Purchase of our own house or apartment is an important activity in the life of any individual. If we do not need a big house, it is preferable to have a studio apartment, which does not need too much of loan amount. This topic has been discussed in an article in Times of India dt. Oct 31, 2011. Many builders provide such studio apartments (also called duplex or bachelor or efficiency apartments) along with other flats. These are small and affordable self-contained units in 300-500 sq. ft. area and are good for single persons or couples, especially when both are in the jobs. If a studio apartment is purchased near the place of work, it saves sizeable amount of transportation cost. These may also be used for children undertaking higher education, instead of their staying in a hostel. Such apartments have lower price, lower registration charges and stamp duty. But the developer should take maintenance charges as per area of the apartment. It is a good investment, ensuring a rental income along with appreciation of the capital value. But if location is near workplace area, business area, set up of new industries or Government projects and with good connectivity, there will be many tenants and buyers. The studio apartment can be a furnished or unfurnished one. If our plan is to sell it after some years, we should buy an unfurnished one and provide furnishings as required.