Affordable Housing, a priority for real estate

With an aim to achieve housing for all by 2020 and thus planning new flats in Delhi/NCR till 2022, finance minister on January 1 had stated that the affordable housing schemes will be given infrastructural status which will be a great deal for builders like Ashiana, Housing, Puravankara. This move will dip the costs for the builders and developers and attract most and more investors.

It would also mean a great hike in demand for loans which would be a step in the forward direction for housing finance companies like Gruh Finance, as well as Repco Home Finance.

“Infrastructure status to the affordable housing segment especially to Noida real estate will mean lower loan costs for the sector and thus aims at the margin issues that private players in this segment face,” said Nidhi Seksaria, Advisory Partner & Leader – Real Estate, BDO India LLP.

“The combined with interest subventions, this could be a big step in making apartments for sale in Noida more affordable,” he said.

Ashiana Housing was already trading 15 percent higher at Rs 163. On the other hand, Puravankara was up by 3 percent. The housing finance companies, Gruh Finance was already up by 1.4 percent while Repco Home Finance was up nearly 2 percent.
To achieve the targets set by the government in the affordable housing sector, the builder tends to increase their number of apartments with a certain decrease in amenities which consequence into lower costs. The competition has increased in the past quarter and thousand of new flats for sale in Noida are being constructed and ready for you to live in.

Gudi Padwa, a positive occasion for Pune’s low Real estate

With India’s economy finally growing its pace, Pune’s real estate market is now slowly witnessing a move in the forward direction in regard to the residential sector with a high rise in new residential launches. As prices are now stable and cheap after the announcement of the new set of rules in the Union Budget 2017, experts say that the auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa will set a right tone in the minds of buyers to set their pace in investing new property in Pune.
With the storm of demonetisation slowly calming and settling down, Pune real estate is again starting to gather its momentum now. Gudi Padwa, according to experts is expected to give the sector a high increase in demands as residents of Maharashtra prefer home investments on the day. After slowly following this upward movement, Pune’s real estate market is expecting the past inquiries to be smoothly translated into sales. It has been noted that Pune has a huge unsold inventory of its real estate has slowed down since the past one and half years. Even those who cannot afford flats are inquiring for cheap 1bhk Flats in Pune in a relief of low-interest rates from banks and affordable schemes carried forward to them.
After the wonderful festive period, the real estate saw an exhausted inquiry inventory and a piled up sales record. This was due to the belief of auspicious occasion and the pocket-friendly schemes as after demonetization, real estate was one of the major sectors among many to be harmed by the cash crunch. Nevertheless, now as the cash flow in the bank is back to normal, the pace of remonetization has grown up faster than it was actually expected. Again, realty market in India has witnessed some big reforms like Benami Transactions Bill, RERA, or GST which are directly aimed at giving the sector of residential spaces transparency and more credibility.
It has been clearly seen in the country that a big investment like gold or property is considered more sentimentally than economically. Therefore the festive occasion added on to the sentiments and increased the sale to next level. Gudi Padwa, which marks a New Year in Maharashtra saw a huge increase in the sales as well as the new launched by reputed builders and developers of the state. Many people book their new homes or host housewarming parties in this occasion. Thus, Maharashtra real estate defines it as its level best on this day.

