Majiwada Thane Property Price Boom

According to an industry report, if the transport infrastructure projects announced by the Maharashtra Government in certain areas meet stated timelines, neighborhoods of Mumbai such as Madh-Marve, Majiwada-Kasarvadavali and Ulwe are likely to get costlier.

The report by real estate research & consultancy Knight Frank India highlights that properties in Majiwada-Kasarvadavali may get expensive by about 11.2 per cent due to the proposed construction of a Metro rail corridor from Wadala to Kasarvadavali over the next five years. Similarly, prices in the sea-front Madh-Marve are expected to increase by approximately 14.2 per cent on the back of a projected Versova-Madh sea bridge, and the Nariman Point-Kandivli coastal freeway. Further, in anticipation of the proposed Navi Mumbai International Airport and the much-delayed Sewri-Navi Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, The report estimates Ulwe to continue to see an uptick in price at 9.7 per cent rate per year, which has already inflated over the past few years.

Madh-Marve is the costliest of the three regions where Knight Frank has forecast a growth with an average rate of Rs 13,500 per square feet. While a Property at Majiwada-Kasarvadavali presently costs an average of Rs 8,000 per square feet, prices in Ulwe are floating around an average Rs 6,000 per square feet.

Pankaj Kapoor, Managing Director at Liases Foras, a Mumbai-based real estate research firm, said the low-profile areas of Mumbai are now benefiting because of the sky-rocketing prices in the high-end ones.

FDI – Indian real estate

The central government’s decision to ease the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) norms will certainly bring in much-needed capital in the cash-crunched domestic real estate sector, but according to experts, it will further fuel the soaring prices.

Property experts say the capital raised from FDI is not cheap. It comes with an interest rate of 20-25 per cent. “If developers take a loan to buy land at this rate, it is natural for them to increase the rate of the property to recover the cost. Earlier, the property market was driven by the end user. Now it is driven by investors,” opines property researcher Pankaj Kapoor, MD of Liases Foras. “FDI has been creating a vicious circle by spiking the property rates resulting in imbalance to the urban economy. While easing of FDI norms is good for investors, it does not solve the affordable housing problem. Rather, the government should ask banks to lend to developers at a cheaper interest rate and set stringent timelines for completion of projects,”  he added.

Gulam Zia, Executive Director of Knight Frank India Pvt Ltd, said the real estate sector is going through a bad phase from the last three consecutive festive seasons. As a result, fund raising has become the highest priority for developers. Although FDI will be a major source of capital infusion for them, this policy shift will not have a significant impact in the short run. “Without the consumers’ interest, no amount of changes in policy decision will have an impact on attracting the foreign investment into Indian real estate market,” he further added.

Conversely, Developers have a different point of view. Anand Gupta of the Builders Association of India feels that the easing of FDI will be very encouraging for the property sector. “There will be an easy cash inflow at a cheaper interest rate. Almost 70 per cent of the project cost goes in purchasing land in Mumbai. Once we are able to buy land at affordable rates, it will also cut down the property prices in the long run. It will, however, take at least a year to see the impact on ground,” said Gupta.

Housing sell will rise – festive season.

This Dewali, residential property sales may rise up to 15 per cent due to various offers and discounts by real estate developers as there are many real estate developers who are offering 15 to 20 per cent discount through various means. According to real estate experts, this festive season can holds out the hope of Indian real estate market as in major markets the demand from end users are increasing. Experts are estimating the growth of up to 15 per cent and more in residential property sales in comparison of previous year.

According to Chief Executive of one of the Mumbai-based real estate company, “From past one year there was no major price appreciation in real estate market, but this time real estate developers are offering 15 to 20 per cent discounts with an aim to make the net gain of 25 per cent in prices for buyers.” However; price reduction seems to be the most important primary reason for the consumer pull. In comparison of last year, growth in sales should be between 15 to 20 per cent, however; it also depends on the market and it is showing positive curve towards growth, as per the statement of experts, “It’s not time when we should expect the high growth number in comparison of previous boom. But still it’s expected that consecutive years of growth will help the market to recover from deep down phase. And due to that this year we are expecting good numbers”.

