DLF plan could hit barrier

Plans by the promoters of top real estate company DLF to buy out hedge fund DE Shaw’s investment in family-owned DLF Assets (DAL) could hit a roadblock because of a little known rule in the country’s foreign exchange laws.
Under a ‘put’ option signed between DE Shaw and three companies controlled by DLF-promoter KP Singh’s family in May 2007, the US-based fund, which invested $400 million in convertible preference shares of DAL, could exit its investment and get a fixed return of at least 27%.
As per the ‘put’ option with DLF Investments, Kohinoor Real Estates and Buland Consultants, DE Shaw is supposed to get back around Rs 2,500 crore after forex adjustments. But FEMA classifies all equity investments that carry a fixed return as debt, which could bring DE Shaw investment under the purview of external commercial borrowing (ECB) guidelines.
With ECBs not allowed in the real estate sector, investors holding convertible stock with fixed returns could find their exit option blocked.

Indian HNIs make realty investment

Cash MoneyForeign developers are trying to attract Indian HNI (High Net Worth Individual). HNIs are people with net financial assets (liquid assets) of at least $1 million, excluding primary residence and consumables. India is projected to be the world’s third largest economy by 2050. A subsequent increase in the number of wealthy individuals, real estate consultants from across the world are trying and also getting the HNI segment interested enough to buy.
Strong GDP growth, robust figures in industrial and service sectors, high market capitalization and steady FII inflows are some factors contributing to the rise in HNI wealth. In 2006, India’s HNI population crossed the one lakh figure, which made it the second-fastest growing HNI segment in the world.

“Affordable house” or a compromise?

Finding a home in metro cities is not cup of tea for a middle class family. If we talk about affordable house projects, either such houses are in far fringe areas or a result of poor design, cheap production material and lack of space. This simply means that buyers have to do some compromise with their expectations. Many real estate companies are launching houses at 10-20 lakhs. But most of them are not up to mark. If we talk about tier II and tier III cities, those who are working in metro cities cannot move towards small towns for a house.
As per my opinion, there should be some design standards for builders and if they offer affordable house, cost cutting must not affect the design and production material issues.