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      SQUAREA Women Associates share their experiences and journey in Real Estate

      By SQUAREA Knowledge Hub

      Published: March 8, 2024


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      2 July 2025
      What Makes Dubai a Top Choice for Global Citizens Buying a Second Home

      Dubai is no longer just a regional powerhouse. It has become a magnet for global wealth migration. With over 7,200 millionaires relocating to the UAE in 2024 alone (Henley & Partners), the city continues to attract global citizens seeking more than just a residence. They are drawn by the promise of long-term value, enhanced security, and greater global mobility.

      This movement is mirrored in Dubai’s real estate performance, particularly in the ultra-luxury space. From waterfront addresses like Palm Jumeirah to the estates of Emirates Hills, Dubai has emerged as one of the world’s most desirable second-home markets.

      Record-Breaking Activity in Dubai’s Ultra-Luxury Market

      The continued inflow of global wealth is directly influencing Dubai’s prime real estate transactions. These are not short-term purchases, they are strategic moves by UHNWIs securing global bases for family and capital. Supporting this trend are record-setting figures:

      • • Dubai recorded 435 transactions above $10 million in 2024, totalling $7.1 billion in value. In Q1 2025 alone, 12 properties crossed the $25 million threshold, just behind Q4 2024’s 15 ultra-prime deals (Economy Middle East).
      • Palm Jumeirah led the ultra-luxury market in Q1 2025, recording 34 $10M+ transactions worth $562.8 million. Emirates Hills followed with 15 sales totalling $356.7 million (Economy Middle East).

      These exceptional figures reflect not just transactional momentum but the deeper structural advantages that continue to position Dubai as the preferred second-home destination for global investors.

      Why Dubai Appeals to Global Citizens

      What makes Dubai stand out among other international hubs like London, Singapore, or New York? The answer lies in a combination of access, security, tax neutrality, and lifestyle quality, each carefully embedded into the city’s long-term master plan.

      Ownership, Tax & Residency Advantages

      • Full freehold rights: Foreign investors are permitted to purchase property with complete ownership in designated freehold zones, encompassing both the land and the built structure, an advantage not commonly available in other global cities.
      • Zero tax burden: Dubai offers a rare tax environment, with no annual property tax, no inheritance tax, and no capital gains tax on real estate holdings. This creates a highly efficient structure for wealth preservation and estate planning.
      • • Golden Visa eligibility: A real estate investment of AED 2 million or more grants eligibility for Dubai’s long-term residency programme, including renewability and family inclusion benefits, adding both security and mobility to one’s investment (UAE Government).

      These frameworks offer the predictability, control, and legal clarity that high-net-worth individuals expect when allocating capital across borders.

      Safety, Infrastructure & Family-Friendly Living

      • Global safety rankings: Dubai consistently ranks among the safest cities in the world, thanks to low crime rates, proactive governance, and a robust civil surveillance network, factors that weigh heavily in second-home decisions.
      • World-class urban infrastructure: The city is home to internationally accredited schools, cutting-edge hospitals, and premium recreational zones, ensuring residents do not have to compromise on education, healthcare, or lifestyle standards.
      • Planned neighbourhoods and smart services: From traffic efficiency to digitised municipal services, Dubai’s master-planned communities offer a seamless living experience, supporting everything from work-from-home professionals to global families.

      This commitment to quality of life ensures Dubai meets the expectations of discerning residents seeking security, comfort, and day-to-day efficiency.

      Strategic Geography & Global Connectivity

      • Geopolitical positioning: Dubai’s location within a 7-hour flight radius of Asia, Europe, and Africa offers unparalleled access to major global financial and business hubs, making it ideal for investors managing international portfolios.
      • Airline and airport infrastructure: Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) collectively connect the city to over 240 destinations, offering world-class logistics for both business and personal travel (Government of Dubai).
      • Operational advantage: For global citizens managing assets and families across continents, this location becomes an operational advantage, not just a geographic one.

