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Nov 7, 2009
REALTY DEMAND ON RISE


In what could be an indicator of realty sector reviving and demand for residential and commercial real estate bouncing back, over 10,000 potential buyers visited the three-day ET Realty Expo held at Pragati Maidan last week. The biggest catch for the visitors was not just wide option of residential properties, farm houses, plots, office complexes and commercial spaces offered by 42 reputed developers but also the participation of bankers, under one roof.

Inaugurating the expo, Sheikh Danish Ahmed, CMD of Land Asia Infrastructure Ltd said, ‘‘such events sensitise buyers and make them aware of how to go for the perfect choice. Customers have become more educated, but there is a dire need of greater awareness among them. Developers need to be more transparent while dealing with buyers and ensure timely completion of projects. Ahmed added that competitive pricing of the properties combined with quality amenities would largely influence buyers. He said with the new marketing dynamics, the industry is already in the revival mode. LA Infrastructure has launched its flagship Land Asia project, a spa city in Dehradun.

‘‘Property prices are not falling further. As the economy revives, the realty industry will also bounce back. The worst is over,” he said.

Some of the major developers participating in the ET Realty Expo held in association with Times Property were Land Asia Infrastructure, Jaypee Greens, Parsavnath group, Asiana Housing, Purvanchal developers, Unitech, Hero group and SVP group. Two bankers — LIC Housing Finance and SBI also participated in the expo.

Courtesy:- Times Property dt:- 07-11-09

Posted at 05:03 pm by zameensantosh
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CHECKS AND BALANCES


A single regulatory body to monitor all the stakeholders of the real estate sector is a must to bring in transparency and professionalism of global standards, says Archana Sinha

To bring the Indian property industry on par with the global real estate sector, the Indian parliament is gearing up to pass the much talked about real estate regulatory bill in the winter session. The industry is keenly watching out for this one as the first draft was found to be faulty and rather lopsided, excluding the government bodies from its purview.

So while the experts feel that it is time to have a single-point regulatory body on the lines of SEBI or TRAI, which would prove beneficial in the long run to the endusers and developers, there is also a cry for bringing total objectivity and professionalism in the workings of the body, to truly achieve its goal. Developers also point out the dangers of over-regulation in an industry that already faces several stumbling blocks.

The bill seeks to grant approvals to projects on certain parameters and also expedite all the approval processes mandatory for projects to take off. It is expected to help improve transparency in the sector by rating developers on their financial strength in terms of turnover, liquidity and profitability, scale of operations, intellectual expertise based on the qualification and experience of the management team, and past performance.

According to Ashutosh Limaye, associate director (Strategic Consulting), Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, “The stock market has SEBI to provide guidelines, define conduct and processes, provide a redressal system for both buyers and sellers and install necessary consistency and standardisation. The proposed real estate regulatory body intends to do the same for the Indian property market, which currently presents a rather under-organized picture.”

Deepak Parekh, chairman of HDFC, had expressed the urgent need for a real estate regulatory body, which should play the role of a monitor for promoting and overseeing real estate reforms, ensuring transparency in sales and protecting buyers from a fraudulent case, if any.

Parekh recommended that the state housing boards should also be brought within the ambit so that there is complete transparency in its working mechanism, the checks and balances are well achieved from every quarter.

The developers have welcomed the move too, but not in its current draft form. Kumar Gera, chairman of CREDAI, India, says, “The intention is good but a lot of thought needs to go into formulating the role of the body, otherwise the effect can be counter-productive. Two main intentions are stated in the preamble: protection of consumers’ interest and speeding up the clearances to facilitate the smooth development of real estate. There are enough provisions to achieve the first objective, but I haven’t seen anything regarding the second. It needs inclusion of processes. In the present form it is likely to create more processes and hence obstacles. The Urban Land Ceiling act was also formulated with a noble intention, but the outcome was disastrous.”

R Vasudevan, MD of Vascon Developers, has a similar view: “I think the intention is very good if followed in its spirit with modification to include the process of speeding up approvals. It will revamp a sluggish and a beleaguered system.

In fact, no reputed developer would want a short cut to achieve his end, as his intention would be to become a long-term player. It is not in his interest to delay projects and offer bad products, as it will tarnish his image and his brand. Hence this is welcome but only if it fulfills its intent.”

Sunny Bijlani, director, Supreme Universal, which has projects in Pune and Mumbai, says, “It is fine with us to have a regulatory body, which helps bring in transparency to the customers. We are more than happy.

