Track2Realty: It is increasingly being observed that standalone luxury hotels are becoming unviable in the country, especially in the case of owned, built projects where the land is acquired, and typically comes at a high cost exceeding 40% of the total development cost.
Track2Realty: Demand for housing across leading cities remained subdued in the first half of 2014. Owing to high pricing and lending rates, buyer preference remained focused on secondary and emerging markets of leading cities; while developers began to offer discounts to boost sales ahead of the festive season. This general slackness in housing sales has been primarily triggered off by the Affordability Index going down in certain cities; although home buyers have been investing in markets that they perceive to be offering value for the product, as well as the preferred location.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Now that some progress towards bringing in real estate investment trusts (REITs) has been made it paves way for a positive investment climate in the country. The decision to allow listings of REITs in India as an investment product will boost the liquidity situation of cash starved developers, who are struggling to find funds for their construction activities.
Track2Realty: It is commonly believed that the Indian festive season induces property purchase solely because religious sentiments are high during this period. Likewise, it is a commonly accepted notion that the attractive schemes and freebies that Indian developers offer during the festive season have something to do with the increased sales. Apart from and creating an unduly negative impression in the eyes of global observers of Indian markets, such an assumption does not give Indians the benefit of intelligence.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Irregularities exist in the real estate sector and add to the common perception of the sector being opaque. For example, in the primary market, builder-buyer agreements are often one-sided that favour the development firm.
Track2Realty: When the point finally comes where you are ready to invest in your own flat, there are many considerations that are likely to confuse you. However, the most confusion that Indian middle-class homebuyers usually face is whether to a smaller or a larger flat. One of the biggest contributors to the confusion is that home purchase is rarely, if ever, done without consulting others.
Track2Realty Exclusive: The Indian real estate sector, often perceived as a sector with problems, is currently witnessing some sort of transformation. While the sector is now witnessing policy reforms, though at a slow pace, it is also witnessing increased professionalism in the way businesses are done in the country.
Track2Realty Exclusive: The demand for real estate has been consistent despite the impending slowdown. Every geographical regions shows its own trend because of different contributing factor, and in the developing areas demand has continued to show an upward trend considering the fact that these are affordable by the middle income groups.
Track2Realty: Internationally, a building that reaches or exceeds the height of 150 metres is considered a skyscraper. Until recently, Mumbai was the only Indian city with high-rise buildings. The financial capital continues to see the highest demand for skyscrapers, as the only option to grow there is vertically. It now seems that in the coming decade, Maximum City will receive an even more cohesive skyline, with a host of projects in the race to touch the sky being constructed. The demand for high-rise buildings is certainly growing, and other cities are catching up.
Track2Realty: Many developers are trying their best to create new zones and addresses across India that can appeal to HNI property buyers. This endeavour has met with varying degrees of success on the ground when it comes to swaying the ultra-rich clientele.