The Purva NRI Home Fest presents an opportunity for NRIs to explore over 4,000 homes across 20+ prestigious projects in five major Indian cities—Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Mumbai, and Pune. This event will showcase an array of luxury apartments, world-class villas, and villa plots, providing potential buyers with diverse property options to suit their investment needs.

Purva’s NRI Home Fest will showcase a comprehensive range of property options. Prospective buyers will have the opportunity to explore a diverse portfolio that includes 1-5 BHK apartments, penthouses, villas, and villa plots, with sizes ranging from approximately 600 sq. ft. to 5,000 sq. ft.

Abhishek Kapoor, Group CEO of Puravankara Limited, said, “Post Covid, there is a definite interest among NRIs in purchasing a property back home that they can return to. This is evident in the numbers as money flowing into NRIs’ deposits rose by 84.4 percent from $6.40 billion to $11.8 billion between April 2023 and February 2024. The Purva NRI Home Fest is a chance for them to experience our ‘YOU’ Philosophy, which puts the customer at the heart of everything we do. We will ensure that every NRI home buyer feels confident and supported in their journey towards owning a home in India.”

From premium luxury apartments like Purva Windermere (Chennai), Purva Clermont (Mumbai), and Purva Park Hill (Bengaluru) to the innovative Worldhome Collection projects such as Purva Somerset House (Chennai) and Purva Orient Grand (Bengaluru), there is something to match every taste and preference. For those seeking the ultimate in luxury, the Presidential Villas at the Purva Sound of Water in Bengaluru provide an unmatched living experience. Additionally, villa plots in projects such as Vanam, Raagam, and Soukhyam under the Purva Land brand offer ideal opportunities for buyers looking to build custom homes.

To ensure a smooth transition from purchase to occupancy, Puravankara offers comprehensive post-sales support. This includes assistance with loan facilitation, ensuring buyers can access financing options easily. Through Purva Streaks, buyers can also avail of customized interior design services, allowing them to tailor their new homes to their specifications. Additionally, the company provides CRM support to manage agreements and documentation. This holistic support system reaffirms Puravankara’s commitment to delivering a stress-free experience for NRIs investing in India.

Puravankara has also curated exclusive offers for this event to enhance the purchasing experience. Buyers who book during the event can take advantage of vouchers by Purva Streaks, the interior design arm of the company, ranging between Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakhs.

With over 4,000 homes on display and exclusive benefits, the Purva NRI Home Fest is a must-attend event for NRIs looking to invest in India’s finest real estate offerings.

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Pune’s Evolving Transportation Preferences

Pune is witnessing a change in transportation preferences. The city’s growing infrastructure and economic development have catalyzed demand for personal vehicles. A heightened demand for personal transportation has boosted the demand for flexible financing solutions.

A notable trend is the growing preference for car financing among youth and millennials. The average age of individuals opting for car financing is 34 years, reflecting a growing inclination towards personal vehicle ownership among young professionals and families. This demographic increasingly views cars as essential and safer means of travel, crucial for maintaining independence and efficiency in their daily commutes. Ambitious young consumers are reshaping the car market as they prioritize convenience, safety, and efficiency. They prefer purchasing pre-owned vehicles and view financing as a smarter, more accessible way to achieve car ownership. This reflects the aspirations of a young, dynamic generation striving for greater autonomy and an improved way of traveling as they continue to navigate the roads of Pune.

Popular Cars Financed in Pune

In Pune, the demand for reliable and practical vehicles is reflected in the popularity of models such as the Wagon-R, Swift, and Hyundai-GRAND I10. These cars are favored for their affordability, efficiency, and comprehensive features. 

Swift stands out with its sporty design and responsive handling, appealing particularly to younger demographics and first-time car buyers. Meanwhile, the HYUNDAI-GRAND I10 is recognized for its compact design and advanced connectivity features, making it a top choice for urban commuters. Customers in Pune are moving towards hatchbacks because of their affordability, fuel efficiency, and compact design, making them ideal for navigating Pune’s congested roads and tight parking spaces. Their versatility, ample cargo space, and advanced technological features appeal to a wide range of buyers, particularly young professionals and families. Their low maintenance costs and good resale value add to their attractiveness. These benefits collectively make hatchbacks the go-to choice for many in Pune, balancing cost-effectiveness with the convenience of personal vehicle ownership.