But they have to bring more changes in the rating system to actually do proper justice to the customers, by doing a complete financial analysis of the developers, and not just by collecting some data. Secondly, it should be a single point for all clearances and NOCs so that the project starts on time. Most delays are caused by non-availability of clearances from the government authorities.”

Real estate is a major contributor to GDP growth and employment generation. The minister of urban development acknowledges this fact and feels that a single regulatory body at the state level is most needed, for faster approvals, besides faster delivery of projects, accountability of the project developers, professionalism and finally loan acquisition to make affordable housing a reality.

Courtesy:- Times Property dt:- 07-11-09

 

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Nov 3, 2009
Emaar MGF Launches 3/4 BHK Apartments & Villas in Sohna Link Road, Gurgaon


Project Name

Palm Drive

Name of Builder

Emaar MGF

Project Type

3/4 BHK Apartments & Villas

Price (approx.)

Rs. 87,00,000/- to rs. 4,00,00,000/-

Location

Sohna Link Road, Gurgaon

Agent

Shri Aditya Estates

 

47082736, 9810445860

 

Emaar MGF presents Palm Drive , a community spread across 37.8 acres of land, designed for contemporary living in green sanctuary settings of Gurgaon, one of the commercial hubs of the National Capital Region. Prime Drive offers its buyer with sufficient options to choose between the convenience of stylish premium apartment living, or the opulence and freedom of a beautiful spacious villa and sky terraces. The Premium Terraces and The Sky Terraces are G +18 high rise towers with 3 & 4 BHK premium apartments.

The highlight of the premium terrace towers will be the spectacular four and five bedroom penthouses, which will provide breathtaking views from their landscaped balconies over greens and beyond. The Villas with four or five bedrooms will have generous interiors with high-ceilings and give a liberating impression of spaciousness. Each villa will feature landscaped balconies, roof gardens and pocket gardens, which embellish the exterior with an attractive natural look.

International standard specifications and a wide range of amenities like club house, Golf Course, swimming pool, world class gymnasium, tennis court, Jacuzzi, Multi-Purpose Function Hall, Home Theatre Room etc.

 

Posted at 04:48 pm by zameensantosh
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DLF Limited Launches DLF - Park Place 3/4 Bedroom Apartments in Phase - V, DLF Golf link, Gurgaon

Project Name

DLF - Park Place

Name of Builder

DLF Limited

Project Type

3/4 Bedroom  Apartments

Price (approx.)

RS. 1,26,56,250/- TO RS. 1,72,12,500/-

Location

Phase - V, DLF Golf link, Gurgaon

Agent

Shri Aditya Estates

 

47082736, 9810445860

 

Set amidst the serene green environs of DLF City, Gurgaon, in close proximity to the DLF Golf Links, DLF group presents their new project 'Park Place'. Offering a choice of 3 and 4 BHK, fully air-conditioned, well appointed apartments, individual units in Park Place comes equipped with fully fitted modular kitchens.

Designed by the best architect in the country Hafeez Contractor, airy and well ventilated flats in an open layout plan is a fine example of the compact design theory. Each apartment is positioned in a manner which guarantees privacy. Most
apartments have a view of the structured landscaping below, lush green landscaped courts & lawns embraces nature from all sides. Park Place is a secured gated community with great aesthetic set up.

Located on a prime piece of property with high appreciation rate and good rental return; one of the unique features of this project is, it has a loading of approximately 18% which means it offers same area of land at comparatively lower prices. This makes Park Place a highly sensible and profitable investment option for both home buyers and property investors.

 

 

Posted at 04:39 pm by zameensantosh
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Oct 30, 2009
DEWAN HOUSING NET UP 70% AT RS 37.5 CRORE

MUMBAI-BASED Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL) has recorded a 70% growth in net profit to Rs 37.51 crore in the September quarter after posting a 53 % rise in total income to Rs 246.12 crore.

  

DHFL chairman Kapil Wadhwan attributed the growth to the company’s strong credit appraisal skills which reduce instances of NPAs. “Over the last seven years, we have been consistently growing at 33% CAGR, in terms of our home loan disbursements. We are hopeful of continuing the growth momentum in this fiscal and maintaining a robust 35-40% growth for the next couple of years.” DHFL posted a 93.76 % growth in loan sanctions to Rs 1180.67 crore.