As per the statement of Sanjaya Gupta, MD of PNB Housing Finance, “Hyderabad, Pune, Bengaluru and the suburbs of Mumbai had seen increased activity in last few years. Last week were surprised to hear that transactions in south Delhi was high with ten high-end floors being sold. We can say that its harbinger of better sentiment”. Apart from new launches dwindling in major cities such as; Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Bengaluru, Delhi and NCR expecting are high time because most of the real estate developers focusing on clearing inventory with ready-to-move in houses in next 6 to 12 month. It will improve the confidence of buyers or end users accustomed to seeing delivery commitments being flouted. According to PropEquity, a real estate consultancy, the number of new launches in MMR, Bengaluru and Delhi-NCR has come down by over 61 per cent with 87,298 dwelling units during January to September from 227,211 in the same period of 2012.

According to statement of Pankaj Kapoor, MD of Liases Foras, “There would be a significant improvement in sales for this festive season because interest rates had come down and price had not gone up so much and developers are also offering the discounts”. The more he added that over the year’s income of working couples have raised by 10 to 15 per cent, which means affordability has improved in most markets such as; Delhi, Mumbai and NCR. In real estate market the inventory level for first quarter of 2015-2016 was rose by 24 per cent to 41 months in all major eight cities. However; NCR had the inventory of 68 months, MMR had the inventory of 45 months, and Bangalore had the inventory of 30 months, as per the reports of Liases Foras. An efficient housing market maintains 8-12 months of inventory.

It’s clear that Indian realty market has been hit economic slowdown, financial constraints of developers and low sales in last two years. According to Ashutosh Limaye, National Director, Research at JLL India, “This year will be better than the last year”. The plus point in this season is the price and it is attractive for buyers and end users. The more he added that still there is scope for negotiation. The festival season is started from October and it will continue till December, it is expected that 30-40 per cent of total house sales but in last two years very little activity has been recorded during the season.

Affordable homes in next one year

NARDECO (the National Real Estate Development Council), the umbrella developer body was formed under the ruling of Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty with an objective to alleviate the work of central government. Niranjan Hiranandani, MD of Hiranandani Constructions Pvt. Ltd is now act as the president of Maharashtra NARDECO unit.

The National Real Estate Development Council has decided to construct one lakh affordable homes on the basis of no-loss no-profit. However; with this condition government has to provide land for the construction of homes. Niranjan Hiranandani, President of Maharashtra NARDECO unit stated that soon we will meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with detailed plan of action for the construction of affordable homes. Apart from that he also ensured that over one lakh affordable and low-cost houses to be built each and every years for the next five years in MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region) in sync with the government of Maharashtra. The more he added that “It will ensure the delivery of best possible technology at lowest possible cost. However; the allotment of the housing units will be based on the certain criteria and lottery system.

“If state government will provide land for such developments, so we will be able to construct home in Mumbai too. We want to earn good name and reputation in all over country. We want to show that this initiative aim to complete the dream of people, which is to own home in Mumbai. After throwing this idea now many real estate developers are coming forward and taking their responsibility to build certain number of houses” said Hiranandani.

Few Builders have different strategy:

According to Pankaj Kapoor, MD, Liases Foras, the real estate research firm, “In Mumbai real estate developers will never construct affordable home, no matter you provide them land or not. Because; first thing; Why we need real estate developers to construct affordable homes at government land? Government needs contractors to construct homes rather than the developers, apart from that urban bodies such as; CIDCO and MHADA should stop their habit to sell land in the open market rather use them for the construction of houses only”.

mumbai flats

Did you get an amazing discount on booking a new flat? Before rejoicing, complete a few checks.

Real estate experts say many developers have increased the super built-up area by 60-70%. Which simply means that if you are buying a 1,000 sq ft apartment, yourcarpet area will only be 40-30%. So, you are not actually paying anything less. Developers simply reduce the carpet area and increase the super built-up space and lure home buyers with attractive discounts.

