Track2Realty: The Union Budget 2014-15 was presented in the parliament under economic circumstances that required tax revenues to keep pace with targets. Considering the state of government finances and the current situation – below-normal monsoons, Middle East tension leading oil price volatility, the weakness of the India rupee etc., there was not much room for populism.
Track2Realty: The reduced apartment sizes in new launches in 2014 have contributed to making prices more affordable. In the over 50,000 mid segment units (1 and 2 BHKs) of newly launched houses across top eight cities in Quarter 1 of 2014, most cities have seen a reduction in sizes of approximately 100 sf. This has led to an average drop of 6 percent in cost of the apartments within these cities, says a report by Cushman & Wakefield.
Track2Realty Exclusive: The sentiments in the property market are subdued across the country and the transactions have nosedived in most of the major markets. However, Gujarat real estate seems to be picking up to buck the trend otherwise and the sentiments are changing for the better. This is reflective in the transactions that are happening across the state.
Track2Realty: The problem of illegal buildings in Mumbai – and their impact on the existence of Mumbai’s citizens and organizations, as well as its real estate market – is not a recent phenomenon. In fact, it is as old as the BMC itself. Whether they were the result of corruption and collusion or lack of vigilance of, the issue has always persisted in what is India’s financial capital, which is also the country’s most space-challenged city.
Track2Realty: Over fifty percent of real estate buyers decisions are influenced by Internet research. The phenomenon, of researching online for real estate information is not limited to metros but also extended to buyers in tier II cities, as per the study of Google India. The study was conducted to understand the influence of Internet on real estate purchase decisions in India.
Track2Realty: For the quarter ended March 2014, nearly US$800 million was invested into India’s real estate sector. This translates to almost Rs.4,800 crore having been injected into the sector through the private equity route over the past few months. This couldn’t have happened at a more opportune timefor a sector faced with a liquidity crunch, high land acquisition costs, and stringent due diligence from the banking sector—which continues to perceive real estate as a high-risk domain in India.
Track2Realty: Despite more than 60% of global retailers already having a presence in India, the lack of quality retail space and legislative issues have been an impediment to the spread of organized retail in the country, according to CBRE’s report, Expanding Horizons of Global Retailers in India.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Real estate markets across the country have the uniform pattern of being speculative if the given market is high on the wish list of investors. On the contrary, end-user driven markets are always modest in appreciation but nevertheless carry genuine appreciation and provide a level playing field to all the stake holders, including the buyers.
Track2Realty: The Housing Sentiment Index (IIMB MB HIS) assessed by IIM Bangalore and Magicbricks forecasts that homebuyers across 8 of the 10 cities surveyed expect real estate prices to rise over the next six months. The aggregate Housing Sentiment Index (HSI) measured across 10 cities this quarter stood at 108. (An HSI score of 100 suggests the prices would remain static).
Track2Realty Exclusive: Property markets are often referred with reference to their key demand drivers. Every city has a key demand driver as far as the growth of the property market is concerned. Some have it by home grown end-user demand; others have it with investors finding it magnet for future while many have expat community driving the property market due to increased urbanisation and the professional opportunities.