International Women’s Day: Is Indian Real Estate Still a Man’s World? Nikhil Pattani
Real estate in India has long been a boys' club, but women are kicking down doors—both literally and figuratively. From buyers to builders, they’re making their mark, yet the road is still filled with potholes. So, on International Women’s Day, let’s take a hard look at what’s working, what’s broken, and why women still have to fight for their rightful space in this trillion-dollar industry.
The Good: Perks & Privileges for Women in Real Estate
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Lower Home Loan Interest Rates – Most banks offer 0.05% to 0.1% lower interest rates on home loans for women. Not groundbreaking, but hey, every paisa counts.
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Reduced Stamp Duty – Many states give women a break on stamp duty (1–2% lower). Delhi, UP, and Haryana are playing nice, but some states? Not so much.
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PMAY’s Women-Centric Clause – Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, women must be co-owners of subsidized homes. Sounds empowering, but how many are actually making the decisions?
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Tax Benefits – Joint homeownership lets women claim tax deductions. Great on paper, but in reality, most property documents still bear male names.
The Bad: Challenges Women Still Face
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“Madam, Yeh Aapke Bas Ka Nahi” – Many women still hear this when they try to negotiate property deals or enter real estate investment. Because apparently, understanding “ROI” is a gendered skill?
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Unsafe Housing & Infrastructure – Gated societies promise safety but often deliver sexist curfews. Why do women need an “in-time” while men roam free?
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Discrimination in Ownership – Property inheritance laws favor sons over daughters in many families. Change is happening, but cultural biases run deep.
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Women in Construction & Leadership? LOL. – Women make up only 12% of the real estate workforce and barely 2% in leadership roles. The “old boys' club” is still very much alive.
The Reality Check: Are Women Really ‘Empowered’ in Real Estate?
Women are buying homes, investing in property, and stepping into leadership. But let’s be real—most of the perks feel like a pat on the back instead of real empowerment. The discounts are minor, the policies feel tokenistic, and the gender biases are still loud and clear.
This International Women’s Day, let’s stop handing out breadcrumbs and start demanding systemic change—equal inheritance rights, better representation in leadership, safer housing, and financial incentives that actually make a difference.
Because women don’t just need a seat at the real estate table. They need to own the damn table.
Nikhil Pattani, the brains behind Destiniva Realty and Scholars' Takshashila, is shaking up the real estate world with 28 years of game-changing expertise across India and the UAE. Known for his bold sustainability moves, like launching India’s first Green Realtor Certification, Nikhil has helped 3,000+ families find their dream homes. With his ‘Sales Chanakya’ smarts and 1 lakh-word real estate manifesto, he's setting new rules for the industry. Ready to see what the future of real estate looks like? Nikhil's already built it.
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