Month and Year: Late June 1985
Liquid Capital: Rs.
44,000
While setting up my long-term manufacturing plans, I needed another immediate, high-yield avenue to multiply my capital.
The answer was real estate.
In my previous life, I had studied the multi-decade appreciation of Indian real estate.
The profits generated in Tamil Nadu, particularly in and around Chennai from 1985 to 2026, were nothing short of astronomical.
To put it in perspective, in 1985, one ‘ground’ (a standard Tamil Nadu land measurement equaling 2,400 square feet) in a prime area like Mylapore or Teynampet would cost anywhere between Rs.
50,000 and Rs.
1,00,000 depending on the exact frontage.
Fast forward to 2026, that exact same piece of land would be valued at a staggering Rs.
6 Crores to Rs.
10 Crores (approx. $750,000 to $1.25 Million USD).
Non-core areas that were essentially villages or marshlands in 1985, like Velachery or the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), could be bought for a few thousand rupees an acre.
By 2026, OMR would become the IT Corridor of Chennai, housing mega-campuses for TCS, Infosys, and Cognizant, with land values exploding to tens of crores per acre.
The year-by-year appreciation averaged over 15-20% compounded annually for decades.
I couldn’t buy a prime plot outright yet with my Rs.
44,000, but I could act as a middleman.
In real estate, controlling the asset through a contract is just as good as owning it, provided you have a buyer lined up.
I started scouting properties in Mylapore, Teynampet, and Royapettah.
These were established, cultured, and commercially viable areas.
I rode my father’s bicycle through the narrow streets, looking for dilapidated properties, “For Sale” signs, or speaking to local tea stall owners who always knew the neighborhood gossip regarding who was desperate for cash.
A week prior, during my evening accounting job, my boss Rajesh had sent me to the Sub-Registrar’s office in Parry’s Corner to drop off some property tax documents for a client.
While there, I struck up a conversation with a young clerk named Selvam.
Selvam was overwhelmed with paperwork and trying to balance a ledger.
Using my mental calculation skills, I helped him reconcile his ledger in five minutes, saving him hours of frustration.
“You’re a genius, thambi (little brother),” Selvam had said, offering me a coffee. Find the original chapter at g.com.
We exchanged details.
I knew having a friend in the registrar’s office meant access to information about distressed properties, liens, and urgent sales before they hit the open market.
In late June, I visited Selvam.
“Anna (elder brother), do you know anyone looking to sell a small commercial plot in Mylapore urgently? I have an investor looking, and I can make sure a nice broker fee comes your way.”
Selvam flipped through a register.
“Actually, yes.
A Brahmin family migrating to the US.
They have a 1,200 square foot half-ground plot with an old shop structure near the Kapaleeshwarar Temple car street.
Very prime.
They want Rs.
35,000, but they need the token advance by this Friday to book their flight tickets.
I immediately cycled to the location.
The spot was perfect—high foot traffic, excellent commercial viability.
I went back to Sowcarpet to a contact I had made during my stationary sales: a Marwari textile wholesaler named Sethji who was explicitly looking for a retail storefront in Mylapore to expand his saree business.
“Sethji, I found a half-ground commercial plot near the temple. The seller wants Rs. 45,000,” I lied smoothly, marking up the price.
“But it will be gone in two days.”
“Forty-five is reasonable for that location, but I need to see the documents,” Sethji said.
I moved fast.
I met the original seller the next morning.
I introduced myself as an agent for a larger buyer.
“Sir, my client will pay your asking price of Rs. 35,000. But we need a registered agreement of sale today. I will give you a token advance of Rs. 5,000 right now in cash to lock the deal, with the balance to be paid in 30 days.” The seller, desperate for the flight money, agreed.
We signed a localized sale agreement.
Transaction Details:
● Starting Capital: Rs.
44,000
● Paid Token Advance to Seller: – Rs.
5,000
39,000
I immediately took the signed agreement and photocopies of the title to Sethji.
He verified them with his lawyer.
“I will buy it,” Sethji confirmed.
“Excellent,” I said.
“Since I hold the exclusive agreement of sale, I will transfer the rights of the agreement to you. The total price is Rs. 45,000. You will pay the seller the remaining Rs. 30,000 directly at registration. To me, you will pay the Rs. 5,000 advance I already put down, plus my margin of Rs. 10,000.” Sethji laughed.
“You are a sharp boy. You locked the property with just five thousand and flipped it to me for a ten thousand profit.” He didn’t mind; Rs.
45,000 was still a bargain for him.
We executed the transfer.
Sethji handed me Rs.
15,000 in cash.
I gave Rs.
2,000 to Selvam the clerk as a thank-you commission, ensuring his absolute loyalty for future deals.
Transaction Details:
● Current Capital: Rs.
39,000
● Received from Sethji: + Rs.
15,000
● Paid Commission to Selvam: – Rs.
2,000
● Net Profit from Flip: Rs.
8,000
● Final Liquid Capital Balance: Rs.
52,000
In just a few days, I had netted Rs.
8,000.
My liquid capital had now crossed the fifty-thousand rupee mark.
I was ready for the big leagues: the stock market.