Despite a gloomy global outlook, foreign direct investment (FDI) clocked a 31 per cent growth to $27.5 billion during January-December 2011 period. FDI inflows for January-December 2010 stood at $21 billion.
CREDAI has stressed the importance of a devising a new scheme like tax holiday to generate stock under affordable housing category. It demands that all projects with tenements below 80 sq meter in Mumbai and Delhi, and 1000 sq meter in other cities, could be exempted from taxes.
There is no doubt that the property prices in almost all the micro market of eastern city is going northwards, yet uncertainty looms large over Kolkata realty. There have been less transaction and even lesser new launches in the city, even when the state chapter of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI) demands ten satellite towns in the state.
Industry body NAREDCO admits that a lot is needed by the Finance Minister rather than just the tax exemption, which again was needed keeping in view the housing shortage which is one of the biggest challenge for the government of the day.
It seems the euphoria within the realty sector over the proposed income tax exemption limit on housing loans from Rs. 1.5 lakhs to 3 lakhs has faded even before the union Budget 2012-13 is formally presented.
Hyderabad continues to be a favoured destination for investments due to its unique infrastructure, and real estate prospects are promising despite the Telangana agitation.
Tata housing has bid to buy US consulate buildings in Mumbai, according to the sources close to the development. “Negotiations are at an advanced stage and the deal is expected to be concluded in less than a month,” said the source.
During the economic downturn of 2008, while the other neighbouring and glamorous property market of Bangalore and Hyderabad fell by 24-29 per cent, the Chennai market fell only 8.3 per cent. Limited supply of land and pent-up demand is how NHB’s Residex defines Chennai property market.
Equinox Realty,an arm of oli-to-steel conglomerate Essar Group,plans to sell a minority stake in its biggest commercial asset in Mumbai to raise between 7.5 billion rupees and 10 billion rupees, sources close to the development said.
What Government can look at is to increase the demand and continue interest reduction in housing or enhance the deduction limit. Government can also provide special tax incentives for budget housing.