What five to ten million rupees will get you in Hyderabad:Real Estate Investing

The second largest city of Sindh, Hyderabad stands at a significant geographical, economic and cultural junction. It is no doubt a best place for investment in Pakistan. A developed urban center in its own right, Hyderabad has several universities, the institute of Sindhology and Asia's longest bazaar, the Shahi Bazaar, and a real estate market experiencing renewed activity.

Here is a look at residential areas in Hyderabad priced between five and 10 million rupees, which are attracting investment in Pakistan:
1. Cantonment is located in proximity to some of Hyderabad's well-known residential areas such as Latifabad and Qasimabad, and is a few minutes away from Hyderabad Railway Station. Easily accessible from Hyderabad's major arteries, this well-maintained residential district is undoubtedly Hyderabad's most upscale; there are several recreational facilities in the vicinity as well as shopping options. The famous Bombay Bakery is also located there.
Plot Size (sq yds)          Purchase Price range (Rs)
250                                  9.8-10 million
325                                  9.9-10 million

2. Latifabad is one of the Hyderabad's largest residential areas. It is a well planned suburb divided into 12 units. Each unit includes a hospital, educational institutes and commercial area. Latifabad Units 7 and 8 are famous for Anarkali Bazaar and Siddiqui Centre, a popular shopping plaza. An upscale residential area, it is considered to be one of the best in the city, and it is a best opportunity for investment in Pakistan.
Plot Size (sq yds)          Purchase Price (Rs)
150                                 5-6.5 million
200                                 6-6.7 million
250                                 7.5-7.9 million
300                                 7.7-8.2 million

3. Qasimabad is located adjacent to Cantonment and Government Officers Residences (GOR), and is easily accessible via the NS Motorway, Thandi Sarak and Wadhu Wah. It is a middle-class residential area and comprises several prominent societies inculding Anwar Villas, CItizen COlony, Faraz Villas, Gulistan-e-Sajjad, Nasim Nagar and Waqar Town. Qaismabad has several reputable educational institutes, hospitals and recreational avenues.

Plot Size (sq yds)           Purchase Price Range (Rs)
125                                 5-5.5 million
225                                 6-6.7 million
300                                 6.8-7.6 million
400                                 7-8.5 million

Here lies best opportunity for any investor to investment in Pakistan.

What is Property Insurance: Limitations & Benefits of Property Insurance: Mortgage Property Insurance

Whether your property is residential or commercial it should be property mortgage insured to provide financial protection against damages. Insurance companies charge an annual premium after evaluating the building's value and risk exposure by conducting a pre-insurance survey.
There are two main types of mortgage property insurance available:

1.Buildings and fittings (including electrical, plumbing, glass and wooden fittings).
This usually covers the damages/losses to the property caused by:

• Fires or explosions.
• Natural disasters (earthquakes and atmospheric disturbances such as storms, flooding and lightning strikes, etc)
• Plumbing or electrical problems (burst water pipes, short circuits, etc)
• Property damage (due to malicious acts, riots, strikes, car/aircraft crashes etc) 

Limitations: Properties are not insurable against damages/losses due to illegal possession. Additionally, some insurance companies provide conditional or no coverage for buildings located in earthquake zones and/or storm-susceptible areas.
Annual Insurance Premium (fee charged by the company) is usually 0.18-1% of the building's estimated value.
2. Building and fittings plus contents: Along with the structure and fittings, this also covers specified contents within the building including crockery, cutlery, furniture and fixtures, as well as valuables such as jewelery, paintings, antiques, electronics and home/office appliance etc. The home/office owner is required to provide the insurance company with a list of all the building's contents and their estimated value, based on which the insurance company proposes a premium.
Limitations: Electronic items such as laptops, cell phones and gadgets etc. can be insured, but damage/loss occurring to them outside the premises is not covered. Jewelery and cash must be specifically declared along with their value. In some cases, instead of inuring of property mortgage insurance the full value of expensive jewelery, the insurance company may decide to insure only a percentage of the stated value.
Annual Insurance Premium is 1-2% of the total value of building fittings and contents.

