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REAL ESTATE - The Good, The Bad & The Unanswered

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CEOs worldwide are largely products of B-schools. Yet, while the curriculum in a typical B-school would include case studies on sectors as diverse as Automobiles, Agrochemicals, Steel, Software, Manufacturing, Mining and more, rarely does it have case studies on Real Estate—often tagged as a domain of ‘dubious distinction’. While published research in Indian Real Estate is largely restricted to being just informative, analytical research is minimal and strategic research almost negligible.

Set in the fictional Pinnacle Institute of Management, a B-school in Mumbai, Deepesh Salgia’s debut offering, Real The Good, The Bad & The Unanswered, artfully blends fact with fiction to narrate 125 years of the history of Real Estate in India. Through diverse formats ranging from dialogue, debates, discourses, Q&As, analyses and blogs, Salgia presents a well-researched ‘biography’ of Real Estate in India, and its future for the next 25 years. A must-read for all.

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Deepesh Salgia, a distinguished alumnus of IIT Madras, SPJIMR Mumbai and UCLA, is presently Director at Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate, where he has spent the larger part of his 28-year-old career. He has also worked for the Tatas and the Mahindras.

Having handled a wide range of assignments in real estate—from Design to Dispute Management, Liaisoning to Land Transactions and Sales to Strategic Planning—Salgia’s forte has been problem solving in an unstructured environment.

Besides his inbuilt knack for integrating ground realities in real estate with rare academic insight, this ex-IIT Bombay Maths Olympiad champion pioneered the creation of the coloured version (2004) of K. Asif’s Mughal-e-Azam (1960). He then went on to produce an award-winning, Broadway-style musical adaptation (2016) of this classic, while providing the musical’s creative and strategic vision.

Having written for most leading Indian business publications, Deepesh Salgia, an avid reader and a cinema buff, now regularly blogs and vlogs. He can be reached at

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2022

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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Booxoul.
484 reviews29 followers
May 30, 2023
A brilliantly fused fact meets fiction splaying the 125 years of the origin, emergence, rise, and complete history of real estate in India, Real Estate: The Good, the Bad, and the Unanswered by Deepesh Salgia is a hands-on guide for anybody from academia or outside to learn and understand in depth about this field through a host of means adopted for explaining it, including analyses, debates, blog extracts, dialogues, discussions, and much more.

A compendium of the most important facts, research, and all the data you need to know about real estate, its origin, and its history dating back to 1900, Deepesh Salgia’s Real Estate: The Good, the Bad, and the Unanswered is your perfect all-in-one guide to understanding the world of real estate and housing.

"Engineering is about sharpening the intellect. MBA is about learning smartness and real estate is about developing wisdom through experiences."

Indeed, real estate in today’s times has become totally varied. Synonymous with this growing change, a tightly rolled content that touches all aspects of real estate and housing, especially in a country like India, where all parameters are governed by changing dynamics and regulations, I had rarely come across a book that incorporated and put across all aspects of this ever-changing platform in a single, simplified manner.

Confused? Well, it’s really simple. Examining and exploring the ergonomics of rent control laws, cooperative housing society norms and regulations, the DDA Act, the Pagdi system, and PoA transfers, as well as the challenges of home buying faced especially by the middle class, Deepesh Salgia, director at Shapoorji Pallonji and also an avid blogger of such related issues, has put forth all of this in a simplified, relatable format that is simple to peruse, understand, and most importantly, adopt and adhere to as far as rent and real estate housing are concerned.

Yes, the issue is sure of utmost importance if you ask me, especially since, as very astutely said therein, Laadi, Gaadi, and Waadi, aka woman, car, and house, are the three epicentres upon which rest the dynamics of anyone’s life.

"If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of 10 years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people"
CONFUCIUS

This line, which I found commencing the first chapter of the narrative, actually sums up Deepesh’s intent and his complete vision and idea behind the book. As Deepesh candidly puts it, the experience of writing actually helped him analyse the finer nuances of the real estate industry, decode and appreciate the complexities related to policy formulation and legislative challenges, and most importantly, crack and decode the ultimate home buyer’s mindsets. An intellectual catharsis, this alleviating experience shared by him has also been an equally enlightening and elevating journey, which has been equal parts fun as well as an eye-opener, I feel.

So, along with presenting a notable history of real estate, the narrative also dealt with noteworthy issues of affordable housing, which have seldom been broached before now. Analysing all the eras (4 to be precise), Deepesh has not only provided a clear insight into the darker side of real estate, whilst including the role of a parallel economy and legislative system, but sensitive issues like politics and black money have also been handled with clear objectives, sounding them off wholly and not only academically.

Imagining the entire concept to be conveyed using the fictitious “Pinnacle” institute, I was able to understand and finely explore all aspects of housing while also drinking in its history, thanks to Deepesh’s engaging narrative.

