Tag Archives: MMR

Why real estate in Mumbai is so desirable to everyone?

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After the pandemic, Mumbai’s real estate market reached all-time highs in quantity and cost.

Bengaluru: A 17-acre plot of land in central Mumbai that was formerly home to a textile mill was sold by DLF Ltd. to Lodha Developers Ltd. for Rs 2,725 crore eleven years ago. This year, a developer based in Gurgaon, the largest listed realtor in India, announced that it would be returning to the busiest real estate market in the nation.

DLF and Trident Group, a builder based in the National Capital Region (NCR), are collaborating on a slum rehabilitation project in the suburban Mumbai area.

DLF wants to diversify beyond Gurgaon amid a housing boom if its 2012 decision was to pull out non-core markets to concentrate on its home ground at the beginning of a multi-year residential slowdown. Mumbai would naturally be its first destination.

It propels you to a different scale and price point because you are the financial capital. We finally took the risk after examining opportunities in recent years, said Aakash Ohri, DLF’s group executive director and chief business officer.

In a similar vein, Godrej Properties Ltd. is situated in Mumbai. After assembling a sizable portfolio of projects in the NCR, the company will focus on its home market. The company’s chief executive officer (CEO), Gaurav Pandey, stated, “We have done about seven transactions in Mumbai in the last two years, and we are optimistic because the market has seen good price and volume growth.”

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) secured the highest percentage of sales as the housing market recovered and reached all-time highs following the pandemic. Premium and luxury projects have been a major factor in MMR sales. It comes as no surprise that seasoned developers from MMR and beyond want a piece of the action.

MMR is undoubtedly a difficult market to break into. Though the costs are higher than in Bengaluru and the NCR, the profit margins are better. Getting project approvals can be difficult, and finding land can be difficult. Still, it is a market that cannot be disregarded, as Ohri alluded to.  

Deliverer from B’lore 

Most lenders and institutional investors became cautious about investing in Mumbai, preferring to concentrate on more stable markets in south India, following the non-banking financial company Infrastructure Financing and Leasing Service Ltd.’s repeated defaults in 2018. These events sent shockwaves through the financial services sector.

Developers in Mumbai had the highest level of leverage and NBFCs had the greatest overall exposure to the city’s real estate market. Post-pandemic, that was different. Opportunities for new and experienced developers were presented by the turmoil in MMR that led to the collapse of many developers.

Consider the Prestige Group. The Bengaluru-based developer has acquired the troubled projects in Mumbai from banks, investors, developers, and the National Company Law Tribunal. 

With sales in Mumbai of Rs 2,700 crore in 2022-2023, it plans a 25-30% growth this year. “Sales velocity will follow if you choose the locations well and price it sensibly,” stated Venkat Narayana, CEO of Prestige Group. “The demand is good.” 

Puravankara Ltd., a different developer based in Bengaluru started its first project in Mumbai in 2021 and is searching for mid-segment and premium acquisition opportunities.

Group CEO Abhishek Kapoor stated that although there are obstacles to overcome before entering Mumbai, there are lucrative opportunities. In Mumbai, the average price realization is at least Rs 15,000 – 25,000 per square foot, whereas in other markets it is Rs 8,000–10,000.

We are accustomed to seeing a lot of building, but Mumbai adds value and margins, and it will play a bigger role in our future growth, says Kapoor.

Many developers currently just want to take advantage of the value that the luxury market offers. 

The opulent peak 

The year, the prices of the sea-view homes in Lodha Malabar, an under-construction project on Walkeshwar Road in South Mumbai, set a benchmark at Rs 1.5 lakh per square foot. 

Private purchasers paid between Rs 250 and Rs 350 crore for several apartments. The biggest developer in MMR is Macrotech Developers Ltd., which offers projects under the Lodha brand. In 2022-2023 the company made Rs 12,064 crore in sales, with Rs 10,000 crore coming from Mumbai alone. Homes costing Rs 5 crore or more account for about 40% of its revenue.

“There is a strong demand for larger, luxurious homes, particularly among families who have always resided in their ancestral homes,” Prashant Bindal, chief sales officer of the company, stated.

There is ample room for high-caliber developers in the premium and luxury segments because there are not enough players in MMR to meet demand. Anuj Puri, chairman of the real estate advisory Anarock Group, said, “It is like a combination of two or three cities within it, and there are discerning buyers who are willing to pay for premium projects.”

Every six months, Mumbai has recorded sales of luxury homes worth approximately Rs 5,300 crore since 2018. That doubled in the first half of 2023, as sales of homes priced at Rs 10 crore and above increased by almost 50% to Rs 11,400 crore, per a July report from Sotheby’s International Realty and CRE Matrix.

The ultra-luxury market, with prices ranging from Rs 40 crore to Rs 70 crore expanded even more quickly.

Developers and analysts predict that the luxury home market will continue to grow. “The way the financial services sector has gained post-COVID has had an immediate effect on buying real estate.” The financial services sector’s post-COVID gains directly affect purchases. According to Amit Bahgat, managing director (MD) and CEO of ASK Property Investment Advisors, the luxury market will grow as wealth is generated. 

Competitors?

MMR has the highest sales and launches compared to NCR and Bengaluru. Unsold inventory has increased, but that’s because the rise in launches has surpassed sales, said Pankaj Kapoor, MD of Liases Foras.