Increasing residential demand in the Silicon Valley of India, Whitefield

As it is known that there is a large workforce employed in the area of Whitefield, and preferring to live in the vicinity, is increasing up the demands for residential options here for the comfort of the employees.
Once known as a secluded area of Bangalore to the Silicon Valley of India, Whitefield’s story was shaped primarily by the IT Hub revolution that changed the sleepy landscape with Asia’s first tech park which rose up in 1994.
The excellent development that took place in Whitefield and the EPIP zone have seen over the years seems like a page of a fictional book with a perfect ending. Mammoth towers in glass and chrome stand tall amidst natural greenery which has been long preserved by the developers of these MNC acquiring most of the Bangalore properties especially in Whitefield. Many hitherto heavy manufacturing factories have given a big hand to making this a wonderful place with a lot of infrastructural possibilities and residential flats in Bangalore.
It is no wonder that after all these factors these localities in the vicinity of these ultra facilitated tech parks have largely begun to mushroom into elite gated communities of residential buildings. Villas the high priority choice by the people who want to live here and work in these high-end vicinity of business parks.
While the ITPB has singularly driven the demand for residential property options in its vicinity, the other tech parks and business parks in the EPIP zone too have drawn a high demand for housing options ranging from mid-segment apartments and high-end homes enclosed within well-appointed gated enclaves, to villas and plots.
A member of the committee, Jain has stated that Whitefield, Electronics City, and the EPIP zone was a major initiative taken by the government to create the place into something better which eventually turned out to be called as the Silicon Valley of India with a number of reputed Multi Nationals setting up their base here. This is also increased the demand for high-end flats and villas by the people who come here every year from all over the country to earn their lavish living.

Ghaziabad Growing its Infrastructure

Ghaziabad is popular for serving to the mid-segment and affordable housing segments. The very known housing clusters such as Kaushambi, Vaishali and Indirapuram are now a major part of Ghaziabad property in terms of increasing the real estate. Apart from this, the new upcoming residential locations include Raj Nagar Extension, and other areas along NH-24 which are beyond Indirapuram, and incorporates Crossing Republic Township.
The only thing bothering the developed locations is the lack of space for further high-level development. These places majorly include Kaushambi and Vaishali. The 1BHK Flats in Ghaziabad are now available to meet all the residents and is expected to have a healthy capital appreciation. The recent projects mostly kept its focus on upper-mid and premium segments offering them new upgradations which were beyond anybody’s expectations. The affordable residential clusters which are mostly 1BHK Flats and located in Raj Nagar, Shahibabad are in the average price range of INR 2,200-3,500 per sq ft. The upper end of the range is commanded by projects which are fully completed or nearly ending its construction in Crossings Republic, whereas the newly passed projects in NH-24 are in the lower price band of INR 2,200-2,600 per sq ft. The Raj Nagar Extension corridor on NH-58 is has a price range in between INR 2,600-3,000 per sq ft range.

Greater Noida real estate to work more on affordable housing

The Real Estate’s new Union bill spells happiness for Greater Noida homebuyers, as the recently rectified budget will give more powers to those who want to buy plots in Greater Noida and will also keep in mind the concerns of the builders to a major extent. The Real Estate Regulatory Bill directly aims at bringing transparency in the real estate sector. However, the announcements were being planned from a long time but the finance minister made the right time to announce all of it with the Union Budget of 2017. However, after demonetisation, this area has more supply for residential units and less investors but after the affordable housing schemes it is turning out to be the opposite. Most of the housing units sold in Greater Noida now have a lot of takers but have less supply. Therefore, after taking some major steps a mega plan has finally been sorted out to cater affordable housing for all till 2022.
The budget is expected to establish state level regulatory authorities RERAs with whom developers have to register projects above a certain size. If this will not be carried out, the builders will have to pay major fines. The developers will now state all facts like possession dates, construction quality facts public on their websites so as to give clearer picture. The developers will have to focus more and more on the affordable housing. They will now be providing 3bhk flats in the price of 2bhk.
All these new rules are expected to set transparency in greater Noida properties. The Big Impact is that this will prompt homebuyers to purchase property without the fear of being cheated. This will bring in more creditability to investors and the belief to invest in the real estate sector. This will also give a clear legal recourse in case of any dispute or delay in the construction.
This has helped people who were interested in buying in Greater Noida as with this law the problems of the dust made by demonetisation will settle down and more over the development which tends to cater the needs which was stalled for a long time is finally getting its breath back. This is helping the Greater Noida real estate sector to become more transparent and the work has finally resumed and the building which were left unreconstructed the last quarter, are now coming to an end to supply its consumers their dream home.

