Category Archives: Business

Leptos Introduces Zeus Signature Collection in Cyprus, part of Europe Targeting Indian Investors

6th December 2023

 Mumbai, India: Leptos Estates, the leading property developer in Cyprus & Greece has introduced the highly anticipated Zeus Signature Collection, a collection of luxurious apartments designed specifically for Indian investors within the second luxury residential tower at Limassol Blu Marine.

 The new collection offers a combination of breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, top-of-the-range appliances, exquisite furniture, and a luxurious yet comfortable interior palette, these one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments are poised to become a coveted addition to the Limassol real estate landscape. The strategic positioning of each building within Limassol Blu Marine ensures unobstructed sea views, creating a truly unparalleled living experience.

 Residents of the Zeus Tower will have exclusive access to world-class amenities, including a 14,000-square-foot luxury health and spa facility with a 25-meter indoor pool, treatment room, sauna, and steam rooms. Additionally, they will enjoy the convenience of round-the-clock service and security, a 24-hour Concierge, and property and rental management facilities. A private beach lies at the doorstep, while Limassol Old Town and Limassol Marina are just a short stroll away.

 This is echoed by Pantelis Leptos, co-president of Leptos Group of Companies, who stated, “We are thrilled to present the second phase of the Zeus Signature Collection, curated specifically for our esteemed Indian investors and the wider South Asian audience. With Blu Marine’s Poseidon tower already achieving a remarkable 80% sales milestone and escalating demand, we anticipate an equally enthusiastic response to this upcoming phase. This presents an exceptional chance for buyers to secure an apartment, whether as their primary residence or a lucrative investment promising significant capital appreciation and assured rental income. We eagerly look forward to welcoming Indian investors as an integral part of this incredible opportunity. Situated in a sought-after neighborhood of Limassol, Limassol Blu Marine offers a serene and sophisticated lifestyle. Up to 90% of the land has been thoughtfully left undeveloped to foster the growth of flourishing gardens, creating a tranquil oasis for residents to unwind and connect with nature.”

 The development is conveniently located near a host of high-end infrastructure projects, including the Limassol Marina, Dubai World Cruise Terminal, Limassol Old Port, City of Dreams Casino and Golf Resort, Seafront Park, the historic city center, a shopping mall, a theme park, medical centers, and both private and public schools. Moreover, Limassol Blu Marine is situated just 35 minutes from both of Cyprus’s international airports, ensuring easy accessibility for residents and visitors alike.

 With the global spotlight on the allure of beachfront luxury living and investment prospects, the shifting market dynamics underscore the present as an ideal juncture for interested investors to delve into these exclusive villa offerings in the countries.

Rapido launches affordable intra-city mobility solution with Rapido Cabs, disrupting urban commuting with a SaaS-based platform driving zero commission for drivers

~After foraying into bike taxi and auto services, this strategic announcement is the first-ever transparent transport offering in 4W ‘Rapido Cabs’ which offer Zero Commission and Lowest Price Guaranteed~

 Mumbai, December 06, 2023: Rapido, India’s leading commute app, renowned for its innovative and affordable two-wheeler and auto-rickshaw services, has announced its strategic entry into the cab business.

 The cab launch represents the latest step in Rapido’s mission to revolutionize urban mobility and ensure an affordable intra-city solution for all commuting needs. By diversifying its offerings, Rapido aims to become the go-to platform for a wide range of commuting needs, providing an affordable platform for commuters while benefiting captains. Accessible to all cab captains operating across the country, these services are designed to promote entrepreneurship, fostering a sustainable livelihood for drivers. Beyond empowering drivers, the focus extends to customer affordability, offering cabs at the lowest price to make transportation more accessible for all.

 With a commanding 60% market share in bike taxis, Rapido expands its footprint with the pan-India launch of Rapido Cabs, introducing an initial fleet of 1 lakh vehicles.