Yes, other markets are catching up, especially Gurgaon. A 10,000-square-foot apartment in DLF’s Camellias project on Golf Course Road was sold for RS 100 crores, setting a new price record of Rs 1 lakh per square foot. 

Thus, Gurgaon might eventually give Mumbai serious competition, according to DLF’s Ohri. 

Mumbai’s real estate players predict robust growth within MMR

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According to a report released by property consultants Knight and Frank, Mumbai recorded 11,504 property registrations in April 2024. 

With property registrations increasing by 16% in revenue to the exchequer and the state government maintaining the status quo on ready reckoner rates, real estate developers in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) predict strong growth in the sector. They are optimistic about larger purchases in areas where connectivity has been resolved through the implementation of infrastructure projects such as the expansion of Mumbai Metro, Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), Coastal Road, and others.

Prashant Sharma, President of the National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO) Maharashtra, stated, “We are optimistic about the future of the real estate sector in MMR.” Our projections show a strong growth trajectory, driven by several key factors. First, the rising demand for residential properties, particularly in the affordable and mid-segment markets, is a good sign. We also see a resurgence in commercial real estate, fueled by the expanding IT and finance industries.”  

“Moreover, government initiatives such as the relaxation of FDI regulations and the emphasis on infrastructure development, including the expansion of the Mumbai Metro, Coastal Road, and several other projects, making real estate investments even more appealing. We are also aware of the challenges, which include regulatory hurdles and the need for faster project approvals. However, with the state government’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business and our collaborative efforts to advocate for policy reforms, we are confident that MMR will remain a vibrant and dynamic market for real estate investment,” Sharma concluded. 

Manju Yagnik, Vice Chairperson of the Nahar Group and Senior Vice President of NAREDCO, Maharashtra, stated, “The residential real estate segment has demonstrated resilience, making it an appealing investment option for those with medium to low-risk tolerance. Despite numerous challenges, this industry has remained, emerging as an excellent choice for many investors. The higher initial cost of commercial properties frequently attracts investors to the residential segment. The higher initial cost of commercial properties frequently attracts investors to the residential segment. For people with limited funds and maintenance skills, residential real estate is a more accessible and practical option. 

Nitin Singhal, the co-founder of PropFina, stated, “With most micro markets experiencing higher supply than ever before, there will be corrections by highly leveraged players.” Those who have financially engineered their project portfolios and maintain control over their brand will have the least impact. Corrections can range from 10-15% and will be specific to micromarket dynamics. There could be higher offtake in areas where connectivity issues are being resolved. 

Commercial and warehousing sectors are on the rise as real estate trends. 

Singhal said that affordable housing will largely remain the same, and “When it comes to the commercial segment, which includes retail and office spaces, lease rates are going up and vacancies are going down. Introducing small and medium real estate investment trusts (SM REITs) creates a significant secondary market absorption opportunity. “This segment may experience a northwards moment,” he said. 

“Similarly, major warehousing players are quickly acquiring the land parcels, some of which are backed by sovereign funds seeking safe havens with higher-than-inflation returns.” Clear title land parcels ranging from 50 to 100 acres will see a rise in pricing, particularly along Samruddhi Mahamag exits, DMIC Virar-Alibag Multi-Modal Corridor (VAMMC), and so on. Singhal concluded that there will be a new segment of multi-level last-mile connectivity warehousing.  

April 2024 Trends and Consumer Preferences 

According to a report released by property consultants Knight and Frank, Mumbai recorded 11,504 property registrations in April 2024, contributing more than INR 1,043 crore to the state exchequer. According to the Maharashtra Department of Stamps and Registrations, in April 2024, there was an increase in registration of apartments measuring up to 500 square feet, accounting for 45% of all registrations. Of all the properties registered, nearly 86% of the Western suburb buyers and 92% of Central suburb consumers choose to buy within their micro market. This decision is influenced by the familiarity of the area and the availability of products that match their pricing and feature preferences. 

Delhi: Homes Sells Faster Than Mumbai

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Mumbai may be second to Delhi in unsold homes, but it will take longer to sell them. Real estate developers in the financial capital must wait over three years to clear 1.13 lakh units or 120 million sq ft as high prices deter potential buyers, shows a study released by Liases Foras, a real estate rating and research consultant.

The study covers units in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) — including Mumbai city, Thane, Kalyan and Navi Mumbai — National Capital Region in Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai. NCR, with 232.57 million square feet or 1.60 lakh units of unsold homes — roughly double Mumbai’s —will likely sell homes much faster, in 23 months.

“The NCR market is primarily an investor market and has very little comparison with Mumbai,” says Om Ahuja, chief executive officer (residential services) at Jones Lang LaSalle India. “The real estate market in areas like Gurgaon or Noida attracts a lot of money from neighbouring states like Punjab, UP and Delhi as people invest in residential properties.” Among the six metros, Pune homes will be sold the fastest, taking just 14 months to sell its 43.06 m sq ft at the current pace of buying. A steep rise in interest rates in the last 18 months was seen as the key reason for low sales as buyers try to avoid high home loan instalments.

The Reserve Bank of India cut key rates by 50 basis points last month, forcing lenders to lower their retail lending rates which could push sales.