Consultation India - Pune, Mumbai Real Estate/ Properties Investment, Property Management Services

Source: Hindustan Times FINDING A perfect home to stay in is a priority for most of us. However, not everybody is certain about what they want in a home. If we look around us, we'll see some great projects coming up and which satisfy the dream home criteria for most of us. The real estate market in India has been in ascendancy over the last few years, and it has become much easier now to compare various options, and take an informed decision. To find a dream home, however, one needs to be clear on certain aspects like type of property, number of bedrooms, the budget, location and the expected appreciation from the property. Here are some tips that should be kept in mind when looking for a perfect place to stay: Make the right search: Individuals should evaluate all possible mediums like online real estate portals, newspapers, property agents etc. when short-listing properties. New technology like the Internet has drastically reduced the time that an individual spends in making prel

Source: The Economic Times Deepshikha Sikarwar & Rajat Guha new delhi T HE government is planning to liberalise foreign direct investment norms in real estate. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has circulated a Cabinet note proposing waiver of two conditions, a three-year lock-in on foreign investment and the requirement that the investment be at least $ 5 million in case of a joint venture or $10 million in case of a wholly-owned venture. The waiver has been sought for real estate projects that include hotels, according to a government official. The proposal has been justified on the ground that it would boost tourism and hospitality, sectors identified by the government as vital job creators. At present, 100% FDI is permitted in hotels and tourism as well as in real estate. However, real estate FDI faces a three-year lock-in the investor cannot sell his stake for that period. If he wishes to repatriate the investment before the completion of three years, he

Source: The Hindu Business Line Mumbai, March 27 Yatra Capital Ltd, a Euronext quoted company investing in Indian real estate, has committed Rs 113 crore for a mixed use development to Palladium Constructions and Rs 65 crore to Platinum Hospitality Services for a 30 per cent stake in each of these joint venture companies. Yatra's partner in the two ventures is Phoenix Mills. Both the projects of about 3.5 million sq ft are to come up in Yeshwantpur, Bangalore. Palladium Constructions will develop 1.9 million sq ft -1.4 million sq ft of retail space and 0.5 million sq ft of residential space. Platinum Hospitality Services will develop a 0.5 million sq ft hotel property, including serviced apartments.

Source: The Asian Age DUBAI-BASED LIMITLESS Holdings, part of the Dubai World group, has acquired a 50 per cent stake in DLF's ambitious Bidadi Knowledge City project in Karnataka. Limitless Holdings is an real estate developer that handles activities including feasibility studies, conceptualisation, planning, execution and property management of development projects. The project is being positioned as New Bangalore, spread over an area of 9,178 acres. It will entail an investment of over Rs 60,000 crore, the largest ever by a private sector company in the world.

Source: Economic Times. DUBAI: UAE Property major Emaar Properties has said that it will reconsider its initial public offering (IPO) in India "when the time is right" though the company is bullish about the Indian real estate market. In February, Emaar MGF withdrew its IPO for lack of adequate response. The company wanted to raise around Rs 6,500 crore on the initial price band of Rs 610-690. This was twice revised to Rs 530-630 and the closing date extended to February 11 from February 6. "India will be one of our largest operations and we have long-term plans there. The economy is doing well and we see a bullish story for the next 20 to 25 years," chairman Mohamed Ali Alabbar told the annual general meeting (AGM) of the company. "We would go to public at the right time. We are cash rich and we may even double our size," he was quoted as saying by the Emirates Business daily. Alabbar said the Indian and Morocco operations had contributed between Rs 1,64

Source: economictimes.indiatimes All the bad news about the meltdown in the US share markets has deflected the world’s attention from what is arguably an even more fundamental problem facing the US economy: the sharp deceleration in productivity growth since the middle of 2004. It is a stronger indicator of a slowing economy, reducing business and yes, lowering job prospects. Closer home, all of us are assured that the fundamentals of the Indian economy are strong. Yet, the recent fall in stock markets across the globe and the strengthening of the rupee against the dollar are events which continue the uncertainty in our minds. For India, the immediate implications of the US economy slowdown are not worrying, but this is getting organisations to look at productivity’ as the single most important determinant of long run prospects.India advantage The two fastest growing components of cost for any organisation in the country today are real estate and people. Business and HR professionals i

Source: Economic Times. Want to do up your house without spending big bucks? Fret not, a little bit of planning and loads of innovation can make the same articles in your house look really new, cheerful and absolutely fresh! Here are easy ways to a new looking home--- Move a little bit, here 'n' there Start by arranging the furniture. Decide the focal point of the room. Set furniture around the focal point. That should change the look of the room. Consider the traffic patterns through your living space. Make sure all pieces of furniture are accessible and uncluttered, but be careful not to make the room appear vacant. Use angles when placing furniture. Offsquare angles make the room warmer, and gives it a casual, lived-in elegance. Sofas or other large pieces of furniture need space away from the wall. Just pull the entire piece away from the wall 3/4 either evenly or at an angle. Decorative tables don't necessarily have to go on either end of the couch or love seat. Try us

