As per Munir Sultan, the Chairman of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Standing Committee on Real Estate, port cities are crowned as the most expensive cities to live in as far as the house rents and the value of real estate are concerned, but In Pakistan that honour befalls on Lahore. Now that may seem as though Karachi real estate is not doing all that well but as they say, one man’s loss is another’s gain. Same is the case with Karachi real estate where the market has become more of a buyer’s playground, giving them bigger room for price bargain and more choices in terms of quality of property.

According to a survey recently conducted by a famous Russian real estate website, Karachi got voted as the least expensive city to live in. Some of the many things that were taken in account while compiling this ranking list of the world capitals included cost of living, real estate value, food, transportation, and utilities. So given all of these factors, there is no doubt that this is perhaps the best time to move to Karachi and reap the benefit of low costs.

For investors too, this represents an equally good and unique opportunity. Now, when the realty markets across the world are struggling, is the time to invest in Karachi real estate. The conditions that are prevailing in Karachi are only bound to improve over the period of time but before it does, it has given you an opportunity to make most of the low property prices. Given the fact that the prices of property in Karachi real estate cannot drop any lower, you can go on to invest in Karachi real estate in hopes of making a hefty profit in a few years. If not, the city still represent as a cheap yet very modern place to live in. If you are considering to relocate, then give Karachi a try.

The work, on part of the Lahore Development Authority, for the development of several new housing societies in Lahore has already begun. During the last week of January 2012, a total of forty three commercial and residential plots were auctioned in Lahore. Held at the Lahore Development Authority’s Community Centre in Muslim Town, the first auction brought in loads of buyers and investors. This single auction managed to sell some twenty four residential and eleven commercial plots.

All of these plots are either located in newly developed areas or are an extension of Sabzazar and Johar Town. Sabzazar is already a housing scheme that is considered on the peripheries of the city of Lahore. The rapid expansion of Lahore goes to say a lot about the huge number of people which are pouring into the city every year and making it their hometown. Although these auctions were but the start of a series of auctions that were scheduled for 2012, the number of customers and investors they attracted speaks volumes about the demand of plots in decent localities.

Together, both of these auctions generated a total of Rs 41.79 million which is a huge number in itself from plots which are located in the outskirts of Lahore. Johar Town took away the honour of receiving the highest bid for one of its commercial plots which stood at Rs 1.12 million per marla. For residential property however, Sabzarar remained the preferred locality where one of the plots sold for Rs 431,000 per marla.

Some might be startled to see such high prices for such remote housing societies but the prices were approved by the evaluation committee of the State Bank of Pakistan. LDA has postponed any further auctions indefinitely for reasons unknown but you can regularly check its website to stay updated if and when the next auction is held.

Property in Islamabad have always been considered a secure investment and there are countless reasons behind it. Few years ago, property in the adjoining areas of Islamabad were available on cheaper rates but their prices sky rocketed quickly and various small villages are now transforming into chic housing societies linked with the city through highways. Most of the plots and houses in the societies near Islamabad and Rawalpindi are either booked or sold. Same is the case with properties in the premises of the Capital. As soon as new plots are announced in new sector and sub sectors of Islamabad, countless application mount, showing the value and demand of properties in Islamabad.

The Capital Development Authority invited application for plots in Sector G-6 and by the last day, about 1,700 applications were received for 1,120 available plots. The size of these plots varied, ranging between 111 and 2100 square yards and most of the applications were received for bigger plots. Among these applications, quite many were for the 666 square yard plots, which were only 48 in number. The management and the real estate experts are quite satisfied with response from people and are hopeful to witness similar activity in Pakistan real estate. The next step in plot allocation is sorting the applications. For the plots that have received more applications, a lot will be held to keep the process fair.

