Track2Realty: Real estate has expressed disappointment over the decision to hike key policy rate by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The developers and analysts say this would lead to increase in finance cost and also affect housing demand during the festive season.
Track2Realty Exclusive: A Crisil Research report maintains that absorption of new residential units across six key cities is likely to increase at a compounded annual growth rate of 7 per cent in the next two years, with Mumbai registering the highest CAGR of 14 per cent in the next two years due to huge pent-up demand. Meanwhile, the Bangalore realty market is likely to see a stable rise in sales with firms such as Sobha Developers Ltd and Prestige Estates Ltd benefiting.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Subvention schemes have gained popularity with developers in the North India, particularly after the economic slowdown. The scheme conceived by developers in conjunction with banks, allows the home loan applicant to defer EMIs and interest payments, on a property under construction, for the first two years of the loan period.
Track2Realty: SARE Homes has launched ready-to-move-in apartments called “Dewy Terraces” in its residential township called SARE Crescent ParC located on the OMR road in Chennai.
Track2Realty: The real estate sector has been hoping against hope that the rates will be marginally cut in order to keep the sentiments bullish. Reports of foreign funds warming up and the substantial contribution of the sector, 6 plus to the Indian GDP was also being seen as an indication of why the policies would be eased.
Track2Realty Exclusive: The question is why have not they blocked the mutual funds then? Pranay Vakil, Chairman of Knight Frank India has a simple take, “Because the mutual funds lobby is larger than the bankers’ lobby. They could not do anything about it. The companies into mutual funds are so large; they might just foray into banking.”
Track2Realty Exclusive: Globally a successful model of funding for real estate and investment instrument for common people, Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) could not move beyond draft guidelines by SEBI.
Track2Realty Exclusive: When the issue of Maharashtra Government levying 5 per cent Value-Added Tax (VAT) surfaced and the MCHI-CREDAI and a couple of other developers’ and trade associations moved to the court, a consumer group called FORAM–Flat Owners’ Rights protection Action committee in Maharashtra – was formed with consumer interest groups coming together and seeking to fight the vexed VAT issue on flats in Maharashtra.
Track2Realty: CREDAI has raised apprehensions that the the Real Estate Regulatory Bill approved by the Union Cabinet CREDAI has expressed fear that it could encourage corruption instead of curtailing the social menace.
By: Brotin Banerjee, MD & CEO, Tata Housing Track2Realty Exclusive:…