In India’s fast-changing real estate landscape, some priorities remain constant. Even today, ancient spatial sciences like Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui continue to hold significant sway over homebuying decisions. These principles, deeply rooted in cultural and spiritual beliefs, are not mere traditions but essential considerations for many Indian homebuyers seeking harmony and well-being in their living spaces.
A survey by 99acres revealed that more than 62% of homebuyers prefer Vastu-compliant homes in India, and 44% are even willing to pay a premium for them. Clearly, these age-old principles continue to shape how Indians define an ideal home—one that aligns with well-being, balance, and long-term prosperity. To understand why these principles still hold ground today, we need to first explore what they represent and how their applications differ.
Though different in origin, both systems continue to influence how homes, as per Vastu and Feng Shui, are designed, purchased, and experienced in India.
Vastu Shastra, rooted in ancient Indian texts dating back to 6,000 BC, is based on the alignment of structures with the natural elements—earth, water, fire, air, and space. It provides a scientific and spiritual framework for wellness-focused home design that supports health, prosperity, and inner peace.
Vastu integrates geography, direction, sunlight, and architectural proportions to ensure that positive energy flows seamlessly throughout the home. For Indian homebuyers, especially those deeply connected to traditional values, Vastu is not just desirable—it’s often non-negotiable.
Feng Shui, on the other hand, originated in China around 960 BC and centres around the movement of ‘Chi’, the universal life energy. It uses tools like the Bagua map and the balance of five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—to create environments that promote harmony and abundance.
While Feng Shui is more commonly adopted in Southeast Asia, its appeal among globally exposed Indian buyers is growing, particularly in Feng Shui homes in India designed with contemporary or international aesthetics. (Architectural Digest)
Both these systems aim to optimise spatial energy and enhance well-being. However, their applications and philosophies differ in several aspects. Here’s a comparative overview of Vastu vs Feng Shui:
| Aspect | Vastu Shastra | Feng Shui |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Rooted in ancient Indian architectural scriptures. | Derived from Chinese cosmology, possibly influenced by early Indian thought. |
| Estimated Timeline | Circa 6,000 BC. | Circa 960 BC. |
| Scientific Foundation | Integrates natural elements with directional science and architectural logic. | More aligned with universal and geographical interpretations. |
| Design Approach | Focuses on fixed, science-based design principles. | Flexible; may require recalibration based on planetary and annual cycles. |
| Colour Preference | Advocates lighter, neutral tones for balance and calm. | Encourages bright colours to enhance flow of energy and attract luck. |
| Adaptability | Once implemented, Vastu principles remain stable and do not change over time. | Principles can change annually with the Chinese Lunar calendar. |
Despite their differences, both systems create wellness-focused home design that promotes clarity, stability, and emotional balance—priorities that continue to resonate with modern Indian buyers.
The integration of Vastu and Feng Shui principles in home design is not merely a nod to tradition but a response to contemporary needs for holistic living./p>
As these principles continue to influence purchase decisions, developers recognise their value, both culturally and commercially.
For years, leading real estate developers across India have proactively incorporated Vastu-compliant homes and Feng Shui elements into their project planning—not as an afterthought, but as a core part of their design and positioning strategy.
From entrance orientation and room placement to ventilation and elemental balance, these principles are often embedded from the master plan stage. For developers, offering Feng Shui homes or Vastu-aligned homes isn’t just a nod to tradition—it’s a response to market realities. Projects that highlight these alignments consistently attract stronger buyer interest, higher conversion rates, and premium positioning in a crowded marketplace. In both domestic and NRI segments, homes that harmonise tradition with design continue to carry strong emotional and investment appeal.
At SQUAREA, we understand the profound impact of spatial harmony on well-being. Our curated portfolio features properties that seamlessly blend contemporary architecture with the timeless principles of Vastu and Feng Shui. Whether you’re seeking a home that aligns with your beliefs or one that promotes holistic wellness, our team is here to guide you.
Connect with us at hello@squarea.io or call +91 90 9641 9641 to discover spaces where tradition meets tranquillity.
Resale properties occupy a distinct niche in India’s housing market. They provide access to established micro-markets, immediate operational use, and, in certain cases, prime addresses where new supply is scarce or non-existent. For HNIs and UHNIs, these attributes translate into both strategic convenience and capital efficiency.
