Camper & Nicholsons has announced its exclusive partnership with Nolimits, marking a significant move to introduce Nolimits’ exceptional yacht models to the Asia-Pacific region. This collaboration brings forth Nolimits’ range of all-aluminium semi-custom yachts, ranging from 30 to 45 meters under 500GT, meticulously crafted by Fulvio de Simoni Yacht Design and renowned for their features typically seen on larger vessels.Featuring expansive panoramic windows, spacious hulls, multi-level cockpit areas, and expansive sundecks complete with windbreakers, the Nolimits fleet epitomizes a blend of transoceanic performance and enhanced fuel efficiency, making it ideal for extended voyages that seamlessly combine the allure of an explorer with the elegance of a superyacht.To complement these exceptional vessels, the exclusive interiors have been meticulously designed by Pininfarina, tailored specifically for the discerning Asian market. Pininfarina’s interiors epitomize two core concepts that redefine the contemporary cruising experience. The first concept, poetic symmetry, embodies visual contrast, reflective surfaces, and fluid transitions of spaces to create a welcoming and modern ambiance. This is evident in the living areas of the vessel, where furnishings are strategically positioned to achieve a harmonious balance. NL 37The second concept draws inspiration from tradition, particularly Asian heritage, and innovation. It seamlessly blends Pininfarina’s signature fluid lines with cutting-edge materials and artisanal craftsmanship, resulting in a soft and inviting atmosphere that adds a distinct character to each vessel in the fleet.Julien Solari, Chief Commercial Officer of Camper & Nicholsons in Asia, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are absolutely delighted to partner with the Rossi family in introducing Nolimits to the Asia-Pacific market. The Rossis are esteemed leaders in the Italian superyacht industry, renowned for their craftsmanship, engineering, and build quality, which resonate with both industry experts and seasoned owners alike.”NL 45He added, “The combination of sub 500GT volumes, Pininfarina-designed interiors, and transatlantic range across all models in the series has garnered promising initial reactions from our clients. We look forward to representing Nolimits and offering their exceptional yachts to the discerning clientele in the Asia-Pacific region.”Federico Rossi, Chief Operating Officer of Rossinavi, expressed his confidence in the partnership, emphasizing, “Camper & Nicholsons epitomizes excellence, bringing with them a wealth of experience and expertise to understand and cater to the customer’s needs throughout the yacht-building process.”He further noted, “The collaboration between Nolimits and Pininfarina embodies quintessential Made in Italy characteristics, including style, quality, and craftsmanship. Together, we are poised to deliver unparalleled yachting experiences and reaffirm our commitment to the market.”Credits: Camper & Nicholsons
March 5, 2024
A real estate agent who has been criticised as ‘tone deaf’ for making sales videos for modest homes while driving high-end luxury cars has defended his methods after attracting thousands of views online.
Agent Amir Jahan, 25, from Ray White Parramatta in Sydney‘s west, has racked up hundreds of thousands of views for the videos he posts to Instagram spruiking his properties.
His videos include Mr Jahan arriving at lower to mid-end properties in luxury vehicles including a Rolls Royce and a Lamborghini.
Mr Jahan’s slickly produced clips have attracted comments slamming his style for being ‘tone deaf’ and ‘douchey’.
‘I get a lot of negative comments but what’s most important for me is to keep the sellers and buyers happy,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
After starting as a sales agent five months ago, Mr Jahan knew he needed to market his properties from a different perspective.
‘I remember before I became an agent I saw all the real estate videos that all looked the same with the agent standing outside, saying ‘welcome home’ and I would skip through them,’ he said.
‘I asked ‘what can I do to make the videos different?’ Nine out of 10 people like cars, so I decided to put cars in the videos.
‘I wanted to get people’s attention and get them to watch them to the end.’
Many of his videos have been watched over 100,000 times, with one he shared to X hitting half a million views.
Far from being ‘douchey’, Mr Jahan revealed one of the main reasons for the videos was because of the Parramatta market being mainly ‘all units’.
‘When a house comes on the market, people are interested.
‘But because there are just so many units you have to do something to try and get them sold, otherwise they sit on the market for six months.’
According to Mr Jahan, the average time a unit stays on the market in Parramatta is a minimum of 60 days.
He says savvier agents who use platforms like Instagram to market properties have sold after an average of just four weeks on the market.
