salam all…
what is the current real estate situation in pakistan - karachi and islamabad? is it a good time to buy? what are decent areas to invest in or live in? we are thinking of building a permanent abode there and i am working out the best strategy. i saw some threads here from about 6 months ago but none recently so just wondering…
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
youve missed the bus
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
Explain?
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
For anyone from Overseas who wants to build a home in pakistan, now is the best time ever. It all really depends on your budget really, but the post 9/11 hike in prices is gone, even though they still hover at somewhat of a high due to the earthquake as many kashmiris have came to islamabad. Im not sure bout karachi but I do know that Lahore is as cheap as it has ever been but I would recomend Islamabad.
Probably the best opportunity for a house right now is Defense Housing Authority Islamabad. http://www.dhai.com.pk The pictures or site wont give you as good as an idea as visiting the area. But its about 20 km from zero point islamabad, its development is really high quality with some international firms who have done most the work. Phase 2 is finished and you can buy a 1 Kanal Plot there for around 50 lakh rupees. The location is good, the security is there, you dont have to deal with the corrupt CDA of islamabd, it has its own club, hospital, school etc. For another 50 lakh or so you can build your house. Just my opinion though, and it depends if you are going to be doing a lot of work in Islamabad, then I guess a 1 kanal plot in E-11 will set you back around 120 lakh right now, some parts of it dont even have electricity yet, or even gas and the development is not that great but if you really want to be in the heart of islamabad and can wait a year for it to settle and stuff, its up to you. Thats the price of just the land though.
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
oh my the prices gives me heart attack, I was there when you could get a decent house in G or F block for 20-40 lakhs! 
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
yusuf..thanks for the info...i'll look into it...my own in laws are in islamabad as well so ill consult with them but it will probably be a good idea to get a plot in dha islamabad since my family is currently not immediately settling...
do u really think prices are cheap right now? i mean the property values seem ridiculous like sadia said...do u think there is a bubble there like there is in the big metro areas of the us (a bubble which seems to be on its way out)..
does anyone have any insight of where in khi would be a good place to buy right now? or what is the situation in khi - is it like yusuf has described in lhr?
yusuf, are u from isb? where abouts?
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
I’m actually from Illinois but moved to Islamabad sector F-10 a few years ago. We have a house here since like 87. After 9/11 the prices went astronomical but their down now. I dont think they will go lower, if they do 15% at the most. It all depends on the seller, but the bubble is definetly over. Places like defense, they are at their low though. From here its practically going to go higher. As a foreigner, you want good neighbors, security etc, and a good price. Who can afford to pay 3 crore for a house in a bad part of Islamabad? And most people dont like living in apartments. Personally , we just bought a plot in Defense Islamabad and wouldnt mind moving out there, going to build a house soon.
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
my inlaws are in islamabad too...they are in F8 and they, too had the house built in the 80s...they are originally from new york and moved back in 85...
my family is from karachi so we dont know that much about isb..what are considered bad parts of isb? the whole city is so nice ..i can't imagine a bad part....how much would you say a bungalow in F8 or F10 would cost? are there any empty plots in these areas at all? the dhai sounds like a good idea...i think we will invest there after some more research insha'allah..thx for the tip
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
Well, I would avoid I-9 and I-10, G10, G9, G8, G7 all together
I-8 Is a decent sector, G6 is the oldest one so not as nice but nowadays very expensive, F6 best location, too expensive, F7 Getting cheaper but still high and good location. A 1 kanal New House with a basement in F8 will cost you around 4 crore. Just a plot maybe 3 crore. Not sure exactly specifically! F9 is a park alltogether. E-7 the best of Islamabad but not many plots or houses available and very expensive. F10, a 1 kanal plot will cost 250 lakh prolly and they arent really available, so mostly 2 kanal plots will cost you 5 crore (with house) Basically with house/no house similar prices. These are all rough houses. In F11 a 2 kanal house will cost you anywhere from 5 crore to 9 crore. 1 kanal plot will cost you in the area of 250 lakh as well.