      This strategic geographic positioning reinforces Dubai’s appeal as a seamlessly connected global hub, an essential factor for mobile, asset-diverse investors.

      Currency Stability & Investment Confidence

      • Stable currency: The UAE Dirham’s peg to the US Dollar protects investors from the kind of currency volatility seen in many emerging markets, providing predictability in cross-border financial planning.
      • Robust regulatory ecosystem: Institutions like the Dubai Land Department and RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency) ensure transparent processes, legal recourse, and investor protections, fostering long-term trust in the market.

      This foundation of monetary and legal stability makes Dubai a credible, future-ready base for strategic asset holding.

      2 July 2025
      Fractional Ownership of Luxury Homes: Asset Innovation or Just a Fad?

      Is it possible to co-own a ₹10 crore vacation home in Goa with just ₹50 lakh, and still enjoy capital appreciation and rental returns? For a growing number of HNIs, the answer is yes. The model making this possible is fractional ownership, an investment framework that offers access to premium real estate without full asset commitment.

      Once viewed with caution, this structure is now entering the mainstream. Backed by regulatory traction, it is rapidly gaining credibility, especially among high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and global investors seeking access to marquee residential and commercial assets without committing disproportionate capital.

      But as traction grows, the question remains: Is this evolution sustainable or simply a trend riding on short-term enthusiasm?

      Understanding the Model: What Is Fractional Ownership?

      Fractional ownership allows multiple investors to co-own a high-value property by purchasing equity shares, either through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) or other legally compliant structures. This model enables access to trophy homes, luxury villas, vacation properties or Grade-A offices at a fraction of the cost while offering proportional returns on rental income, capital appreciation.

      In residential formats, the model also allows for personal usage rights, typically scheduled in rotation or limited to specific days in a year. In commercial real estate, investors receive passive income in the form of lease rentals, while also benefiting from asset appreciation.

      Unlike traditional timeshares, fractional ownership offers true equity ownership with defined rights, responsibilities, and resale potential. Most regulated platforms now offer:

      • Legal shareholding clarity: Investors are allotted equity shares through an SPV or LLP structure, with enforceable rights and capital protection mechanisms.
      • Limited and rotational usage (residential): Usage rights are usually apportioned based on ownership percentage, ensuring fair access to the asset without overuse.
      • Professional property management: From tenanting to maintenance, third-party operators handle all operations to ensure long-term value and rental readiness.
      • Structured exit mechanisms: Most platforms provide resale windows after a 3 to 5-year lock-in period, with potential for capital gains depending on asset performance.

      As real estate strategies evolve, HNIs are gravitating toward asset models that offer both lifestyle alignment and capital preservation, a blend that fractional ownership is uniquely positioned to deliver.

      Why It Appeals to Luxury Home Investors

      The attraction goes beyond mere financial logic. For luxury property investors, fractional ownership presents a unique intersection of aspiration, access, and efficiency.

      • Capital efficiency: Offers access to marquee luxury properties without the need for full capital deployment, allowing investors to participate in high-value real estate at a fraction of the cost
      • Diversification: Unlocks the ability to spread investment across multiple geographies or asset classes, rather than tying capital into a single high-ticket property
      • Professional operations: Ensures that luxury villas, branded residences, and vacation homes are maintained, leased, and serviced without operational involvement

      This format especially resonates with NRIs, CXOs, and HNIs who are seeking secondary homes for limited use, but still expect consistent value appreciation and operational ease. (Rustomjee).

      With credibility building across investor categories, it becomes critical to assess how adoption patterns and regulatory evolution are shaping this emerging investment format.

      Surge in HNI Adoption Backed by Data and Regulation

      Investor sentiment around fractional ownership is shifting from curiosity to confidence, backed by both market trends and regulatory tailwinds.

