Aurum PropTech has agreed to acquire Locon Solutions, the company behind Housing.com, in an all-equity deal valued at Rs. 458 crore. The deal is one of the bigger consolidation moves in India’s proptech space and comes after Aurum earlier acquired PropTiger from REA India.

At first glance, the deal may look confusing because Housing.com, PropTiger, REA India and Aurum PropTech have all been connected in different ways over the years. But the story is actually simple. REA India owned Housing.com and PropTiger. Aurum first took over PropTiger, and now it is buying Housing.com too.

This means Aurum is trying to build a larger real estate technology ecosystem that covers property search, brokerage, rentals, transactions, home loans, data and AI-led services under one umbrella.

What exactly has Aurum acquired

Aurum PropTech will acquire 100 percent of Locon Solutions Pvt Ltd from REA India Pte Ltd.

Locon Solutions owns and operates Housing.com. The platform is one of India’s well-known property search portals, used by home buyers, tenants, developers and brokers.

The deal is worth Rs. 458 crore and will be completed through a share swap. That means Aurum is not paying cash. Instead, it will issue shares to REA India.

Aurum will issue about 1.98 crore equity shares at Rs. 231.42 per share to REA India. After the transaction, REA India’s stake in Aurum PropTech will rise to 24.9 percent.

The transaction still needs regulatory, statutory and shareholder approvals and is expected to close by September 30, 2026.

Understanding the relationship between REA India, Aurum and Housing/Proptiger

Here is the clean version.

Housing.com was founded in 2012 and later became part of REA India. Its legal operating company is Locon Solutions.

PropTiger was founded in 2011 by Dhruv Agarwala, Kartik Varma and Prashan Agarwal. It also became part of REA India.

REA India is connected to Australia’s REA Group, a major digital real estate company backed by News Corp.

Aurum PropTech is a listed Indian proptech company that has been buying and building real estate technology businesses.

In 2025, Aurum acquired PropTiger from REA India in a share-swap deal worth about Rs. 86.45 crore. Through that transaction, REA India received an equity stake in Aurum.

Now, with the Housing.com acquisition, REA India will become a much larger shareholder in Aurum, holding 24.9 percent after the deal.

So REA is not fully leaving India’s proptech story. It is changing its role from direct owner of Housing.com and PropTiger to a large shareholder in Aurum PropTech.

Why Aurum wants Housing.com

Housing.com gives Aurum something very valuable – consumer traffic and brand recall.

Housing.com reportedly has more than 58 million average monthly visits and over 12 million monthly active users. That is a strong top-of-the-funnel asset in real estate.

In simple words, many people start their property journey by searching online. If Aurum owns Housing.com, it gets access to a large pool of buyers, tenants, developers and brokers.

Aurum can then connect these users to its other businesses, including rentals, brokerage, home loans, property management, data tools and transaction services.

Why PropTiger matters in this puzzle

PropTiger is more transaction-focused than Housing.com.

Housing.com helps users discover properties. PropTiger helps in guided home buying, especially in new homes and developer-led sales. When Aurum acquired PropTiger earlier, it added a more direct transaction layer to its ecosystem.

Now, with Housing.com and PropTiger together, Aurum can connect discovery with transaction.

For example, a buyer may search for a flat on Housing.com, speak to a sales adviser through PropTiger, compare options, arrange a home loan and move closer to purchase within Aurum’s wider ecosystem.

That is the real business logic behind the deal.

What Aurum is trying to build

Aurum is talking about an AI-native real estate operating system. That may sound heavy, but the idea is practical.

Real estate has many disconnected parts. Buyers search on one platform, speak to brokers elsewhere, check loans separately, rent through another service and manage paperwork offline.

Aurum wants to connect more of this journey digitally.

Its ecosystem already includes brands and platforms such as NestAway, HelloWorld, Sell.Do, Aurum Analytica, TheHouseMonk and now PropTiger and Housing.com.

With Housing.com in the mix, Aurum gets a large consumer marketplace. With PropTiger, it gets sales and transaction depth. With its other platforms, it can cover rentals, property management, analytics and developer tools.

