Hema Singuluri | Hyderabad

They say adversity brings out the best in people. For Nandi Rameshwara Rao, a poor decision made over three decades ago—purchasing a house without proper permissions—turned out to be a defining moment. That early personal setback exposed him to the unprofessionalism, lack of transparency, and structural flaws in the real estate sector. It inspired him to take a different path—entering corporate roles in real estate development with a mission to bring credibility to the industry.

His turning point came at ABC Consultants, where he worked on a Rs 500-crore gated community project. This experience sharpened his sales skills and opened his eyes to the dangers of overpromising in marketing. “I’ve faced several failures, but each one helped me bounce back. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that integrity and transparency are non-negotiable. Trust must be earned,” he reflects.

Over the next 30 years, Rao wore many hats—leading large-scale sales and marketing operations, developing professional education programs, and launching initiatives that include: Real estate training and mentorship, business consulting and project marketing, sales and brokerage services and online certification courses and internships. These efforts were aimed at bridging the knowledge gap in an industry often built on speculation rather than structure.

Plot or Apartment?

When asked where one should invest—plot or apartment—Rao responds with clarity: “It depends on your purpose—rental income, trading, or long-term holding.” For capital appreciation, he prefers plots, which he says can double in 4–5 years. Villas may take 8–10 years, while apartments typically appreciate slower.

His key advice: “Before investing, define your purpose, assess your budget, loan eligibility, and family size. These practical questions separate risky buyers from smart investors.”

Practice over theory: The realtor oxygen model Launched in 2017, Realtor Oxygen Infra LLP emerged from Rao’s global research across 150 universities. The conclusion? “Indian universities teach 95% theory and little practical exposure.”

Realtor Oxygen aims to change that. The firm prioritizes on-ground learning—through site visits, field sales training, and real project marketing. “Our student motto is simple: honesty, transparency, and integrity. We don’t sugarcoat. Today’s fake promise is tomorrow’s broken trust,” Rao affirms.

Evading scams, building trust Rao is vocal about the need for documentation and legal clarity. He urges buyers to check project approvals, verify RERA registration, obtain independent legal opinions and avoid falling for emotional pitches or unrealistic discounts.

“People chase 2% savings and end up losing 98% to fraudulent projects,” he warns. He also highlights that many builders don’t keep online listings updated, increasing the risk of scams. His mantra: Listen. Verify. Trust.

Internships and courses can be enquired on the realtoroxygen.com website