CREDAI-MCHI Property Expo Highlights Growing Influence of Channel Partners in MMR Real Estate

CREDAI-MCHI, the apex body representing real estate developers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), recently hosted its first exclusive Property Expo dedicated to channel partners at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The initiative brought together more than 5,000 channel partners, 48 channel partner associations, and over 50 developers on a common platform aimed at improving collaboration across the real estate sector.

The expo was organised under the leadership of CREDAI-MCHI President Sukharaj Singh Nahar and was positioned as an effort to strengthen the connection between developers, channel partners, and homebuyers. According to the organisation, channel partners currently contribute to nearly 60% of residential transactions across MMR, making them one of the key drivers of housing sales in the region.

Participants at the event included channel partners from Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, and several parts of the wider MMR region. Industry estimates shared during the event suggested that MMR currently has around 45,000 to 60,000 active channel partners, out of which nearly 12,000 to 18,000 are institutional or semi-organised players. Their growing role has become increasingly important in market movement, especially across major residential micro-markets such as Thane, Navi Mumbai, Central Suburbs, and extended western suburbs.

The expo was also aimed at simplifying the homebuying process through direct interaction between developers, project teams, and channel partners. CREDAI-MCHI stated that stronger communication and improved access to project information can help improve transparency and allow homebuyers to make more informed decisions.

The organisation further noted that the channel partner ecosystem has been witnessing annual growth of nearly 10-15%, while organised brokerage firms have been expanding at a yearly rate of around 18-25%. This growth has largely been supported by rising residential demand, redevelopment opportunities, infrastructure projects, and increasing digital lead generation across MMR.

Speaking during the event, Boman Irani said trust continues to remain the most important factor in real estate transactions. He stated that the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between developers and homebuyers through stronger engagement with channel partners. According to him, better-informed channel partners are able to build greater confidence among buyers, especially at a time when homebuyers are becoming more cautious and research-driven before making purchase decisions.

Sukharaj Singh Nahar said the expo was conceptualised to recognise the contribution of channel partners while also bringing together a fragmented ecosystem under one platform. He added that direct interaction with developers would help create stronger trust, better market understanding, and improved business collaboration within the sector.

Highlighting the importance of transparency in today’s market, Rushi Mehta stated that regulatory reforms under Real Estate Regulatory Authority have made buyers far more informed than before. He explained that homebuyers today have access to verified information related to approvals, agreements, and project inventory, reducing the chances of misinformation. He also pointed out that while technology and AI are helping improve customer engagement, real estate transactions still largely depend on trust and human relationships.

Sharing his views on current buyer behaviour, Nikunj Sanghavi noted that buyers are no longer only looking at homes as properties, but are evaluating long-term lifestyle value, aspirations, and future growth potential before making investment decisions. He added that pricing across MMR continues to be influenced by demand and supply dynamics, while buyers are becoming more detail-oriented in project evaluation.

On the broader growth outlook for the sector, Jitendra Mehta said India’s real estate sector continues to remain on a strong growth path despite temporary global uncertainties. He stated that policy support around easier buying, selling, and fund repatriation could further encourage NRI and reverse migration-led investments into Indian real estate.

The event also saw the felicitation of all 48 participating channel partner associations for their contribution towards market outreach and transaction support. Representatives including Chandresh Vithalani, Ashish Mehta, Jatin Shah, and Raju Achpilia were among those recognised during the programme.

More than 51 developers showcased projects across various categories at the expo, ranging from INR 100 crore developments to premium housing projects priced at nearly INR 1 lakh per sq. ft. Industry estimates shared at the event highlighted that MMR currently accounts for close to INR 2.5 lakh crore in residential sales, representing nearly 40% of India’s total residential market. CREDAI-MCHI also pointed out that India’s real estate sector is projected to contribute around 15% to the country’s GDP as the economy moves toward the USD 5 trillion mark, with the broader sector steadily progressing toward a USD 1 trillion valuation.

The initiative has been planned as a recurring platform by CREDAI-MCHI as part of its larger efforts to build a more organised and collaborative real estate ecosystem where channel partners continue to play a central role in business growth and customer engagement.