For beginners, carpet area is the livable part, the wall-to-wall area that can be carpeted while super built-up is the non-livable area like the lobby, lift space, flower beds, swimming pool, staircases etc. Since you pay for the super built-up area, discounts actually carry no meaning.

The real-estate jargoncalls it ‘loading’. In effect, it means that if you are buying a 1,000 sq ft apartment, your carpet area will only be 40-30%. Therefore, although you get a discount for your carpet area, since you are paying for the entire 1,000 sq ft, you don’t save anything with the discount. Earlier in Mumbai, there was only 20-30% loading.

According to Pankaj Kapoor, MD of property research firm Liases and Foras, , said that the super built-up concept is deceptive wherein buyers are literally squeezed. He appeals to buyers to first check the local body approved plan of the building and ask for carpet area only. Another property expert, Ajay Chaturvedi says, “Besides increasing super built-up areas, most developers also reduce the height of the ceiling. As per development control rules, the ideal ceiling height should be 11 ft, however, developers are limiting it between 9 and 9.3 ft,”.

Manohar Shroff, general secretary, Maharashtra Chamber of Housing Industry,said that since ‘super built-up’ is a very technical term, he appeals to developers to sell property on the basis of the carpet area. In super built-up, the rates look low.

Even Cidco was observed to be selling apartments with almost 65% loading. If a government body like Cidco does not hesitate in cheating buyers, properties advertised by private builders cannot be guaranteed at all. Home buyers only have to exercise caution before getting tempted with the striking discounts offered by developers.

Real estate investment

In present location issue is keeping the buyers away; but better ROI, an incentive, benefits of tax breaks are still attracting the investors as well as end users towards the real estate market. In India, affordable segment are finding buyers but most are investors not those who are planning to stay in those homes because of the location issue as the home is located too far away from offices and have little support infrastructure, analysts and trade experts said. Peoples are making the attempt to invest in real estate sector because government have increase the accessibility of housing through tax breaks and other incentives or benefits, which are therefore going towards those more interested in turning a profit.

Almost 50 per cent of the total housing stock of 293 million sq. ft sold in the last fiscal year, which was ended on March 2014 and the prices of those property was less than Rs.50 lakh, as per the data of real estate research firm Liases Foras. Flats which cost Rs.25-50 lakh accounted for 37 per cent of the total housing stock sold in the same period, while those below Rs.25 lakh had a 13 per cent share. Mumbai is the city which known for its high property prices as well as ROI, accounted for 13 per cent of the sale of houses priced below Rs.25 lakh and 28 per cent of houses in the Rs.25-50 lakh range. According to Pankaj Kapoor, The Managing Director of Liases Foras, “Most new launches in the last three quarters are in the affordable category”. The more he added that the rise in sales in part to state government regulations which have been favorable for both real estate developers and buyers in the relatively more affordable segment.

In December 2014, the Apex Bank (Reserve Bank of India) allowed real estate developers and housing finance companies to raise up-to $1 billion through external commercial borrowings to promote housing projects, which also referred to as low-cost because they are cheaper than more upscale properties. The budget of 2013, proposed a Rs.2.5 lakh deduction on the total taxable income on home loans of less than Rs.25 lakh, applicable to loans from banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). Such housing projects are profitable business for real estate developers as in Mumbai, they provides an internal rate of return (IRR) of 45 per cent with gross margin of 24 per cent. According to report of Monitor Deloitte in 2010, a consulting firm, “Most of the flats are being bought by investors rather than genuine low-income end-users despite the low prices and interest rates, since these flats are being built in far-flung places with poor connectivity and social infrastructure, real estate and analysts”.

