Capital India Home Loans (CIHL), the material subsidiary of Capital India Finance (CIFL), a non-banking financial company (NBFC), has received approval from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for its acquisition and change in control to Weaver Services. The proposed transaction is valued at ?267 crore, for 100% equity shares of CIHL. In October 2024, it was decided to sell its 100% stake in company’s material subsidiary. Subsequently, an application by CIHL was filed with RBI for its approval in relation to acquisition and change in control of CIHL by Weaver Services. “Capital India Finance is currently in a phase of strategic consolidation, with a clear focus on strengthening its core lending business. This transaction will enable us to reallocate resources towards areas with greater potential for growth and long-term value creation for all stakeholders," said Keshav Porwal, managing director, Capital India Finance. Capital India Home Loans' total income was ?74.55 crore and profit after tax (PAT) stood at ?2.78 crore in FY25. The company has an assets under management (AUM) of ?490.03 crore.
 

The timely implementation of master plans for all 135 major cities and towns across Tamil Nadu can offer a boost to the State’s ambitions to get to a $1-trillion economy by 2030, the top official of the real estate industry body said on Wednesday. The absence of a comprehensive master plan impacts investors’ clarity about where cities are expected to grow and thus, also slows down the pace of the capital flow and investor interest, WS Habib, President, CREDAI (Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India) Tamil Nadu, Chairman and Managing Director of RWD CREDAI, told media persons. A Master Plan helps in an organised growth of the State, helps unlock land value and drives planned urbanisation, thereby boosting real estate potential, he added. “We are engaging with the government in preparation of the plan, but there is a need to speed it up.  CREDAI Tamil Nadu, emphasised that residential developers, who cater to first-time home-buyers, are under considerable pressure due to sharp increases in material costs, up to 30-40 per cent. “Approximately 20 per cent of the cost is also taxes to the government, and this has made home buying unaffordable for first-time buyers,” Swaminathan added. CREDAI officials stressed on the key contribution of the sector to the State’s GDP and called for more consistent industry representation and collaboration with authorities. The association said it is also pushing for Tamil Nadu’s real estate sector to become globally competitive, aligning with international standards and urban strategies, as seen in models like South Korea. In a move to deepen its presence, CREDAI Tamil Nadu is also expanding its chapter network. With 10 existing chapters, the association plans to add more, including in Sivagangai, Vellore, Karur, Nilgiris, and Thanjavur.

Chief minister M K Stalin on Tuesday inaugurated a newly constructed apartment complex comprising 32 flats in Karur through video conferencing. The project, undertaken by the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB), is located in Velambadi, Aravakurichi area of Karur district, and was built at a cost of 2.95 crore. Spread over 0.16.5 hectares, the residential complex consists of a basement and three floors. Each of the 32 apartments measures 400sqft and includes a bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and toilet, with an individual unit estimated to cost 9.23 lakh. As part of the initiative, 30 beneficiaries were issued allotment orders during the inauguration ceremony. The flats come equipped with essential amenities. A dedicated ground water tank, borewell, and motor room have been set up to ensure adequate water supply, managed by the Velambadi village administration. Additionally, a septic tank and drainage system have been constructed, along with street lighting for the safety and convenience of residents. District collector M Thangavel officially handed over the allotment orders in the presence of Karur MP S Jothimani and Aravakurichi MLA R Elango. The event was also attended by other district officials.
 

Despite reduction of unsold stock inventory and signs of recovery in the affordable housing segment, it has not enthused developers. Poor conversion rates, spiralling construction costs and unsustainable margins are posing a grave challenge to the affordable housing market. This has resulted in several developers keeping away from launching new projects in the segment. Their reluctance is despite a huge opportunity in this space over the next five years. A report by CII and Knight Frank has projected the cumulative fafordable housing demand to reach 31.2 million units with an estimated market size of Rs 67 trillion by 2030.   P Suresh, MD of Chennai-based affordable housing developer Arun Excello said, 90% of developers have shifted out of the affordable housing segment post-Covid in Tamil Nadu. "The pandemic impacted lower salaried employees who were the core customers of affordable housing. . Also, govt's incentives for affordable housing homebuyers were withdrawn. Subsequently, those buying properties for the purpose of rentals did not pursue their interests. Affordable housing units are those with a carpet area of up to 60 sqft in metropolitan cities and 90 sq m for m
 

Chengalpet, long plagued by poor roads, inadequate solid waste management, and a lack of basic infrastructure such as underground drainage, is now poised for a transformation. Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has unveiled plans to reimagine the town as a sustainable, smart, and inclusive urban hub. Wide, walkable streets, eco-friendly mobility, planned residential zones, bustling commercial spaces, and thriving public areas all seamlessly connected to Chennai while preserving Chengalpet's unique identity form the heart of this ambitious vision. To realise this, CMDA floated tenders for preparing a comprehensive plan for Chengalpet New Town, mapping its growth from 2025 to 2045. The goal is to reduce dependency on Chennai, create local jobs and foster regional economic growth," said a CMDA official. Strategically located on Chennai's southern edge, Chengalpet has traditionally served as a transit and industrial corridor. The proposed planning area includes 60 villages from Chengalpet, Thirukazhukundram, and Thiruporur taluks. E Shankar, CPI(M) district secretary, said, "Chengalpet lacks underground drainage, has poor drinking water supply, and damaged roads. The new plan must address these gaps while creating employment for local residents." Urban planning expert K P Subramanian welcomed the initiative but cautioned, "The earlier master plan must be denotified first. Also, this new plan should not remain on paper implementation is critical."
 