Source: The Economic Times Rajesh Unnikrishnan MUMBAI CUSHMAN & Wakefield. one of the world's largest property consultancy firms, said the real estate downturn in the US could continue and that India, China and the Middle-East will become even more attractive as these markets offer huge opportunities for investment. The US-based property consultant also said that more financial institutions in the US and Europe are likely to face financial problems in the coming weeks. In an interview with ET, John C Cushman III, chainnan of the board, Cushman & Wakefield said: "More bad news could come. We are facing new challenges everyday. Though there is a debate on whether this is a recession or not, in the coming months more bad things are waiting to happen." He said, as a consequence, global attention will be on the real estate market in India and China as these markets are offering huge investment opportunities. "India, with a GDP growth rate of 8% compared to less th

Source: The Times of India Mumbai: The government will soon for builders to provide affordable housing in the city, revenue minister Narayan Rane told the legislative council on Tuesday. He was replying to a calling attention motion moved by the Shiv Sena's Madhukar Sarpotdar and other leaders. According to Rane, in the new housing policy the government will make it compulsory for all builders to keep 30% space for small flats ranging from 400 sq ft to 600 sq ft. Admitting that homes in the city have become very expensive and it was reflected in the increasing ready reckoner rates, the minister accused builders of inflating rates so that buyers could get higher loans from housing finance companies. Sarpotdar and other MLCs said stamp duty had also increased leading to further rise in prices of flats. The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) has already proposed the construction of homes for the middle and lower-income groups. This, it proposed to do by impleme

Source: DNA Residential sales have declined in major cities, but prices are not falling yet Pooja Sarkar & Vivek Seal. Mumbai/New Delhi There is a slowdown in the sales of residential projects. But the house-hunter is still cribbing. His complaint is that the dip in sales is not reflecting in prices. The villain here's the office-space segment. Surging prices in this segment is putting the real-estate developer under no pressure to change the pricing matrix in the residential segment. Shailesh Kanani, research analyst, Angel Broking, acknowledges that sales in residential projects are going down. "There's definitely a fall in residential sales. It has gone down 60-70% in Mumbai," he said. In Delhi, it has fallen by 50-70% on a year-on-year basis. Sales are also declining in cities like Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore, but to a lower extent, two analysts told DNA Money. But real-estate developers are not worried. Says Amitabh Bhattacharya, senior vice-president, O

Source: The Economic Times Land Owners To Be Authorised To Raise Rent At Regular Intervals; Forceful Occupation & Sub-Letting Not To Be Allowed Rajat Guha NEW DELHI THE Centre is planning to amend the archaic rent control rules in a way the property owners also have a reson to smile. In the new revised rent control ACT, the land owners would be authorised to increase rent at certain intervals. A forceful occupation of the property will not be allowed. Tenants who have been sub-letting the property also will not be allowed to do so under the new law. Urban development minister Jaipal Reddy recently said the ministry would soon bring out a new regulation. "The rent control laws are very tricky and sensitive issues. They have to be sensibly dealt with. We are finalising the modalities for the revised law. for which we are in active dis-cussions with all concerned parties," a source in the Nirman Bhawan said. According to sources, the new revised Rent Control Bill is likely t

Source: Economic Times Spirituality may seek to wean people away from material desires but it has emerged as a major factor driving India's $15 billion realty industry that is growing at 35 percent per annum, say industry experts.Religious tourism is pushing the realty industry's growth in destinations like Vrindavan, Mathura, Haridwar, Ajmer, Amritsar, Tirupati and Nasik - cities on the fast track and emerging hot spots for real estate developers."Religious towns have good growth prospects. They are witnessing more than 45 percent annual rise in property prices against the average 25-35 percent in Tier II cities," says Vipin Agarwal, executive director, Omaxe Developers. Spirituality may seek to wean people away from material desires but it has emerged as a major factor driving India's $15 billion realty industry that is growing at 35 percent per annum, say industry experts.Religious tourism is pushing the realty industry's growth in destinations like Vrindav

Source: Economic Times SINGAPORE: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said on Monday that it was looking at the introduction of real estate investment trusts (REITs), but this will come only after other financial market liberalisation moves. "We have received comments from market players. I would say that in the timetable, that will be later than the stock lending scheme and currency futures," the stock market regulator's chairman C B Bhave told an investment conference in Singapore via teleconference. SEBI in December released draft guidelines on setting up REITs in India, which would pave the way for wider participation by retail investors in the country's booming real estate sector. Regulators are also mulling over the introduction of currency futures to help investors hedge foreign exchange risks, and a new system for the borrowing and lending of securities.

