Page 4 - Himali Patel

Choose loan-against-property for higher amount, low rates, flexible end-use

Avoid taking out such a loan if you have irregular income, are retired, or approaching retirement

Compare Form 16 and 26AS carefully, alert employer promptly on errors

Deductions missed in Form 16 due to late or non-submission of proofs can still be claimed while filing return

Unlimited health cover is helpful, but ensure your plan has these features

A cumulative bonus rider can increase the sum insured without an increase in premium

Old vs new tax regime: Consider income and deductions before you pick

If you declared one regime to your employer for TDS but later find the other more beneficial, you can still switch when filing your income-tax return

Home insurance must: Loss of rent for landlord, liability cover for tenant

Insuring contents is critical if a property being rented is furnished; declare valuable items to insurance company

Quality theme fund: Invest for long-term steady compounding, lower downside

Quality funds tend to be less volatile and offer downside protection and often perform better in a bear market due to the stable earnings

Risk-tolerant, long-term investors may hold these in satellite portfolio

EW index-based funds can be more volatile due to exposure to smaller companies

Gold ETFs gain favour; choose ones with low cost, minimal tracking error

More investors now adhere to the principle of asset allocation. "Increasingly, they treat gold as a financial asset in their portfolio rather than just as jewellery," says Vikram Dhawan

Primary or secondary market home buy? Check budget, risk appetite to decide

You may get a lower price in the secondary market, but you must be prepared for a high upfront payout

Sebi circular on frauds: Verify registration before taking investment tips

Anyone claiming to be a Sebi-registered investment advisor or research analyst must provide a valid registration number

How to navigate a market when both equity returns and FDs are declining

Exposure to gold and longer-duration debt, and purchasing equity funds systematically as valuations soften can help investors navigate this phase

Sector & thematic funds: Investors with high risk appetite should stay put

Fund houses had earlier attracted inflows into S&T funds through new fund offers (NFOs), a strategy that is now losing traction

Exiting the markets now could prove costly as you may miss the rebound

Stick to the time-tested mantras of sticking to asset allocation, maintaining long-term orientation, and investing systematically to sail through these volatile times

Honest, full disclosures key to hassle-free health insurance claims

Customers must disclose habits like smoking and alcohol consumption honestly, regardless of frequency

FD rate cuts: Hunt for returns but keep liquidity needs, safety in mind

Liquidity infusion by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has eased funding pressure on banks

Reassess choice of tax regime, spread investments across year

Investments in Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) should be made by the 5th of April

New borrowers face credit squeeze, turn to secured loans and credit cards

A rise in defaults, particularly in small-ticket unsecured personal loans, prompted the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to tighten lending norms

Why financial year-end portfolio rebalancing matters and how to go about it

Unless deviation from the original portfolio is drastic, rebalance by buying more of the underperforming asset class, to avoid tax and exit load

Bundled home loan insurance: No portability for single premium plans

Lenders may push borrowers into buying policies without disclosing tenure, premium, and alternative products

Credit risk funds: Evaluate if incremental return justifies the risk

Returns have largely stemmed from accrual income and credit spreads