Track2Realty Exclusive: With the number of approval-oriented steps adding up to more than 50, the process can stretch over a year and a half to two years. A system that is so obviously fraught with hurdles and red tape will naturally deter potential builders of integrity.
Track2Realty Exclusive: The image of the tall crane or earth moving equipment standing amid construction rubble is a ubiquitous one across our cities. In projects involving malls, housing complexes and tech parks, the visual signals are strong and clear: real estate is booming in India.
Track2Realty Exclusive: The Indian real sector has evoked mixed response to the Union Budget 2013-14, though by and large there is optimism within the sector. Here are some of the responses—
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.
Leasing and buying activity in the commercial real estate market in India remained sluggish for the first quarter ended March 31 of calendar year (CY) 2012. The total absorption of office space declined 12% in Q1 compared to the Q4 of CY 2011.
It is a highly disappointing budget. The Finance Minister has miserably failed in highlighting the importance the role of Housing in economy, employment generation, apart from the very need of housing. The announcements on ECB for affordable housing is a minor respite but still meaningless.
The Union Budget 2012-13 has left the Indian real estate sector grope with the indecision yet again and everyone is wondering whether the Finance Minister’s offer is glass half full or half empty for them.
The Economic Survey, while recognising the importance of the services sector (it accounts for 59 per cent of gross domestic product), has raised concern over the second largest economic activity–housing & real estate. Three months after the government rolled back its decision to allow 51 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, the survey referred to it as a major challenge before the sector.
In an effort to enhance professionalism in the industry, RICS has launched its Red Book of Valuation Standards and Global real estate agency and brokerage standards at the recently concluded real estate conference in Mumbai.
High property prices coupled with continued increase in home loan interest rates over the last six months and inflationary pressures will keep transaction activities restrained.