Source: The Hindu Business Line To develop business district; payment to be made over 8 years New Delhi, March 11 In what is being billed as one of the largest land deals in the country, real estate company BPTP Group on Tuesday snapped up 95 acres of prime commercial land at Noida for Rs 5,006 crore. The land was auctioned by the Noida Authority. BPTP, which outbid three well-known developers DLF, Omaxe, and Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd, to clinch the land along the Noida and Greater Noida expressway, plans to build a commercial destination that will have offices, hotel and retail space. BPTP quoted Rs 1.30 lakh per sq. m against the reserve price of Rs 77,000 per sqm. "We are very excited. This is an ambitious project. India lacks large, planned commercial district with modern concepts and quality facilities. Delhi does not have a proper business district. We will make this commercial complex a world-class destination," Mr Kabul Chawla, Managing Director and prom

Source: Business Standard CITIES Property developers are going for eco-friendly buildings that help slash energy costs REUTERS I n a sizzling property market, architect Manit Rastogi at MD Morphogenesis has created some of India's coolest buildings, using recycled water, wells, wind tunnels and sun screens to chill work places and slash energy costs. Thanks to his designs, students in a Jaipur fashion school mill around classrooms cooled to around 25 degrees Celsius (77 F) without air conditioners, while the desert bakes at nearly double that temperature outside. And guests at the Swab-humi Hotel in Kolkata feel a breeze as they step out of a building resembling sliced mushrooms fused together, and inspired by the way trees trap wind. But although developers and investors arc coming under the environmental spotlight because buildings account for half the world's carbon dioxide emissions, Rastogi says few in India are going green. "In India s booming real estate market, the

Source: The Free Press Journal MUMBAI: Indiabulls Wholesale Services today said its open offer for acquiring 20 per cent stake in Piramyd Retail will start from tomorrow. Indiabulls Real Estate, a person acting in concert to the acquirer, today informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that its open offer for the acquisition of 40.32 lakh equity shares of Piramyd Retail would now start on March 12 instead of February 2 as announced earlier. The offer would now close on March 31, as per the revised schedule instead of Feb 21, it said. The company had announced the open offer on Dec 9 last year.

Source: Economic Times NEW DELHI: Global financial firms Citigroup, Merrill Lynch and DE Shaw are likely to invest Rs 2,000 crore or $500 million in the DLF Assets’(DAL) real estate investment trust(REIT), according to sources. The transaction is likely to be completed by early next week. Part of DLF Group, the largest real estate developer in the country, DAL is focused on buying and managing office space. Currently, DAL is a owned by DLF promoters and the listed firm has no equity stake in this firm. However, as per the plan, DLF will also invest $750 million or Rs 3,000 crore in the REIT. DAL had earlier planned to list the REIT, but now is going for a private placement. DLF spokesperson declined to comment saying that the Singapore market regulation didn’t allow company to make any comment on the issue as its application for listing of REIT was still being scrutinised by the authorities. DLF Assets originally planned to raise $2 billion through its REIT called DLF Office Trust. Giv

French Bank's Subsidiary Atisreal To Buy Majority Stake In Bangalore Co's Consultancy Business Boby Kurian & Rajesh Unnikrishnan ------------ E UROPEAN financial powerhouse BNP Paribas is foraying into Indian real estate brokerage and consultancy space, making it probably the first international banking group to offer such services in the country. The French bank's real estate services subsidiary, Atisreal, is acquiring more than 50% stake in the consultancy business of Bangalore-based Redwoods Projects. Redwoods is a two-year-old real estate development and services start-up floated by a team led by former Jones Lang LaSalle senior executive Anuj Nautiyal. The domestic partner will keep a minority stake in the joint venture company, which will be renamed Atisreal Redwoods. The financial details of the transaction were not available immediately. The new entity is expected to offer consultancy services in real estate investment and related fields, including debt and equi

Source: DNA The President of India has recently approved several amendments in the Maharashtra Ownership of Flats Act Vinod Sampat. Mumbai On 25th February, 2008, the President of India approved several amendments in the Maharashtra Ownership of Flats (Regulation of the promotion of construction, sale, management and transfer) Act, 2005. The highlights of the amendments along with the specific section are as follows: • Builder/s will have to execute the conveyance. • Power is given to the District Deputy Registrar to act as Competent Authority: Section 5A • Power is given to Competent Authority for registration of Co-operative Society under the provisions of Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960: Section 10(1) • It is the duty of the promoter (builder) to file with the competent authority within the prescribed period, a copy of the conveyance executed by him: Section 11(2) • If the promoter fails to execute the conveyance in favour of the co-operative society, company or as