Yet beneath the surface, resale transactions can carry risks such as unclear titles, compliance gaps, unpaid dues, and underestimated renovation costs. To make sound decisions, investors need to approach resale acquisitions with the same diligence and discipline applied to large-scale allocations.
A sound decision depends on clear legal checks, the property’s condition, true ownership costs, and market liquidity. Here’s what you should carefully examine before committing capital:
Regulatory checks are critical, especially for older projects. Under Maharashtra’s RERA, over 29,000 complaints have been filed by buyers, with nearly 24,000 tied to pre-RERA projects and a resolution rate of about 74% (Hindustan Times).
Always verify RERA registration, ensure the sanctioned plan matches the constructed structure, and confirm occupancy and fire NOCs. A property backed by proper approvals protects both financing and long-term value.
Confirm that the seller has full legal authority to transact. Match PAN or Aadhaar details to the title deed and ensure all co-owners provide written consent. In case of inheritance, check probate or succession papers. Where minors are involved, court permissions are mandatory.
Go beyond the original sale deed and insist on a detailed Agreement to Sell covering inclusions, handover timelines, indemnities, and penalties. Factor in stamp duty, registration, and society transfer fees, ensuring all documents are correctly recorded.
Resale homes often carry legacy liabilities like unpaid taxes, utility bills, or maintenance charges. Always obtain a No-Dues Certificate from the society and written confirmations from municipal and utility authorities. Record meter readings at handover so outstanding consumption does not become your liability. Ensuring financial closure at this stage avoids unnecessary disputes later.
Time and use leave their mark on any property. Structural cracks, outdated wiring, or waterproofing issues can demand significant expenditure. HNIs and UHNIs should budget realistically for upgrades. An independent audit by an engineer or architect helps surface hidden risks across the structure, MEP systems, and safety features. This allows you to create a clear CapEx plan that aligns the property with modern standards while protecting long-term value.
Resale buyers enjoy tax benefits under Section 80C (₹1.5 lakh on principal repayment) and Section 24(b) (₹2 lakh on interest) (Income Tax Department). Alongside these, factor in higher maintenance in older societies, premium community charges, and periodic upgrade reserves. For financing, check lender policies as some restrict loans on very old or non-compliant assets.
Benchmark value using recent deals in the same project and cross-check with broker opinions. Factor in price differences between renovated and original units, and consider upcoming infrastructure that may drive demand. Align the property’s resale ease with your planned holding period, as prime compliant homes typically sell faster.
That said, when approached with discipline, resale properties offer clear advantages to both end-use buyers and long-term investors, combining immediate utility with strategic capital appreciation.
When assessed through this lens, resale is a strategic allocation. You gain immediate rental potential, avoid construction risk, and access coveted, fully built urban locations. For investors focused on wealth preservation and legacy, the combination of speed, location, and optionality can be compelling, provided diligence is uncompromising.
SQUAREA applies institutional discipline to every resale mandate so you acquire with clarity and exit with confidence.
This framework transforms resale acquisitions into informed, deliberate decisions that align with both performance and peace of mind. For tailored guidance and exclusive access to India’s most compelling resale opportunities, contact hello@squarea.io or call +91 90 9641 9641.
India’s Smart Cities Mission (SCM), launched in 2015, set out to modernise 100 cities with a focus on sustainability, connectivity, and liveability. Ten years on, the results are tangible: thousands of projects have been delivered, pollution levels have eased, and housing benchmarks are being reset
With India’s urban population projected to nearly double to 951 million by 2050 (World Bank), the scale of demand ahead is unprecedented. For HNIs and UHNIs, this means smart cities are not just infrastructure programmes, they are creating resilient, well-connected, and premium housing markets that are redefining the investment landscape.
The Smart Cities Mission represents one of the largest coordinated urban investments in India’s history. Total planned investment stands at ₹2,01,981 crore, of which ₹1,63,138 crore is earmarked for area-based development projects. (CBRE) These are not just infrastructure upgrades but holistic interventions – roads, transit, water, power, and public amenities that directly influence the quality and value of housing.
A decade on, the Smart Cities Mission has turned concept into execution. More than 7,400 projects have been completed across 100 cities, spanning transit, utilities, open spaces, and digital governance. The results are visible: average PM10 levels in these cities dropped by nearly 23.7% between 2018 and 2024, a tangible marker of improved urban health. (Economic Times)
As these foundations strengthen, their impact on urban housing markets is becoming clear, making it important to see how these improvements are now shaping demand directly.