Gajendra Jangid, Co-Founder at CARS24, stated “The strong preference for car financing in Pune underscores a broader trend towards flexible and accessible car ownership. This shift reflects an evolving consumer behavior that prioritizes convenience and affordability in acquiring personal vehicles. Our focus is on enabling a seamless, reliable, and cost-effective car ownership journey for all “customers, supporting this transformation in the automotive landscape.”

59% of car buyers in Pune prefer getting their cars financed

CARS24 offers a variety of financing options designed to meet diverse needs, making car ownership more accessible and attainable. Featuring an average EMI of INR 12,000 over 60 months, and an average interest rate of 15.2%.

59% of people in Pune opt for financing their cars, reflecting the city’s growing aspiration of personal vehicle ownership. Nationwide 63% of people opt to get their cars financed. With versatile repayment options, CARS24 empowers buyers to tailor their financing according to their financial circumstances. Most loans are processed within a couple of hours, simplifying the car-buying process significantly. Nationwide, CARS24 receives around 620 loan applications daily.

By offering flexible repayment options and ensuring most loans are processed within a few hours, CARS24 significantly simplifies the car-buying process.

With a presence in over 180 cities across India, CARS24 is at the forefront of transforming car ownership in India. This commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions underscores CARS24’s pivotal role in shaping the future of personal mobility in India.

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But, there is a prominent difference between showcasing a property in its best light and manipulating buyers with deceptive photo retouching. The latter can be considered a misleading representation of real estate photos. Engaging in such manipulative practices not only damages the trust between buyers and sellers, but also carries the risk of legal disputes, reputational harm, and financial losses.

In this guide, we will discuss some essential practices to avoid the false presentation of property photos. But first, we need to understand what constitutes a misleading representation with examples.

Common examples of misleading representations in real estate photos

• Making the property look larger than it is

It is considered fabrication to manipulate the perspective and composition of a property photo to make it appear more spacious than it is. This is done by carefully selecting camera angles, using wide-angle lenses, and staging furniture and decor to create an illusion of spaciousness. 

For Example: In an apartment with a compact living area, the photographer strategically places a mirror on one wall. As a result, the mirror reflects the room, visually doubling its size in the photo. This clever use of mirrors creates the impression of a larger and more open living space which is synonymous with lying to potential buyers.

• Removing permanent fixtures from the photos

The deliberate removal of permanent fixtures such as power lines, washing lines, power outlets, air conditioning vents, street lights, and other similar elements is also considered poor practice. However, these fixtures are usually edited out or altered to create a more visually appealing image of the property.

Example: In a captured image of a backyard with a swimming pool, there’s a utility box and an air conditioning vent on the side of the house. But during real estate image enhancement, the editor erases these elements to make the backyard seem more serene and inviting. However, potential buyers might be unaware of these hidden fixtures and could be in for a surprise when they visit the property in person.

• Using trick angles to hide unappealing features of the property

This is done by carefully positioning the camera to capture the property from specific angles that minimize or conceal undesirable aspects.

Example: A living room photo that appears spacious and bright. The angle used in the photo cleverly avoids showing a cramped corner with outdated furniture or peeling wallpaper. The image gives the impression of a well-maintained and spacious living area, but the reality is quite different.

• Changing the color of objects in photos

Another misleading practice in real estate photography is the alteration of colors, particularly major changes in wall paints and grass. This involves digitally manipulating the appearance of walls or outdoor areas to create a different color or texture than what exists.

For example, A real estate photo might show a living room with vibrant, freshly painted walls in a trendy color. However, upon visiting the property, you discover that the walls are a completely different color or in need of repainting. 

Why you must not fabricate real estate photos in the first place?

1. It’s not ethical

By retouching photos in an unethical way, you are giving buyers a false impression of the property, wasting their time and money, while also inviting doubt upon the integrity of your business.

2. It can lead to legal consequences

False advertising or misrepresentation of property features can result in lawsuits, financial penalties, and damage to your professional reputation.

3. It creates unrealistic expectations among potential buyers

When property photos are distorted to show something that does not exist, they set unrealistic expectations for potential buyers. Disappointment and dissatisfaction are likely to follow when buyers discover discrepancies when they visit the property. This can negatively impact a seller’s reputation and damage your credibility in the market. 

4. It can undermine trust between real estate professionals and their clients

Trust is the foundation of any successful business relationship. Such manipulation can erode trust between real estate professionals and their clients. 

7 tips to avoid misleading representation in real estate photo retouching

1. Make realistic enhancements during photo editing

Over-saturated colors and excessive filters can make the photos look unrealistic. This is because they can distort the actual color and tone of the property. 

