Track2Realty: Across micro-markets, investor sentiment has been impacted due to inflationary pressures and rising interest rates through the course of 2012, which have only come down marginally with a few policy revisions by the apex bank in the second half of the year.
Track2Realty Exclusive-Yearly Analysis: Indian real estate companies are reeling under the burden of debt, so much so that the excess cash that they had borrowed has become a liability that they want to get rid of but are unable to relieve themselves due to various factors beyond their control. They are nonetheless trying all possible measures, from selling land bank to restructuring their portfolio. Track2Realty tries to assess the seriousness of the situation where many of the realtors are caught between the distress sale and the debt trap.
Track2Realty Exclusive: The future of integrated townships is fraught with hurdles, yet it is the only win-win housing solution in the horizon. It is one of the primal human desires to own a home at a nice, peaceful locality with most immediate necessities in the vicinity. Till only recently the fulfillment of this desire came at a heavy price, leading people to often settle for less. These days, this has become affordable, thanks to the concept of integrated townships.
Track2Realty Exclusive: A large section of realty players categorically say that the redevelopment process may be a step in the right direction, it is yet not going to change the demand-supply dynamics, nor will it bring down the prices.
Track2Realty Exclusive: The Union Cabinet has cleared the Land Acquisition Bill, the realty sector is debating its pros & cons but the home buyers are apprehensive whether the house prices will shoot up in proportion of the higher cost of fresh land acquisition. The Bill cleared by the Union Cabinet makes the consent of 80 per cent of owners mandatory for private projects.
Track2Realty: Mumbai-based Omkar Realtors & Developers has partnered with ESPA International to create the first global onsite spa at its upcoming ultra-luxury residential project at Worli, Mumbai.
Track2Realty Exclusive: What are the challenges for redevelopment of a project in the urban centres? Ram Makhecha, Director, Vakratunda Group believes 80 per cent of the buildings in a city like Mumbai are dilapidated. Most of the other 20 per cent new buildings are better because that got constructed under the redevelopment scheme in recent years.
Track2Realty: MCHI CREDAI has appealed to the Maharashtra Government to slash the ready reckoner rates that form basis for stamp duty.
Track2Realty Exclusive: With most of the urban centres across the country having depleted buildings in prime localities, redevelopment is the only way forward. However, policy hurdles added with resistance by some vested interests causing developers’ reluctance comes in the way of an urban makeover. Track2Realty noted that the collective consciousness of the policy makers, developers and majority of residents is increasingly shaping up for redevelopment and that spells a new business opportunity for realtors across the country.
Track2Realty: Western suburbs of Mumbai are set for a facelift through redevelopment post the new Development Control Rule (DCR). Ravi Sinha speaks to Lalit Kumar Jain, CMD, Kumar Urban Development and CREDAI President to understand whether it would add more pressure on the existing crumbling infrastructure of the suburbs. Excerpts of the interview: