over the next 10 years, equity mutual funds, which historically offer returns of 10-12% annually, can significantly grow your wealth. Since you are already investing in a diversified portfolio of index, small-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds, increasing these investments aligns well with your long-term goals.
Investing in real estate, particularly land, can provide diversification. However, real estate is typically less liquid and the returns can be location-dependent. If you're confident in the property’s growth potential, this can be a good long-term investment. However, your existing strategy of focusing on equity mutual funds will likely offer better returns and flexibility, given your 10-year investment horizon.
So closing your home loan by March 2025 and redirecting the freed-up funds into increased SIPs appears to be the best route. It balances peace of mind, tax efficiency, and long-term wealth creation, while real estate can be considered for diversification if you find a promising opportunity.
There are many real estate opportunities like REIT or Partial ownership in commercial properties which can also yield between 14 to 22% overall return with about 5 to 8% monthly return and 10 to 12% of Growth in the Asset Value at end of tenure.
Investment is commodities like gold and silver can also yield a return of 8 to 10% with reducing the risk in one sector.
Diversification is the mantra, do not depend on only one or two type of investment avenues. Explore other options as well.

Best regards,
Nitin Narkhede
Founder & MD, Prosperity Lifestyle Hub https://Nitinnarkhede.com
Free Webinar https://bit.ly/PLH-Webinar

Ans: When there are too many follow-up questions in one go, it becomes difficult to collate and address everything effectively. It’s better to connect directly with a Mutual Fund Distributor + Certified Financial Planner like us for a proper review and action plan.

If you'd like to reach me for a detailed one-on-one consultation, please use the website link in my signature.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: You are already doing very well. At 39, you have a stable career, a good income, disciplined savings, and strong intent to secure your family’s future. Your awareness about risk and long-term vision are impressive. Many people of your age delay this clarity. You already have strong building blocks — a good EPF and NPS contribution, solid liquidity, and high savings ability.

Your questions about buying a house and selling agricultural land are timely. Both require deep thought since they connect with emotions, lifestyle, and financial security. Let us assess your situation step by step.

» Your Present Financial Position

You have Rs 17 lakhs in EPF, Rs 2.1 lakhs in NPS, Rs 15 lakhs in gold, Rs 70 lakhs in liquid funds, and Rs 3 lakhs in ULIP.

You are saving a large part of your salary. EPF and NPS are long-term wealth creators with tax benefits.

You have no home loan liability yet. Rent is only Rs 13,000 per month, which is a small percentage of your income.

You have a young family and a second child on the way, so cash flow flexibility is important.

You are already in a strong and flexible position. Your focus on building Rs 2 crores in the next 7 years and retiring in 10–12 years is clear and realistic — but only if your investments work efficiently.

» Should You Buy a House Now or Continue to Stay on Rent?

Let us look at this carefully from all sides.

Cost of Ownership vs. Cost of Renting
Owning a house sounds emotionally satisfying. But financially, it often locks your liquidity.
A Rs 60-lakh property in Pune will involve stamp duty, registration, and furnishing — adding nearly Rs 8–10 lakhs more. So, your total cost will touch around Rs 70 lakhs.

If you use your liquid funds, you will lose most of your emergency and opportunity corpus. You will then have little flexibility to invest for your Rs 2-crore goal.

Your current rent is only Rs 13,000 per month — less than 0.3% of your income. It is financially very efficient. Rent gives you flexibility, low maintenance responsibility, and liquidity to invest more aggressively.

Return on Investment Perspective
Residential property generally grows at 6–8% annually, sometimes less after factoring maintenance, property tax, and liquidity delay. Mutual funds, on the other hand, have potential to earn 10–12% over long periods when invested properly through a Certified Financial Planner.

If you invest that same Rs 60–70 lakhs in a well-diversified portfolio of equity and debt mutual funds, your compounding benefits will be higher, flexible, and more tax-efficient.

Impact on Your Retirement Goal
You have only 10–12 years before retirement. You cannot afford large idle assets that do not generate cash flow. A self-occupied property does not give income; it only gives emotional comfort. You already have stable rent, so keeping liquidity in investments is better.

Instead of buying a house now, you can rent a better house if needed for family comfort and continue building your corpus faster. Later, near retirement, you can decide to settle in your own house if that aligns emotionally.

Emotional and Family Aspect
Owning a house gives pride, but it should not disturb financial freedom. You already have a growing family. If you buy now, you will reduce liquidity and risk tolerance. That can create pressure in the coming years when children’s education or medical needs rise.

Tax Aspect
You will not get any major tax advantage from buying with full cash, because only a home loan allows interest deduction. Hence, buying without a loan brings no tax benefit and reduces your liquidity sharply.

So, continuing on rent and investing your surplus makes more sense at this stage. The rent is low, and your Rs 70 lakhs can earn and grow.

» Insights on Selling Your Agricultural Land

You mentioned that your agricultural land is around Rs 2 crores and not generating any income. You also cannot cultivate it due to work and absence of family involvement.

This is a very important decision, and we can see it from multiple sides.

