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Bold Vision for Pune’s Realtor Ecosystem The Professional Realtors of Pune Welfare Association (PROP), affiliated with NAR-India, has announced its newly elected Governing Body for the 2025–27 term. The election, held on November 17, 2025 at Residency Club, Pune, witnessed enthusiastic participation from 118 members. With individual contests and active campaigning, the process reflected PROP’s commitment to transparency, professionalism, and democratic values. Now entering its eighth year, PROP continues to evolve as a strong platform fostering collaboration, ethical representation, and professional excellence among Pune’s real estate consultants. The newly elected committee brings together experienced leaders committed to strengthening the city’s realtor ecosystem. President Udayan Mane’s Message With over 18 years of industry experience, President Udayan Mane emphasised unity, dignity, and shared growth as the foundation of his vision. A Satara-born professional who has served on PROP’s founding committee and worked with Kolte-Patil Developers. Outlining his long-term vision, he shared his aspiration to bring the NAR-India National Convention back to Pune, marking a milestone last hosted in 2015. Support from NAR-India Ravi Varma, Chairman of NAR-India, extended his support and appreciation, calling Pune a strong force in India’s realty landscape and commending PROP’s leadership for its commitment to raising industry standards. Key Initiatives for Members The new leadership introduced several impactful programs aimed at addressing long-standing industry challenges. These include: Builder Mandate Exchange Portal Lead Booster Program Smart CRM Access Personal Branding Accelerator Mentorship & Masterclass Series Policy Advocacy Cell Referral Rewards & Growth Circles These initiatives aim to elevate professional practices, strengthen builder partnerships, enhance digital adoption, and create structured growth pathways for consultants. Road Ahead From member onboarding and certification workshops to national networking initiatives and convention planning, PROP’s new term promises a transformative era. With a vision rooted in ethics, collaboration, and innovation, PROP aims to position Pune as a national hub of organized and progressive real estate practices. We are not here to seek positions or titles—our purpose is to create and nurture business opportunities for every member. Recognition and unity are the real assets of our profession. Together, we can bring Pune real estate back to national and global prominence. — Udayan Mane  

Housing sales in India’s top 9 cities fall 16% in Q4 2025; supply declines 10%: PropEquity Only Delhi-NCR and Navi Mumbai saw growth in sales and supply on YoY and QoQ basis.  On QoQ, sales fell 2% and launches decline by 4% National, December 24, 2025: Housing sales in India’s top 9 cities fell to 98,019 units in Q4 2025 registering 16% YoY decline. This is the lowest quarterly sales recorded since Q3 2021, according to a report by NSE-listed real estate data analytics firm PropEquity. Except for Navi Mumbai and Delhi-NCR, which saw 13% and 4% growth in sales respectively in Q4 2025, all 7 cities saw decline in sales up to 31%. On QoQ basis, housing sales fell 2% in Q4 2025. Samir Jasuja, Founder & CEO, PropEquity said, “Traditionally, the October- December period records strong sales momentum and new launches driven by the festive season. However, the recent decline reflects a shift toward premiumisation in the market, as evidenced by value growth despite a contraction in volumes. This trend has been continuing from 2024. For instance, in 2023, approximately 4.81 lakh units were launched with a total value of ₹6.3 lakh crore. In contrast, 2024 saw the launch of 4.11 lakh units – around 70,000 fewer units – yet with a higher aggregate value of ₹6.8 lakh crore. Total Absorption (No. of Units) Housing supply fell 10% YoY to 88,427 units in Q4 2025 with only Delhi NCR (29%), Navi Mumbai (15%) and Chennai (9%) recording growth. Other 6 cities saw decline in supply up to 30%. On QoQ basis, housing supply fell 4% in Q4. On the year ahead, Jasuja said, “The outlook is more positive, supported by a low base in 2025. We remain confident about the market’s trajectory. Significant funds raised by developers in 2025 are expected to translate into increased project launches in 2026. The market continues to offer substantial growth potential. Improved transmission by banks of the cumulative 125 bps repo rate reduction could lead to lower home loan rates, further supporting demand. Additionally, the government’s proactive stance remains a key positive.” About PropEquity: P.E. Analytics ltd., a NSE-listed company, owns and operates PropEquity which is India’s largest online real estate data and analytics platform covering over 1,70,000+ projects of 57,000+ developers across over 44 cities in India with more than 17 years of catalogued data. We add approximately 700 projects every month. It is a premium Business Intelligence product- a first of its kind in India in the Realty space.