LIC Housing Finance on Thursday reported a 25.4 per cent growth in net profit at Rs 1,368 crore in the fourth quarter ended March 2025. The company had a net profit of Rs 1,091 crore in the same quarter of 2023-24 fiscal. Total income rose to Rs 7,283 crore in the March quarter of FY25, from Rs 6,937 crore in the corresponding quarter in FY24, LIC Housing Finance said in a regulatory filing. In the 2024-25 fiscal, net profit rose 14 per cent to Rs 5,429 crore, from Rs 6,937 crore in the corresponding quarter in FY24, LIC Housing Finance said in a regulatory filing. In the 2024-25 fiscal, net profit rose 14 per cent to Rs 5,429 crore, from  Rs 4,765 crore in FY24. Shares of LIC Housing Finance closed at Rs 624.90, up 1.31 per cent over previous close on BSE.
 

The ED conducted searches at 13 locations, including the premises of a Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVMC) official, as part of a money laundering case involving unauthorised construction of 41 buildings on 60 acres of land allocated for sewage treatment and waste disposal facilities. The developers constructed these buildings using falsified documents, fabricated approvals and fraudulent sale agreements. The searches were at the premises of Y S Reddy, deputy director of town planning at VVMC, former Bahujan Vikas Aghadi Party (BVA) corporator Sitaram Gupta, and Vijay Tambat (Vijay Salvi), who allegedly has connections with gangster Chhota Rajan. Reddy faced arrest in a corruption case approximately eight years ago, while Gupta was arrested for cheating and forgery related to illegal construction. The ED initiated the money laundering investigation based on multiple FIRs filed against Gupta and others by defrauded homebuyers. Earlier, the home buyers had approached the court against the action initiated by the civic authority to demolish the illegal structures but didn't get any relief. The Supreme Court also refused to provide any relief to them and asked them to approach the government for rehabilitation while it instructed local authorities to proceed with demolishing structures built on the reserved land. It was alleged that Gupta had allegedly occupied plots illegally, constructed buildings without permission after document falsification, and sold them to unsuspecting economically disadvantaged individuals. Half of the land was wetland, whereas the remaining was privately owned reserved plots. In the 2010 development plan, the privately owned portion of the land was reserved for a dumping ground and sewage treatment facilities.
 

The Competition Commission of India on Tuesday approved IPO-bound Knowledge Realty Trust's acquisition of several entities affiliated with private equity major Blackstone and Bengaluru-based Sattva Group. Knowledge Realty Trust (KRT) is sponsored by real estate company Sattva Group and Blackstone. The proposed combination comprises of direct and indirect acquisition by the Knowledge Realty Trust, acting through its manager, Knowledge Realty Office Management Services, formerly known as Trinity Office Management Services (acquirer REIT), of certain entities, some of which inter-alia belong to the Blackstone Group, some belonging to the Sattva Group and remaining held jointly controlled by Blackstone and Sattva Group," the regulator said in a release. Knowledge Realty Office Management Services is a Sebi-registered REIT engaged in the business of owning and/or operating a portfolio of rent or income-generating real estate assets and related income-generating assets. Competition Commission of India approves acquisition by the Knowledge Realty Trust of certain entities belonging to Blackstone Group and/or Sattva Group," it added. KRT's total portfolio is 48 million sq ft (37 million square feet completed) across 30 Grade A office assets across six major cities, making it India's most geographically diverse Office REIT. Of the total portfolio, 90 per cent is leased with marquee tenants - 76 per cent with MNCs and 45 per cent with GCCs (Global Capability Centres). Sattva Developers has so far constructed 74 million square feet across seven Indian cities in commercial, residential, co-living, co-working, hospitality, and data centre sectors. An additional 75 million square feet area is in planning and implementation. Blackstone, a leading global investment firm, has a huge exposure in the Indian real estate market.
 

The country's maiden residential mortgage-backed securities were listed on the market on Monday, and housing finance regulator NHB said it expects firms to raise over Rs 10,000 crore through the route this fiscal. The National Housing Bank-promoted RMBS Development Company (RDCL) listed the first-ever set of securities of Rs 1,000 crore maturing in 20 years with a coupon of 7.26 per cent payable monthly, on the NSE. NHB Managing Director and Chief Executive Sanjay Shukla said he expects up to 10 more such transactions in the fiscal year through which lenders will raise between Rs 10,000-12,000 crore. The listing done on Monday involves pass-through certificates of a pool of residential loans made by LIC Housing Finance, and the issue was fully subscribed. RDCL was set up in March by NHB to help home financiers access funding by giving up future receivables on a loan to investors. The move will also help term investors like pension funds and insurance companies will get investment opportunities. Shukla said the NHB is talking to other home financiers as well to pool-in securities for listing, and added that he expects another tranche of Rs 1,000 crore in a month. Meanwhile, Shukla said the NHB plans to raise up to Rs 60,000 crore through the bond route in FY26, up from Rs 48,000 crore done in FY25.
 

