Need for a revolution that will see the poor get access to housing is more eminent than ever before, and that, in such a revolution lies a great business potential for the realty sector. This was one of the strong messages that emerged from the South India Real Estate Conference, 2012, inaugurated in Bangalore on Friday, July 3.
The institutional projects in India are normally working in a PPP model because such projects have long payback periods and require large capital investment. Further, they are large in size and hence require number of approvals, making Government participation relevant to secure initial approvals, clearances and get the project going.
Kumar Urban Development Limited (KUL) has launched a series of shops at different locationsof Pune at an investment of about over Rs 250 crores.
An estimated 17500 residential units were launched by organised developers in the second quarter of 2012 in major cities across the country, registering a decline of nearly 44% over the previous quarter, says a report by global real estate consultancy, Cushman & Wakefield (C&W). This decline in launches can be attributed to a number of factors such as delay in approvals, significant inventory in certain locations as well as postponement of project to coincide new launches with the festival season.
Jones Lang LaSalle’s REIS findings are in, and a closer look at the 1H12 data reveals relatively subdued activity during the period compared to 1H11. In 1H12, the top seven cities of India together recorded a 35% dip in absorption compared to 1H11. The contraction in demand caused developers to progress more slowly on their projects thereby aligning the supply with demand.
The RBI, on Tuesday, July 31, kept the repo rate or the rate at which banks borrow from RBI unchanged at 8% and also the reverse repo rate at which, the banks lend to RBI unchanged at 7%. However, it has lowered the statutory liquidity ratio (SLR) to 23% from 24% earlier. The realty sector, reeling under liquidity pressure and low demand due to high interest rate, has reacted sharply over this status quo.
India witnessed increased transaction activity and retailer expansion in H1, 2012. Leading brands and retailers pursued expansion plans aggressively, increasing their presence across key retail hubs. In all the seven cities presented in the review, the retail real estate market appears to be promising with an increase in retailer enquiries. These are the findings of CBRE’s latest report titled “India Retail Market view.”
According to the latest RICS India Commercial Property Survey, sentiment in the Indian real estate market has been adversely affected in the second quarter, as the economic picture in the country continues to remain bleak with the declining value of the rupee and growth forecasts being revised lower, along with a deteriorating global climate.
The Union Cabinet is expected to consider the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill within a fortnight. However, while the Government intends to present the Bill during the monsoon session of Parliament, scheduled to start from August 8, single window clearance to the projects is the only stumbling block in its way.
Global experience has it that typically convention centres are done as part of a large integrated township, commercial complex (hotel, office and convention center). Hence such projects are of more interest to large developers.