Pune Metro Phase-2 Gets Central Approval In a significant boost to Pune’s urban transport landscape, Phase-2 of the Pune Metro project has now received approval from the Central Government, marking a strategic milestone in the city’s ongoing metro expansion. The Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned this next phase, which will introduce 13 new metro stations across 12.75 km of elevated corridors, dramatically enhancing Pune’s east–west connectivity. PM India Phase-2 comprises two major extensions of the existing Vanaz–Ramwadi line under Phase-1: Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B). These new stretches are designed to serve rapidly growing suburbs including Bavdhan, Kothrud, Kharadi and Wagholi, connecting key residential, commercial and IT hubs. PM India With an estimated cost of ₹3,626.24 crore, the project will be jointly funded by the Government of India, Government of Maharashtra, and external bilateral/multilateral agencies. Construction is expected to be completed within the next four years, with pre-construction activities — such as surveys and detailed design planning — already underway. www.ndtv.com A standout feature of Phase-2 is its integration with the existing metro network. The new corridors will link with Line-1 (Nigdi–Katraj) and the upcoming Line-3 (Hinjewadi–District Court) at the District Court interchange, facilitating seamless multimodal travel across the metropolitan region. PM India The expansion will also tie into long-distance bus services from cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Ahilya Nagar, easing connectivity for intercity commuters via key hubs at Chandani Chowk and Wagholi. www.ndtv.com Once complete, Phase-2 is projected to significantly boost daily ridership, reduce congestion on major arterial roads such as Paud and Nagar Roads, and support Pune’s sustainable growth trajectory by offering faster, convenient and eco-friendly urban transit. infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com

Buying a home is a major milestone, but the home loan process can feel complex. A little clarity goes a long way in helping borrowers make confident financial decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Understanding Home Loans A home loan enables you to buy, construct or improve property, with the home acting as security till repayment is complete. Banks evaluate eligibility based on income, job stability, age, existing EMIs and most importantly, credit score — ideally 750 or higher. Lenders typically finance 75–90% of the property value. Borrowers must arrange the down payment plus hidden costs such as stamp duty, registration and processing fees — often overlooked in budgeting. Interest Rates and EMI Choices Matter Loan EMIs include interest and principal. Longer tenures reduce monthly burden but increase overall interest, while shorter tenures save money but require stronger cash flow. Borrowers must choose between fixed rates (stability) and floating rates — especially repo-linked ones — which offer faster benefits when market rates fall. Hidden Costs and Smarter Tools Apart from the rate, fees such as processing charges, legal checks and insurance add to loan cost. Smart features like overdraft-linked loans or savings-linked loans let borrowers park surplus funds temporarily, reducing interest while retaining liquidity. Borrowers who compare lenders, track credit scores, prepay early and monitor fee transparency often save lakhs over their loan tenure. Why Finasource Innovations Makes Borrowing Stress-Free Finasource Innovations is designed to support borrowers through expert guidance, lender comparison and complete on-ground execution. Tailored Advisory, Not Just Loan Processing We analyse income, goals and credit profile to suggest the right loan type, bank and structure — ensuring borrowers choose wisely rather than blindly. Better Rates Through Multiple Bank Access Since we track market offers daily, our clients access lower interest rates instead of settling for a default option from their salary bank or builder-recommended lender. Full End-to-End Execution Clients don’t chase bankers — we handle paperwork, legal checks, valuation, sanction coordination and updates, making the journey smooth and predictable. Smarter Savings Guidance We educate borrowers on interest-saving strategies, overdraft accounts, repayment planning, tax benefits and how to close loans faster — shifting focus from just sanctioning loans to optimising them. Balance Transfer Support When Required Markets change — borrowers shouldn’t remain stuck with high rates. Finasource helps evaluate and execute balance transfers when switching lenders results in long-term savings. Transparency and Peace of Mind Clients receive regular status updates, clarity on charges and unbiased options across multiple lenders — ensuring informed decision-making at every step. Final Word A home loan is not just paperwork — it is a long-term financial journey. When borrowers understand options, ask the right questions and seek professional guidance, they reduce cost, stress and uncertainty. With its advisory-driven approach, Finasource Innovations transforms the borrowing experience into an informed, efficient and financially rewarding one — helping families reach homeownership confidently and intelligently. Ameet Dutt Director, Finasource Innovations +91 95187 53980 info@finainv.in