A city by The Sea: Commercial City

Dolmen City is an up and coming commercial projects in Karachi and is attracting investment from across Pakistan. One of the first commercial complexes to open on the Clifton coastline, Dolmen City is located in proximity to upscale restaurants, art galleries, exclusive schools and some of Karachi's largest public parks.

The Harbour Front and Executive tower have been functioning for quite some time and primarily comprise outlets serving as office spaces, where several national and multinational companies have a presence. A shopping mall has opened recent;ly.
Currently, Dolmen city comprises:
1. The Harbour Front comprises 19 floors, each with a covered area of 14,500 square feet. The harbor Front provides faculties including security, fire alarms, a sprinkler system, a centralist mail room and cargo delivery area, as well as car parking. The occupancy rate stands at 60%.
2. The Executive Tower comprises 17 floors, each with a covered area of 11,700 square feet. Facilities include reserved ca parking. The occupancy rate is 85%.
3. The Mall: With a floor of 1,000,000 square feet outlets. Currently, the Mall's main attraction is the presence of an international hypermarket chain. Plans are underway for a food court, restaurants, coffee shops and recreational facilities. Facilities include basement and ground level parking, as well as security.

What Five to 10 Million Rupees will get you in Karachi

Karachi is Pakistan's largest city, the financial capital and busiest seaport. The city has thriving commercial districts, fashionable markets and plenty of entertainment.
Residential real estate option start at the coastline and stretch across the city.
Here is a look at residential areas in Karachi prices between five and 10 million rupees, which are attracting investment from across Pakistan:
1. Defence is an upscale area which lavish homes, verdant parks, prestigious schools and upmarket commercial areas with plenty of shopping and fine dinning options. An expensive area, only plot in Difference Phases VIII and VIII Extension, and houses in Phase II are available in the five to 10 million price range.

Defence Phase II
House (sq yds)                                                       Purchase Price (Rs)
100                                                                            9-10 million

Defence Phases VIII and VIII Extension
Plots (sq yds)                                                       Purchase Price (Rs)
300                                                                         5-5.5 million
500                                                                         7.5-8 million
666                                                                         9-9.5 million

2. Gulshan-e-Iqbal is a microcosm unto itself, with several prominent landmarks including the Civic Centre, the Expo Centre and Karachi University, Gulshan has plenty of educational institutions, hospitals, as well as shopping and dining options.
Houses (sq yds)                                                  Purchase Price (Rs)
120                                                                        6-7.5 million
200                                                                        6.5-7.5 million

3. North Nazimabad was an elite neighborhood in the early 1950. Although this is no longer the case, the area is still very well regarded and has numerous malls, shopping markets, restaurants, hospitals, educational institutions, parks and marriage halls.
Houses (sq yds)                                                 Purchase Price (Rs)
120                                                                        4-4.5 million
200                                                                        6.5-7.5 million
400                                                                        8.5-10 million

4. PECHS (Pakistan Employees Cooperative Housing Society) is spread over six blocks, offer good shopping and dining options and is ideally located in proximity to shopping hubs such as Tariq Road and Bahadurabad. It is easily accessible from Shahrah-e-Faisal.
Houses (sq yds)                                                 Purchase Price (Rs)
200                                                                       8.5-10 million

Property Rentals on the Rise: Pakistan Property

Over the last two years, property prices have increased property prices have increased by 10 to 30%, while interest rates on home loans have increased by five percent. These two factors have inhibited residential sale and purchase in property Pakistan prices. As a result, demanded for rental properties has increased by 15 to 20% in the last two years and rents have increased by 30 to 35%. Although the annual rental rate of a property stood at three to five percent of the property's value two years ago, it now stands anywhere between four and seven percent.
If you are purchasing residential property Pakistan with the express purpose of renting it out, keep the following in mind: 

Houses 

• Select small to medium sized properties (200 to 500 square yards) in popular, secure residential areas because they are in higher demand, as a re properties located on main roads. 
• Look out for houses that can be divided into portions for higher rental yields.
• Choose houses that are well-maintained; you will be able to ask for a higher rent.