How REA India benefits

REA India gets a larger stake in Aurum instead of continuing to hold Housing.com separately.

This gives REA exposure to a broader Indian proptech platform rather than only one or two operating businesses. If Aurum succeeds in combining these assets well, REA benefits as a major shareholder.

It also aligns the interests of both sides. Aurum gets Housing.com, and REA gets a stronger equity position in the combined platform.

What this means for users

For home buyers and tenants, nothing may change immediately. Housing.com will likely continue as a property search platform.

Over time, users may see deeper integration with home loans, brokerage, rentals, digital paperwork, property management and AI-driven recommendations.

For example, a user searching for homes may get better property matches, local price insights, financing options or verified transaction support.

But the quality of that experience will depend on execution. Real estate users care about one thing more than fancy technology – trustworthy listings and smooth transactions.

Competitors

Housing.com competes with 99acres, Magicbricks, NoBroker, Square Yards and several local broker-led platforms.

99acres and Magicbricks are strong in listings and brand recall. NoBroker has built its identity around direct owner-to-tenant and owner-to-buyer connections. Square Yards is strong in transaction-led real estate services.

Aurum’s advantage after this deal is breadth. It can combine discovery, sales, rentals, loans and property management. But it will still need to fight hard on listing quality, broker trust, user experience and local market depth.

Challenges ahead

The deal looks strong on paper, but integration will be hard.

Aurum will need to bring together different teams, products, data systems and customer journeys. Housing.com has its own brand and operating style. PropTiger has a different transaction-led model. NestAway and HelloWorld focus more on rentals and managed living.

If Aurum connects them well, it can create a powerful platform. If the integration feels forced, users may not notice much benefit.

Another challenge is real estate trust. Online platforms often struggle with duplicate listings, outdated prices, fake photos and broker spam. Solving that will matter more than any AI branding.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

Aurum PropTech’s Rs. 458 crore acquisition of Locon Solutions, the owner of Housing.com, is a major proptech consolidation move.

The deal follows Aurum’s earlier acquisition of PropTiger from REA India. After this transaction, REA India will hold 24.9 percent in Aurum PropTech, making it a large shareholder in the combined ecosystem.

The relationship is now clearer – REA India is transferring Housing.com and previously transferred PropTiger to Aurum, while becoming a bigger shareholder in Aurum. Aurum, in turn, is trying to build a full-stack real estate technology platform covering property discovery, transactions, rentals, financing and management.

Facts Input- AP, Housing

Buying a house or investing in stocks is one of the oldest money debates in India. Many families still believe property is the safest investment because it is visible, useful and emotionally comforting. At the same time, younger investors are more comfortable with stocks, mutual funds and SIPs because they are easier to start and manage.

Both sides have a point. Real estate can create long-term wealth, rental income and family security. The stock market can offer flexibility, lower entry cost and easier diversification. The better choice depends on your age, income, risk comfort, loan burden and investment goal.

So, is this comparison still relevant? Yes, very much. But the answer is not the same for everyone.

What real estate investment means

Real estate investment usually means buying a residential flat, plot, commercial space or rental property.

In India, many people buy property not only for returns but also for stability. A self-owned home reduces rent pressure and gives emotional comfort. A second property may be bought for rental income or future price appreciation.

The biggest benefit of real estate is that it is a physical asset. You can live in it, rent it out, renovate it or pass it to your family. This is why property feels safer to many investors.

But real estate also needs a large upfront amount. Down payment, stamp duty, registration, brokerage, maintenance, property tax, interiors and loan EMI can make the total cost much higher than the listed price.

What stock market investment means

Stock market investment means buying shares, equity mutual funds, index funds or ETFs.

For beginners, mutual funds and index funds are usually easier than buying direct stocks. An SIP allows you to invest a fixed amount every month, even if it is Rs. 1,000 or Rs. 5,000.

The stock market gives you ownership in businesses. If those businesses grow, your investment can grow too. But prices move daily, and short-term falls can be sharp.

This is why stocks need patience. If you check prices every hour and panic during market falls, equity investing can feel stressful.

Returns – Which can grow money faster?