  

The company’s net profit for the corresponding quarter in 2008 was Rs 22.07 crore in the unaudited results for the second quarter announced on Tuesday. During the July-September quarter, DHFL raised Rs 300 crore through share sale to investors and promoters. It also raised Rs 225 crore through private placement of long-term debentures to institutions and banks. In a statement, the company said, the funds are being utilised to augment long term resources, enhance and strengthen the company’s equity base and for meeting the general business requirements.

 

Courtesy:- ET dt:- 28-10-2009

 

 

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DDA ALLOTTEES, TIME TO PLAN HOUSEWARMING

The C-DAC report does not indicate any connivance... by any DDA serving officers or those connected with the draw.

 

Eleven months after they won flats under Delhi Development Authority's (DDA) housing scheme, the more than 5,000 allottees can look forward to becoming owners and occupants.

 

DDA will start allotting flats -- the draw for which was held on December 16 last year -from the second week of November.

 

Allotment of the flats was put on hold in January this year following allegations of irregularities in the draw.

 

The decision to begin allotment was made on Thursday after the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police declared the draw was not rigged.

 

The EOW had sent the software report of the draw to Thiruvananthapuram-based Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) for investigation.

 

The EOW, in its report submitted to Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejender Khanna on Tuesday said, "The C-DAC report does not indicate any connivance or favoritism by any DDA serving officers or those connected with the draw. C-DAC could not find any evidence that the software had any vulnerability to be compromised nor could they detect any evidence of external tampering."

 

Asma Manzar, DDA Housing Commissioner, said the report had come as a great relief.

 

"We will start giving possession of flats to successful allottees from November."

 

The successful allottees welcomed the development. "Finally our wait is over. I have been paying a hefty interest on the Rs 1 lac loan that I took from a private bank to pay the registration money," said Naresh Taneja who was allotted an LIG flat in Rohini.

 

Allotment of flats under the 2008 Housing Scheme was put on hold by the Union Urban Development Ministry in January after allegations were leveled against DDA that a cartel of builders had forged documents and availed of loans from banks to get flats under the reserved category. Soon after this, EOW was handed over the case for investigation.

 

Courtesy:- HT dt:- 30-10-2009

 

Posted at 04:57 pm by zameensantosh
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Oct 28, 2009
Higher sales in real estate sector


While real estate demand as of now seems to buoyant in the residential space and is likely to gather momentum, is it significant? Says Sanjay Dutt, CEO, Business Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, a realty consulting firm, “The slowdown hit the property market shortly after the Navratri-Diwaly season in 2008 after registering the usual 30-35 per cent upsurge in real estate project sales typical  of the period. Real estate projects Sales increased 25-30 per cent this time around and is significant as this is the first upsurge in demand after a prolong downturn.” Driving home the point, Ramnath cites the sales of DLF and Unitech, India’s largest listed realty companies, during the current financial year. “ Unitech has launched about 17 million square feet (mnsqft) worth of properties across the country selling over 40 per cent of that real estate project. Incrementally, Unitech has launched about 6 mnsqft of affordable housing properties selling about 1 mnsqft of properties till date. DLF too has sold a total of about 4 mnsqft of properties till date. These events indicate an uptick in volumes in the real estate sector.”

More Information of: -   http://www.propertycafeteria.com                     and

http://www.zameen-zaidad.com

 

 

 

 

Posted at 04:48 pm by zameensantosh
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WILL IT LAST FREEZE OF THE MARKET?


While there are visible signs of a recovery in the real estate market, property price hikes by developers and any increase in interest rates could halt this momentum

The realty sector; which was the worst affected by the downturn last year, seems to be exhibiting early signs of a real estate market recovery. Real estate Price cuts on projects over the last six months and healthy pre-project sales during the festive season seems to suggest that property projects demand, which had all but disappeared in the third and fourth quarter of 2008-09, seems to be trickling back. Real estate Developers are tweaking their real estate business model by launching smaller apartment sizes and playing the volume game to keep property prices low and create property buyers interest. What was helped matters, believes Ramnath S, director; Research, IDFC-SSKI, are factors such as job security and affordability, which are gradually improving, and a lot of companies likely to revise salaries upwards as against a freeze last year. The benign interest rate environment has also helped. Ramnath believes that pay commission hikes will also increase disposable income of government employees.

More Information of: -   http://www.propertycafeteria.com                     and

http://www.zameen-zaidad.com

 

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Oct 23, 2009
STORM IN THE MARKET OR A TEACUP?