For the CDA as well as real estate agents, the public response to these applications was very surprising. Since the applications were to be submitted with 10% down payment of the plot, it was quite astonishing the number of applications received was much more than the available plots. The vision for city’s expansion was conceived few years ago and the public response to this confirms that Islamabad needs more space to accommodate the people interested in living and investing here. Sector G 6 is one of the 38 sectors, which are planned for the city’s expansion. CDA will invite applications for the residential and commercial property in Islamabad‘s sector F in next couple of months.

Be it cultural or political front, Lahore has always been able to grasp much attention. There are various great things associated with this city including spicy food spots, historical buildings, lush gardens, famous colleges, lively people and of course the flourishing Lahore real estate. All of these traits have been source of pride for the residents of Lahore and force of attraction for the international investors. Many foreign projects are running successfully in Lahore making the city very safe and conducive for foreign investment. Several similar projects are under consideration and some have now moved from papers to ground.

Khamas Group, one of the prominent real estate developers from UAE, is among the companies interested in investing in Lahore real estate. Director of Khamas Group of Companies, Salah Khamas, believes that Lahore is the city of opportunities therefore the company plans to finalize a $100 million investment deal in residential sector of the city. According to Khamas, Lahore has been offering him a homey ambience from the last more than 25 years that is why he believes that investing a $100 million here would be a great idea as well as a safe investment. The company intends to invest in other cities, including Karachi, Islamabad and Gwadar, too.

Some of the details of the project were revealed by the director while talking to a local newspaper. According to him, the planned housing project will include playgrounds, commercial markets, residential areas, parks, community centres, and recreational areas and many other modern facilities. The reducing unrest in the country is motivating the company to extend the range of its investment in country and it hopes that the Government of Pakistan will ensure further stability in country’s social, political, judicial, and economic sector. Khamas Group believes that Pakistan property has lots of potential for foreign investment and the indicators show that robust investment will soon be witnessed in this sector.

It was interesting to note that the group is targeting low-income people through this planned housing project in Lahore. Not only this, the very project will create new jobs in Lahore as all the man power, experts and professionals will be hired from Pakistan and the company will only use the logistics moved here from the UAE.

Real estate has long been a safe and profitable investment option for Pakistanis for many years. There are only a handful of options of saving in Pakistan if you skim all the ways which are not considered halal. For many decades now, Pakistan realty market had presented a safe haven for all kinds of investments. Such was the trust of the people in Pakistan real estate that they would invest their lifetime’s savings into buying properties in different areas of the country regardless of the development of localities. However, the trust of the people has been badly shaken during the course of recent few years.

As the world economy is screeching its way through an agonizing crunch, the affects of it are palpable in various sectors of Pakistan as well. Pakistan real estate has been one of the biggest sufferer in this regards where there once was a time when buying properties was a sure way of doubling and sometimes even tripling your investment over a period of time, buying property in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad now is rather akin to inviting a loss. The severe lack of trust in the market, risk of fraud, and the ever deteriorating value of rupee has forced people look for other options to invest their money.

Gold also has also been a favoured investment option for many Pakistanis for years. The ever rising prices of the metal in the national and international market have helped it emerge as a more promising investment option for many. Despite the high prices, people’s preference to pick gold over making an investment in properties in Pakistan has rung alarming bells for the local realty market. If the government of Pakistan ever wishes to as much as try and resolve the uncertainly regarding Pakistan real estate, it needs to take immediate measures to curb the various unfavourable conditions engulfing the realty market.

The condition of Karachi real estate seems to be worsening with every passing day. In this regard, even some of the most trusted real estate developers have not been able to do much to help bring the price of properties back to their original stature. Although, the whole of Pakistan real estate in general seems to be experiencing either stagnancy or a fall in prices but nowhere else have prices fallen as much as they have in Karachi.

The inception of Karachi Defence Housing Authority, for many, had brought a wave of good change for the local realty market. However, according to real estate dealers, working on the peripheries of the unfinished housing society, things do not seem as good as they once thought they would be. The year 2011 has been an uneventful year not just for Karachi but the whole of Pakistan real estate in general.