Historically, equity investments have often done well over long periods, especially when investors stay for 7 to 10 years or more. The Nifty 50, which tracks 50 large Indian companies, has given positive returns in many long-term periods, though it has also seen bad years.

Real estate returns depend heavily on location. A flat in a fast-growing area near jobs, metro lines, highways or business hubs may appreciate well. But a property in a weak location can remain stuck for years.

This is the key difference. Stock market returns are easier to track. Real estate returns are local. Two homes in the same city can perform very differently.

For example, a property near a new metro station may rise faster than a similar flat in an oversupplied area. In stocks, an index fund gives broad exposure without depending on one building or locality.

Liquidity – Stocks are easier to sell

Liquidity means how quickly you can convert an investment into cash.

Here, the stock market clearly wins. Shares and mutual fund units can usually be sold quickly. The money may come into your bank account within a few working days.

Real estate is slow. Selling a property can take weeks or months. You need buyers, documents, negotiation, legal checks and registration. If you need money urgently, you may have to sell below your expected price.

This makes real estate less flexible than stocks.

Entry cost – Stocks are beginner-friendly

You can start investing in mutual funds with a small amount. This makes the stock market suitable for young earners, salaried workers and beginners.

Real estate needs much more money. Even with a home loan, you need a down payment. You also need to manage EMIs for many years.

A Rs. 50 lakh property may need Rs. 10 lakh or more as down payment, plus stamp duty and registration. A stock market investor can begin with much less and increase investment slowly.

Risk – Both have risk, but the risk is different

Real estate feels stable because prices are not visible every second. But that does not mean it has no risk.

Property risks include poor location, delayed possession, legal disputes, builder issues, low rental yield, high maintenance and difficulty in selling.

Stock market risks are more visible. Prices move daily. A bad result, global event, interest rate change or market correction can reduce portfolio value quickly.

The good part is that stock risk can be reduced through diversification. Instead of buying one company, an investor can buy mutual funds or index funds that hold many companies.

Real estate is harder to diversify because one property may take up most of a person’s savings.

Rental income vs dividends

Real estate can give rental income. But rental yield in many Indian residential markets is often modest compared with the property price. A Rs. 1 crore flat may not always give rent that justifies the full investment, especially after maintenance, vacancy and tax.

Stocks may give dividends, but most equity investors focus more on capital growth than dividend income.

If regular income is the goal, commercial property, REITs, debt funds, fixed deposits and dividend-paying stocks may also be compared. For most beginners, buying one expensive flat only for rent may not always be the most efficient choice.

Taxes and costs

Both real estate and stocks have tax rules.

For listed equity shares and equity mutual funds, long-term capital gains generally apply after holding for more than 12 months. Short-term gains are taxed at a higher rate.

For real estate, the holding period and tax treatment are different. Property sales can also involve stamp duty, registration cost, brokerage and legal expenses. Tax rules around capital gains, indexation and exemptions can change, so investors should check updated rules before selling.

Real estate also has ongoing costs like maintenance, repairs, society charges and property tax. Stocks and mutual funds have costs too, but they are usually easier to see and compare.

Which is better for beginners?

For most beginners, the stock market through mutual funds or index funds is easier to start with. It needs less money, offers better liquidity and allows diversification.

Real estate may be better when you are buying a home to live in, have stable income, can manage EMIs comfortably and plan to stay invested for many years.

A first home is not only an investment. It is also a lifestyle and security decision. But buying a second or third property should be judged more strictly as an investment.

A simple way to decide

Choose real estate if you want a home for personal use, have enough down payment, can handle loan EMIs and understand the location well.

Choose stocks or mutual funds if you want flexibility, lower entry cost, better liquidity and long-term wealth building without managing tenants or property paperwork.

For many people, the best answer is not either-or. A balanced plan can include both. You may own a home and still invest monthly in equity mutual funds. Or you may build a stock portfolio first and buy property later when income is stronger.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Real estate vs stock market is still a relevant question, but there is no single winner for everyone. Real estate gives emotional comfort, physical ownership and possible rental income. Stocks offer liquidity, diversification and easier entry.

