Track2Realty: The NCR residential market witnessed a dip in project launches in H2 FY13 compared to H2 FY12. Greater Noida witnessed the highest number of launches in H2 FY13. Majority of these projects are located on the Yamuna Expressway and fall in the affordable segment.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Integrated township in the Indian context is a baby that everyone was expecting with their own set of expectations. And hence, within a decade the term was so over-used that it lost its relevance. Any and every mixed land use was projected as an integrated township and it often lacked the basic DNA of affordability, convenience, lifestyle and walk-to-work. As a matter of fact, Trck2Realty noted township projects were also conceptualized by many as safe investments in India at a time when funds were on the look out to deploy and developers needed more projects in the kitty to bag that.
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.
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.
Track2Realty: The NCR chapter of realtors’ body CREDAI said on Saturday, April 13, it will direct developers to disclose both saleable and carpet area in their brochure and is considering measures to regulate brokers who are engaged in mis-selling projects. It also claimed to put a check on the secondary sell by speculators.
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 Exclusive: Objective analysis of all risk factors helps in proper selection of developer which mitigates completion risk and developer risk. Most of the investments involve creation of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) and provision of controls to REPE funds at SPV level by virtue of their financial investment.
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.