Digital Real Estate: Democratizing Property Investment with Lower Entry Barriers

Digital real estate is transforming the property investment landscape in India, making it accessible to retail investors and NRIs with entry points as low as ₹10,000–₹25,000.

Digital Real EstateProperty InvestmentFinancial InclusionFractional OwnershipReal Estate InvestingReal EstateSep 18, 2025

Digital Real Estate: Democratizing Property Investment with Lower Entry Barriers

Real Estate:Digital technology is reshaping the way Indians look at real estate. What was once considered an asset class reserved for high-net-worth individuals is now opening up to young professionals, retail investors, and even NRIs. By fractionalising property and lowering the entry barrier to as little as ₹10,000–₹25,000, digital real estate has turned property investing into a more inclusive and democratic opportunity.

In an exclusive conversation with ETMarkets, Yash Garg, Director, M3M Noida, explains how this shift is expanding financial inclusion, creating flexible ownership models, and redefining wealth creation in India’s property market. Edited Excerpts –

Q) How is digital real estate lowering the entry barrier for investors, with ticket sizes starting as low as ₹10,000–₹25,000?

A) Digital real estate has fundamentally changed the nature of property ownership in India. By fractionalising assets and lowering the entry ticket to ₹10,000–₹25,000, it has transformed real estate from being the preserve of high-net-worth individuals into a truly democratic asset class. It allows retail investors, young professionals, and even NRIs to participate in institutional-grade opportunities—something unimaginable a decade ago. This shift is expanding financial inclusion, fostering a culture of investment, and aligning real estate with the digital-first aspirations of India’s next generation of wealth creators.

Q) What are the most affordable property investment options available in 2025?

A) In 2025, affordability is not just about smaller ticket sizes but about flexible ownership models. Fractional ownership of commercial and rental assets, co-living platforms, curated digital real estate opportunities, and smaller-format warehousing units are offering investors access at lower costs. These are supported by tech-enabled platforms that bring transparency, ease of exit, and risk diversification—making property investment more accessible than ever before.

Q) Which locations or property segments offer the best value for budget-conscious investors in 2025?

A) Beyond traditional metros, emerging growth corridors are driving value for budget-conscious investors. Cities like Noida, Gurugram, Pune, and Hyderabad are seeing strong infrastructure investments, making them prime for both residential and commercial demand. Within Noida, sectors such as 72, 94, 96, and 97 stand out because of their connectivity, upcoming metro links, and large-scale mixed-use developments. For investors, these micro-markets offer not only affordability but also long-term appreciation potential driven by urbanisation and job creation.

Q) One big advantage seems to be diversification—how can investors use digital real estate to spread investments across geographies and asset classes?

A) Diversification is the cornerstone of wealth creation, and digital real estate makes it possible at scale. Through a single platform, investors can now spread capital across residential, commercial, warehousing, holiday homes, and even land parcels—spanning different cities and geographies. This creates natural hedges against localised risks and allows participation in multiple demand cycles. In effect, what equity markets achieved through mutual funds, digital real estate is now replicating for property—offering transparency, control, and a more resilient portfolio.

Q) Managing tenants and property maintenance is usually a pain point. How does this model remove that hassle for investors?

A) The model is designed to deliver a completely passive ownership experience. Professional property managers handle tenant acquisition, rent collection, compliance, and upkeep—while technology ensures transparency and timely reporting. This shifts real estate from being an “active management” asset to a plug-and-play wealth instrument, allowing investors to enjoy returns without operational stress.

Q) Liquidity has always been a roadblock in real estate—how are secondary sales making exits easier?

A) Liquidity has always been the biggest challenge in real estate because assets are traditionally large, illiquid, and long-term in nature. Secondary sales on digital platforms are changing this by creating a transparent resale marketplace for fractional units. Investors can now exit earlier by selling their share to new participants, with pricing driven by real-time demand. This brings in flexibility, faster capital rotation, and true price discovery, making real estate behave less like a locked asset and more like a dynamic, tradable financial product.

Q) What kind of impact do you see post-GST rate rationalisation on construction materials?

A) The GST rate rationalisation is a game-changing structural reform. By cutting rates on cement, marble, granite, and bricks, the government has directly addressed one of the biggest cost pressures in construction. This will accelerate project timelines, reduce input costs, and improve sectoral viability. Importantly, it signals a policy-level commitment to housing affordability and infrastructure push, boosting both developer confidence and consumer sentiment.

Q) With GST cuts, how much can average construction costs realistically drop?

A) With cement moving from 28% to 18% and other key materials reduced, developers could see a 5–7% reduction in construction costs on average. While this may not instantly slash home prices—given contractual and financing structures—it does create headroom for more competitive pricing, especially in new launches. Over time, these benefits will flow to homebuyers and also stimulate demand in affordable and mid-segment housing.

Q) Which housing segments are likely to benefit the most?

A) Affordable and mid-income housing will gain from improved cost structures, but interestingly, the premium and aspirational segments may benefit even more. Buyers today are seeking design, lifestyle, and sustainability rather than just square footage. Developers, with reduced input costs, can now reinvest in higher-quality materials, better finishes, and more innovative designs—enhancing overall value. Segments like premium residences, curated communities, and lifestyle-driven second homes are therefore poised to see strong traction in the coming years.

Q) How quickly are developers likely to reflect these cost savings in pricing for homebuyers—especially in ongoing projects still under older contracts?

A) The price corrections are rarely linear. Developers usually prefer to pass on efficiencies through innovative financing options, improved amenities, or curated offers—ensuring that while the ticket size remains stable, the overall value proposition for buyers improves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is digital real estate?

Digital real estate refers to the use of technology to fractionalise and democratise property investments, making it accessible to retail investors with lower entry barriers.

How does fractional ownership work in digital real estate?

Fractional ownership allows multiple investors to own a share of a property, reducing the entry ticket size and making it more affordable for retail investors.

What are the benefits of investing in digital real estate?

Benefits include lower entry barriers, diversification, professional property management, and easier liquidity through secondary sales platforms.

Which cities are emerging as hotspots for budget-conscious investors in 2025?

Cities like Noida, Gurugram, Pune, and Hyderabad are emerging as hotspots due to strong infrastructure investments and long-term appreciation potential.

How do GST rate rationalisations impact construction costs?

GST rate rationalisations on construction materials can lead to a 5–7% reduction in construction costs, benefiting affordable and mid-segment housing as well as premium segments.