Track2Realty Exclusive: The real estate, like any other business or even the government, is suddenly faced with the reality of Facebook and Twitter that have helped the buyers harness the true power of their opinion. Ignored customers now have a platform to air their grievances and take on big companies.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Some property analysts have been critical about such group-buying websites, stating that they have an unsustainable business model. “Considering the nature of the Indian realty sector, which had tainted its image in numerous corruption scandals—and the rising interest rate regime, which has kept consumers away from buying such properties, such sites are expected to generate very little offtake from a consumer. Again, a prospective costumer may get some deals and discounts through one-on-one direct physical negotiations as well,” says Kamal Kapoor, a property advisor.
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.
Track2Infra-Agencies: Reflecting developers’ waning interest in Special Economic Zones, 11 companies, including Posco-India and Raheja SEZ, have sought more time from the government for implementing their projects.
Track2Realty: Despite aggressive marketing and great offers made by developers on the eve of Diwali festival, the investment in the property have remained lukewarm due to high prices of houses in and around the NCR region. Major factors cited have been high prices of land and the unprecedented rise in the cost of construction materials, iron, cement, labour etc., says the ASSOCHAM survey.
Track2Realty: The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal showcased on Saturday, Nov 17, prime urban land under the possession of Punjab Government to 137 international and national Real Estate Developers, who assembled in Mumbai under the aegis of Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Association of India (CREDAI) in a convention organized by them, Punjab land of opportunities.
Track2Realty: Police has detained at least 15 people, mostly the security personnel of controversial liquor and real estate baron Ponty Chadha and his younger brother Hardeep who were killed in a shootout between their groups at their farmhouse in south Delhi on Saturday, Nov 17.
Track2Realty: Gurdeep Singh Chadha alias Ponty Chadha, who was killed along with his brother after they fired at each other inside a farmhouse in Delhi’s Chhattarpur area on Saturday, Nov 17, was the sole liquor distributor in Uttar Pradesh. His other business interests included real estate, sugar mills and film production, which he used to look after along with his two brothers – Hardeep and Rajinder. The business empire was reportedly worth Rs 6,000 crore.
Track2Realty Exclusive: Print advertising, television commercials, outdoors and, of course, events….real estate has done all that it takes to reach to the customers. However, what matters the most has been neglected the most, observes Track2Realty. It is the social power of the buyers and the online reputation management of the developers that will be the game changer in the year ahead.
Track2Realty: You have specialization over energy efficient buildings. What are some of the best practices adopted globally?