Indian Real Estate Market Among the Most Lucrative Sectors for NRIs

Indian real estate market is one of the most lucrative sectors for Non-Resident Indians to invest their foreign money. Moreover, this trend will continue for more 4-5 years as the consumption story of Indian real Estate market is not going to get over in near future leading to immense commercial growth prospects that in turn increase the demand for real estate. Although Indian Realty market is facing downfall, it is not correct to say that all cities are experiencing the same situation. It has been observed that some of the cities in India always have good chances of investment and these cities even in worst circumstances would be able to provide good investment returns. One more factor that attracts NRI’s to invest in India is the bigger geographical area. Unfortunately, NRI’s put their money into property prevailing in big cities and metros, but they should be informed appropriately about the outskirts of the big cities and even about the tier-2 cities that offer a great deal of real estate investment in present scenario.
Not only this, but the recent significant depreciation in the value of rupees in respect of dollar/pound/euro has given a profitable chance to the NRI’s to clandestine their foreign earned money into some good  investment plans. However, quite a few times NRI investors face some issues with liaison services in real estate industry, but once these intermediary services will improve more and more foreign investors would be lured to purchase property in India in lieu of high returns.
Foreign investment is also a good sign of growth for Indian Real Estate market as well. In this current state of affairs when the Indian Realty market is experiencing a huge downfall, the foreign investors seem to be the ray of hope. With more and more NRI’s investing in small and even big commercial properties in India, the Real estate market will soon see a huge intensification. It has been observed from past trends that around 70% of foreign investment has been done in residential sector, but according to the Indian developers there are various commercial investment opportunities also existing for the foreign investors who wish to set up a business in India.
However, it has been told by the real estate experts that present time when foreign currency is in appreciation, it is the encouraging time for NRI’s to make some good investment in realty market in India. Office plots, residential spaces and even apartments are easily available for NRI’s.
Indian property developers also have a notion that the downfall of realty market in India is the result of the global meltdown and depreciation of rupee. Their belief is not vague, but they also consider that ambiguities in western economies led to the build-up confidence of NRI’s into Indian market and they are keen on purchasing property here. Their investment is a huge support for Indian Realty market and soon with the rupee appreciation these investments will strengthen the economic situation as well.

Buyers back in Real Estate Sector this Navaratra.

Buyers are back in the realty market this Navaratra, lending credence to this festive season’s reputation as a golden period for business in this sector.

There is flurry of activity in the offices of realty firms as buyers are coming out to seal deals. The mood is likely to remain upbeat till the end of summer vacation of schools.

“I am sure that this positive momentum in the market will continue till summer vacation when even more end users are likely to clinch deals,” Samir Jasuja, the chairman and managing director of Prop Equity, says.

“After Navaratra, summer vacation in schools is regarded a good time for realty, as people wait for the end of term of their children to shift houses or buy one. The summer is a time of transfers and relocation; a time of school admissions and hunting for a house near schools, so that children can have an easy commute,” Jasuja says.

Gaurav Mittal, the managing director of CHD Developers, says: “The mood is really upbeat in the market with people finalizing deals in property. While market warms up during Navaratras even during bad times, this Navaratra is different. The quantum of deals is unexpected, though a welcome development.”

Jasuja says, “Notwithstanding a slew of legal battles, buyers are taking a final call on their new purchases in Noida and Greater Noida.” A report of Prop Equity says that the current financial year has proved to be good for almost all the big cities of the NCR including, Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida and Faridabad.

Sanjay Khanna, the director of Kailash Nath Developers Pvt Ltd, says: “I hope the worst is over for realty market and transactions take place till the end of summer vacation in schools. This Navaratra is proving to be very auspicious for the realty world. I know that NRIs, too, find the summer months an ideal time to return to their roots in order to buy property. Their search for a property also starts during the summer. This is the time when they visit India in order to meet their relatives and, side by side, also look for nice properties. They do not mind paying slightly more for good properties.”

Realty watchers say that April-June period records a high quantum of property transactions. Realty market picks pace from Navaratras. This is a time when end users finalize their deals and those looking for new homes on rent, also shift. The summer is also a time when the resale market picks up nicely.

Vijay Jindal, the chairman and managing director of SVP group, says: “It is a hectic period from Navaratra and through the summer months. A lot of transactions take place at all levels.” He says that during the summer, buyers give priority to those projects which are close to good schools.

NRIs want to buy home in India

NRIs are investing into residential real estate specifically in large Indian cities to build a back-up base in the country as many of them intend to set up businesses in these cities in the future. I think there is  not a single non-resident Indian (NRI) who is not keen to buy real estate in India. Having a own home in this country is one of the means available to them to stay connected to their motherland. As they make their fortunes abroad, such investments in their country help them to maintain their relationships back home.