Apartments

• Apartments in complexes that are located on a corner plot facing a main road are preferable and yield higher rentals, as do apartments located on the first floor or second floor.
• Apartments in well-maintained and smaller complexes (with 25 to 50 units), usually have higher rentals compared to larger complexes (with 100 to 200 units)
• Although premium four-bedroom units may get you higher rentals, they are within the reach of many pockets; you are better off with a standard two- or three-bedroom apartment in a well maintained complex.
• Facilities including UPS', generators, overhead water storage tanks and windows grills are an added advantage.

Furnished Office Spaces

In addition to location, as well-designed office can make all the difference; the address, along with the interior decoration, can have a powerful impact on your company's image.

As buying office space is an expensive proposition for many companies, renting remains a preferred choice. Furthermore, for smaller enterprises and business concerns, investing in office furniture can be daunting especially in terms of cost and the amount of time spent on construction and design.
As a result, the trend of renting furnished and fully-equipped office spaces (with lighting, furniture, generators, ACs, PABX systems, fax machines and computers) has gained traction.
Rental rates for furnished office spaces are 25 to 30% higher than unfurnished offices and there is usually limited or no flexibility to adapt and change the interiors. Despite these drawbacks, there are many benefits to renting furnished offices.
These include:

• A ready to occupy, furnished space is a hassle-free way to get a business up and running within a short span of time.
• It is an ideal solution for new and/or small businesses that have limited funds and want to avoid spending money on furniture and decor.
• Most furnished office spaces located within purpose-built office blocks provide shared amenities, including a reception, meeting foyers, boardrooms, lunch rooms, kitchenettes, security and restrooms.
• Relocating a business becomes easier without the logistical worries of moving furniture and equipment from one site to another.
• Professionally designed office spaces have floor plans that are conductive to productivity and enahnce the work flow.

The monthly rental rates, in rupees per square foot, of furnished offices in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad are as follows:
City       Budget     Mid range  Premium
Karachi  90-115     120-200      250-500
Lahore    89-113    117-195      234-449
Islamabad 93-109   136-195      214-468


NB: Commercial property Rating
Premium: Office space ranging from 500-2,000+ sq ft;
Mid range: Office space ranging from 300-500 sq ft;
Budget: Office space below 300 sq ft.

What Five To Ten Million Rupees Will Get You In Faisalabad, Pakistan

Faisalabad is Pakistan Punjab's second largest business center. The industrial and agriculture hub, located west of Lahore, has experienced an economic resurgence recently. This has resulted in substantial investment in real estate.
Here is a look at residential areas in Faisalabad priced between five and 10 million rupees, which are attracting investment from across Pakistan:
1. Sitara Sapna City is a project of the Sitara group. A turnkey housing project, it is located near the University of Agriculture and Allied Hospital. Amenities include schools, commercial zones, parks, a community center and underground electricity and telephone network.
Purchase price ranges for houses in Sitara Sapna City are:
Plot size (sq yds)                                                       Purchase Price (Rs)
300                                                                                8.2-8.5 million
450                                                                                9.5-10 million

2. People's Colony, an upmarket residential area on the western side of the canal and adjacent to Kohinoor Colony, is home to Faisalabad rich and famous. The fashionable shopping area, D- Ground, is located there.
Purchase price ranges for houses in People's Colony are:
Plot size (sq yds)                                                       Purchase Price (Rs)
150                                                                                5-7 million
210                                                                                7-8.7 million
300                                                                               8.5-10 million

3. Madina Town, was formerly an industrial area that has been converted into a fashionable, upmarket residential neighborhood. It is located near Susana and Jaranwala Roads; it has parks, commercial areas and schools.
Purchase price ranges for houses in Madian Town are:
Plot size (sq yds)                                                       Purchase Price (Rs)
210                                                                                5.3-8 million
300                                                                                7.6-10 million
390                                                                                9-10 million
450                                                                                9.5-10 million

4. Gulberg is an upmarket residential neighborhood. It is located near Faisalabad major commercial zones, minutes away from the Chenab Club, Faisalabad Clock Tower, Jinnah Gardens, Serena Hotel and the University of Agriculture. The National Hospital is also located there.
Purchase prices ranges for houses in Gulberg are:
Plot size (sq yds)                                                       Purchase Price (Rs)
150                                                                                6.7-7 million
210                                                                                7.6-8.4 million
300                                                                               8-10 million