Aadhar Housing Finance on Tuesday reported a 21 per cent improvement in net profit to Rs 245 crore in the fourth quarter of 2024-25. The housing finance company earned a profit of Rs 202 crore in the same quarter a year ago. Total income during the quarter under review rose to Rs 834 crore from Rs 692 crore in the year-ago period, Aadhar Housing Finance said in a regulatory filing. During the quarter, interest income increased to Rs 722 crore compared to Rs 596 crore in the same period a year ago. Total expenses increased to Rs 517 crore against Rs 433 crore a year earlier. Gross non-performing assets declined to 1.05 per cent as of March 31, 2025, compared to 1.08 per cent at the end of the fourth quarter of the previous financial year. Meanwhile, the board has approved the appointment of Raj Vikash Verma as an independent director on the company's board. Verma, former chairman and managing director of National Housing Bank, played a key role in the formulation of various innovative national-level schemes and programmes on affordable and low-income housing of NHB and the Government of India.
 

India’s ageing office stock presents a significant value creation opportunity, with strategic retrofitting capable of unlocking up to ?1.2–1.6 lakh crore in capital value, according to a recent report by CBRE South Asia. The report estimates that such upgrades could drive 25–40% asset value enhancement in key commercial micro-markets. To realise this potential, the total investment required is estimated between ?30,000–40,000 crore, depending on the scale and scope of enhancements. This includes structural upgrades, façade modernisation, HVAC optimisation, ESG compliance, and the addition of employee-centric amenities. The report adds that well-executed retrofits can offer a 3–5 year payback period, driven by improved occupancy, better lease terms, and enhanced tenant retention. CBRE estimates that close to 160–180 million sq ft of India’s office stock is over a decade old and likely in need of refurbishment or complete repositioning. “With workplace preferences changing rapidly and tenants now demanding enhanced sustainability, wellness, and smart technology integration, retrofitting offers a high-return solution for landlords and investors. The report notes that capital value enhancement post-retrofit could reach 40% in select micro-markets, with rental appreciation potential ranging between 15–35%, depending on location, scope, and quality of upgrades. Additionally, energy-efficient upgrades such as HVAC optimization, LED lighting, and advanced water systems can reduce operating costs by 20–30% over time. Beyond financial returns, retrofits also help developers and asset owners align with ESG benchmarks, achieve green certifications, and enhance the long-term sustainability profile of their portfolios.
 

Star Housing Finance Limited (Star HFL), a BSE listed home finance company (BSE Scrip code BOM: 539017) operational in low cost retail housing finance space across multiple states has reported its annual financial results exhibiting AUM growth and stable asset quality For the twelve months ending March 31, 2025, Star HFL posted total revenue of Rs. 94.96 crs, a 54.06% y-o-y increase. Profit after tax (PAT) rose by 25% to Rs. 11.10 crs, compared to Rs. 8.88 crs in FY2023-24. During the fourth quarter of FY2024-25, the company recorded total revenue of Rs. 27.89 crs and PAT of Rs. 2.93 crs, compared to Q4 FY2023-24 revenue of Rs. 19.34 crs and PAT of Rs. 2.74 crs Assets under management (AUM) grew to Rs. 520.70 crs as of March 31, 2025, up from Rs. 426.86 crs - a y-o-y increase of 21.98%, driven by demand for affordable home loans in its operational geographies Business Numbers: The Company disbursed Rs. 148.60 crs in the financial year providing housing finance assistance to more than 1250+ home buyers across its operational geographies of 30+ locations across the states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and NCR. Direct Assignment: The financial year saw first successful direct. assignment being executed to the tune of Rs.55.83 crs. Income Growth: Interest income grew by 47.22% y-o-y during the year. Net Interest Margin (NIM) stands at 7.69% Profitability: Profit After Tax registered 25% y-o-y growth at rs 11.1crs. Stable Asset Quality: GNPA stands at 1.84% and NNPA stands at 1.40% as of March 31, 2025. Liability Continues to Scale: During the year, Star HFL raised incremental liability of Rs. 145 crs from 2 banks and 6 FIs. Star HFL has maintained strong relationships with its banking partners and is in the process of building a strong pipeline to aid the loan book growth.  Capital Levels: Net-worth as of Mar 31, 2025 stands at Rs. 143.87 cr. Leverage levels stand at 2.81x. Star Housing Finance Limited (Star HFL) is BSE listed retail housing finance company. The Company has been operational in the low-cost housing finance space since inception. Star HFL provides long term housing finance assistance to EWS/LIG families towards purchase/construction of low-cost housing units (affordable housing) in its operational geographies. Star HFL is a professionally run with a presence across states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, NCR and Tamil Nadu. Star HFL is registered as a Primary Lending Institution (PLI) under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Star HFL has its Registered & Corporate Office in Mumbai, Maharashtra .