Godrej Properties to Raise Rs.700 Cr, Targets Growth

Godrej Properties, the real estate wing of Godrej Group, has announced its plan to raise Rs.700 Cr. The fund will be raised through rights issue.

MUMBAI: The real estate wing of Godrej Group, Godrej Properties, has announced its plan to raise a fund worth Rs.700 Cr. The fund will be fully utilized for developing its new projects. Godrej Properties plans to raise the fund through rights issue.

Aiming growth and for developing more number of realty projects, Godrej Properties plans to raise Rs.700 Cr through rights issue. Continue reading

Property Investment, a Good Marketing Trick?

As the builders are not able to find sufficient number of buyers for their projects, now they are coming up with options of property investment.

Sluggishness has spread its shadow on residential market. Home sales are falling down as there are no property buyers. What could the developers do to boost the buyers’ sentiments? Here we see how they are promoting their projects under the banner ‘best option for property investment.’ Continue reading

No Property Buyers, Realty Developers Troubled

Due to the sky reaching property prices, no property buyers turn up anywhere. As property buyers remain reluctant to buy out properties, the developers are struggling to offload their unsold properties.

The developers would not have imagined that the sky reaching property prices will have as disastrous as this. Many of the builders now have unsold properties at their hand as they are not able to find any property buyers. Continue reading

Vasundhara Enclave Fails To Attract End-Users

Though Vasundhara Enclave has every potential to attract the end-users, it fails to do so. Weak demand for housing units proves this.

DELHI-NCR: Though Vasundhara Enclave Delhi has been expected to become one of the hot residential locations, it still remains as an unpopular residential destination. Property prices are remaining more or less stable. Continue reading

Suburbs, better for long term investment

The growth of suburbs into cities assures better options of returns from the investment in these areas. Property investment in Suburbs is expected to be more attractive and productive than investing in metro cities.
Invest in suburbs for longer periods to gain better returns.

Invest in suburbs for longer periods, to gain better returns.

The growing demand for housing units has asked the real estate developers to develop more housing units outside the metro cities. Suburbs around all metro cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata or Mumbai, or any other emerging cities, have seen spectacular growth.

Growth of these new corridors has provided the investors new options. Yet, the investors must approach such locations with a perfect view of investment. The tenure of investment is one of the main factors, that each investor should be careful.

It is never advisable to have in investment for shorter periods in any of the suburbs. If you plan to invest in any suburb, you should plan to invest for a quite longer time- so to say minimum three to four years.

On the other hand, the metro cities and other tier-I cities are more preferable for short term investment. If you invest for a short term also you will be able to gain bigger or higher returns. This is because the property prices are rocketing in all these cities. Moreover the growth potential of these cities is limited. This will assure sustainable returns to all the investors over the time. Continue reading

Domestic Demand Drives the Growth of Tier-2 Cities

Tier-2 cities of India have been witnessing a stabilized domestic demand for residential as well as commercial properties. In fact the domestic demand drives the growth of tier-2 cities.
Tier-2 cities will grow as a result of domestic demand

Tier-2 cities will grow as a result of domestic demand and not on foreign or NRI investors.

Unlike the big cities which witness the demand of NRIs and other HNIs, the smaller cities or tier-2 cities are growing due to the domestic  demand for residential and commercial properties. Property prices in these cities are more stable and not rocketing as in the other major cities.

When surveyed among the occupants of tier-2 cities, majority of them opined that the property prices will stand stable in these cities. However a few said that the property prices will be increasing by 70% by the next year. Continue reading

Housing Sector Likely to Have Infrastructure Status

Aiming to provide affordable homes to all the people, the union government is seriously pondering over the matter to confer infrastructure status to the housing sector.
Housing sector is likely to gain infrastructure status soon

Housing sector is likely to gain infrastructure status soon.

Economically poor and weaker sections of people are on the verge to own a home in near future. This will be possible for them if the union government confers the infrastructure status to the housing sector.