Source: The Hindu Home they say is where the heart is, but if one goes by all the activity in the real estate market it would be hard to keep one's heart in one place. A few years back, buying a house, flat or even a plot would simply mean that one was getting a roof over ones head. This was satisfying a very basic need, that of housing. Fast-forward to today and housing is no longer just about a roof, it's everything to do with lifestyle, building com-munities, being socially connected, making good investments etc. The real estate market has become many things and today it is a prime source of investment. The recent economic boom and the growth in the IT and BPO sectors have seen a rise in affluence levels across the board. The return of the Indian Diaspora from greener pastures has resulted in the quality of homes going up. Gated communities, villas and large format flats have now become the norm. It wouldn't be right to assume that real estate has become only about luxur

Source: Economic Times PUNE: The building sector in Pune and neighbouring areas is in dire straits. The mass exodus of migrant workers from UP and Bihar, following alleged threats from Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, has forced builders to invoke the force majeure clause to escape liabilities of delays and cost overruns. With the labour rates in the building industry almost trebling due to insufficient workers and absence of skilled employees, buyers will have to shell out more for their flats. “We have informed our customers that there will be a delay in the delivery of flats due to this force majeure situation,” said Gera Developers chairman Kumar Gera. “We can’t say when the sub-contractor’s labour will be back, when normalcy will return or when flats will be ready,” added Mr Gera, who is also the founder chairman of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India. “The number of labourers on our project sites has come down from 2,300 to 1,400 now. This

Source: Economic Times DUBAI: A Bahraini real estate firm has acquired 49 per cent stake in an information technology park in Noida at a cost of $69 million. Acacia Real Estate, a company spearheaded by Bahrain-based TAIB Bank, has acquired 49 per cent of Logix TechnoPark located at Noida in Uttar Pradesh. "We are proud to be able to offer our clients this unique opportunity to invest in India's real estate market," said Acacia executive committee board member and TAIB Bank chief executive and vice-chairman Iqbal Mamdani. With a projected internal rate of return of over 24 per cent per annum, the deal was structured to provide investors with downside protection and an average cash coupon of 8 per cent per annum over a three-year holding period, he said. TAIB Bank is the exclusive placement agent for the project. The property, along the Greater Noida Expressway, consists of four newly built 100 per cent occupied office towers with a total gross leasable area of 461,120 sq-

Source: Business Standard BS REPORTER Bangalore, 4 March T he National Association of Realtors-India (NAR-I) has signed a bilateral agreement with the National Association of Realtors-US (NAR-US) to facilitate realtors from both countries to source properties for buying and rentals. NAR-I, a New Delhi-based non-profit society registered in Bangalore, aims to streamline and promote professionalism in real estate brokerage in India to achieve transparency, accountability, fair dealing and ethical practices. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Farook Mah-mood, president NAR-I said, "In addition to sourcing properties, a bilateral agreement between both organisations has also been signed to provide skills, education and to share best practices." "Now local realtors in India can now extend their operations by transacting on a global level," he added. Earlier in the day, Banga-lore Realtors' Association - India (BRA-I) along with its counterparts from Chennai, P

Source: The Times of India There are no indications that investor activity has overtaken genuine buyer activity in the market, says Anuj Puri MYTH 1: There is a 'bubble' in the Indian real estate market, and it will burst soon. Fact: There is no evidence of a 'bubble'. When a bubble develops in any market, it is because prices for that particular commodity or asset have gone through the roof and beyond affordability. This is far from the case in Indian real estate. The residen�tial sector is led by endusers and it is they who dic�tate the state of the market. Neither is there a sig�nificant correlation between the state of the stock market and that of the property market. There are no indications that investor activity has overtaken genuine buyer activity. In residential, the propor�tion is approximately 80% end users and 20% in�vestors. In the commercial sector, the proportion is almost 100% end users who are taking property on lease. There are instances of overheating

Source: Economic Times NEW DELHI: The Indian real estate sector has welcomed the overall impact of budget while saying that it could have done more for the industry. "The budget will boost the socio-economic infrastructure of the country by giving due emphasis to education, health and hospitality sector. The budget has, however, not fully addressed the demands of real estate industry", said Pradeep Jain, chairman of Parsvnath Developers Ltd. "While we welcome the emphasis on education and health given by the finance minister, the long-awaited demand for industry status for real estate would have gone a long way in providing the desired impetus to the growth of the sector, which is highly capital intensive. "The sops given to infrastructure and housing sector in rural areas are welcome. However, a reduction in duties and service tax benefits directly to consumers would have propelled the demand for realty across the country. "The reduction in input cost of cemen