Nobody can say with final authority as to what type of realty project or projects will make a dent in the market, says Vivek Shukla

 

Day: Sunday. Place: Greater Noida Expressway. Time: 2pm. On the way from Delhi to Greater Noida on any Saturday or Sunday, you would find tents of realtors. Staffers of realty companies sit inside these makeshift tents, and there is a huge a stretch of land behind the tents. Naturally, the staffers of realty firms wait for their prospective customers.

 

However, what strikes any passerby is that in most such tents, either there is nobody or only a few people enquiring about the details of the projects. Given the fact that realty market is reviving after realtors slashed the cost of flats, floors and plots, the above scene looks a little confusing. The pertinent question that arises is whether customers are avoiding projects where construction work has not started at all. The jury is still out on this issue, but some experts on realty matters admit that unlike in the past the new-age customer is very smart and he/she ensures that their investment does not create headache for him/her later. Hence, they thoroughly check the background of realty firms before taking the final call. They even inspect past projects of builders, whose current projects are of interest to them.

 

If there is even an iota of truth in the argument that prospective customers prefer to book their house in only ongoing projects, where they can see some flurry of activity, then DLF’s Capital Green project in Phase-II is an exception. Booking for the project was commenced on September 22 and on the very first day, over three thousand people made their bookings with earnest money — and for 1250 flats on offer, bookings were three times the figure. This is enough to prove that realty market is improving, even if it is not on fire.

 

However, Sunil Jindal, CEO of SVP group, has a different take on this matter. “I can tell you from my own experience that more often than not, customers invest in those properties where they find some kind of activity. If they see that work is on, then they invest. I have observed this tendency among customers in our many projects. Let alone the projects of big-time realty firms, selling flat, floor or plot on barren land is not at all an easy task. Selling dream is not possible nowadays as media has exposed the handiwork of a large number of realty firms in cornering huge sums from people after promising the moon,” Jindal says.

 

R K Arora, CMD of Supertech Limited, takes a different line and says that it is not right to say customers prefer to book their dream houses only when they see some kind of construction work in progress. “If that is the case then all the realty firms will start their projects and easily sell their products. However, the world of realty does not work that way. Fact of the matter is, nobody knows which project can kick up a storm in the market and which one will fall flat.”

 

Meanwhile, Anu Gupta, director of realty advisory Century 21, says it is a huge task to read the mindset of any particular customer. Of course, some prefer to book their houses where construction work is on. That gives them a huge a sense of confidence. However, the image of some realty firms too counts. “It goes without saying that the image of realty firms like Unitech, Hiranandani, Jaypee, DLF and others have stood the test of time owing to many years of their solid work. Naturally, a large number of discerning customers consider this fact also. Hence, when such companies launch their projects, people go and book their flats and floors there,” Gupta says. Sharing his views, Rajeev Rai, vicepresident of Assotech, says the relationship shared between customers and an established brand is very important as no buyer is willing to compromise on the functionality and quality of the real estate product.

 

“In the light of this fact I can say the brand value of the developer affects the buying decision of customers. The popularity of a brand results in optimum sales and increased consumer awareness, which is independent of the construction status of that project.” East Delhi based businessman Sandeep Wahal belongs to that category of customers who have booked flats in that builder’s project who promised construction-linked payment plan. That is why he decided to book a flat constructed by a fairly well-known company in Gurgaon. At the end of the day, one thing is absolutely clear that nobody can say with final authority as to what type of realty project or projects will make a dent in the market.

 

Courtesy:- TOI dt:- 17-10-09

 

 

 

Posted at 04:52 pm by zameensantosh
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STILL WITHIN REACH

It is perhaps the best time for a value purchase in real estate with developers going big on affordable home launches. Buyers seeking a steal deal must go home shopping now, says Shri Ram Shaw

 

Jaago, yeh hi right time, scream property exhibition advertisements in newspapers. So what if residential real estate prices are going up, a majority of the middle class that aspires to own a home is still taking the plunge. The reason being that homes are still affordable, and also thanks due to availability of funds and rising trust in the borrower. SBI, Deutsche Post Bank, ING Vysya Bank and P&SB are funding up to 80-85% of property value.

  

It is perhaps the best time to look around for a value purchase in real estate. With lower price points in locations that were not earlier within the affordable range, buyers are scouting for good ‘value’ bargains at this time. And with developers going big on affordable home launches, the timing may just be one of the best for buyers seeking a steal deal. The scene has improved with the Reserve Bank of India cutting lending rates to record lows and pumping in unprecedented amount of money into the system.