I am excited to release yet another path-breaking research by CRE Matrix in collaboration with CREDAI Pune, and the findings once again reaffirm one undeniable truth — Pune continues to outperform all expectations. The city has emerged as the top-performing metro, showcasing a remarkable acceleration in residential demand. To put this into perspective, Pune recorded housing sales worth ₹36,000 crore in the entire year of 2021. Astonishingly, the city has already achieved ₹32,000 crore in sales in just the first half of 2025. What earlier took a full year is now being accomplished in six months — a clear indicator of deep-rooted demand and buyer confidence. Units priced below ₹45 lakh continue to dominate in terms of volume, highlighting Pune’s strong end-user base. However, the most striking shift is in the ₹1–2 crore segment, which has witnessed the highest growth in value terms. This signals a clear evolution of Pune homebuyers — wealthier, aspirational, and increasingly inclined towards larger and better-quality homes. Regionally, North-West Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are powering the city’s housing momentum in 2025. Zooming out to a national level, Tier 1 cities recorded a historic ₹3.6 lakh crore worth of primary housing sales in H1 CY’25. While overall unit volumes declined marginally, rising average ticket sizes — from ₹1.24 crore to ₹1.42 crore — reflect a decisive shift towards premium housing. NCR led revenue contribution, driven largely by luxury sales in Gurugram. The warehousing sector tells an equally compelling story. Demand continues to outpace supply, pushing rentals up by 13% year-on-year. Pune and NCR together accounted for nearly half of India’s Grade A/A+ warehousing demand and supply, underlining their strategic importance. Manufacturing, 3PL, and automotive sectors remain the primary demand drivers. The Pune real estate growth story has only just begun. I firmly believe the city will soon cross the 1 lakh annual housing unit sales milestone. The fundamentals are strong — and the future looks exceptionally promising. Abhishek Kiran Gupta CEO, CRE Matrix abhishekkirangupta@crematrix.com

Blue Nile and the Negotiated Layers of a City’s Identity At street level, memory, architecture, and everyday life intersect—revealing how Pune negotiates change without entirely letting go. The beginning of a new year often arrives with intentions of reinvention and momentum. Yet, in a city like Pune, perhaps the more meaningful resolution is quieter—to walk. To engage with the city at street level, where architecture is not read through skylines or master plans, but through facades, thresholds, colours, smells, and the everyday rhythms that shape lived experience. Pune today moves at a relentless pace. Rapid redevelopment has altered its built fabric, but more subtly, it has softened the references that once made the city instantly legible. As we walk, buildings are read not only for what they are today, but for what they once were—their proportions, materiality, scale, and function lingering as layers of memory within the urban fabric. There was a time when Pune’s streets felt distinctly human. Facades were shaped by proportion rather than spectacle. Fenestration followed the logic of craft, climate, and construction. Wadas, modest commercial buildings, and neighbourhood temples were woven into continuous streetscapes, forming a coherent urban grain. Architecture was contextual, responsive, and inseparable from social and cultural life. Change, however, is inevitable. In a city where redevelopment pressures are intense, the critical question is whether transformation can occur without erasing familiarity—whether new layers can be added without dissolving the old. One such place that quietly negotiates this balance is the Blue Nile Restaurant near the GPO. Though redeveloped, the building retains traces of its earlier architectural character. The lower structure continues to define the street edge through its familiar blue-and-white datum, anchoring it firmly within collective memory. This continuity is not only visual. The aroma of biryani spilling into the street sustains an intangible connection, allowing pedestrians to recognise the place instinctively rather than consciously. Above this base, the newer massing steps back, ensuring the older structure remains visually dominant at street level. Contemporary materials and cleaner articulation clearly mark the new intervention, while proportions, vertical alignments, and restrained fenestration attempt continuity. The relationship between old and new feels less like seamless integration and more like a careful negotiation—where memory is curated rather than preserved intact. Such layered redevelopment offers an important lesson. Conservation need not freeze buildings in time. Instead, it can allow cities to grow through temporal stratification—where historic fabric grounds the street and contemporary life finds space above it. Retaining human scale, respecting facade rhythm, and acknowledging material legacy can keep heritage embedded in lived experience. Buildings like the Blue Nile remind us that a city’s identity is shaped not by policy alone, but by what is allowed to remain familiar at street level. As this year unfolds, perhaps our collective resolution could be to walk the city—to treat each walk as a heritage walk—and to learn to relate change not to loss, but to the slow, evolving making of a renewed urban identity. Ar. Manali Deshmukh Vice-Principal , SMEF’s Brick School of Architecture.Pune manalideshmukh@brick.edu.in +91 94223 41010