Following a particularly strong fourth quarter of 2014, the first quarter of 2015 reported comparatively slow activity on the office market front across leading cities. This apparent demand drop was largely because most corporate space occupiers were still strategizing their real estate plans for the year during the period, with fewer transaction decisions being implemented in the first quarter.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has appointed Devina Ghildial as Managing Director – South Asia with effect from March 9th, 2015. In this role, Devina has been entrusted with leading the RICS in the South Asia region with a focus on growing the professional qualification, driving commercial growth, influencing policy, growing the training business and promoting professionalism and standards in the sector.
Viewed dispassionately, the current government’s ‘Housing for all by 2022’ promise seems a bit unrealistic at the moment, as the modalities and concrete steps needed to be undertaken to achieve this goal have not been spelled out. Making 2 crore urban houses and 4 crore rural houses available is a huge undertaking in itself, and will require not only sustained government interest and investment but also substantial private sector investment and involvement.
Track2Realty: Reams of newsprint have been dedicated to discussing the sufferings of consumers in the Indian real estate sector. Particularly, homebuyers’ woes related to late delivery of projects, deviation of housing projects from promised quality, additional payments due to change in apartment area and inadequate protection of their rights have been well-documented.
Track2Realty: The Central Government managed to get the amended Land Acquisition Bill passed in Lok Sabha. The ruling dispensation enjoys brute majority in the Lok Sabha and hence had no problem getting the Bill passed through it. This Bill is an amended version of the original Bill introduced and passed in 2013 by the previous government.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Sales model in commercial office spaces that was only recently seen as an indicator of distress on part of the developers has, of late, turned out to be a smart business model by the MNCs. These multinational companies seem to have confidence in the Indian growth story and with long term plan they are investing into the purchase of these properties. Track2Realty Focus 2015 finds that it is not a distress sale of developers since the capital values and rental yields have both appreciated sharply in the last three years despite of impending slowdown. The shift of these commercial spaces beyond the IT/ITeS is the most significant trend.
Track2Realty: Provide on-ground impetus for affordable housing In the previous nine-month Budget, the new government outlined its vision for boosting affordable housing. From the upcoming 12-month budget, the Indian real estate sector looks forward to provisions that firm this vision up on the ground.
Track2Realty: The Indian real estate market is showing signs of confidence and improved industry momentum post the general elections 2014. The last two quarters clocked an uptick in commercial space take up across leading cities in India. Noticeably, Delhi NCR stood as one of the leading occupiers, registering a significant increase of 25% (y-o-y) in take-up figures during 2014. Moving forth, the demand and corresponding vacancy levels would be key determinants for future traction in the commercial segment across this region.
Track2Realty Exclusive: The real estate sector is of strategic economic importance to India, as it is the second largest employment generator after agriculture and contributes about six per cent to India’s GDP. The sector with its backward and forward linkages to 250 ancillary industries has the potential to generate significant employment opportunities and provide a quantum jump to the Indian economy. Accelerating the growth in the sector can help turn-around the sluggish GDP growth witnessed in the last few years.
Track2Realty: International property consultancy JLL India has structured an agreement for the development of a Senior Living project in Chennai between Ashiana Housing Limited and Escapade Real Estate. These two firms will enter in Joint Venture development for this project.