Jhumur Ghosh: I am a little curious. In 2008, all the funds of the world were lining up for real estate and signing and today we are having this discussion, in just four years. How does that happen?
Track2Realty Exclusive: What Indian realty needs is holistic reforms and for that what is needed is change in mindset. We wonder why every person in office doesn’t realise that his indecisiveness hurts interest of the country. Why authorities are trying to take a pro-publicity and anti-development stand whereby nobody gains?
Track2Realty: Mumbai-Pune developer Kumar Urban Development Limited (KUL) has launched second phase of its integrated eco-friendly township, KUL Ecoloch, in Mahalunge, behind Balewadi Stadium, Pune.
Track2Realty-Agencies: After making her foray into cricket with IPL Rajasthan team, Shilpa Shetty is once again entering a field dominated by men – real estate development. The actor has launched a company, Groupco Developers, in partnership with her friend and first generation entrepreneur Hem Tejuja, to develop housing projects in collaboration with land owners across the country.
I would like to ask the developer friends here when they say there is an ambiguity as far as ECB is concerned. Which are the funding routes that you find without ambiguity—whether it is private equity, QIP, IPO or any other route to raise money?
Gaurav Gupta: I would say there are multiple challenges for the sector.
Atul Modak: The perception that you are talking about is true. On that we had a meeting with the members of MCHI-CREDAI and the focus was this poor perception that builder is chor (thief), not interested to give possession and he will take away your money. But that is not the case as in majority of the cases developers’ intention is good. They want to deliver project on time, but because of delays in approvals, added to the funding gap and he has nowhere to go once he has launched the project.
Track2Realty: The prime office space segment across key cities in India are witnessing an improvement in sentiment from last year. According to CBRE’s latest report, India Office Market View Q1 2013, prime office space absorption across key cities in India witnessed approximately 17% increase in Q1, 2013 as compared to Q1, 2012.
Track2Realty: DTZ annual office space forecast says 21% increase in take-up is expected. Overall take-up stood at 4.80 million sq ft for Q1, a sharp drop of circa 29% from previous quarter. Mumbai witnessed the highest take-up of 1.25 million sq ft, an increase of 3% q-o-q.
Track2Realty: The prime office space segment across key cities in India are witnessing an improvement in sentiment from last year. According to CBRE’s latest report, India Office Market View Q1 2013, prime office space absorption across key cities in India witnessed a 37% increase in Q1, 2013 as compared to Q1, 2012.
Track2Realty Exclusive: A festive spirit only adds to the buyers’ sentiments in the property market. It can not be catalyst to new sales if the sentiment in general is low, as has been evident in the property market of Mumbai in the last 3-4 years due to general slowdown and other macroeconomic subdued indicators. However, if the sentiments are bullish a festive season can turn out to be catalyst to market revival as well. That is very much expected in the Mumbai property market this time around, thanks to the change in the overall outlook.