Track2Realty: Knight Frank India in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry today released its second set of findings of the quarterly Real Estate Sentiment Index. The first index that covered Q4 2013 was released in February, 2014.
Track2Realty: During 1Q 2014, commercial leasing in eight major cities recorded at around 8 MN SF including 1.7 million sq ft pre commitment from large corporates for future expansion. Cities like Bangalore, Delhi, Gurgaon and Kolkata witnessed increase absorption on qoq basis. Bangalore and NCR topped the chart contributing 75% in the total absorption. Bengaluru witnessed the highest absorption to the tune of 3.8 million sq ft followed by 2.3 million sq ft in NCR. IT/ITeS topped the charts and remained the primary demand driver IT/ITeS followed by Engineering and BFSI sectors.
Track2Realty Exclusive: In the expanding boundaries of the National Capital Region (NCR) where Gurgaon has been the biggest beneficiary, it has been quite natural that locations like Manesar, Bhiwadi among other adjoining regions start attracting investment. However, what has actually bucked the trend of such an otherwise organic growth is the fact that these locations once seen as the alternative locations of Gurgaon for those who could not afford it in the main suburb are no more just secondary locations.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Elections are part of a vibrant democracy. And like everyone else who is part of this democratic system, the developer community also pins hope on the upcoming elections. We are, in fact, watching all development with bated breath. We will keenly follow the five Assembly elections to be followed by the general elections of 2014 without any bias and in a totally unattached manner with no political affiliations whatsoever.
Track2Realty: Office space demand slowed down in the first quarter of 2014, with around 6.3 million sq. ft. of office space getting absorbed across the leading cities of the country as against 6.6 million sq. ft. in Q1 2013—a drop of approximately 5%. Transaction activity was dominated by the National Capital Region (NCR), Bangalore and Chennai—representing about 70% of the total space transacted during the quarter.
Track2Realty: Prime office space absorption in the Delhi National Capital…
Track2Realty: Sentiment in the Indian occupier and investment real estate markets has been hit on account of deteriorating levels of growth in the economy, continuous fall in the rupee value, high retail inflation and subsequent rise in key policy rates, according to the RICS India Commercial Property Survey Q3 2013.
Track2Realty Exclusive: A McKinsey report to the Government of India on cost of approval had clearly pointed out that the costs incurred on account of various approvals could constitute anything up to 40 per cent of the sale value. Such is the enormity of the problem of approvals and that the challenge of negativity that we suffer from.
Track2Realty Exclusive: It is said that this sector encourages black money and corruption, which is sad and upsetting for all developers/entrepreneurs who put in their best efforts to run the business.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Brand building and maintaining the brand image is a big challenge for any business, and more so for in real estate where one has a direct contact with the end user. Moreover, brand positioning of the business of real estate is dependent on the overall eco system where demand and supply is dependent upon a host of external factors such as the state of the economy, government policies, etc.