How Much Does It Cost to Develop a Property Portal Like 99acres?

A practical breakdown of pricing, development stages, required features, and realistic budgeting insights for real estate portal development in India.

Introduction

Real estate platforms such as have changed how buyers, sellers, agents, and builders interact in India. Property search has moved far beyond newspaper listings or broker-only networks. Today, users expect advanced filters, verified listings, map-based search, and instant enquiry features.

Many entrepreneurs in Bangalore and across India are now exploring the idea of launching their own property portals — either for a niche region, specialised property category, or as a full-scale marketplace.

One of the first questions that comes up is simple: how much does it actually cost to build a property portal like 99acres?

Understanding the Scope Before Budgeting

A portal like 99acres is not just a website; it is a layered system involving:

  • User registration and profile management
  • Property listing and approval workflows
  • Agent dashboards
  • Advanced search filters
  • Subscription plans or paid listings
  • Admin analytics
  • Mobile-friendly performance

Trying to replicate everything from day one may not be practical. Most successful startups begin with a focused version and expand gradually.

Rough Cost Estimates in Bangalore & India

Very Basic Property Listing Website – Up to ₹50,000

This is suitable for testing a simple idea or building a regional listing board.

  • Static property listings
  • Basic enquiry form
  • Simple admin panel
  • Limited filters
  • No advanced automation

This level works best for local builders or small agencies rather than a marketplace model.

Basic Dynamic Property Portal – Around ₹1 Lakh

At this stage, the system starts becoming interactive.

  • User registration
  • Property posting by admin
  • Search and filter options
  • Responsive design
  • Lead management

This version can support moderate traffic and initial marketing efforts.

MVP Property Marketplace – ₹2 to ₹3 Lakhs

An MVP focuses on core functionality required to launch and validate business ideas.

  • Agent and user accounts
  • Property submission system
  • Approval workflow
  • Map integration
  • Featured listings
  • Subscription plans
  • Dashboard analytics

Many Bangalore-based startups choose this approach because it balances cost and capability.

Fully Functional Portal Like 99acres – ₹4 to ₹9 Lakhs+

  • Advanced property filters and search logic
  • Location-based suggestions
  • AI-powered property recommendations
  • Lead tracking systems
  • Builder verification workflows
  • Payment gateway integration
  • Mobile app compatibility
  • High-performance database structure

Major Factors Affecting Development Cost

Feature Depth

More filters, automation, and user roles increase development time. Real estate platforms involve complex data handling, which influences pricing.

Technology Stack

Choosing between frameworks like Laravel, Node.js, or custom PHP affects both initial cost and long-term maintenance.

Design Experience

Simple layouts cost less, while interactive interfaces with smooth animations and custom dashboards require more effort.

Admin Automation

Automated listing moderation, notifications, and reporting systems can significantly increase initial investment but reduce manual work later.

Why Bangalore-Based Development Costs Differ

Bangalore has a wide spectrum of development agencies — from freelancers to enterprise teams. Pricing varies depending on experience, UI quality, and architecture planning.

Companies focusing on scalable systems usually charge more upfront but help avoid future rebuilding expenses.

Tips Before Starting Development

  • Avoid copying all features of 99acres initially.
  • Identify a niche — local properties, rentals, luxury homes, or commercial listings.
  • Start with MVP and expand based on user feedback.
  • Invest in a strong admin panel to manage listings efficiently.

Conclusion

Building a property portal like 99acres is achievable within different budget ranges depending on your business goals. A small investment can launch a basic listing platform, while advanced systems require a larger budget to support automation, user roles, and heavy traffic.

For most startups in Bangalore and India, beginning with a well-planned MVP provides the best balance between investment and growth potential.

To build reliable and scalable digital solutions for real estate and enterprise needs, partnering with a professional software development company in Bangalore ensures strong technical architecture, secure systems, and long-term business growth.

 Managing Director
Author:

Dinesh Kumar

Managing Director

Frequently Asked Questions

Your queries answered simply.

Costs typically range from ₹50,000 for basic versions to ₹4–9 lakhs for advanced marketplace-level platforms

Yes. Many successful platforms begin with an MVP and gradually add features.

Basic portals may take 3–6 weeks, while advanced platforms can take 3–6 months depending on complexity.

Not immediately. Many startups launch a web version first and later build apps based on demand.

Laravel, Node.js, or scalable PHP frameworks are commonly used depending on project requirements.

Yes. Property portals rely heavily on organic traffic and local search visibility

Yes, through role-based dashboards and moderation workflows.

Only if you plan to offer premium listings, subscription plans, or advertisement slots.

Around ₹2–3 lakhs for an MVP is often practical for Indian startups.