Founded in 2021, House of Abhinandan Lodha has successfully addressed a long-standing challenge in India’s real estate market—selling land at scale, digitally, to a new generation of investors without the need for physical site visits.
According to Chairman Abhinandan Lodha, this transition was influenced by both circumstance and strategy. The company’s first major land parcel was situated over six hours away from Mumbai, rendering physical sales impractical during lockdowns. “We simply could not sell it physically. This pushed us to go entirely digital,” Lodha shared in an interview with CNBC-TV18.
The outcome astonished even the founders. A 100-acre land parcel that the company anticipated selling over six months was completely sold out in less than four weeks, indicating a strong underlying demand for digitally facilitated land investments.
A Younger, Loan-Free Land Buyer Emerges
Contrary to conventional expectations, the buyers were not elderly individuals or high-net-worth persons looking for legacy assets. Lodha observed that the primary buyer demographic turned out to be notably younger.
“Most of our buyers are in the 30–40 age range. While many are business owners, nearly half are salaried professionals. What is remarkable is that 90–92% of buyers do not take loans,” he stated.
This trend, Lodha noted, reflects a significant change in investment attitudes. Land is seen as a long-term asset, typically held for 15–20 years, and investors prefer not to pair it with short-term debts. This pattern has remained consistent across locations such as Alibaug, Ayodhya, and other emerging micro-markets.
Technology and Transparency as Trust Builders
Trust, often the main barrier in land transactions, has been tackled through a mix of legal scrutiny and radical transparency. Every parcel sold by the company gets vetted by two of India’s largest law firms, with ownership records, transaction prices, and registration details made digitally accessible to buyers.
Utilizing immersive visualization tools, including virtual reality, the company also allows buyers to experience how a raw land parcel will appear after development—essentially bringing a multi-year development vision into the buyer’s living room.
“In large land parcels, it can be tricky for consumers to picture the final product. Technology fills that gap and significantly enhances decision-making,” Lodha mentioned.
Land as a 20% CAGR Asset
Lodha remains adamant about the long-term investment potential of land. Drawing upon decades of historical data, he asserted that land in areas transitioning from semi-urban to urban has achieved over 20% compounded annual growth over the last 50 years.
“The real question is not if you should buy land—the actual question is where you buy and who you buy it through,” he expressed.
While more mature markets might continue providing returns, Lodha believes the greatest potential lies in regions on the brink of growth rather than those that have already fully matured.
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48 Emerging Hotspots on the Radar
House of Abhinandan Lodha has pinpointed nearly 47–48 locations across India where investments in infrastructure, job creation, and coordinated spending by state and central governments are fueling economic growth above the national average.
Cities and regions including Nagpur, Vrindavan, and Alibaug are prominent among these emerging corridors. “Twenty years from now, land in these areas can yield impressive returns,” Lodha remarked.
For retail investors, he underscored the significance of due diligence—clear title, assured possession, and a strong grasp of local planning regulations are critical.
Formalising a Traditionally Grey Market
Despite its historical allure, land represents less than 5% of India’s total real estate transactions, primarily due to opaque practices and inadequate supply. Lodha is confident that organized players and digital transparency can alter this landscape.
“Land has always been a sought-after asset. The issue has been clean titles and trust. If we can transform this sector from grey to black and white, participation will increase dramatically,” he stated.
As younger investors increasingly seek alternatives to apartments and equities, digitally sold land—previously considered niche—may be on the verge of becoming a mainstream long-term investment category.
Watch accompanying video for the entire conversation.