The agent said 10 units come onto the market in his area every fortnight, with most being apartments.
‘They have the same number of bedrooms, they are the same price, they are targeting the same market. You have to do something different,’ Mr Jahan said.
Mr Jahan said some people accuse him of ‘ripping’ off his vendors – but he pays for the marketing out of his own pocket.
‘Most properties I sign I offer free marketing. The cost of the videos are covered by me, including car rentals,’ he said.
The vendors he does offer a marketing package involves the seller paying for advertising on Domain and realestate.com.au and nothing more.
‘I don’t believe in taking commission and marketing costs.
‘Since I started as a seller, I believe when an owner signs with you, that is a big trust to give their asset to you.’
Mr Jahan also believes that just because a property doesn’t have a big price tag, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t get his full attention.
‘If I am selling a $400,000 – $500,000 unit, and turn up in a $1m car, there’s a reason for it,’ he said.
‘I’m not listing a property for $7m or $8m but I am treating your property like it is $7 or $8m dollars.
‘I am putting my focus on it regardless of the fact that we are not in Double Bay and your flat isn’t in the millions. It is still a big asset for the owner.’
His latest post on Instagram of a three bedroom townhouse has attracted negative comments , with some describing it as ‘s***hole’.
‘Good place to run meth out of,’ wrote one.
‘The car’s worth more than the apartment! I’m confused, are you an agent or a car salesperson?’ another said.
‘The meaning of out of touch,’ one wrote.
Mr Jahan told Daily Mail Australia the negative comments just fuel his motivation.
‘It’s life. It doesn’t matter how good or bad you are, you will always get negative comments,’ he said.
His social media campaigns have worked. Out of the 14 properties he has sold, four have been directly linked to his videos.
‘One man contacted me after seeing a video on Instagram. He had been looking for a while and came and saw the property. He made an offer on the same day.’
A member of the Parle Products’ promoter family, Ambika Chauhan Aibara, recently bought two sea-facing luxury apartments in South Mumbai for over ₹47 crore. The two flats are located in a luxury real estate project K Raheja Modern Vivarea in Worli.
Both the flats located on the 24th and 25th floors were bought for ₹23.65 crore each, documents shared by IndexTap showed. The deal was registered on December 21, 2023.
Eight members of the Halan family, investors in stocks and other asset classes, had also purchased four sea-facing twin apartments in the same project for ₹104 crore. The apartments, which cumulatively span 16,000 sq ft, are located on floors 23 to 26 in Tower 2 in the Raheja Modern Vivarea project, which is under construction in the Modern Textile Mill compound, according to documents accessed and shared by realty portal IndexTap.com.
Fashion designer Vratika Gupta, the founder of luxury home decor company Maison SIA, had also recently bought a penthouse in Mumbai’s ‘Three Sixty West’ skyscraper for over ₹ 116.42 crore. She paid ₹5.82 crore in stamp duty.
What’s driving demand for luxury real estate?
Demand for luxury and ultra luxury homes among wealthy Indians has gone up and this, say real estate experts, is primarily on account of few launches in the luxury housing segment and the fear of missing out (FOMO) on the most desirable properties in town.
Also Read: Five clinchers for a ₹100 crore property deal
Multi-billionaires that comprise industrialists, Bollywood stars, start-up founders continue to purchase spacious sea-facing apartments in the more than ₹1.4 lakh per square foot plus range even as supply for such luxury units continue to be limited. It is the paucity of housing supply in this category that dictates the high price.
“Indians are getting richer every year and they are not shying away from flaunting their wealth. High-end homes and high end cars are the most sought after assets to show off one’s wealth. Also, the equities market has seen unprecedented gains in the last three years (post COVID-19) and high networth individuals are looking at profiting from equities and diversifying into real estate. We will see this trend continue as South Bombay (SOBO) shall be back in action for housing and retail with completion of Atal Setu and near completion of the coastal road,” said Abhishek Kiran Gupta, CEO and co-founder, CRE Matrix and IndexTap.com
Also Read: Here’s why rich Indians are lapping up luxury properties
As many as 71% rich Indians want to invest in real estate in the next 12-24 months, indicating that there is significant confidence in the property market. Capital appreciation has overtaken lifestyle upgrade as the primary motivation for real estate investment, signaling the return of investors to the market, the annual Luxury Outlook Survey 2024 conducted by India Sotheby’s International Realty (ISIR) said recently.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma leases two apartments in Mumbai for about ₹3 lakh per month
Capital appreciation will be the key motivation for 44% of wealthy people to buy luxury properties over the next 24 months and this signals a return of investors to the market. Last year, 35% were keen to buy property to upgrade their lifestyle and 20% for income generation, according to the survey.
