Jhumur Ghosh: I am a little curious. In 2008, all the funds of the world were lining up for real estate and signing and today we are having this discussion, in just four years. How does that happen?
Track2Realty Exclusive: Manoj John, VP, Corporate Planning & Strategy, RNA Corps maintains there is a correlation between cost of FSI and the nature of development that is viable given the high cost of land with limited development potential. If more can be built on the same land, the cost of land attributable to the project, which is as high has 50 to 80 per cent of project cost would come down. Hence, it would be viable for the developer to build residential projects at lower cost and hence make it more affordable.
I would like to ask the developer friends here when they say there is an ambiguity as far as ECB is concerned. Which are the funding routes that you find without ambiguity—whether it is private equity, QIP, IPO or any other route to raise money?
Gaurav Gupta: I would say there are multiple challenges for the sector.
Track2Realty: The NCR chapter of realtors’ body CREDAI said on Saturday, April 13, it will direct developers to disclose both saleable and carpet area in their brochure and is considering measures to regulate brokers who are engaged in mis-selling projects. It also claimed to put a check on the secondary sell by speculators.
Track2Realty Exclusive: For quite some time the developers in Mumbai were making pitch for the review of FSI in the city which they termed as archaic. Their grouse has not been lacking the merit also.
Atul Modak: The perception that you are talking about is true. On that we had a meeting with the members of MCHI-CREDAI and the focus was this poor perception that builder is chor (thief), not interested to give possession and he will take away your money. But that is not the case as in majority of the cases developers’ intention is good. They want to deliver project on time, but because of delays in approvals, added to the funding gap and he has nowhere to go once he has launched the project.
Track2Realty Exclusive: A festive spirit only adds to the buyers’ sentiments in the property market. It can not be catalyst to new sales if the sentiment in general is low, as has been evident in the property market of Mumbai in the last 3-4 years due to general slowdown and other macroeconomic subdued indicators. However, if the sentiments are bullish a festive season can turn out to be catalyst to market revival as well. That is very much expected in the Mumbai property market this time around, thanks to the change in the overall outlook.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Gudi Padwa is considered to be an auspicious occasion as it marks the new beginning of the Hindu New year and brings new hopes to every body’s life. People traditionally make important decisions and investments on this day. They believe in luck and prosperity and prefer buying homes during Gudi Padwa. During this period, usually developers come up with new launches, special schemes and discounts. Mumbai property market always looks forward to bright days on this auspicious festival.
Track2Realty: The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the world’s leading professional qualification and standard setting body in land, property and construction sector and Amity University have established the RICS School of Built Environment, Amity University at Noida campus, to address the shortage of skilled professionals in the sector.
Ravi Sinha: But if we go by that yardstick, my question is that in the major real estate markets across India do we have that kind of projects where ECB would be viable?