Instead, retouching can be done by making subtle adjustments that will enhance the natural beauty of the property. This can be done by adjusting the brightness, contrast, and saturation of the photos judiciously. 

2. Avoid adding non-existent elements in the photo

Do not add any non-existent objects like fireplaces, swimming pools, or a landscape during real estate photo enhancement. However, you can make minor adjustments to existing objects in the photo to make them look their best. 

For example, you can edit the photo to fill the swimming pool with water, remove leaves and dirt from the pool area, and tidy up the surrounding area.

3. Include a disclaimer or an image showing how the property looks like currently

It is a good idea to include a disclaimer or an image showing what the property looks like currently if you make any major changes to the photos. This is especially applicable in cases of virtual staging or where future remodeling plans or floor plan changes are to be displayed. This will help to ensure that potential buyers are not misled about the actual condition of the property.

The disclaimer could be a simple statement that says something like, “This photo has been digitally enhanced to showcase the potential of the property and does not represent its current condition.”

4. Don’t remove permanent fixtures from the photo

Power lines, street lights, grids, ducts, flooring, trees, and billboards are examples of permanent fixtures that should not be removed during the retouching process because they can not be removed from the property (mostly). However, you can remove temporary ones, like furniture, decorations, or appliances.

5. Retouch minor imperfections

Minor imperfections like dust, small blemishes, or little clutter can be retouched to improve the overall appearance of the property. However, be mindful not to go overboard and create an unrealistic impression of the property.

6. Do not touch up the dirt patch on the grass

You can retouch the grass in real estate photos if it is not very vibrant, possibly due to the season or bad upkeep. However, you should be careful not to overdo it. The goal is to make the grass look its best, not to hide issues that may require time and money to fix or improve.

7. Use Virtual Staging To Hide Internal Fixtures

Internal fixtures like power points, air conditioning vents, and other permanent fixtures cannot be removed during photo editing. This is because it can be deceptive to potential buyers and give them a false impression of the property.

However, these fixtures can be hidden by placing furniture in front of them. This is a good way to improve the overall appearance of the photos without misleading buyers

Conclusion

Remember, the goal of real estate photo editing is to create a positive and honest representation of the property through mindful photography and non-destructive retouching techniques. As a real estate professional, it is also your ethical responsibility to be transparent with the consumers. The goal must always be to showcase your properties in a good light while setting proper expectations in the mind of the viewer.

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Reaction to this from the real estate experts:

Mr. Sandeep Runwal – President, NAREDCO Maharashtra
“We appreciate the state government’s decision to not raise the ready reckoner rates in the state for 2023 -24. This is a positive step taken by the government that will help improve market sentiments and was the need of the hour with property prices on an upswing. Also, we hope the government can actually reduce the ready reckoner rates which will bring the cost of homes down and will be a big benefit to the home buyer.“

Mr. Kaushal Agarwal – Chairman, The Guardians Real Estate Advisory
“The Maharashtra government’s decision to call off the RR rate hike could have far-reaching effects on the state’s real estate market. This decision not only provides developers and property buyers with a sigh of relief but also contributes to the property market’s stability and affordability. The government has signaled its commitment to supporting the growth of the real estate industry, which is one of the key drivers of economic activity in the state, by maintaining the RR rates unchanged. Furthermore, this move is expected to boost consumer confidence and improve property market sentiment, encouraging more investments and transactions.“

Mr. Pritam Chivukula, Co-founder & Director, Tridhaatu Realty and Treasurer, CREDAI MCHI
“We welcome the state government’s decision to not increase the RR rates. Home buyers will have much to cheer about given that property prices will not go up as for now. This move will improve market sentiments which were presently low, given rising property prices. Now, we can expect more and more home buyers to come forward and buy their home before any further increase in property rates.“

Mr. Manoj Patwal, Founder & MD, BetterServ Ventures Pvt. Ltd
“This is a good move by the state government by holding the ready reckoner rates and not increasing them, as was expected. This will bring a sigh of relief to home buyers who have been burdened by regular property price hikes. This decision of the government will go a long way in building home buyer confidence and creating a congenial environment for the growth of the housing sector.”

The Ready Reckoner Rates play a crucial role in determining the stamp duty and registration charges that need to be paid by the buyer while purchasing a property. They are determined based on various factors such as location, infrastructure, amenities, and demand for the area. The rates vary from one area to another, and within an area, they may differ for different types of properties, such as residential, commercial, and industrial.

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