Track2Realty: In a major setback to attempts of Maharashtra government to improve infrastructure in the Mumbai, none of the five shortlisted firms put in tender for the ambitious Mumbai TransHarbour Link (MTHL) project, the bids for which opened on Tuesday, Aug 6. It is also seen as a major blow for the Mumbai real estate market which was expecting a turnaround post this Rs. 10,000 crore ambitious project.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Not all stories are such fairy tales in the covert clash of mindset between the second generation and their predecessors. When Ratnesh Shah (name changed on request) joined the real estate business that his father had raised from the scratch after a long stint as broker, he had pretty discomfort, not just with the unorganised and unregulated nature of the business, but even more with the opaque way his own organisation used to operate.
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-Agencies: The contribution of the real estate sector to India’s GDP has been estimated at 6.3 per cent in 2013, and the segment is expected to generate 7.6 million jobs in the same period, according to a report.
Track2Realty Exclusive: The multiplier effect of real estate sector and its capacity for generating employment is well recognized. It is estimated that the sector contributes close to 6 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) of India and is estimated to be growing at 20 per cent per annum.
Track2Realty Exclusive: The TINA factor also poses the biggest risk for investors in real estate at current level. The fact that real estate prices are all time high at a time when the economy is faltering with GDP growth coming off from a 8.4 per cent in 2010-11 to level of 6.5 per cent and below forecast ahead should ring a warning bell for investors.
Track2Realty: India Ratings & Research (Ind-Ra) maintains a negative outlook on the infrastructure sector for H213, largely due to unfavourable macro-economic variables and project level stresses.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Data for the past few years show that real estate has been a rewarding asset class. For example, in 2011, one of the worst years for equities when the Sensex fell nearly 25 per cent, prices of homes in most Indian cities remained firm despite the overall economic uncertainty, both in global and domestic markets.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Real estate continues to be the best investment instrument of the Indians and it does not seem to be changing in the year ahead. Despite of cribbing, Indians’ investment portfolio will comprise of a house for emotional connect. Return on investments (ROI) also suggests there is no alternative (TINA) to it. However, over reliance on TINA factor may disappoint them in future as it works best in the bull run but is worst indicator of future as well.
Track2Realty: The government is all set to introduce a buyer-friendly real estate legislation which aims to protect consumers and bring transparency in the sector in the monsoon session of Parliament.