Staff Correspondent:
The real estate sector in Bangladesh is currently undergoing a significant phase of transformation and restructuring. Despite the challenges of rising construction material costs, high-interest rates, and global inflation, proper planning and a strong foundation of trust are paving the way for new opportunities in the industry. Supti Banerjee, AGM (Sales & Marketing) at Stable Holdings Ltd. and an Executive Committee (EC) member of REP, shared her valuable insights on the current state of the real estate sector, investment opportunities, future technologies, and strategies to overcome the ongoing crisis in a recent exclusive interview.
Interview Summary:
Current Market Scenario and Key Challenges Supti Banerjee believes that instead of viewing the current real estate market as being in a recession, it should be recognized as a “market for conscious buyers and selective investment.” Buyers’ decisions are now heavily influenced not just by a project’s location, but by the developer’s credibility, construction quality, and timely delivery capability. However, rising land and material prices, complex approval processes, and high interest rates on bank loans remain the primary challenges for this sector. In this situation, she advises developers to focus on efficient management and waste control rather than solely aiming for high profit margins.
Investment Hotspots and the Secondary Market Significant investment potential exists in new and expanded areas around Dhaka that boast good connectivity and infrastructure, as well as in industrial hubs like Chattogram, Gazipur, and Narayanganj. However, before investing, it is crucial not to get carried away by marketing alone; verifying land documents and assessing practical facilities are essential steps. Furthermore, she strongly emphasized that for a healthy housing sector, an organized resale or secondary market is vital to turn property into a more “liquid asset.”
Technology (PropTech & AI) and New Horizons The future of real estate is set to become highly technology-driven. PropTech and AI are playing revolutionary roles in virtual property tours, digital documentation, analyzing customer preferences, and data-based property valuation. Nevertheless, technology is not a replacement for humans; rather, it will be used to make decision-making more accurate and faster.
Advice for Buyers and Sustainable Development Supti Banerjee advises buyers to look beyond the showr
oom or brochure before purchasing a property. It is critical to verify land ownership (title), mutation, approvals, and the proposed handover timeline. For a sustainable housing system, she urged the government to ensure consistency in policy, automation, and the simplification of the registration process.
“Trust in the real estate sector is built by keeping promises, not through advertisements. Tomorrow’s successful institutions will not be those that measure their success solely
by how many units they sold, but rather by how much trust they built and how much quality housing they delivered.”
— Supti Banerjee
AGM (Sales & Marketing), Stable Holdings Ltd.Executive Member, REP