For example, If person buys such a home in Karjat, which is one of the last stops on Mumbai’s suburban Central line,  will have to travel about 85 km if his/her office is in the central business district of Nariman Point. That’s about two hours by train each way. According to Kapoor, “Trans Harbour Link have easy connectivity between the the mainland and the island city and provided a much-needed boost for affordable housing”. The Trans Harbour Link have 22 km road across the sea which will connect the island city and Navi Mumbai. It is expected that, Trans Harbour Link will be operational by 2018-19. Now investors are looking to it as excellent opportunity as it has connectivity and support of infrastructure. According to Om Ahuja, the chief executive, “Most projects are not affordable in terms of living and these projects are bought by investors who park their money. If it is a wrong product, their investment gets stuck”.

According to Brotin Banerjee, MD and CEO of  Tata Housing, “Tata Housing sells these homes under two different national banners; Shubh Griha (Rs.4-13 lakh) and New Haven (Rs.25-40 lakh). It plans to launch more affordable projects across different consumer segments in Mumbai, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata.” VBHC (Value and Budget Housing Corp.), has many affordable housing projects, which are in Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and two in Bangalore. It’s planning to launch one more in Delhi and Mumbai in the next few months, according to Vivin Mathew, chief executive, western region. On March 2014, GPL (Mumbai-based Godrej Properties Ltd), the realty arm of the Godrej group, launched an affordable housing scheme at its Godrej Garden City township project in Ahmedabad. In real estate market some of the real estate developers are using finance and marketing techniques to attract genuine home buyers or investors in the Rs.6-25 lakh range.

Poddar Developers Ltd, a Mumbai based real estate developer has 25 per cent of the apartments in one of its project to families availing loans from NBFCs such as Gruh Finance Ltd, Mahindra and Mahindra Financial Services Ltd and Muthoot Fincorp Ltd. NBFCs offer rates that are slightly higher than that of commercial banks, but have an easier documentation process, making it a better option for low-income borrowers. According to Rohit Poddar, MD of Poddar Developers Ltd., “We don’t sell more than one flat to a single buyer. We have a 75:25 mix of actual home buyers and investors”. In last two years, Poddar Developers has sold more than 2,500 apartments in Badlapur in Thane district and Karjat in Raigad district, in the range of Rs.3.5-12 lakh each. Recently they have launched the similar project at Atgaon in Thane and is planning 40,000 sq. ft of land by the end of this financial year.

According to Rashmi Housing Pvt. Ltd, “It’s also giving a loan to home buyers without interest to drum up interest in homes that cost below Rs.25 lakh. According to Yogesh Bosmiya, Director of Rashmi Housing, “Around 30 per cent of our home buyers or invetors they are availing this loan facility and we are mostly getting the end users”. Rashmi Housing Pvt. Ltd, said that they has sold more than 3,000 units in the Mira-Bhayander area of  Thane district since 1999 and is developing another 4,000 units in the same area. Bosmiya said the profit margin is 20-25 per cent. Whereas; some of the real estate developers are constructing the hospitals and schools to improve the existing public schools, to create social infrastructure in a bid to attract families.

Redevelopment projects

After facing a lot of opposition from real estate developers, the state government is implemented the affordable housing policy in city, which stipulated that certain portion of the plots will be kept to build low-cost homes free of cost.

This amendment was proposed by the urban development department by stating that real estate builders no longer have to carve out more than 20 per cent of their plots for public housing. Instead of that they can construct the cheaper tenements anywhere within the same administrative ward to cater the need of affordable housing in the city. But Housing experts questioned, the move is pointing out not many builders have plots in the same ward. . “Will developers be forced to buy another plot to construct these tenements?” asked industry insiders. In notice it was issued on Monday that, the government offered 50% free floor space index (FSI) to all real estate developers to build tenements on alternative plots in the same ward.