I was also one of those who felt that with historical legacies dictating fiscal policies in our country, an unclear sort of status for real estate, a somewhat miffed kind of consumer psychology that eventually reduces supply, and people eventually making homes and living expenses through their own acts, real estate prices have been an unapproachable topic. Although thanks to this narrative, all such preconceived notions have been shattered, this was an eye-opener for affordable housing. Routing the discussion around how human behaviour impacts property prices and also how wrong expectations have actually created a flawed system in the economy, the discussions put forth by Deepesh, albeit in a fictional setup, nevertheless broke the shackles of many previously unhinged bottlenecks that had kept the sector unapproachable before now.

I was also amazed to understand how political parameters actually many times help in the betterment of the city, vis-à-vis the infamous thought that politics can seldom benefit the city or country. I mean that example where Deepesh candidly described how, during the 80s, when a section of the Muslim population wanted to have an international community gathering, then Shiv Sena head Late Shri Balasaheb Thackeray saw the greater good peeping in the garb of “city first,” allowing them to “landfill” and use the area, which today is a chunk of BKC.

In describing all four eras of real estate in India, Deepesh has given an insight that is engaging and informative and has cleared a lot of misconceptions, at least for me, pertaining to real estate knowledge.

With genuinely created expert tips for real estate success and expert advice, making the right smart realty decisions is no longer a complex procedure thanks to such candid narratives by the “pinnacles” of the field. A truly insightful read, this one is a gold mine not only for home buyers but anyone interested in dabbling in knowledge and info related to realty, investment in it and much more. Candid, concise and written in a simple, indulgent fashion, Deepesh has created a brilliant handbook of realty which actually clocks wisdom in a subtle yet subversive manner, sublimely covering not only the broader aspects but the finer points too. A must-read, I feel, for everyone.

About time, you made yourself acquainted with data and knowledge you should make yourself privy to, for your own betterment and future. Thus, to sum it up, through a multi-point perspective, aka developers, regulators, and most importantly the consumers, Deepesh has synopsized realty knowledge apt for theorists, consumers, practitioners and all those who wish to partake of this wealth of information.
Profile Image for Murshidha.
154 reviews12 followers
May 17, 2023
Assalamu Alaikum 😊, 'Ownership is about providing solutions for a permanent residential space. Usership is about addressing transitionary residential needs' - extracts from the book

Book📗: 'Real Estate, The Good, The Bad & Teh unanswered' by Deepesh Salgia

Genre 📸:  Non Fiction/ Asset Management
_______________
Overall Ratings 🌟 : 4 / 5
Pages📚: 251
Language : Easy and Elegant
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🏠 Who doesn’t want to set their lives up with a good investment? Will anyone say no to a house/plot that is beneficial for their future? Real Estate is one such asset management that will give fruitful results when invested properly. We might have lit of investment options now like mutual funds, bonds and many such, but real estate have been such a blessing from our forefather's era. Set in the fictional Pinnacle Institute of Management, a B-school in Mumbai, Deepesh Salgia’s debut offering, Real Estate: The Good, The Bad & The Unanswered, artfully blends fact with fiction to narrate 125 years of the history of Real Estate in India. 

🏠 Author presents a presents a well-researched ‘biography’ of Real Estate in India, and its future for the next 25 years. Its an amazing harcover book that comes with 17 chapters. Author explains the concepts with a blend of fiction and sometimes even bollywood concepts. Neatly narrated with crisp and free flowing language.

🏠 If you are a person who is interested in investing in real estate or looking to buy a property of your own use, this book might be of a good help. When the cost of living increases, the expense is actually expected to be compensated by the employers, the financial imbalance happens when that is not done. We have lots of facts like above that is quite thought provoking and helps us to understand the links.The contents are explained in the form of fiction, Q & A, information with references.


Profile Image for Sumith  Chowdhury.
831 reviews23 followers
April 21, 2023
When I was growing up, I wasn't even aware of the term 'real estate'. All I heard as per my background knowledge is the fact that real estate related to builders who build buildings. However, I wasn't aware of the nuances involved behind the concept of it. At the age of 14, I heard from my friend that his uncle is in real estate business located in Australia. That's when I realised the true meaning of it. Real estate business is the profession of buying, selling, or renting real estate (land, buildings, or housing). Basically, a property in the form of land and buildings. Let it be a movable property or an Immovable property, tangible property or an Intangible property, private property or public property. Additionally Real Estate Agents are professionals who help home buyers find and buy a new home or commercial space. They help them buy and sell homes and guide clients through negotiation processes to get top dollar for their property when selling.

Delving further into the book, the context deals with an amalgamation of fiction with facts. It deeps researches into the penchant of the real estate industry in the past 125 years. The themes it particularly explores especially involves the history, story behind it's origin, politics, sociology, properties, demographics, legislation, geographical importance, laws, etc. The economic growth & development pertaining to this has also been added. Furthermore, the most important eye-catcher is the fact that it also provided the subsequent future analysis which is required for sustainable growth.