The decision is believed to be taken in the upcoming budget session of the parliament. However the matter is under the consideration of the Finance Ministry and Reserve Bank of India.

A senior official with Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MHUPA) said that it is likely that a favorable decision is taken on the matter. The official added that the ministry is planning to offer some income tax exemptions and service tax reductions to the housing sector.

Conferring infrastructure status is believed to boost the housing sector as it will provide easier access to funds. As a consequence, the availability of houses also will be increased simultaneously.

A recent study on the urban housing shortage revealed that in 2012 nearly 18.78 million housing units were short in India. A major share of the shortage was in the medium and low budget housing units.

Housing sector may get infrastructure status in the coming Budget session.

Housing sector may get infrastructure status in the coming Budget session.

The supply of housing units in the economically weaker section and lower income group fell sharply. The former witnessed a shortage of 10.55 million housing units while the number of the latter was 7.41 million.

The shortage cannot be mended by the government but only by the private developers who find it all the more difficult to construct cheaper homes due to the increased cost of construction. The land also has become so costly that added the cost of construction. Increase in the interest rates also affected the property prices.

The developers have been demanding for infrastructure status for the housing sector for a long while. MHUPA also raised the demand for the same. Conferring the infrastructure status to the housing sector will boost housing sector and the builders will be benefitting from this as it will enable them to own some tax exemptions and other tax benefits.

Bollywood Loses Multiplexes Due To Sluggish Realty Market

Due to the slowdown in the realty market, Bollywood missed many multiplexes which were supposed to be completed by now. It affected the entire Bollywood industry.
Revenue of Bollywood movies affected as number of multiplexes are lower.

Revenue of Bollywood movies is affected as number of multiplexes are lower.

Bollywood film industry is affected by the sluggish realty market which has halted many mall projects. It is estimated that around 150 multiplexes across the country has not been completed in time due to the slowdown in the realty market.

It is a bad news for any Bollywood fan to hear that real estate market has indirectly affected the Bollywood industry. If the developers are not developing multiplexes, where will the Bollywood movies be shown and the people will be able to watch them. So in short the slowdown in the real estate sector has affected Bollywood, though indirectly.

In India, majority of the multiplexes which contribute a major share of film’s total collection, are built in malls. Once the mall construction has been halted by the developers due to the existing slowdown, the film industry also is affected. According to experts, Bollywood industry might have lost over 150 multiplex screens which would have generated more income to the industry. Continue reading

Real Estate Bill Likely To Protect Flat Buyers

Real estate bill is likely to protect flat owners and prospective buyers from the unethical and unscrupulous builders. The real estate bill is expected to be presented in the upcoming parliament session.
Real estate bill will give new horizon to real estate industry

Real estate bill will give new horizon to real estate industry

The prospective buyers can rejoice finally. They have got a reason to do so as real estate bill is expected to be passed in the upcoming parliament session. It is expected to restrain the unethical and unscrupulous builders from looting the flat owners and buyers.

In the opinion of the experts, harsh and corporal punishment to the builders for fraud behaviors will remove all unethical and unscrupulous practices from the industry as a whole. Real estate sector looks so fine and attractive from outside as it gives new shapes to the cities.

However once the real estate bill is passed, the real estate developers may not be as happy as they used to be. The new real estate bill has provisions to punish the unscrupulous builders for proved fraud behaviors in the industry. Though the builders have demanded for monetary punishment in place of jailing, the decision has not yet been taken. Continue reading

Real Estate Sector Wants FM To Lower Costs Of Finance

Real estate players of India hope that Finance Minister’s upcoming budget will bring down the costs of finance for the construction sector. Finance minister is likely to announce new Budget which is expected to boost the real estate sector on February 28.
real estate sector wants Financial Minister to lower the financial costs.

Real estate sector wants Financial Minister to lower the financial costs.

Real estate developers expect that the new budget which the Finance minister of India will announce on February 28 will contain provisions to boost the real estate sector. Builders and other realty players expect the cost of finance for the construction will be brought down by the new budget. They demanded that it will be enabling them to provide housing units at lower costs.

