Track2Realty: The real estate sector has welcomed the Union Housing Minister Ajay Maken’s move to accord infrastructure status to affordable housing on expected lines. The industry body CREDAI has nevertheless called for extending similar treatment to the entire housing sector again on expected lines. However, the market dynamics defy any dreams of mass housing or cheap housing even for the economically weaker sections.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Come budget and the real estate in the last few years seems to have been repeating the rhetoric of industry status. As a result, year after year it has been a case of realty proposes and the Finance Minister disposes. However, the sector on the eve of 2013-14 makes a strategic shift to be more realistic with its causes and concerns.
Track2Realty: In the annual report by global real estate consultants Cushman & Wakefield, “Main Streets across the world”, Mumbai witnessed the highest rental growth globally. Colaba Causeway in Mumbai recorded a rental increase of 75% over last year, on the back of strong retailer demand and continuous preference for prime high street properties in the city. Kolkata – Park Street (5th) at 53.8% and Chennai – Khader Niwaz Khan Road (10th) at 36.7% were among the global top ten cities to register highest annual rental growth.
Track2Realty: Bangalore’s metamorphosis from ‘Garden City’ to India’s ‘Silicon Valley’ has been remarkable. The tremendous growth of the IT / ITES Industry has revolutionized the residential real estate and retail markets, and triggered massive infrastructure development. The availability of high quality, large office spaces at sub–dollar rental levels (providing lower operational costs), access to a large skilled workforce, the growth of the retail and residential markets and Bangalore’s cosmopolitan culture have worked in the city’s favour, making it a preferred destination.
Track2Realty: Mumbai region has seen prices appreciate by double digit percentages over the last two years. It is interesting to note that some areas have witnessed over 50% price rise when we compare per square feet prices (PQSF) of Q3-12 (Jul-Aug-Sep) over Q3-10(Jul-Aug-Sep). This clearly reflects that capital values in and around Mumbai region has been continuously moving at a steady pace year on year, says a report by property portal 99 acres.com.
Track2Realty: In terms of planned urban growth, the evidence for real estate development being backed by the creation of associated physical infrastructure is higher in Noida and Greater Noida. Gurgaon and Faridabad are at the opposite spectrum, where infrastructure is developed after the real estate potential of an area has been nearly fully exploited. In other words, infrastructure projects in these areas is largely taken up only after an area is already primed for real estate growth. Even so, Gurgaon has seen the maximum capital appreciation for investors and end users.
Bangalore’s luxury residential market seen a major transformation in the recent past, with the Kingfisher Tower setting a new capital values benchmark (northwards of Rs. 30,000/sq.ft) in the super luxury category. The new dynamics being seen now have been referred to as the ‘coming of age’ of Bangalore’s residential market, and I agree with this definition. We are certainly witnessing a remarkable maturing process here.
The Centre has responded positively to the Delhi Government’s appeal to regularise more than 1600 of the city’s unauthorised colonies. However, the truth is that even after this notification, the ground reality in that these colonies are unlikely to change for now.
Reacting to the Veritas recommendation of a ‘blanket’ sell on Indiabulls stocks, the company has reacted sharply blaming Veritas report to be factually incorrect. The group responded to the report by saying it will initiate ‘appropriate criminal proceedings on the authors of the research report for publishing false and factually incorrect data.’
If you think prime locations in the NCR have hit the roof and you missed the dream rally in having a reasonably priced home, there is no reason to look at the secondary locations. In an expanding National Capital Region (NCR) while some of the locations deter you due to its less appreciation potential or controversies galore, then probably your property hunt has not led you to the destination next of the region—New Gurgaon.