“Our survey findings indicate a renewed and heightened interest among investors who now view real estate as a compelling avenue for long-term wealth creation. The key driver is capital appreciation. Expectations have changed,” said Amit Goyal, Managing Director, India Sotheby’s International Realty, adding the increasing economic momentum is reflected in record-breaking housing sales numbers in Indian real estate in 2023 and an all-time high stock market. Also Read: Easemytrip co-founder buys commercial property in Gurgaon worth ₹100 crore
The survey also pointed out that 83% of rich Indians own multiple luxury properties. Besides primary residences, rich Indians own a variety of real estate assets. As many as 34% own commercial real estate, 25% holiday homes, 21% agricultural land, and 20% farmhouses. As many as 35% home buyers wish to buy property in Goa. Desire to invest in overseas property remained stable at 12 per cent, with Dubai, UAE, and the US maintaining their positions as top choices.
Less supply chasing high demand for luxury properties
There is less supply chasing high demand for luxury properties. Beyond being a symbol of status, these residences offer more than just space – they embody a lifestyle, shared with like-minded people.
“The demand for these homes is driven by a desire for superior amenities, a healthy lifestyle, spacious living areas, distinctive designs and a prestigious address,” said Ramesh Ranganathan| CEO, K Raheja Corp Homes.
Also Read: Bollywood director buys apartment in Mumbai’s suburbs for ₹35.50 crore
The 21.8-km-long Mumbai Trans Harbour Link was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi January 12. The sea link aims to cut the distance between Mumbai and the satellite city of Navi Mumbai from a few hours to 15-20 minutes. It is also expected to cut travel time to major areas like Pune, and further to Goa. It may also boost economic development in the region, which houses a mega port and an upcoming Navi Mumbai international airport.
The question that remains to be answered is whether this will transform the fortunes of Navi Mumbai’s real estate market and lead to increase in property prices as is the case with most new infrastructure projects. It should be noted here that Line 1 of the Navi Mumbai Metro, between Belapur and Pendhar, that started operations in November last year, has helped improve real estate prices in markets such as Kharghar, Belapur and Taloja along the 11 km route.
Also Read: Bridge over sea waters: Overcoming five challenges to construct the MTHL
While some real estate experts are of the view that new infrastructure projects in Navi Mumbai are expected to lead to prices increasing by 10-15% in the next 2-3 years, others are of the view that with more land becoming available along the MTHL corridor, prices will be kept under check. Improved connectivity may also lead to increase in demand for luxury projects in Alibaug.
Areas that are likely to be impacted
MTHL begins in Sewri, South Mumbai and crosses the Thane Creek north of Elephanta Island and terminates at Chirle village, near Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai. The MTHL seeks to cut short travel time from a 2-hour journey from south Mumbai to Ulwe to a mere 20 minutes. Other areas that are expected to benefit from the direct linkage are Panvel, Ulwe and Dronagiri.
According to international real estate consultancy Colliers, the infrastructure development will escalate the accessibility across MMR, creating affordable opportunities in several emerging residential hubs. This is expected to lead to the emergence of new residential hubs around the peripheral nodes of Navi Mumbai such as Kharghar, Ulwe and Panvel.
Panvel: It should be noted that the under-construction Navi Mumbai International Airport is 20 minutes away from Panvel and the MTHL project is just about 15 to 20 minutes away. This is primarily an affordable housing market. A two to three-bedroom apartment in Panvel can cost anything between ₹8,000 per sq ft to ₹15,000 per sq ft, say local brokers.
Ulwe is in Navi Mumbai. A 2 BHK here may cost as much as a crore. Prices were in the range of ₹25 to ₹30 lakh almost eight years back, they say.
Dronagiri currently commands prices in the range of ₹5,500 to 6,000 per sq. ft.