There is this new sector people talk about, E11, its a privately developed sector so that makes it worth less as the govt has not much to do with it. Its not even a full sector but it has quite a few plots available. Plus points, good location as its in islamabad, on margalla road, right next to the mountain and near new GHQ. Bad points, not sure about electricity/gas for a while etc, not a proper sector.
Then you have sector G-13 which will be the next sector to open. W/out possession a 1 kanal plot will cost you around 1 crore right now and you will get your plot in about a year or 2 and by then it will be worth at least 160 lakh or so.
Basically you have to decide if you want to buy a plot and build yourself, or buy a ready made house. Since your in no hurry you say, I would personally suggest Defense Housing Islamabad as it will be the best place to live, and dont think its far from Islamabad as it will be its own city. Plus incredibly cheap for what you get right now.
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
nice info yusuf, pls tell me the exact location of DHI, I think its on the GT road right?
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
You can see it on a map of Islamabad, http://www.estateman.com/maps/index.html
Its basically in the purple at the bottom right. You follow Islamabad Highway (the one that goes straight from Faisal Mosque towards Pindi/Airport/GT-Road and go completely straight until it ends, on the right there is a big V-Shaped area for Phase 2 Defense. Its bounded by GT road on one side, Kahuta Road on the top and Islamabad Highway on the other end.
http://www.wikimapia.org/#y=33522918&x=73156350&z=17&l=0&m=a
This is a satellite picture of the DHA Entrance from the GT-Road, lots of it is cut off on the right for some reason. Those black circles are the water towers. The picture looks old as the place seems really dry, right now its pretty green/grassy.
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
Oh thanks so much, I cant belive it thats its just some 20-30 car minutes away from my father’s ancesterial village!
Its hard to image that land which was so dry and romote is growing so fast. NExt time I am there, I am definitaly visiting that place. buying is out of question at the moment 
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
Its all about water and development you know. Ive heard that the pakistan population is expected to double in the next 20 years. Housing is only going to get harder to find! Cities are going to have to expand to meet it.
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
i checked with a friend of mine, who stated that in Islam abad, a good 4 canal lot not including the house will be like 10 karor.
add the cost of building.
in phase 5, 6 and 7.
in lahore, defense and liberty are good choices.
but the city is ever expanding and with the real estate being up and down, due to over all economic cycle in the country, u cannot presume profit.
if u are looking to buy custom made, developed property, be careful thru whom u buy the house. design and materials used to build the house, will vary with each developer and of course location fare will be added on.
best,
DUSH
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Guys whats your outtake on E17 Cabinet Division? My parents have a house in F11 but numerous plots around Islamabad. They are gifting me E17 and I'm looking to make a house here and move to Pakistan in the next 5 years.
I went to visit and I loved that I had the mountain views. Not like F11 but still some views! The only thing that bugged me was the Kashmir Highway route but I remember when F11 was just tents, villages and bazaars so I'm sure once the sector develops this will change.
Anyway whats your opinion on E17?
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
Property is down in Lahore too so it would be safe to buy in Lahore too.
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
Guys any info on Cabinet Division E17?
Hey ppl,
I just started working in Toronto and I want to start investing or might I say start to plan....so how is the real estate in Pakistan - Islamabad and Karachi - specifically? What are the prices of plots??
How much should one save up to buy a plot in one of those 2 cities?
And is buying a plot worth it? Do prices rise fast? Because I know so many people who say that? But of course everyone just keeps their mouths shut when you ask them for more advice?
Is property in Pakistan a good investment??
Are there any other types of investments in Pakistan which are fruitful?
I would really like your advice.
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
one and half year ago, when everyone was fleeing Swat and selling land on the cheapest.... some best business minds brought a lot of lands without even seeing, and it's paying huge profits now.
the point is, Pakistan under developed - if you have belief that the situation will improve, then just get the freaking land anywhere.. the whole country is empty.
OP, the current situation is that the market is under stress because of poor economy and security situation. Prices are low, the real estate bubble didn't explode but the the danger level is gone.
So yeh time to buy but not in posh area's, where the rates goes up, when security gets bad. Look around suburbs... etc.
Re: real estate situation in pakistan ?
I am selling my house in Rawalpindi. anyone interested can contact me.