The recent sale of a Mumbai apartment by actor Preity Zinta has once again brought attention to a question many homeowners face — whether to sell a property before redevelopment begins or wait until the new project is completed.
The actor sold a redeveloped apartment in Bandra’s Pali Hill area for Rs 18.50 crore, according to property registration records. The flat was allotted to her in April 2025 after her earlier building underwent redevelopment. Real estate observers say redeveloped projects often command higher resale values because buyers typically prefer modern residential buildings that offer updated infrastructure, parking facilities, and security systems.
At the same time, some homeowners choose to sell their properties before redevelopment starts to avoid uncertainties linked to such projects. Redevelopment processes can take several years due to approval procedures, financial arrangements, and construction challenges. Temporary relocation during construction is another factor that influences the decision for some residents.
Preity Zinta’s redeveloped property deal
Property documents indicate that Preity Zinta sold the Pali Hill apartment for Rs 18.50 crore after receiving it through the redevelopment process.
This is the actor’s second property sale in four months. In November 2025, she sold a 1,474 sq ft apartment on the 11th floor of the Rustomjee Parishram building for more than Rs 14 crore. According to sources earlier quoted by Hindustan Times Real Estate, the proceeds from that sale could be used for purchasing another property valued at around Rs 100 crore in Bandra.
During redevelopment, homeowners vacate their apartments while developers reconstruct the building. Once completed, original residents are given newly built flats, often with improved layouts, upgraded facilities, and sometimes additional carpet area. These upgrades can significantly increase property valuations.
What homeowners should consider
Real estate professionals say redeveloped buildings often attract higher prices because buyers prefer modern housing projects with amenities and upgraded infrastructure.
However, the decision to sell before or after redevelopment depends on multiple factors.
“Waiting for redevelopment to be completed may yield higher returns, but the decision largely depends on the homeowner’s age. Senior citizens may not want to wait for long project timelines and could consider selling and exiting if possible. For younger homeowners, waiting could make sense. However, even then, the outcome depends on factors such as the additional area offered, the developer involved and the location. In high-demand micro-markets such as Bandra, Juhu, or Andheri, the likelihood of redevelopment generating better value is generally higher. Ultimately, there is no uniform rule that applies to every case,” said Ritesh Mehta, Senior Director and Head (North and West), Residential Services and Developer Initiatives at JLL India.
“The decision also depends on the homeowner’s financial needs, the developer’s reputation and the project’s expected timeline. If redevelopment is likely to proceed smoothly, holding on to the property could result in higher capital gains. However, if the project faces uncertainty, some homeowners may prefer to exit earlier and reinvest elsewhere,” Mehta said.
Experts also caution homeowners against viewing redevelopment purely as a financial opportunity.
“In many cases, the titles of old buildings are not clear due to issues such as the absence of an occupation certificate, lack of conveyance and other documentation gaps. If you know there are title defects in your building and redevelopment is likely to be complicated, you should consider selling if you are getting an opportunity to exit. If exiting is difficult, you may have to continue living in the old building and hope that redevelopment eventually works out,” said Ashish Mhatre, a real estate consultant based in Mumbai’s Borivali.
“Another reason homeowners should not wait for redevelopment to materialise is when they want to upgrade, and are getting a good deal for the sale and purchase of their new home. In my opinion, it is all about timing. If your purpose is being served, it does not make sense to wait for redevelopment to materialise. Ultimately, this is not a business transaction, but you are dealing with your housing transaction where you will be residing,” Mhatre added.
Source: Hindustan Times