If you are a beginner, equity mutual funds or index funds may be a simpler starting point. If you are buying a home for your family and can afford it without stress, real estate can also be a sensible choice.

Key takeaways

• Real estate is useful for long-term ownership and personal security.
• Stocks and mutual funds are easier to start with small amounts.
• Real estate depends heavily on location and legal clarity.
• Stocks are liquid, but short-term volatility can be uncomfortable.
• A self-use home is different from an investment property.
• For many investors, a mix of property and equity works better than choosing only one.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only and should not be treated as financial advice. Investment returns, taxes, property prices and market risks can change. Please speak with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decision.

Square Yards has become one of India’s newest unicorns after raising Rs. 900 crore through a mix of debt and equity. The funding round was anchored by EAAA Alternatives, with participation from global corporate credit manager Muzinich & Co., according to reports.

The Gurugram-based company works in real estate, mortgages, rentals, property management, interiors and real estate technology. In simple terms, it is trying to bring many parts of the home-buying journey under one roof. This funding is also important because Square Yards is preparing for an IPO. A unicorn tag can improve visibility, but the real test will be whether the company can keep growing profitably in India’s complex property market.

Square Yards Funding And Unicorn Status

Square Yards raised Rs. 900 crore, or about $95 million, in its latest round. The fresh funding pushed the company’s valuation above $1 billion, making it a unicorn. A unicorn is a privately held startup valued at $1 billion or more. It does not mean the company is already listed on the stock market. It simply means investors have valued it at that level during a funding round.

This latest round follows Square Yards’ earlier $35 million funding in November 2025, when it was valued at around $900 million. The company is also reportedly preparing for a Rs. 2,000 crore IPO.

As per reports, Square Yards may also raise another $50-60 million in the next quarter at a possible valuation of $1.6 billion.

Founders And Company Background

Square Yards was founded in 2014 by Tanuj Shori and Kanika Gupta Shori. Tanuj Shori is the Founder and CEO of the company. The company started with real estate sales and focused strongly on residential property. Over time, it expanded into mortgages, rentals, property management, interiors and real estate software.

Today, Square Yards operates through several connected brands. Urban Money focuses on secured loans and mortgages. Azuro works in rentals and property management. Interior Company handles home interiors and modular furnishing. PropVR provides virtual and 3D property experiences.

That is why Square Yards is not only a property listing website. It is closer to an integrated real estate services platform.

How Square Yards Works

To understand Square Yards, think about a person who wants to buy a home in Noida, Pune or Bengaluru. That buyer may first need to compare projects, check prices, speak to developers, understand legal papers, apply for a home loan, choose interiors and maybe later rent out the property. Usually, these steps involve different agents, banks, websites and service providers.

Square Yards tries to connect these steps. It helps customers discover properties, speak with sales teams, arrange loans through Urban Money, and later use related services like interiors or property management.

For developers, Square Yards acts as a sales and distribution partner. For banks and NBFCs, it can bring mortgage customers. For buyers, it offers guided property search and transaction support.

This model works well if the company can build trust. Real estate is a high-value purchase, and buyers need clarity more than flashy advertising.

Working Principles Behind The Business

Square Yards’ business runs on four broad principles.

1. First, it uses an offline plus online model. Real estate is not like ordering food or booking a cab. Buyers often want human help before making a decision. So, the company combines digital discovery with sales advisors.
2. Second, it builds around the full property journey. Instead of only earning from one property sale, Square Yards can also earn through loans, rentals, interiors and management services.
3. Third, it uses data and technology. Tools such as property valuation, title search and virtual property experiences can make the buying process more informed.
4. Fourth, it works in a fragmented market. India’s real estate sector has many brokers, local agents and developers. A platform that can organise supply, financing and services may have room to grow.

Why Investors Are Interested

Investors appear to be looking at Square Yards as a profitable and scalable company in a large market. Economic Times reported that the company posted Rs. 2,086 crore revenue in FY26, up 48 percent year-on-year. Its EBITDA rose to Rs. 176 crore.

