Track2Realty Exclusive:
India Offices 2012
Markets remained cautious but poised for an upturn
The year 2012 began on a cautious note, in the wake of a slowdown in domestic economic growth and a tepid outlook on the performance of the world economy. So far during this year (Q1 2012 to Q3 2012), the overall performance of the office real estate market in the country remained mute compared to the same period in 2011.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Come budget and the real estate in the last few years seems to have been repeating the rhetoric of industry status. As a result, year after year it has been a case of realty proposes and the Finance Minister disposes. However, the sector on the eve of 2013-14 makes a strategic shift to be more realistic with its causes and concerns.
Track2Realty-Agencies: Real estate industry and property consultants today hailed the RBI’s decision to cut key policy rates, saying that it is a positive step that would boost housing demand and encourage foreign investment in the sector.
Track2Realty-Agencies: After fashion weeks and wedding exhibitions, India is now set to welcome a first-of-its-kind Real Estate Luxury Show (RLS India 2013), which will serve as a platform for showcasing the properties of the country’s real estate giants.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Land as the major input of real estate business is still attracting a premium though land assembling at the cost of project execution has backfired on the fortunes of many realty companies in India.
Track2Realty Exclusive-Yearly Analysis: DLF is raising funds by selling non-core assets, Godrej Properties raised funds through a QIP and HDIL is generating funds by selling transfer of development rights (TDR) and floor space index (FSI) — all to lighten the debt burden. Earlier, companies were building land banks and were rewarded for it in the stock market. Now, they are conserving cash to payback creditors.
Track2Realty-Agencies: The Finance Ministry has expressed the view that the Reserve Bank should allow real estate companies and broking firms to set up banks as adequate safeguards will be there to prevent exposure of promoters to related entities.
Track2Realty Exclusive-Yearly Analysis: In a market where the five largest firms saw 75 per cent erosion in their combined market capitalization, burdened with debt and struggling with poor growth, there are few lessons these realty companies have been forced to learn the hard way.
Track2Realty: Amidst a global economic slowdown as a consequence of the US fiscal cliff and Eurozone debt crisis, India’s growth forecasts too have been revised downward over the last three quarters of the year. Even in 2013, it is unlikely that we will see a spurt in growth given the existing inflationary pressures and large fiscal deficit which could adversely impact the scope for policy stimulus in the country.
Track2Realty Exclusive-Yearly Analysis: The unprecedented restructuring of project portfolio, selling of land bank, exiting non-core business and the job cuts have yet not led the Indian real estate into the desired comfort zone. The realization to shed the flab has on the contrary left some of the developers to outsource the project execution and pay more.