Also Read: MTHL: Mumbai’s bridge across forever
There is also talk of a ‘Third Mumbai’ expected to come up at the Ulwe end of sea link. This will be developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA). Part of its mandate is to create a second business hub like the Bandra-Kurla Complex on a 150-hectare plot at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai. Towns in Raigad district such as Ulwe, Pen, Panvel, Uran, Karjat and Alibaug are all expected to be part of the proposed Third Mumbai.
According to data provided by Anarock, Ulwe and Panvel are and will be the key beneficiaries of the MTHL project in Navi Mumbai. Not just this, the two areas are seeing and will continue to see the dual positive effect of both the MTHL and the international airport project simultaneously. Other areas that have benefitted include Seawood and Kharghar.
As per ANAROCK Research, the average. property prices in Navi Mumbai stood more than ₹8,300 per sq. ft. as on Q3 2023. Back in Q3 2015, the average. property prices were ₹6,650 per sq. ft., thereby increasing by over 25% in the period. With various infra projects in the pipeline which will boost connectivity with mainland Mumbai and other areas in MMR, the city is poised to see average prices go up anywhere between 10-15% over the next 2-3 years.
Will real estate prices appreciate?
Gulam Zia, Senior Executive Director at Knight Frank India, has a different take.
“Most of the real estate in these areas has already developed and evolved. The juice in terms of prices has already been extracted. If prices in Ulwe started at ₹2000 per sq ft almost a decade back, they touched ₹5000 per sq ft much before the connector became operational,” he explained.
Going forward too, “ we expect a regular price increase of 7 to 10 percent across areas that come under this corridor ,” he said.
May keep real estate prices under check
A few months back, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the 17-km priority section of the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) train or RAPIDX, the country’s first mass rapid system dedicated to regional connectivity. This was between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot stations. The entire connector (82.15 km) between Delhi and Meerut is expected to reduce travel time between the two cities to a little less than an hour.
There are a total of eight RRTS corridors that have been planned for the entire NCR of which three corridors have been prioritised to be implemented in Phase-I including Delhi – Ghaziabad – Meerut Corridor; Delhi – Gurugram – SNB – Alwar Corridor; and Delhi – Panipat Corridor. The other corridors which are also part of the long-term plan include the Delhi – Faridabad – Ballabgarh – Palwal Corridor; Ghaziabad – Khurja Corridor; Delhi – Bahadurgarh – Rohtak Corridor; Ghaziabad-Hapur Corridor; and Delhi-Shahadra-Baraut Corridor.
Once operational, these corridors are expected to bring these regions closer to Delhi and also open up huge real estate opportunities. “The land mass available to NCR is expected to multiply. Access to increased land parcels is expected to lead to rationalization in real estate prices,” explained Zia.
Similarly, in case of MTHL, thousands of acres of land that will now be opened up following development of new infrastructure, is expected to keep real estate prices under check and provide for opportunities in affordable housing, he said, adding the immediate impact will be rationalization rather than price appreciation.
A high-profile location in Navi Mumbai known as Palm Beach Road even after 50 years does not compare with real estate prices in Versova or Lokhandwala, he adds.
MTHL may lead to increased interest in luxury projects in Alibaug
It should be noted that the one-way toll for MTHL is expected to be ₹250, and not all can afford this. This means that a monthly pass may cost close to ₹12000 and more than a lakh for the entire year.
“This means that it may attract the upper crust of society who may use the connector to travel to their second homes in Alibaug,” said Zia.
The sea link is expected to cut down on travel time between South and Central Mumbai to Alibaug to just about an hour. “It is because of this reason that buyers are lapping up even apartments in Alibaug,” he said, adding the concept of living in Alibaug and working in Mumbai may soon become a reality.
Agrees Sachin Chopda, Managing Director of Pushpam Group. “There has been a surge in demand due to the MTHL and other ongoing infra projects in the MMR. The second-home markets near Mumbai such as Alibaug and Karjat may become first-home destinations in the next 7 to 10 years due to the impact that these infra projects will create.”
Commercial real estate potential
The enhanced connectivity provided by MTHL is expected to revitalize real estate activity in the old CBD area of South Mumbai, leading to opportunities for retrofitting for investors and developers. It is also expected to be pivotal in connecting the data centre hotspots within Navi Mumbai to the rest of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, said Vimal Nadar, Senior Director, Research, Colliers India.
“All in all, the real estate landscape in and around the project stands to benefit immensely,” he added.