 Expressing his excitement about this latest milestone, Pavan Guntupalli, co-founder of Rapido, said, “We are incredibly excited to introduce Rapido Cabs pan India following the immense success of our bike taxi and auto services across the country. Our innovative SaaS-based platform revolutionizes the conventional commission system for drivers, tackling the persistent challenge of commission sharing with aggregators. This pioneering approach ensures that drivers incur only a minimal software usage fee, marking a significant shift in the industry.”

 He added, “It also prioritizes customers by ensuring the lowest price guarantee and making our services exceptionally affordable for all.”

 Rapido Cabs distinguishes itself through an innovative SaaS-based platform featuring a cutting-edge, zero-commission model for cab captains—an outstanding hallmark of our service. The SaaS-based platform serves as a seamless mediator, exclusively connecting drivers and customers without exerting control over the marketplace. Within the Rapido ecosystem, drivers enjoy direct payment from customers, free from any interference by Rapido. Nevertheless, to sustain this model and continue delivering exceptional service, drivers are required to pay a nominal subscription fee. As an illustration, upon reaching earnings of Rs 10,000 from the Rapido app, drivers will be subject to a modest subscription fee of Rs 500. This pioneering approach ensures that drivers receive the entirety of their service value, empowering them to maximize their earning potential. Simultaneously, passengers benefit from competitive fares in the Cab segment, as the all-encompassing SaaS-based platform consolidates various commuting
solutions into a single, user-friendly app.

 Rapido’s expansion into cab services is a strategic move to meet the diverse commuting needs of its ever-growing user base while driving business growth and expansion.

Gifting guide – Christmas edition by Love, Indus

For the perfect stocking stuffers, Love, Indus offers a sample set that includes mini jars that will leave your skin feeling velvety smooth and glowing, ensuring you have #RadicallyRadiant skin throughout the holiday season.

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Travel Kit Gift Set For Women

The set includes:

1 X Velvet:08 Broadway Bright Detox Mask (5ml)

1 X Amrutini® Precious Potion Vital Cream (5ml)

Experience the rare riches and treasures of North East India with the Silk Splendor Set. This luxurious pairing includes the Amrutini Luminosity Dewdrops and a sun-kissed Eri Silk Stole.

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SUNKISSED Silk Splendor Gift Set For Women

The set includes:

1x Amrutini® Luminosity Dew Drops

1x Eri Silk Stole – Beli

Resale Realities – The ABC of Price Growth and Sealing a Good Deal

– by Akash Pharande, Managing Director – Pharande Spaces

In India, no home is bought purely from an end-user perspective. The expectation is that it will also gain value over time. Regardless of how comfortable and otherwise attractive it is, no Indian will purchase a residential property that does not have appreciation potential. What factors impact resale value of a home? Let’s get right to it.

In the last three years, several Indian cities have witnessed significant real estate price growth. In the last two years, all eight of India’s largest cities – Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Ahmedabad — recorded increases in their housing price index.

This is encouraging, but does it also help resale home values?

Yes, it does. Trends in new property prices certainly influence the resale market, as they set benchmarks for property values in the area. When new properties are priced higher, it leads to an overall increase in the perceived value of real estate in that location. This has a positive impact on resale housing values.

But of course, not all resale homes are created equal when it comes to value growth.

Various factors affect the potential return on investment on a residential property and understanding these elements is crucial for homeowners looking to re-sell their properties.

1. Developer’s Brand Influence

In recent years, the brand of the developer has been playing an increasingly important role in the resale value of apartments. A reputed developer not only assures quality construction but also instills confidence in potential buyers regarding legal compliances – and, in the case of newly-launched projects, timely completion.

Today, buyers will pay a premium for apartments developed by well-known brands, as these names carry a legacy of trust and reliability. Additionally, top developers usually choose prime locations, adding to the value proposition. These aspects hold true for all properties in the project, including resale homes.

2. Impact of Facilities and Amenities

The facilities and amenities offered in a housing project also play a significant part in its resale values. Contemporary Indian homebuyers look for conveniences that enhance their living experience.