      A 2024 survey by WiseX revealed that 64% of HNIs prefer the fractional ownership model for commercial real estate (CRE), and 60% of general investors echoed similar preferences (Financial Express). This trend is being reinforced by regulatory movement. SEBI is in the process of formalising norms for Fractional Ownership Platforms (FOPs), expected to significantly enhance transparency, compliance, and investor protection (Hindustan Times).

      Equally important, market forecasts are turning bullish. The fractional ownership market in India is projected to grow over 10x to surpass USD 5 billion by 2030, according to a JLL-PropShare analysis (Hindustan Times).

      As structures become standardised and disclosures more robust, fractional ownership is moving from an alternative concept to a credible asset allocation tool, especially for second homes in high-demand leisure destinations. However, with growing traction comes the need for a sharper focus on associated risks and governance discipline.

      Key Risks That Require Attention

      Despite its growing credibility, fractional ownership requires caution. The risks, if overlooked, can affect both yield and investor confidence.

      • Exit liquidity: Unlike full ownership, secondary exits can take longer to materialise
      • Platform credibility: Investors must evaluate legal structure, partner history, and governance
      • Ownership governance: Shared usage rights and upkeep responsibilities need clear alignment
      • Lack of standardisation: Until SEBI’s framework is released, structures and terms may differ significantly

      These considerations underscore the need to work with established advisory partners, ensure rigorous legal diligence, and choose only those platforms with transparent processes and institutional-grade asset curation.

      The Road Ahead: Is This the Future of Luxury Real Estate Investment?

      The future of fractional ownership, particularly in the luxury residential segment, depends on three key factors:

      • Regulatory clarity: SEBI’s norms will likely unlock wider adoption by institutional and affluent investors
      • Platform maturity: As category leaders emerge, confidence in execution, upkeep, and exits will rise
      • Investor awareness: HNIs and NRIs are gradually recognising this model as a flexible, lifestyle-aligned investment strategy

      Given the market forecast to surpass USD 5 billion by 2030, this is no longer a passing trend but a fast-evolving asset class with increasing institutional interest. And at SQUAREA, we work closely with institutional platforms, legal experts, and asset managers to help you assess, vet, and execute luxury fractional ownership opportunities with precision and confidence.

      To explore curated access to luxury homes and high-yield commercial properties, connect with us at hello@squarea.io or call +91 90 9641 9641.

      2 July 2025
      Top 5 Reasons Why Global Homebuyers Are Eyeing Pune for Their Second Investment

      Pune has quietly but convincingly positioned itself as one of India’s most promising luxury housing destinations. Once viewed as a value-for-money alternative to Mumbai, the city is now emerging on the global radar for high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), NRIs, and institutional investors seeking not just a second home, but a strategic, future-proofed investment.

      In 2024, the luxury housing segment in Pune saw a 50% surge in new launches, reflecting a decisive shift in market orientation and buyer behaviour. Of the 644 new projects launched, approximately 22% were in the luxury segment, a remarkable jump from just 4% in 2019 (Gera Pune Residential Realty Report). This sustained momentum is not accidental. It is the result of structural economic shifts, lifestyle redefinitions, and evolving global buyer strategies.

      Here are the top five reasons why Pune has emerged as a preferred second investment market for global homebuyers:

      1. Robust Liveability and Lifestyle Quotient

      Pune consistently ranks among India’s most liveable cities. A cosmopolitan blend of heritage, modernity, and green urban planning has made it an aspirational destination for HNIs and global citizens alike. (Ease of Living Index 2024)

      • Strong cultural roots with a growing luxury retail and fine dining scene
      • High-quality education, wellness, and healthcare institutions
      • Cleaner air, larger plot sizes, and lower population density compared to Mumbai or Bengaluru

      The presence of leading IT parks, global capability centres, and R&D hubs ensures not just employment but sustained employment demand. But beyond quality of life, it’s Pune’s infrastructure ambitions that are rewriting its real estate trajectory.