Real estate developers are also hopeful of faster clearance for their projects. Many at a time, the delay takes place due to the longer time taken for gaining the clearance. The delay in gaining clearances leads to delayed deliveries. Further the cost also gets accelerated in meantime, developers claimed. All these affect home buyers onto whose shoulders the additional cost is loaded. Continue reading

Ghaziabad -Gr Noida Link Rd To Boost Realty In Ghaziabad

Realty market in Ghaziabad is likely to grow with the arrival of new 22 Km –long link road connecting Ghaziabad and Greater Noida.
Ghaziabad to see real estate growth with the launch of link road.

Ghaziabad to see real estate growth with the launch of link road.

Ghaziabad will witness the growth of realty in the city. This is made sure with the resume of construction of the Ghaziabad – Greater Noida link road. The 22 Km –long link road will connect the city to the Zeta sector.

The proposed link road is expected to reduce the commuting hours. Further it will take away the amount of traffic on NH-24.  As connectivity plays a greater role in any of the area’s real estate development, the builders are already planning to develop projects in this link–road corridor. The area falls under Ghaziabad Development Authority. Continue reading

Top Property Investment And Home Destinations In India

Many cities are emerging as hot destinations for property investment in India. Here we have shortlisted a few property investment and home destinations which provide better returns to the investors.
Top destinations that provides better returns for your property investment .

Top destinations that provides better returns for your property investment .

Chembur, Ulwe and Wadala in  Mumbai are three most-promising property investment and home destinations. These areas are noted for its improved infrastructure and job-generation capacity.

Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, Yamuna Expressway and Noida Extension are three top destinations in the National Capital Region. These areas offer better price appreciation to the investors. So they remain top destinations for property investment as well. Continue reading

Vadodara’s Vacant Properties? RTI Reply Invites Mix-Up

An RTI reply stated that Vadodara has around 1 lakh of vacant properties. The RTI reply is considered as an alarm-bell for the real estate sector in Vadodara.
Sunset scene from  Manjalpur Bridge in Vadodara: Confusion arises over the number of vacant properties.

Sunset scene from Manjalpur Bridge in Vadodara: Confusion arises over the number of vacant properties.

According to an RTI reply, over 1 lakh of properties remain vacant in Vadodara. Meanwhile there appear no takers for the property, it added. The RTI reply which revealed that there are over 1 lakh vacant properties in Vadodara has been considered as a warning- sign for the real estate sector in the city.

RTI reply was made by the Directorate of Census Operations, Gujarat, to a native of Vadodara. A copy has been sent to the Vadodara Municipal Corporation as well. The RTI reply clearly stated that over 1 lakh properties, precisely 1.02 lakh, were vacant in the city. Continue reading

Property Prices Will Remain Stable; No Chance For A Fall

The situation seems impossible for the property prices, especially in the metro cities, to fall downward in near future or ever. Will there be a price correction, sooner or ever?
Property prices will remain stable despite no takers are around.

Property prices will remain stable; despite no takers are around.

The situation in India shows that there will not be a fall of property prices, especially in the metros like Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai or any other metros. Though everyone wishes a fall in the property prices, it is almost impossible to happen, neither in the near future nor in the longer- future.

Developers have taken loans from the banks and housing finance companies. Some of the builders have even taken loans from private equity firms which normally lend loans at 25 to 30 %. Still, builders are forced to cut down prices as many of the projects remain without any demand as buyers’ sentiment has been hurt by the sky rocketing property prices. Continue reading

Indian Realty Market To Have Vast Foreign Investment: JLL

Jones Lang LaSalle, global real estate consultancy firm, reported that foreign investors will invest nearly $4-5 billion in the Indian realty market. JLL added that Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai remain the favorites of foreign investors.
Indian realty Market attracts more foreigners.

Indian realty Market attracts more foreigners.