Liquidity and Return Factor
Agricultural land gives emotional value, but no income unless you farm or lease it. Holding it also involves maintenance, legal vigilance, and sometimes political or encroachment risks.

If you sell and reinvest systematically, your Rs 2 crores can start generating real returns. Even a moderate 9–10% return annually through diversified mutual funds and other asset classes can give you Rs 18–20 lakhs a year. That’s strong passive income potential.

Holding idle land brings no compounding; investing it properly does.

Capital Gain Implications
When you sell the agricultural land, you may attract capital gains tax depending on how long you’ve held it and whether it qualifies as rural or urban agricultural land. The exact tax treatment depends on local limits, but even after paying tax, you’ll retain a large investable sum.

You can also use part of the proceeds in specified reinvestments or bonds if you wish to defer some tax. A Certified Financial Planner can help plan this legally and efficiently.

Goal Connection
If your goal is to retire comfortably in 10–12 years, the land sale can completely change your financial strength. Reinvesting that Rs 2 crores can help you reach and even exceed your Rs 2-crore corpus target much earlier.

You can then secure your children’s education, medical needs, and early retirement in a stress-free manner.

Emotional Angle
Many people hesitate to sell ancestral or hometown land. But if it is not being used or managed, it becomes a non-performing asset. Selling and reinvesting is a rational, goal-based decision. You are not losing your roots; you are converting them into financial growth for your children’s future.

» What to Do with Your Current Portfolio

You already have EPF, NPS, ULIP, gold, and large liquidity. Let’s refine each:

EPF and NPS
Continue these. They provide stability and tax savings. NPS especially complements your retirement corpus.

Gold Investment
Gold is fine as a safety net, but limit it to about 10% of total wealth. You already have Rs 15 lakhs — that’s enough. Avoid increasing exposure here since gold has long dull phases.

ULIP
ULIPs are not efficient wealth builders. They mix insurance with investment, leading to low transparency and high cost. Since your ULIP is small (Rs 3 lakhs), you can surrender it if lock-in is over and reinvest the proceeds in mutual funds. A Certified Financial Planner can guide you to allocate this properly.

Liquid Funds (Rs 70 lakhs)
This is your strongest asset right now. You can use a systematic transfer plan (STP) to shift this money gradually into well-chosen equity mutual funds over 12–18 months. This reduces market timing risk.

Do not invest directly in mutual funds on your own. Regular plans through a CFP-managed route give better handholding, emotional discipline, and ongoing rebalancing support. Direct plans lack this support and lead to poor long-term investor behaviour.

» Building Your Rs 2-Crore Corpus in 7 Years

Your goal is clear. You can easily invest Rs 1.5 lakhs per month plus part of your liquidity and land proceeds.

Investment Allocation Strategy

Around 70% can go into equity mutual funds for long-term growth.

Around 25% in short- and medium-term debt mutual funds for stability.

Around 5% in liquid or arbitrage funds for emergency needs.

Avoid index funds since they just follow the market without active risk management. Actively managed funds, under a Certified Financial Planner, can navigate market cycles and add alpha returns over time.

Tax Awareness
When you redeem, equity mutual funds have a 12.5% LTCG tax above Rs 1.25 lakh and 20% for short-term. Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab. These rules need careful planning, and your CFP can guide timing and switches efficiently.

» Emergency Fund and Insurance

With a young family, keep around 6–8 months of expenses in liquid form as emergency fund. You already have enough liquidity to maintain this easily.

Also, make sure you have adequate life and health insurance. Pure term life cover (not ULIP or endowment) for about 15–20 times your annual income is ideal. Family floater health insurance must cover both children and spouse adequately.

» Cash Flow Management During Second Child Arrival

When your second child arrives, there will be temporary cash flow pressure. Keep at least Rs 10–15 lakhs aside for 2–3 years as buffer. This ensures your monthly investments continue without stress.

» What to Avoid

Do not rush into real estate as an investment. It ties capital and gives poor liquidity.

Avoid direct stocks or speculative instruments at this stage. Your focus must be stable compounding.

Do not invest in multiple random ULIPs or traditional policies. They dilute returns.

» How a Certified Financial Planner Can Add Value

Your situation needs continuous rebalancing and monitoring. A Certified Financial Planner can help you design and execute a holistic roadmap — from tax planning, child education, retirement, insurance, and cash flow control to legacy planning.

They will guide you with asset allocation discipline, behavioural control, and market strategy. The cost of advice is small compared to the peace and clarity it provides.

» Finally

You are in a strong position, with high income, disciplined savings, and large liquidity. But your next 10 years are crucial.

Continue living on rent and keep liquidity working through mutual fund investments.

Sell your idle agricultural land if you are emotionally comfortable, and reinvest for higher returns.

Channel your Rs 70 lakhs and monthly Rs 1.5 lakhs systematically into a diversified portfolio.

Retain gold and NPS, exit ULIP, and protect your family through insurance and emergency buffer.

This approach will help you achieve your Rs 2-crore target faster, with higher flexibility and peace of mind. You can then enter retirement on your terms — with security, freedom, and dignity.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment