Leading Indian Online Property Portal - RealAcrescom Acquired by Asia`s No 1 Online Property Group, iPropertycom
Released on: August 14, 2008, 9:24 am
Press Release Author: Pooja Pathak
Industry: Real Estate
Press Release Summary: The iProperty.com Group, Asia's leading network of property portals owned by Australian Securities Exchange-listed IPGA Limited (ASX: IPP), has entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Horizon Infoventures Private Limited, owner of the leading Indian property buying website, RealAcres.com (www.realacres.com).
Press Release Body: INDIA, August 14, 2008 - The iProperty.com Group, Asia's leading network of property portals owned by Australian Securities Exchange-listed IPGA Limited (ASX: IPP), has entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Horizon Infoventures Private Limited, owner of the leading Indian property buying website, RealAcres.com (www.realacres.com).
Based in Mumbai, RealAcres.com boasts over 211,000 property listings on its websites and approximately 100,000 unique visitors each month . The company currently focuses on the Western India market, though it maintains property portals for all major cities across the country. The exclusive online real estate media company had also launched "RealAcres TV Shows" early this year, a new segment featuring Online Television Interviews of real estate players. The exciting new segment features interviews with various top builders, developers and real estate experts sharing their views on the booming real estate market as well as shedding light on their company products and profile. The growth of RealAcres.com, coupled with the rapidly booming India real estate market, underscores the company's potential.
Mr Patrick Grove, Executive Chairman of iProperty.com, noted: \"We are delighted with the acquisition of RealAcres.com in India. It has huge potential for growth and we are very excited to have the opportunity to work with the talented, dedicated and motivated local team to rapidly consolidate the market position of RealAcres.com and move to dominate the India market in due course. We firmly believe that application of our vast experience to the exciting, high-growth India market will allow us a fantastic opportunity for enormous success."
As the bustling Indian economy continues to make leaps and bounds into the future, its flourishing property market and active developers continue to grow exponentially in an attempt to keep up with the burgeoning middle class's thirst for new housing. Recent reports have shown that demand for new housing exceeds the supply by approximately 20 million units. When this incredible demand is combined with the tremendous growth in Internet users in India, with 90 to 95 million people expected to be online across the country by early 2010 , it is clear to see that RealAcres.com is perfectly positioned to ride this wave of development and to capitalize on the enormous online advertising opportunity it presents. India was estimated to have spent 6,781.5 million INR (A$187 million) in 2007 on property advertising and that number is expected to grow significantly over the next 10 to 20 years.
Smita Thorat, CEO of Horizon Infoventures said: "We sought out a leading Asian group to work with us to take our business to the next level and are excited to now be a part of iProperty.com Group and the iProperty.com network."
The acquisition of RealAcres.com sees iProperty.com add to its market-leading online property operations in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines, and represents its latest in a string of acquisitions since its listing on 11 September 2007. The Group has committed to invest over 188 million INR (AUD$5 million) in its Asian expansion and India is a key part of the plan. iProperty.com sees itself continuing to make substantial investments in the Asian region and India will be a prominent part of its future plans.
iProperty.com expects to bring its suite of print, exhibition and online luxury products to the booming India market in partnership with RealAcres.com in due course, and continues to seek further strategic acquisitions of leading property portals and complimentary businesses throughout regional markets. The Group recently made history by winning the highly prestigious CNBC Asia Pacific Property Awards in the "Best Property Portal" category for 4 of its websites - Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.
RealAcres.com Internal Data. Northbridge Capital, Índia Real Estate Report, 2007. CLSA, Índia Internet Sector Outlook, July 2007. TAM Media Research India, Report 2007. ***
About RealAcres.com (www.realacres.com) RealAcres.com, venture of Horizon InfoVentures Pvt. Ltd. is India's leading online real estate portal that caters to real estate industry with more than 211,000 property listings. The Company uses the Internet, proprietary technology and efficient business processes to provide home buyers and sellers with high-quality service and value. Founded in 2005, the Company currently operates in 7 major metropolitan areas. The Company\'s client-centric business strategy utilizes a sophisticated Web site, which enables home buyers and sellers to access comprehensive local Multiple Listing Services home listings data and other relevant information. The Company also utilizes a proprietary business management technology platform, which reduces costs and allows the Company to pass on significant financial savings to consumers. This Internet-enabled, technology-driven platform provides the Company with a distinct competitive advantage, allowing RealAcres.com to consistently deliver outstanding service to clients. For more information, visit www.realacres.com or call +91 22 40126864.
About iProperty.com (www.iproperty.com) The iProperty.com Group is Asia's No. 1 online property group, with leading property websites in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines. It is part of Australian Securities Exchange-listed IPGA Limited (www.ipgalimited.com), (ASX: IPP). Recently, the iProperty.com Group made history by winning the highly prestigious CNBC Asia Pacific Property Awards in the "Best Property Portal" category for 4 of its websites - Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Philippines.
iProperty.com Network: Malaysia: iProperty.com Malaysia Singapore: iProperty.com Singapore Hong Kong: GoHome.com.hk and House18.com Taiwan: VRHOUSE.com.tw Philippines: iProperty.com Philippines Events: iProperty.com EXPO Luxury: iLuxuryasia.com
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