Features such as swimming pools, gyms, community halls, and green spaces are no longer considered luxuries, as they were a couple of decades ago, but have become generally expected. Such amenities attract buyers looking for a lifestyle upgrade and can significantly drive up the resale price.

This is one of the key reasons why residential townships by leading developers specialized in this genre are in such high demand today. Unlike smaller projects which are cramped into minuscule plots and therefore have limited amenities, large integrated townships have these as integral parts of the overall value proposition.

In short, homes in integrated townships command a higher resale value. The convenience of having essential services and amenities as well as lifestyle add-ons within easy reach is a significant draw for buyers of new as well as resale homes in such projects.

3. Evaluating Market Conditions

To judge whether the housing market is supportive for good resale value, one should consider several indicators. These include current real estate trends, interest rates, economic conditions, and demand-supply dynamics in the locality in question. Monitoring these factors can provide insights into the best time to sell. For instance, a seller’s market, where demand exceeds supply, can be an ideal scenario for resale.

However, if there is currently a lot of supply in this market, it may be wiser to hold on to the property until it is absorbed and demand for homes there rises. Remember, land is a finite resource and eventually, it is consumed by development.

When developing new projects is no longer possible in the micro-market, it becomes more supportive of good resale value. Playing this waiting game calls for patience and also diligent upkeep of the property so that its appeal does not erode.

4. Tips for Maximizing Resale Value

Regular Maintenance – Keeping the apartment in good condition is essential. Regular maintenance and timely repairs can significantly enhance the resale value.

Upgrades and Renovations – Modernizing the apartment with contemporary fittings or technology can attract more buyers and justify a higher price.

Effective Marketing – Very few properties sell themselves. To get the best response from the resale market, it is necessary to make the property visible to potential buyers. Apart from posting your own listings with photos of the home on property portals, you may also want to engage a real estate agent with local market knowledge. The agent will not only have a database of buyers but can also provide valuable insights – for example, at what prices other properties like yours are currently selling, and which price expectations may be too ambitious currently.

All Essential Paperwork Available – Ensuring all legal documents are in order and that the property complies with local regulations will smoothen the resale process and enhance value. The documents mentioned below collectively prove the legitimacy of the property and its ownership, facilitating a smoother resale process:

Title Deed – This document proves the owner’s right over the property and should be in the name of the seller. There should also be documentation that transparently traces the origin and subsequent transfers of the property, to establish the ownership chain.
Sale Deed – This document records the transfer of property from the seller to the buyer and is executed at the time of property purchase.
Encumbrance Certificate (EC) – This certificate proves that the property is free from any legal or monetary liabilities such as mortgages or unpaid dues.
Approval Plan of the Building – This document is issued by the local municipal authorities or the jurisdiction under which the property falls and is a must-have for resale.
Occupancy Certificate (OC) – This is issued by the municipal corporation after the completion of construction and certifies that the building is suitable for occupancy and complies with all the norms set by the local authorities.
Possession Certificate – Issued by the developer, this document proves that possession of the property has been given to the buyer.
Completion Certificate – Issued by the municipal authorities, this verifies that the building has been constructed according to the approved plan and is ready for occupancy.
No-Objection Certificate (NOC) – This is issued by the housing society on request when the owner seeks to sell the home.
Property Tax Receipts – Keeping up-to-date property tax receipts shows that taxes have been paid regularly.
To Conclude

The resale potential and value of a home is influenced by various factors. While some of these may be beyond the scope of the seller to influence, it is important to focus on the aspects that are within your control. In short, maintain the property well, keep its legal documents ready, and make sure that the property is visible to potential buyers.

Timing is also very important, and this requires knowledge of the local market and often also patience. Unless there are compelling financial circumstances which require immediate liquidation of the property, waiting for a market upturn if it is currently slow is very advisable.

About the Author:

Akash Pharande is Managing Director – Pharande Spaces, a leading real estate construction and development firm famous for its township projects in West Pune and beyond. Pharande Promoters & Builders, the flagship company of Pharande Spaces and an ISO 9001-2000 certified company, is a pioneer of townships in West Pune.