Track2Realty: The global house price boom continues, with a new geographical twist. Housing markets surged during the year to Q2 2014 in Dubai, parts of Europe and the Pacific. In contrast, several Asian governments have implemented cooling measures, successfully restraining their housing markets, and the US housing market boom is weakening.
Track2Realty: Ever since the new government’s announcement of its intent to build a hundred smart cities in India, the nation has been abuzz with definitions of, fund allocations for, and city identification of such development. With good reason too, since the implementation of such ambitions would ultimately result in national wealth creation—to help our cities become sustainable and livable urban centers of growth.
Track2Realty: The global house price boom continued during the year to Q1 (first quarter) 2014, gathering pace. Despite strongly rising housing markets in Taiwan and the Philippines, the momentum seems to be passing momentarily from Asia, where interventionist authorities have slowed housing markets in Hong Kong, Singapore and China. Instead, action is shifting to the Pacific, the Gulf, and (less forcefully) to Europe, which are all seeing strong price rises.
Track2Realty: Although the Interim Budget announcement supporting affordable housing was welcomed by the real estate industry, the segment has a long way ahead as yet. To begin with, there is considerable supply shortage in this arena—pegged at 18.78 million for the 12th Five Year Plan (2012–2017) by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Ministry (HUPA), of which 96% is in the EWS and LIG categories. Housing shortage for the EWS stands at almost 11 million homes, while that for LIG stands at 7.41 million homes.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Gujarat real estate has seen phenomenal growth in the last over a decade and property markets of Ahmedabad and Vadodara are among the most sought after hot spots. The growth story, however, would be incomplete without understanding the stress level of the sector which weathers multiple challenges to perform, with approvals being the biggest challenge.
Track2Realty-Agencies: The government on Friday, Dec 13, said it would modify the Real Estate Regulatory Bill if necessary, and sought to allay fears of developers on the proposed law that aims to bring in transparency and protect home buyers.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Gujarat real estate has seen phenomenal growth in the last over a decade and property markets of Ahmedabad and Vadodara are among the most sought after hot spots. The growth story, however, would be incomplete without understanding the stress level of the sector which weathers multiple challenges to perform, with approvals being the biggest challenge.
Track2Realty Exclusive: We all understand that real estate needs a facelift and brand management from the industry standpoint. The sector has indeed come a long way in the last around ten years but we still need to work on the trust deficit in the sector.
Track2Realty: The government is all set to introduce a buyer-friendly real estate legislation which aims to protect consumers and bring transparency in the sector in the monsoon session of Parliament.
Track2Realty Exclusive: A recent commerce ministry discussion paper highlighted that there is a perception that many developers do not set up the proposed SEZ and continue to hold on to large parcels of land with the intention of benefiting from its alternative usage and land price escalation.