India’s real estate market has undergone significant transformation in recent years, driven by evolving buyer expectations, changing work patterns, and the accelerated adoption of technology. Buyers today are more discerning, seeking flexibility, wellness-focused environments, and long-term value rather than purely transactional deals. For consultants, this means moving beyond traditional brokerage to deliver research-backed, trust-based advisory services.
In this changing landscape, The Realty Today spoke with Abhishek Raj, Founder & CEO of Jenika Ventures, a fast-growing Noida-based real estate consultancy operating in major markets such as Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Mumbai. Since its inception in 2020, the firm has partnered with leading developers including Prestige Group, Godrej Properties, and Lodha Group, focusing on residential and commercial projects with a portfolio management approach. A national-level snooker player turned entrepreneur, Mr. Raj has built Jenika Ventures on the principles of transparency, strategic insight, and client-first solutions.
In this exclusive conversation, Raj discusses post-pandemic buyer behavior, common investment pitfalls, the influence of hybrid work and co-living, the company’s rapid expansion, and how technology is shaping modern real estate consultancy.
Here are the excerpts from the interview.
1. How do you envision buyer expectations changing post-pandemic and how can consultants adapt to better serve them?
The pandemic has redefined priorities as consumers today are wiser and they look for flexibility, wellness, digital preparedness, and future-oriented investments. They appreciate listeners and co-architects of the decision-making process. Consultants need to move away from being transactional facilitators to advisors of trust. At Jenika we've doubled down on needs-based advice, upfront pricing, and long-term planning with clients. We also believe in the education of first-time buyers by means of webinars, chosen content and one-to-one advice to gain confidence and trust.
2. What are the most common mistakes you see first-time buyers or commercial customers make, and how does your staff avoid those errors?
The most common mistake is racing for deals without the fundamentals like the mistake of overpaying for a site overlooking the strength of the developer or overly optimistic schedules. Most investors also fail to prepare for liquidity or underestimate tax liabilities. At Jenika we do rigorous investment analysis, legal due diligence, and risk analysis prior to recommending a property. Our consultants are trained to think like seasoned portfolio managers focused on delivering consistent risk-adjusted returns rather than chasing short-term trends. We take clients through worst-case and best-case scenarios so they can confidently and effectively make decisions.
3. How are the rise of hybrid work and co-living concepts influencing the real estate advisory space today?
Hybrid working has remapped the very meaning of 'location.' Being close to office centers is no longer the only criterion, as customers today look for built-in living environments with work-from-home facilities, health perks and community interaction. On the other hand, co-living is gaining attention and favor with millennials and remote workers who value mobility, community, and less capital intensity. As advisors we’re closely tracking these shifts and curating offerings whether it’s modern co-living spaces, mixed-use developments, or plotted land that supports modular homebuilding.
4. How are real estate consultancies leveraging technology and data-driven insights to offer more value-added services in today’s digitized environment?
Technology has become integral to modern real estate consultancy, reshaping how firms engage with clients and deliver advisory solutions. A Deloitte global real estate outlook reports that more than 80% of real estate firms are accelerating digital adoption across client engagement, marketing, and asset management functions. By embedding automation into sales, marketing, and client servicing, consultancies are able to personalize client journeys, streamline follow-ups, and manage interactions more effectively through advanced CRM systems.
Real-time data dashboards are enabling consultants to track demand patterns, absorption rates, and pricing fluctuations in real estate markets. CBRE’s India Market Outlook 2025 highlights that around 65% of occupiers and investors in India now rely on real-time dashboards and predictive analytics to guide decision-making. Similarly, the shift to digital-first engagement is accelerating, with JLL’s Asia-Pacific Buyer Trends Report showing that nearly 60% of property buyers prefer to conduct virtual site visits and initial evaluations online before making physical inspections.
Data is increasingly treated not just as a tool but as a strategic asset. Firms are now using analytics to provide ROI assessments, portfolio benchmarking, and location intelligence that back client decisions with measurable evidence. According to KPMG’s Global PropTech Survey, 69% of real estate organizations have expanded their use of data analytics in the past three years, while 52% now apply geospatial intelligence for site selection and risk assessment.
In India, this transition is evident in the investment market. Knight Frank’s Institutional Investor Survey notes that over 70% of large investors demand comprehensive, data-backed feasibility studies before finalizing real estate transactions. This reflects both the growing importance of evidence-based advisory practices and the rising expectation among clients for transparency, efficiency, and decision-making supported by technology.
5. Jenika Ventures has rapidly scaled across multiple cities. What sets your approach apart in a highly competitive real estate consultancy market?
The approach that keeps us apart in a highly competitive real estate consultancy is that we never just aspired to be another brokerage company; instead we have always focused on being a strategic consultancy. Our core foundation includes research-driven, solution-oriented thinking paired with an unyielding commitment to trust, transparency, and after-sale care. We don't pursue inventory as we curate it. Every product we offer comes from a top developer so our clients get quality, value of appreciation, and convenience. Our focus on being customer- and developer-partner oriented has enabled us to establish strong, enduring relationships, which continue to drive our expansion in cities and now overseas.
6. With your present hiring boom in India, what is your bigger picture vision for company culture and team building at Jenika Ventures?
At Jenika Ventures we are not just recruiting as we're creating a movement. Our conviction is that exceptional teams develop growth-oriented companies. We aim to be an employer of choice in real estate consultancy through a growth-centered culture rooted in ethics, performance, and empowerment. We place the highest value on alignment with our fundamental values such as integrity, accountability, and excellence. We're investing heavily in training, leadership development, and career ladders to watch our teams grow with the company. We believe every team member should feel honoured not just of work but of the vision itself.
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