Karachi rentals have been a major sufferer. As a metropolitan, Karachi serves as home to thousands and thousands of dwellers from all corners of Pakistan. Not being in the position to buy a house of their own, renting property was always a preference of many who moved to the city. Because of all of these reasons, the rental market of Karachi has always been robust but the unrest and violence, which has become a daily routine for the locals, has had adverse affects on all sectors of society.

One of the biggest sufferers of such uncertainly has been the commercial sector of real estate. Rental prices for commercial areas in DHA have fallen considerably. According to rough estimates, some commercial properties have undergone a drop of about 30%. For the residential areas in DHA, rents and prices have been stable. Not surprisingly, DHA is perhaps one of the very few places in Karachi, which are free of any kind of ethnic violence. It is this security that catapults buyers into investing in DHA properties.

In a nutshell, for the Karachi realty market, it indeed is a very serious matter that even projects like DHA are strugglers. Although the performance of Pakistan real estate generally is not that well, but Karachi remains a bigger sufferer because of the poor law and order situation Property in Karachi will begin doing better when the ethnic violence would be curbed.

Like in all other cities, traffic issue is surfacing in the capital city of Islamabad. With increasing population, the consumer needs of the principal city are also increasing and therefore much commercial activity is witnessed here. Before the situation could get worse with terrible traffic jams and clogged markets, CDA has decided to make the required measures. Multi-purpose parking plazas have been planned by the Capital Development Authorities in all prominent markets and shopping plazas of the city. The efficiency of the CDA is evident from the fact that separate parking areas will be made to accommodate the traders and visitors separately.

The most attractive feature of Islamabad is that the city is very well planned. It is because the concerned authorities foresee the city’s growing needs and plan accordingly to offer sustainable solutions to the residents. The first parking plaza to fix the parking issue in Aabpara Market was inaugurated on Dec 26, 2011. This plaza, adjacent to Khayaban-e-Suharwardy, will accommodate the big number of people who visit the market on daily basis. The authorities are committed to make Islamabad remain the model city for the rest of cities in Pakistan. For this purpose, private and public partnerships are invited and strong corporation from the traders and visitors is expected.

Construction of these parking plazas is not merely for solving the parking issues. The plan is to fix the fifty years old sewerage system of Islamabad’s commercial areas as well. Along with construction of much needed parking plazas, CDA will fix the pipelines underneath ensuring cleaner and healthier environment of the commercial areas. Among the development authorities of other major cities, CDA stands out. From maintaining road cleanliness to constructing new ones, and from keeping lush green belts to planting new trees, the efforts made by CDA are reflected from every aspect of the city. All of this is of course not possible without the corporation of residents, who have been very helpful in keeping the capital clean and green.

Those of you who are familiar with the project already know just what kind of an architectural marvel the Centaurus Towers Islamabad is. Although the building is still under construction but the experts believe once it’s finished, it will be the most high profile project in the history of Pakistan real estate. The gigantic structure is designed to stand alongside three towers and will be accompanied by a magnificent shopping mall upon its completion. Like many other modern structures erected in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore, among other cities of Pakistan, the Centaurus Towers Islamabad will be mixed purpose buildings.

The design of the building may seem outrageous to some but it is just as practical as the architectural design of any other building. WS Atkins, which is a renowned international company, has designed the structure which, upon its completion, will tower over the nearby structures. In case you have not heard of WS Atkins, it is the same company, which designed the world famous Burj Al Arab, as well as the honour of designing the extension of Masjid al-Haram. Like almost all of their other structures, Centaurus Towers Islamabad is a mega project which is scheduled to be completed by 2014.

The highest tower of this multi purpose building will house a total of forty one floors, which is surely good enough to get it a good ranking amongst some of the tallest structures in Pakistan. Centaurus Towers, upon completion, will be three buildings comprising of corporate offices, state of the art apartments and a five star hotel. All three of the towers will be connected via a shopping mall that will stretch the length of all three towers. The total estimated cost of the project is $350 million.