According to the real estate consultants Jones Lang LaSalle foreign investors are planning to invest around $4-5 billion in the Realty market of India. While speaking in an interview, Mr. Alastair Hughes, CEO at JLL Asia Pacific, said that the foreign investors are keen now to interest in realty market of India.

He added that Indian realty market offers better returns to the investors. He was visiting India to participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. According to him the foreign investors will invest mainly in Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai as these cities assure higher returns to the investors. Continue reading

Koramangala In Bangalore Turns Better Home Destination

Koramangala, lying in the South eastern parts of Bangalore, is expected to offer higher returns to the investors. It has become one of the most sought after residential areas in the Bangalore Metropolitan Region (BMR).
Koramangala in Bangalore has recently become a hot home destination.

Koramangala in Bangalore has recently become a hot home -destination.

Guaranteeing higher returns to the investors, Koramangala has become one of the hotter real estate destinations in India. The large number of upcoming ultra-luxury residential projects, commercial malls and posh villas show how fast the area develops and becomes a better home- destination.

While speaking to Shweta Rao of Economic Times, Mr. Gaurav Pandey, Vice-President of PropEquity Research & Consulting, told that “having close proximity to many established commercial hubs in the Central, East and Southern regions of Bangalore, Koramangala has evolved as a premium residential market.” Continue reading

Real Estate Market Improves With Better Cash Flows

Real estate market shows signs of improvement as there was a steady increase in the cash flows. Builders hope to pay off their debts as they have better cash flows now.
Real estate market showed signs of recovery.

Real estate market showed signs of recovery as there is an increased cash flow.

With better cash flows the real estate market is back on the track. The increased cash flows lights the rays of hope in builders as they were looking for ways to pay off their debts. Fitch Group’s India Ratings & Research reported that the real estate market, compared to last year, now has better cash flows.

India Ratings, the rating agency has revised the sector from ‘negative’ of last year to ‘stable’ now. The agency said that the inflow of cash is better this year than the last year due to the increased demand. Continue reading

Indian Real Estate Will Lose CapitaLand Projects

CapitaLand plans to exit the Indian real estate market. The Singaporean firm plans to exit some of its UK and Australia projects as well.
CapitaLand to skip real estate India

CapitaLand plans to skip real estate India.

Singapore-based real estate firm CapitaLand plans to quit real estate in India. Besides quitting from India, CapitaLand has plans to exit from UK and Australia as well. The real estate firm  also plans to reassess its investments in ASX listed Australand Property Group. Continue reading

Real Estate Sector To Be Boosted By Government Policies

Real estate experts feel that the year 2013 will be a good year for real estate sector. They all point out that the new policies implemented will be in  favor of real estate sector.
real estate will reach new heights with govt policies

Real estate sector will be able to reach new heights only if the newly announced policies are properly implemented.

With the newly implemented government policies, real estate sector is on the verge to thrive in the current year. If the 2012- end was noted for the initiation of many policies in favor of real estate sector, then the new year is expected for  implementation of these policies.

Nahar Group’s Chairman and MD Sukhraj Nahar said that the real estate is undergoing through a transformation. He opined that the real estate has become more transparent in 2012 due to the fact that each participant has contributed to bring it out. Continue reading

Odisha Real Estate Feels Crushed By Scams

Builders of Odisha fear that the real estate market may become crushed as news about real estate scams came out. Odisha Real Estate has determined to wash off the stain away and with this purpose CREDAI- Odisha Chapter has appointed a scrutiny- committee to check out the membership applications.
Odisha real estate builders have become highly cautious

Will Odisha real estate be able to acquire the trust of home- buyers?

Once the news came out as businessman Tirupati Panigrahi was arrested along with two associates of him, the real estate players in the state is cautious as the real estate scam may adversely hit housing market.

Businessman Tirupati Panigrahi and two associates of him were recently arrested for real estate scam. The real estate builders fears that the real estate scam news will hit the real estate sector adversely. The sale of housing –units will be all the more affected. Continue reading