But real estate builder are in the mood to oppose this move because the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) provision already allows them to provide tenements in faraway wards. The mandatory 20 per cent affordable housing scheme will also apply on housing society redevelopment projects where the existing flats are less than 600 sq ft. If the existing flats are on the area more than 600sq ft, so real estate builders have to construct the additional tenements but need not hand them over to the state housing authority, Mhada. “It will be constructing either in a separate block or in a separate wing in the same building and allotted to the housing society for use as ‘service quarters’,” indicated the notice. This may complicate the certain things, as it will lead to tussles among housing society members on who should be allotted these tenements,” stated by the member of a housing society. So the department has proposed a 300 per cent premium on the “applicable rate” to be paid by the society if these service quarters are sold to outsiders.

The state government has clarified that 20 per cent for affordable housing will not be applicable to redevelopment projects for old and dilapidated buildings, clusters, slums, Mhada colonies and on defunct industry land. In these schemes more than 20 per cent of the basic zonal FSI is already utilized for low cost housing, it said. In Mumbai lack of affordable housing has reached to a crisis point as public agencies such as; Mhada able to build around 2.8 lakh tenements in the past 15 years. In past two decades SRA has provided 1.6 lakh tenements, a report released by NGO Praja in December 2014, showed that different public agencies such as; MMRDA, Mhada and SRA have been able to provide around 3.1 lakh homes between 1995 and 2014, of which 1.1 lakh tenements are still under construction.

Neera Adarkar, a architect and urban researcher stated that an average salaried person can no longer afford to buy a home in Mumbai. “A few years before during recession, when real estate developers could not sell their luxury apartments, they divided them into four parts and started selling homes of 500 sq ft each. This is not what affordable housing is about,” she said. In 2013, the report by Knight Frank (a global realty consultancy, listed Mumbai) indicated that the most unaffordable housing market in the country with 29 per cent of its under-construction dwelling units exceeding the Rs 1crore mark. We all know that in Mumbai the relentless price rise and higher concentration of premium projects had limited the purchasing ability of home buyers, it added.

Pankaj Kapoor, who is a property researcher in farm Liases Foras, stated that, “Affordable homes are only available 50km away from Mumbai, but even in these far-flung regions, 60 per cent to 70 per cent of the homes or flats or apartments have been sold to investors and not to the end-users”

Minimal drop in property sale in Mumbai

Even as Delhi and its surrounding region witnessed a 20% drop in sale, Mumbai saw marginal drop at just 2 per cent while Chennai and Hyderabad and Mumbai saw 18% and 13%, according to the 2014-15 real estate research survey by Liases Foras. Liases Foras, a non-brokerage firm, is into real estate researches. The survey was released on Thursday. It says that property sales across tier I cities in the country have dropped.  Proving that change in guard at the Centre has not changed the property market scenario.

The survey says that construction activity has increased in affordable and ultra-luxury segments in Mumbai. Flats that cost less than Rs50 lakh are selling more. Besides, the average prices have gone up in Greater Mumbai and Mumbai metropolitan region. In Greater Mumbai, this year a 2BHK costs Rs2.30 crore. Last year it was Rs2.14 crore… in MMR, a 2BHK flat cost is Rs1.32 crore while it was Rs1.20 crore last year, according to the report.

According to Pankaj Kapoor, MD, Liases Foras, “Currently, property market has been quite inflated and over-stretched. No one, including end-users and investors, wants to invest his/her money… and that has resulted in decline in property sales” . “Besides, there is a huge gulf between the current rates and expectations of end-users. They are still waiting for price correction. All things are attributed to the stagnant sales in Mumbai and other cities,” he told a newspaper. “Buyers cannot afford such costly houses. But developers have little choice. The land cost is already high and buyers have to pay various government taxes. If we meticulously calculate, buyers are forced to spend almost 10-15% of total flat cost on stamp duty, registration, valued added tax, service tax etc. To make houses affordable, the government should slash taxes,” Manohar Shroff, general secretary of the Maharahstra Chamber of Housing Industry (MCHI) demanded.

The Narendra Modi-led government cannot increase peoples’ income overnight. The current property market is beyond the reach of common man. An ineffective market will continue for some time. Despite low sales, developers are not bringing down prices. But they are offering sops such as waiving off stamp duty and registration charges to lure buyers.