Buying a good piece of property is not easy and the reasons for this are obvious. Many complex procedures are involved in property transfer and getting good house on good rates is practically harder. The first step in this regard is to determine whether or not the property you intent to buy is a good one. Some of the pointers, which will help you determine this, are listed here.

Scrutinize the district

The first and the foremost thing while buying a house is to check if the district where this house is located has the facilities required for modern and convenient lifestyle. Such services include road infrastructure, water, gas and electricity, security system, markets and of course medical care units. If some housing society promises such facilities in near future than perhaps buying a piece of land there could be a safe idea but buying a house there certainly is not. It is so because the house you will buy will remain unoccupied until all of these facilities are made available.

Check the location

The very location of the house is equally important. Since corner plots are expensive, many investors in Pakistan real estate prefer buying the corner property. If you intend to live in the house, the corner location may not practically do any good to you but for investment purpose it sure does. The accessibility of the house from main roads and nearby markets also matters. Sometimes, the house may appear good on all criterions but there is an in-house factory at its backside, which makes the entire neighborhood a noisy place. All of these elements combine to decide the location of the house and are very important for you to consider thoroughly.

Proper ventilation and sunlight

Sometimes a house is constructed very well and meets your demand but lacks the very basic requirement of a good house i.e. proper ventilation and exposure to sunlight. A windy and sunny house is important to keep you family healthy. It is not easy to check and confirm in few visits if the house receives good sunlight but there are ways to check it. If the houses built next to it are close and two stories, there are fat chances that a good part of day light is blocked by these houses.

For ventilation, there have to be windows or air passage ways opposite to each other. Sometimes a lot of reflective glass is used to beautify the houses but this fixed glass doesn’t serve the purpose of ventilating the house. One window in a room means improper ventilation. Don’t let the fine window frames and fancy ceilings distract you from confirming the very basics requirements of a good house.

Karachi, the biggest city of Pakistan, is constantly expanding but the good news is that this expansion is well planned. With new housing projects targeting the middle class, the city promises more homey accommodation to the oodles of people interested in living here. Naya Nazimabad City, the most raved about housing society project has been initiated by the private sector of Karachi. This project was launched in Nov 2011 and is expected to complete in a decade’s time. The authorities have claimed that Naya Nazimabad City Phase-I will be ready by 2015.

Naya Nazimabad City, which is spread over a land of 1200 acres is located near Federal B. Area and is at 20 min drive away from the Water Pump Chowrangi. Although this society does not target the elite and residents of posh areas like DHA and Mohammad Ali Housing Society but it pledges to offer the similar facilities and lifestyle. Targeting the middle class and offering them above standard services is a newer trend in Pakistan and experts are of the view that this practice will remain very successful. With Manghopir lake on one side and hills on the other, the location of Naya Nazimabad City is ideal. The stakeholders of Pakistan real estate are quite hopeful to see some serious activity in this sector.

According to initial reports, this society will house 300,000 people in flats and single story structures. The number of houses, which will be constructed under strict scrutiny and administration of the authorities, is not final yet because the count depends on the demand. Just like every good housing society, Naya Nazimabad City will have state of the art infrastructure, well-equipped hospitals, quality education institutes, and other recreational centres. People planning to invest in Karachi real estate finally have an affordable and secure option in form of Naya Nazimabad City where administration is all committed to take the due responsibility and protect their investment.

To ensure security and preserve the calm environment of the society, Naya Nazimabad City will be gated and about 150 men from Frontier Constabulary will do the security checks and gate keeping. The price set for property and houses in Naya City is much reasonable. One can get a 160 square feet single story house in 30 Lacks and the debt component is set to be 12 Lacks. The investors looking for sound opportunities to cash good returns from properties in Pakistan should keep a check on Naya Nazimabad city and make the right move at the right time.