Writing style is different from the rest. Language is simple & easy to understand. Overall, a very  informative & insightful read.
796 reviews13 followers
March 17, 2023
Deepesh Salgia's debut offering, "Real Estate: The Good, The Bad & The Unanswered", takes readers on a journey through 125 years of Indian real estate history, exploring the industry through various lenses including history, politics, sociology, legislation, and demographics. Salgia's exhaustive and impeccable research is presented in a range of formats, including dialogue, debates, discourses, Q&As, analyses, and blogs, creating a well-researched "biography" of the Indian real estate industry.

Unlike typical business school curriculums that often overlook real estate, Salgia's book provides a comprehensive structural and strategic analysis of the industry, backed by objective and academic perspectives on the parallel economy. The book offers a game-changing roadmap for the next 25 years of Indian real estate, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the industry. Salgia's unique approach to blending fact with fiction provides readers with an engaging and informative journey, showcasing the good, the bad, and the unanswered questions about the Indian real estate industry.
The language is simple and easy to understand. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. Cover page is spectacular. The one who selects this book will never regret reading it.
556 reviews5 followers
April 17, 2023

🅱🅾🅾🅺 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆

𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑳 𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑻𝑬 – 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅, 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑩𝒂𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑼𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅

🆀🅾🆃🅳#: How was your weekend ?

#AOTD: Was down with fever 🤒 throughout.

ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ: Deepesh Salgia
ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ: Paperback/ Kindle
ᴘᴀɢᴇꜱ/ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ: 272
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎:
ᴘᴜʙʟɪꜱʜᴇʀ: ‎TWAGAA International

If a book is giving you insights along with entertaining it's reader, it seems like icing on the cake.

I am always inclined towards more self- help, non fiction book. When I look at this book I was curious to know how this book unravel the facts about much talk about sector that is 𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑳 𝑬𝑺𝑻𝑨𝑻𝑬. This book talks about much unknown facts about this sector. The way the author has did his research and unveil the nuances of this sector is amazing.

The book has been written with some sketches, dialogues and conversations.

This book holds new perspective for the readers to see how the real estate works along with some more tips of self help from the author.

The language of the book is really simply and easily grabbing. I was able to note so many takeaways from the book.

An insightful read indeed!

#bookwormbindz
#readwithbindu
#reviewwithbindu









Profile Image for Ishan Agrawal.
942 reviews48 followers
April 16, 2023
Real estate has intrigued me for a long time but being an introvert I haven't known many beings who knows a thing or two about the same. I have seen people who are property dealers or investing in the same field and are minting money like anything so gaining some reasonable knowledge is definitely required.

The book is written strictly keeping in mind the Indian audience and cater well to the same readers. The content in the work is a good blend of facts and fictions and throws light on the 125 years history of the field and its gradual growth over the years. The amount of research author has put in it speaks volume about his pedantic eye and not for a moment it loses it sheen.

At many instances the insights provided by the writer impresses you immediately and readily strikes chord with you. In the sea of lots of love tales , murder mysteries, psychological thrillers , business books like this adds a different dimension to your thought process and helps you understand things in a better way.

All in all a wonderful informative read.
Profile Image for Motivationaldailythoughts.
1,091 reviews33 followers
April 5, 2023
Title - Real Estate The Good the Bad and the Unanswered
Author - Deepesh Salgia
Publisher - Twagaa international
Genre - self help/fictional
Pages - 272
Format - paperback

'Real Estate The Good The Bad and The Unanswered' by Deepesh Salgia is a self help book based on a journey of Indian real estate industry over 125 years. The author has explored this industry from various perspectives like historical,political, sociological etc. He has shared and explained everything in detail based on his own experience in the industry. Hats off to his research work and penning down in the form of dialogues, debates, question answers, blog etc. Language used is simple and lucid. The flow of the book is well paced.

Overall, an insightful read.

Rating - 4/5

I recommend this book to those who are interested in this business of real estate.
737 reviews9 followers
March 18, 2023
Title - Real Estate : The good, the bad and the unanswered
Author - Deepesh Salgia
Genre - self help/fiction

'Real Estate The good, the bad and the unanswered' by Deepesh Salgia is a self help book based on real estate and his history which is written in a fictional form. Hats off to the author for the research work done and penning down his own experience in the field. He has presented and explained everything in a form of debates, dialogues, Q n A, formats and blog. His writing style is smooth and flowing which makes it an engaging read. He has not bored the readers as he blended it with fiction. The flow of the book is well paced. I recommend this book to all who is interested in real estate industry.

In nutshell, an informative read.

Rating - 4/5

Recommendation - yes
Profile Image for Periwinkle  Wisteria .
407 reviews12 followers
April 16, 2023
This is a not so typical read about the world of real estate. A blend of fact and fiction, this book has reflected the progress of the industry through 125 years. The book explores the different aspects of real estate, such as, history, politics, sociology, demographics, legislation et cetra. It also throws light regarding parallel economy. The book also provides a blueprint for the next 25 years in Indian real estate field. I especially found the writing style quite impressive - a perfect amalgamation of dialogues, debates, blogs, Q and A, and much more. This book is very informative, well researched and insightful.
As a business read, I think this book does stand out well.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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