What I found most interesting was that they had not even considered eventually relocating to India when they bought property here as they have simply done it for investment.

NRIs are investing into residential real estate specifically in large Indian cities to build a back-up base in the country. This particularly applies to NRIs with professional/entrepreneurial ambitions who intend to set up businesses in these cities in the future.

As during 2008-2009 global financial crises (GFC), India has presented itself as an example of financial stability. This GFC has caused NRIs to seriously think about buying homes in India.

As per the limits regarding how many commercial or residential properties they can own in India, there is no restriction to the NRIs. But when a NRI wants to sell and take the money back, he can do so with the sale proceeds of only two units. NRIs can invest into real estate by transferring funds to India through normal banking channels, or by invest through funds in a Non-resident external (NRE)/ Foreign currency non resident (FCNR)/ Non- resident ordinary rupee (NRO) accounts maintained in India. But payment via travellers’ cheque or foreign currency notes is not permitted.

Home loan can be availed from Indian institution approved by the National Housing Bank (NHB), and loan repayment can be done either through inward remittances, debit to a NRE/FCNR/NRO account, through the rental income which is earned in India. NRIs can also apply for home loans from the employer in India, provided specific terms and conditions listed by RBI are met.

NRIs are allowed to mortgage their residential property in India with an Indian financial institution without any approval from RBI. They can also mortgage it with a foreign financial institution with prior approval from RBI.Also they can rent out their residential property without the approval of the RBI in India and the rent received can be credited to NRO/NRE account.

Growth of Indian Housing Sector

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The realty market in India is flourishing these days. Not just the domestic real estate developers but also the investors from all across the world; especially the NRIs are attracted to this Indian real estate market. If this continues, it is then expected that very soon the realty market will overtake the other industrial sectors in terms of contribution to GDP growth.

Currently, the major constituents of the Indian housing industry are the affordable houses which target especially the low income groups and economically weaker class. In the field of medium and luxury housing, in next few years, it is expected to see a remarkable growth since this segment has huge prospects for further developments. The hiring of expat employees by the MNCs and then providing them with luxury housing benefits is one of the reasons for the development of this sector. Also, the demand for luxury housing by NRIs is acting as a catalyst in the growth of this sector in India.

RNCOS presented a report called “Indian Housing Sector Analysis” in which it gave exhaustive information and objective analysis about the growth of Indian housing industry. The current and past market performance, market structure and factors critical to the success of the Indian housing industry are also covered in this report.

Based on the relation between the past market growth and growth in base drivers, such as government support, long-term interest rates, disposable personal income, household size, contribution by housing finance industry, GDP growth, growing industrialization and competitive structure, a forecast is been made in this report about the Indian realty market.

MCHI Showcasing in Indian Realty Expo 2010

One of the most prominent bodies of realty developers and builders, Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry has planned to showcase the phenomenal work of Indian builders in the field of property in the 13th India Realty Expo 2010. This expo is scheduled from 3rd to 5th June, 2010 in Dubai, at the Renaissance Hotel, Deira. This step is taken by MCHI to bring some  of the NRIs in the Indian realty market.
is a member of CREDAI, Confederation of Real Estate Developers‘ Association of India. This expo will last as an opportunity to NRI investors to fully explore the offers and opportunities in front of them as far as Indian realty sector is concerned. This expo would throw light on all the fields, be it be housing, retail or commercial sector.
This ‘India Realty Expo’ will prove as a golden opportunity for the NRIs, especially in the Gulf region, to come back close to their motherland. Apart from CREDAI and MCHI, there will be 21 more builders who will participate in this expo. The expo will be held at from 5 pm to 9 pm on 3rd June whereas the timings for and June are 10 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm. The main focus of this expo will be on the real estate sector of cities like Bangalore, Goa, Pune and Mumbai.

Buyers Investing Again in Residential Properties

Goa Real Estate Properties - Sapana Palmeiras 1




May 04, 2010

Investors have made a return to realty. Long term capitalization and an expected rise in this sector are the two major reasons for this come back.

However, the present investments are not as good as they used to be before recession period.

The Chief Financial officer of Mantri Developers, Anil Kumar said that currently there is a considerable amount of investment and it is expected to increase in future.

He also added that the realty cost which went through a sharp correction during the recession now has a large scope for capital appreciation in future.

In India, the usual investors in the residential properties are the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), High Net worth individuals (HNIs), domestic investors and professionals with large disposable incomes.

However, the view of analysts is different.

According to them, although the investments are higher than they used to be at the time of recession, but the uptake is not encouraging due to the recent increase in price by developers.