India, June 12 -- A social media post detailing a founder's shock at Bengaluru's steep real estate prices has gone viral, sparking an intense debate over luxury housing costs. The conversation erupted after a user shared a series of WhatsApp messages displaying exorbitant quotations, including a listing for a semi-furnished 4 BHK in Hebbal with Rs.3.10 lakhs per month plus maintenance. While the founder spent months complaining about the aggressive market rates, sections of the internet surprised home hunters by arguing that the high-end prices are actually standard for the city's premium tier.

"A founder friend was house hunting in Bangalore recently around March, and has been complaining about rentals ever since. I didn't believe him. ...