EBITDA is a simple way to look at operating profitability before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization. It is not the same as net profit, but it gives a sense of whether the main business is becoming stronger.

Urban Money is also a major part of the story. The mortgage arm reportedly facilitated loan disbursals of Rs. 87,831 crore in FY26 and works with more than 150 banks and NBFCs. That gives Square Yards a fintech angle, not just a property angle. In a country where home loans are a major part of property buying, this can become a strong growth driver.

Competitors In The Market

Square Yards competes with different companies in different parts of its business.

In property discovery, its competitors include 99acres, Magicbricks, Housing.com and NoBroker. In real estate advisory and brokerage, it competes with local brokers, developer sales teams and organized players such as Anarock.

In home loans, Urban Money competes with banks, NBFCs, BankBazaar, Paisabazaar and other digital lending marketplaces. In interiors, Interior Company competes with Livspace, HomeLane and local interior firms.

This makes Square Yards’ market opportunity large, but also difficult. The company has to perform well across multiple businesses, not just one.

What Other Unicorns Are In 2026

Square Yards is being counted among India’s new unicorns of 2026. Before it, reports listed companies such as Juspay, Neysa, KreditBee, Skyroot Aerospace and Sarvam AI among the startups that entered the unicorn club this year.

Juspay became the first Indian unicorn of 2026 after a funding round valued it at around $1.2 billion. Neysa entered the club in the AI cloud infrastructure space. KreditBee became a unicorn in digital lending. Skyroot Aerospace became India’s first spacetech unicorn. Sarvam AI joined the list after raising $234 million at a $1.5 billion valuation.

This list shows an interesting shift. India’s unicorns are no longer coming only from food delivery, ecommerce or consumer apps. In 2026, the action is spread across fintech, AI, space technology and real estate.

Other well-known Indian unicorns from earlier years include PhonePe, Razorpay, CRED, Groww, Zerodha, Lenskart, Meesho, OfBusiness and PhysicsWallah.

What This Means For India’s Startup Market

Square Yards becoming a unicorn is a positive sign for the proptech sector. Real estate is one of India’s largest markets, but it has always been difficult to organize. If Square Yards can simplify buying, loans, rentals and property services, it can build a strong position before going public. But the IPO market will ask harder questions than private investors. Public market investors will look closely at margins, cash flow, governance and long-term growth.

For customers, the bigger hope is simple. A more organized real estate platform can reduce confusion, improve transparency and make property decisions less stressful.

Conclusion With Key Takeaways

Square Yards’ Rs. 900 crore funding round has pushed it into the unicorn club and given it fresh strength ahead of its planned IPO. The company’s biggest advantage is its full-stack model across property sales, mortgages, rentals, interiors and real estate technology.

Key takeaways

1. Square Yards has raised Rs. 900 crore through a mix of debt and equity.
2. The round was anchored by EAAA Alternatives, with participation from Muzinich & Co.
3. The company is now valued above $1 billion, making it a unicorn.
4. Square Yards was founded in 2014 by Tanuj Shori and Kanika Gupta Shori.
5. Its key businesses include real estate transactions, Urban Money, Azuro, Interior Company and PropVR.
6. Other Indian unicorns of 2026 include Juspay, Neysa, KreditBee, Skyroot Aerospace and Sarvam AI.

The company’s next big test will be IPO readiness, profitability and customer trust.

Facts Input- ET

Buying commercial property is one of the realistic ways through which people want to expand the experience of investing apart from stocks and earning ‘real money’ in the long run. Buying commercial real estate is planned and reasonable investment option that has a number of advantages for smart buyers. Here, commercial real estate offers a range of opportunities for investment from long-term growth to potential income sources. Below are ten reasons why investors need to consider the commercial real estate.

1. Stable Income Streams

Real estates for rent like retail shops, business buildings, and warehouses are some examples of the commercial properties that offer steady cash inflow from renters. Commercial lease terms are also usually shorter than residential lease plus; commercial investments provide investors with steady revenue. Usually, compared with the residential real estate, office structures, commercial spaces, and warehouses quite often present secure and better rental income. It could also take the form of longer terms when it is signed by business entities in order to ensure smooth cash inflows.

