The quest for property has not subsided among the Indians; nor do they have any doubts over the appreciation potential of real asset. They still consider property the tangible asset class that is less prone to market volatility, compared to stock market and other avenues of investment. However, they need a bit of cushioning this festive season to take a plunge into the property market.
Indian real estate has historically been very optimistic on the eve of every festive season. The post festive season sales number may not back the pre-festive bullishness, but the sector has been known to be hoping to make merry year after year. After all, real estate is a sentiment driven business and the stakeholders try best to create an ambience of positivity to bring the fence sitting buyers back to the market, often with festive discounts and freebies.
The report of an impending housing recession in the US housing market is a worrying factor for a section of analysts in India. As per the reports coming out of the US market, the pricing remains firm but the sales have slowed down. As per a report by the NAR (National Association of Realtors), the home sales have slowed down for six consecutive months in July. Track2Realty reports.
Isn’t it ironic that in a housing market like India where the predominant demand is for ready to move houses, this segment too has a record unsold inventory standing. As per the statistics, out of the total 7.85 lakh unsold inventory, nearly 20 per cent are ready to move. Mind you! We are only talking about the top 8 cities of India. A cumulative figure of pan-India unsold ready to move housi9ng inventory would look even more scary.
The Union Budget 2023-24 has by and large ignored the long standing and some immediate concerns (even needs than wants) of the Indian real estate sector. The Finance Minister has not only ignored the supply side of the business, but also didn’t bother to address the demand side, that is the home buyers. Ironically, the leading voices of the sector are still happy with some of the intangible gains even though tangible benefits are non-existent.
On Puravankara’s future plans he said, “We will continue to work towards expanding our market share,and we are excited to announce that in Q3FY23 the group has achieved increased revenue from projects by 77%, increased collection from operations by 87% from construction and delivery against the similar quarter in the previous year. This is supported by increased sales and new launches of over 4.11 msft in 9MFY23 with the last quarter of the current financial year adding another 2.17 msft. Our per Sq. Ft. of debt on under construction area has reduced by 49% from INR 2,524 to INR 1,291 over the last four years.
The Union Budget 2023-24 has offered more intangible benefits than tangible gains for the real estate sector. It is hence no surprise that while the average home buyers got busy in their tax calculations immediately after the Finance Minister’s budget speech, the industry stakeholders have by and large given a thumbs up to the budget. A Track2Realty report.
The Union Budget this time would be the last full budget ahead of the General Elections due next year. The real estate sector is yet again parroting the old demands, with the only difference being that the concerns of the home buyers too finds a place in their wish list. The developers have come to realise that the home buyers can no longer be ignored as they are the most necessary in the real estate business cycle.
I meet a number of stakeholders across the built environment of Indian real estate. One common narrative that has gained ground within the built environment over the years is that “this is the best time to buy a house.” Mind you! This narrative was being pushed through the throat even before Covid. Even though the real estate market in general and the housing market in particular has been going through a turbulent phase, the narrative has never changed its course.
Tracking the sentiment is not that easy in the business of Indian real estate. There is no ideal predictive model that could assess the sentiments of both the developers as well as the buyers. The leading voices of the sector has never been very consistent with their budget wish list and the post budget customary note. The most important stakeholders, the home buyers, are more often than not completely ignored when it comes to sentiment assessment post the Union Budget.