      2. Rapid Infrastructure and Connectivity Growth

      Pune’s infrastructural transformation has been both swift and strategic. Mega projects are creating seamless access across key corridors, boosting the luxury residential footprint.

      • Pune Metro, new ring roads, and expressways are reducing travel time significantly
      • Proximity to Mumbai via expressways and new airport connectivity projects

      This physical transformation is directly impacting real estate value creation. Micro-markets like Kharadi, Baner, and Hinjawadi are evolving from pure commercial hubs to integrated live-work-invest zones, attracting both investor and end-user capital into luxury projects. This scale of infrastructure development is directly correlating with price premiums in well-connected luxury zones.

      3. A Maturing and Expanding Luxury Real Estate Market

      Pune’s luxury segment is expanding with conviction. It has matured into a confident, performance-backed segment shaped by both end-user sophistication and developer credibility. The shift in both supply and demand speaks volumes.

      • Units launched in the luxury segment grew by 50%, from 5,753 in 2023 to 8,645 in 2024
      • The sales volume in luxury grew by 14% YoY, despite broader market corrections, underscoring the resilience and intent behind premium purchases
      • Developers are increasingly focusing on design-led communities with advanced automation, wellness zones, and curated amenities, catering to evolved lifestyle expectations (Gera Pune Residential Realty Report)

      This maturing demand is being driven by global Indians who are no longer buying homes for symbolic ownership, but for legacy planning, lifestyle continuity, and wealth structuring. While the luxury segment is expanding, Pune’s comparative pricing still makes it one of India’s most capital-efficient premium real estate markets.

      4. Investor-Friendly Price-to-Value Equation

      Pune’s value proposition lies not just in its lower capital costs, but also in its measured appreciation curve and low volatility, making it a smart play for global buyers seeking portfolio balance.

      • The average price for luxury homes reached ₹13,027 per sq ft in 2024, compared to Mumbai’s ₹30,000+ for similar grade inventory (Gera Pune Residential Realty Report) (Financial Express)
      • Steady rental demand from expats, CXOs, and relocated professionals offers stable yields
      • Projects in micro-markets like Baner, Kalyani Nagar, and Hinjewadi-Mahalunge are already witnessing capital appreciation, while remaining accessible to global buyers
      • Rental yields in well-managed luxury developments hover around 3.8-4.5%, with demand driven by senior leadership from IT, BFSI, and GCCs (Rustomjee)

      With steady capital appreciation, strong end-user demand, and healthy resale potential, Pune offers a market dynamic that continues to draw serious interest from global investors.

      5. The Rise of Branded Residences and Global Buyer Confidence

      What was once the domain of top-tier metros is now firmly taking root in Pune. The city is experiencing a notable increase in branded residential developments, both in terms of volume and investor interest, positioning itself as an emerging hub for globally aligned luxury living.

      • Leading global hospitality and design names are actively entering Pune through alliances with trusted developers, bringing with them internationally benchmarked design, service, and maintenance standards
      • These branded offerings are commanding up to 30% price premiums over non-branded peers, driven by enhanced quality, security of delivery, and long-term value assurance
      • Landmark projects like Trump Towers Pune and YOO Villas by Panchshil Realty have not only elevated the design quotient but have also attracted sustained NRI interest and global capital inflows

      For second-home buyers seeking credibility, design assurance, and lifestyle experience, branded homes offer unmatched comfort and long-term confidence.

      Pune’s transformation is more than just statistical, it is strategic. For global homebuyers, the city offers a confluence of lifestyle, value, and upward mobility that is rare in today’s real estate landscape. And at SQUAREA, we bring deep market knowledge, investor sensibility, and access to Pune’s most sought-after luxury addresses. Whether you’re looking for a home that complements your global footprint or an investment that outpaces the market, Pune is where both converge.

      To explore Pune’s finest luxury residential opportunities, connect with us at hello@squarea.io or call at +91 90 9641 9641.