2. Portfolio Diversification and Growth

The first and foremost strategy for managing risk is to avoid the risk of concentration that arises from putting all your eggs in one basket. By including commercial real estate in your portfolio, your total risk exposure can be reduced and provide you with a more balanced portfolio of assets. Furthermore, investors can diversify their investment portfolio by investing in commercial properties, which was not possible in the past, as it was the case with equities and bonds. Such investments thus reduces risk and protect against adverse circumstances in the market. Commercial Real Estate investments enhance a portfolio by providing diversity through generating rental income and building slow equity. This growth potential has the possibility of increasing the amount of wealth-generation and total investment returns.

3. Higher Returns and Potential for Appreciation

When compared to residential homes, commercial properties frequently generate larger profits. Attractive returns on investment may come from increased rental income and property appreciation. Investors may be able to realize financial gains from commercial properties as they have the potential to appreciate over time. Property value appreciation is influenced by market demand and strategic locations. Long-term value appreciation is a possibility for commercial assets. Investors might profit from capital gains when selling a property as its value rises over time.

4. Triple Net Leases

Triple net leases are a common type of commercial lease mostly in which tenants are in charge of all property costs, including taxes, insurance, and maintenance etc. This might raise net rental income and lower the landlord’s running expenses. Tenants in commercial real estate frequently cover running costs, property taxes, and security. Triple net leases are a type of agreement that can provide property owners with an additional hands-free investing experience.

5. Longer Lease Terms

Generally speaking, commercial leases are longer than residential ones. Longer leases reduce the chance of vacancies by providing property owners with less stability and turnover.

6. Professional Tenants and Business Relationships

Working with businesses is a common aspect of commercial real estate, and it can foster important business partnerships. Making connections with prosperous companies can lead to potential investment opportunities in the future. Businesses, corporations, and governmental organizations are among the professional renters drawn to commercial premises. Rent risks are decreased because these tenants are more likely to take good care of the property and pay their rent on schedule.

7. Tax Advantages

There exist numerous tax privileges, which are accorded to investors in commercial real estate among them being operating expenses allowance, interest on mortgage and property depreciation allowance. Consult a specialist in taxes to find out whether these benefits of using such programs are really possible. Mortgage interest tax deductions, depreciation and capital gains tax relief on commercial real estate investment are also available. It is good that these tax breaks can reduce tax burdens and enhance adequate returns.

8. Adaptability for Different Businesses

Commercial real estate is versatile in a way that means this can fit into a variety of different organizations at any given point in time. This flexibility may prove useful during an actual economy flip-flop.

9. Inflation Hedge

Overall, it is important to note that commercial real estate investments have been considered to be an inflation hedge. Some degree of protection for investors is given by the fact that rental income and property values often rise in tandem with inflation. Therefore, investors seeking a long-term investment return focus on the rate of inflation, especially in the aspect of rental income and property value.

10. Control Over Asset and Value

Real estate investment allows the investor to buy commercial buildings directly unlike investing directly in the stock or in mutual funds. For the purpose of enhancing value, you can decide on leases conditions, property management and strategic improvements. Thus, commercial assets are less sensitive to changes in the housing market – investors have more control over the commercial properties’ value. Tenants, careful selection of property, improvements when necessary as well as management are steps that are capable of fostering better property values.

Conclusion

Potential business people or investors who want secure and to gain financially may be in a position to make good profits out of commercial real estate investment. That is why it is high time to turn to Commercial Real Estate: the aim, diversifications, and steady income streams make this a worthy idea to contemplate. However, care must be taken to avoid falling into the same pitfalls, basic consideration and research need to be followed. A number of strategies that can used to influence the changing environment of commercial property investment are demonstrating how the success can be enhanced by partnerships with financial advisors and real estate specialists.

In fact, there are so many benefits associated with investing in commercial real estate such as portfolio diversity, tax benefits, net lease, professional tenant, appreciation, better yields, diversification and control over a real property. However, if these factors are considered and people do a lot of research, individuals can invest in commercial property with the knowledge to enable them meet their financial targets.

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