  

According to Anoop Pabby, joint managing director of Deutsche Post Bank (home finance), “The economy has improved and the liquidity situation is much better and interest rates have eased off considerably. It is only natural then that home buyers expect the reduced risks to result in reduction in interest rates and relaxation of margin money norms.”

  

The housing finance company is now funding up to 80% of the property value to most salaried people, and 85% in a few cases, depending on the creditworthiness of the borrower. This is more than the 70% it used to lend a few months back.

  

According to Anshuman Magazine, CMD of global real estate consultancy CB Richards Ellis (CBRE), value buying is happening mostly in suburban locations, as that is where the current supply is. “Certain pockets in Gurgaon and Noida, where the price used to be Rs 65 lakh to Rs 1.5 crore earlier, have deals to offer anywhere between Rs 35 lakh to Rs 50 lakh today! Developers have reduced the total ticket sizes, adjusted area, price and given amenities. This has got people back and is making them lust for value deals right now.”

  

According to Navin M Raheja, chairman and managing director of Raheja Developers, “Locations such as Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida in Delhi NCR are some of the good locations for value buying. Anything that is available between Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 per sq ft is the right price depending, of course, upon the location and infrastructural facilities available in the vicinity with specifications offered.

  

“There are three kinds of value buying that are taking place in the real estate market right now. Ready to move in residential property in and around metros and their suburbs, ready to move in commercial property which is already leased, or generating income and low income and middle income housing ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 40 lakh are the primary types of value purchases,” Raheja adds.

  

On the other hand, lenders such as ING Vysya Bank, and Punjab & Sind Bank have reduced the margin money requirement to 15-20% from 25-30% towards the cost of the home on their home loans, as they try to tap potential homebuyers. This leads to a borrower investing lesser capital than before. So on a home loan of Rs 25 lakh, a customer would need to pay only Rs 2.75 lakh against Rs 6.25 lakh demanded earlier, where the margin norm is relaxed to 15% from 25%. State Bank of India, which has cut the margin requirement to 20% from 25%, may reduce it by a further 5%.

  

G S Vedi, the newly appointed chairman and managing director of Punjab and Sind Bank, said, “Interest rates are likely to harden over the next six months with the credit offtake improving and inflation moving into the positive territory. This is the best time for a potential buyer to go home shopping.”

  

Many of those who were holding out have also decided to make a purchase now as prices have bottomed out. Plus, with many affordable housing launches by developers, the view is that prices are now pocket-friendly at this time. “Prices have reached the bottom and in these prices you are bound to get good appreciation in future. So, if you are buying a particular property now, one is definitely going to feel later that they grabbed a good deal,” said Vijay Jindal, CMD, SVP Group.

  

But it is best not to overlook the pros and cons before deciding on such value buys. Though the pricing and the product may both look highly appealing, it is best to read the fineprint carefully. This will hold in good stead for the future. As far as dos are concerned, one must set their benchmarks on the price, location, size etc, so if you have been thinking of investing your money in a home, it’s the right time to go deal hunting.

  

Affordable houses to provide Rs 5,00,000 crore biz opportunity: The affordable housing segment will offer business opportunities worth over Rs 5,00,000 crore as India requires more than ten million houses to be built by 2013-14. According to a report prepared by property consultant Knight Frank on Public-Private-Partnership model on housing in India, an estimated 11.84 million dwelling units are required to be built in India by the end of 2013-14 across all income segments in 37 cities.

  

The need from the economically weaker section (EWS), lower income group (LIG) and lower mid-income group (MIG) is nearly 90% of the total housing requirement, the report says. “The cumulative task of delivering over 10 million units in affordable housing category in top 37 cities of the country quantifies to a business opportunity in excess of Rs 5,00,000 crore,” the report, prepared for realty body NAREDCO, said.

  

Commenting on the potential of the segment, the report said though the margins realized from affordable homes are comparatively lesser, the segment offers an opportunity to exploit volume of transactions to derive higher profits. The consultant pointed out that government alone would not be able to meet the pan-India housing requirement, “thus venturing into a joint model with the government can be a practical solution”. The synergies could be utilized towards achieving the central government’s objective of ‘housing for all’ and making India a slum-free nation, the report said.

 

Courtesy:- TOI dt:- 17-10-09

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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