CENTURY 21 looking to Build a New Real Estate Empire in India

A new bridge is being built between the booming Indian property market and Australia’s global real estate leadership. At the helm is Charles Tarbey, the man behind CENTURY 21 Australasia.

Charles Tarbey, Chairman and Owner of CENTURY 21 Australasia, has completed his inaugural visit to India and the UAE, following the acquisition of the master franchise rights for both territories in late 2024. The move comes as India experiences record-breaking real estate momentum, with 2024 marking the first year that more than half of all property sales exceeded INR 10 million (roughly AUD $180,000), according to data from Knight Frank India.

Tarbey’s multi-city tour, covering Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai, was not ceremonial. It was, as he described it, “a deep dive into a market on the verge of something extraordinary.” With a focus on understanding regional dynamics, buyer behaviour, and partner readiness, Tarbey’s visit underscores the seriousness with which CENTURY 21 is approaching its Indian play.

“India is experiencing extraordinary change and growth… Our immediate focus is selecting high-quality partners to lead key regions across India.” — Charles Tarbey, Chairman, CENTURY 21 Australasia

India isn’t just growing, it’s surging. With an increasingly aspirational middle class, rising disposable incomes, and a strong culture of property ownership, India’s residential real estate market is undergoing professionalisation at scale. CENTURY 21’s entry is timed to coincide with this maturation, offering international standards, systems, and credibility to a market historically dominated by informal brokers.

CENTURY 21 India will roll out sub-franchise agreements across 29 major regions, each capable of supporting hundreds, if not thousands, of affiliated offices. A tailored marketing and training strategy is underway to attract serious franchise investors.

For Indian Australians and Australian-based investors of Indian origin, this presents a rare opportunity: to participate in a cross-border real estate ecosystem with one of the world’s largest property brands as the backbone.

Perhaps most exciting for the diaspora is Tarbey’s long-term vision: building a bi-directional real estate bridge. This includes:

• Listing suitable Australian properties through the CENTURY 21 India network
• Creating shared platforms where agents from both countries can collaborate
• Enabling Indian buyers to explore Australian investment opportunities seamlessly

“There are around one million Australians with Indian ancestry. We see real opportunity in building a powerful bridge between our markets.” — Charles Tarbey

This is more than an expansion. It’s an integration, blending the reliability of the Australian market with the momentum of India’s economic growth.

CENTURY 21 Real Estate LLC is no small player. With nearly 130,000 independent sales professionals across 79 countries, it stands as the largest residential real estate network in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2025, it launched its ambitious “Moments of the Century” global brand campaign, splashing across Times Square and dominating Australian media channels, including TV, digital, and out-of-home advertising.

This global footprint, combined with deep regional insights, gives the brand a distinct advantage in India, where trust and reputation are critical, especially for premium property buyers.

For Indian Australians with family ties back home or for those considering dual property investments, CENTURY 21’s India venture opens up new possibilities:

• Professional property buying support in both countries
• Confidence in cross-border transactions via a globally vetted system
• Opportunities for Indian Australians to lead or invest in sub-franchises within India

Franchise expressions of interest are currently being reviewed from both Indian and Australian investors. Tarbey, bullish on the future, believes this is just the beginning.

“This acquisition will also be a major advantage for our franchise owners across Australasia, offering global referral opportunities and a deeper connection with one of the world’s fastest-growing real estate markets.”

This move isn’t just about expanding into India. It signals a deeper economic and cultural alignment between the two nations with shared histories, futures, and now, property portfolios.

As CENTURY 21 opens new doors in India, it’s also unlocking opportunities for the Indian Australian community to invest, lead, and shape the future of real estate across two continents.