Smart infrastructure has a direct bearing on residential absorption and pricing. Improved connectivity, reliable utilities, and better liveability create sustained end-user and investor demand. This is reflected in market performance: in Q4 FY25, property prices rose in 48 out of 50 Indian cities, with the NHB-RESIDEX index showing a year-on-year increase of 7.5%. (ET Realty) All major metros registered price gains, underscoring the link between infrastructure and housing values.
In India’s top seven cities, housing sales during the first nine months of 2024 reached ~₹3.8 lakh crore across 2.30 lakh units, with a noticeable shift toward larger, premium homes. (Economic Times) The Smart Cities programme has been a catalyst here, upgrading transport networks, expanding social infrastructure, and supporting urban amenities that appeal to affluent buyers.
The rise in housing demand is not incidental but the outcome of integrated planning, creating a structural shift that opens clear benefits for HNIs and UHNIs in the housing market.
For investors, smart cities create advantages that extend far beyond conventional housing markets. By combining infrastructure upgrades with sustainability and technology, they unlock both financial and lifestyle value:
For HNIs and UHNIs, smart city housing combines financial strength with lifestyle value, making it essential to consider how the next phase of urban housing will evolve.
Looking ahead, the urban housing story will be shaped by both scale and resilience. The World Bank estimates India will need $2.4 trillion in investments by 2050 to create climate-resilient infrastructure. (World Bank) For housing, this means:
These shifts show that smart cities are redefining India’s housing, bringing cleaner air, better mobility, premium formats, and rising values - aligning growth with global standards of sustainability and liveability.
At SQUAREA, we guide investors with data-driven insights to identify housing shaped by smart city growth. Our curated portfolios align strong returns with future-ready urban living. For tailored advice, reach us at hello@squarea.io or call +91 90 9641 9641.
Real estate has always been a sector shaped by information asymmetry. For Indian HNIs and UHNIs, choosing the right investment has often meant relying on intuition, fragmented data, or market sentiment. Today, this landscape is changing. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping how investors identify opportunities, manage assets, and forecast returns, turning vast and complex datasets into actionable insights.
The global AI in real estate market, valued at USD 2.9 billion in 2024, is projected to expand to USD 41.5 billion by 2033, reflecting the scale of adoption across the industry (Artsmart AI). For Indian investors, where real estate remains a critical asset class, AI-powered tools are quickly becoming the differentiator between conventional decision-making and future-ready investing.
As adoption grows and capital flows in, it becomes important to measure the scale of the AI opportunities that are reshaping the sector.
The operational efficiencies that AI brings to real estate are significant. Studies show that approximately 37% of real estate tasks can be automated, especially in areas such as administrative support, property management, and maintenance, unlocking an estimated $34 billion in efficiencies (Morgan Stanley).
This is not just about automation but about redefining the economics of real estate. AI adoption is creating measurable value across subsectors:
As efficiency grows, the real edge will go to investors who use AI at the core of their strategy. The next step is moving from instinct to evidence in everyday decisions.
Historically, property investments were often made based on peer references. While experience has its place, AI now provides a scientific edge, allowing investors to navigate markets with sharper precision.
Here is how AI is transforming decision-making for Indian HNIs and UHNIs:
As investors move beyond traditional methods, the ability to combine human judgment with AI-led insights becomes a powerful formula for wealth preservation and growth. These shifts are most visible in India’s high-growth markets, where AI is already reshaping how assets are priced, leased, and managed.
The implications of AI go beyond operational efficiency. In India’s high-growth markets, AI is influencing both institutional and private investment strategies.
In a market as diverse and dynamic as India, this shift means investors can act with greater confidence, backed by data rather than speculation. And looking ahead, the role of AI even extends beyond efficiency to the way people live, work, and engage with built spaces.
While efficiency gains remain central, the broader impact of AI is its ability to redefine how people interact with real estate. Leading global advisory research indicates that AI will augment productivity, create new job opportunities, and reshape how spaces are used in sectors such as housing, healthcare, and retail.
For Indian investors, this means three key outcomes:
To translate these advantages into results, investors benefit from partners who operationalise AI across sourcing, diligence, and portfolio management.
At SQUAREA, we integrate AI-powered insights into every stage of the investment journey. From identifying undervalued assets to structuring portfolios and monitoring performance, our advisory ensures that clients benefit from the latest in data-driven decision-making. For tailored guidance and access to India’s most prestigious properties, reach out at hello@squarea.io or call +91 90 9641 9641.