Realty sector FDI equity inflows drop 45% in Q4 - Hindu Business Line (Online Edition)

MUMBAI, MAY 12:  

The FDI equity inflows in India's realty sector in the fourth quarter of FY14 declined by 45 per cent at $ 3.96 billion against the previous quarter, according to a report on real estate market and private equity Investments in it from Capri Global Capital.

However real estate dominated the private equity landscape in 2013, accounting for 12.70 per cent of deals (value) concluded in 2013 as per the report.

The report also highlighted that the number of investments in the real estate sector concluded in Q4 of FY14 increased to 19 against 8 in the previous quarter.

"Large private equity funds preferred the joint development model for investments in real estate. Post elections higher interest is expected in Grade A office spaces, primarily on the back of renewed sentiment and regulatory reforms such as REITs," the report added.

US hedge fund Capri Capital plans to launch realty PE fund in India

US-based hedge fund Capri Capital Partnersplans to launch its first India-dedicated real estate private equity fund to raise about $400 million, two people familiar with the development said.

Capri Capital, which advises pension funds and institutional investors globally, has $3.7 billion assets under management.

It is looking to raise the fund through its India arm, Capri Global Capital, after the upcoming general elections. The offshore fund will focus on investing in affordable housingprojects across the country, the people quoted earlier said.

Quintin Primo III, chairman & CEO of Chicago-headquartered Capri Capital, refused to share details of the fund raising plan. He, however, said Capri Global Capital is working on the "right" investment strategy in India.

"We want to aggressively expand that platform. We hope to secure various sources of capital in the next 12 months including equity, debt, private equity format and also through joint ventures," he said. Capri Global Capital is a listed non-deposit accepting systemically important non-banking finance company (NBFCs-ND-SI) focused on wholesale, small and micro enterprise lending. Large global institutional investors, with few exceptions such as Blackstone Group, have been keeping away from the Indian real estate sector given the current scenario.

However, according to Primo, Indian real estate is throwing up good opportunities due to tough liquidity situation and Capri is aiming to tap this growth.

Source: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-02-07/news/47126611_1_hedge-fund-equity-fund-offshore-fund

Capri Capital bets on India; plans dedicated realty fund

Large global institutional investors seem to have a developed a renewed interest for Indian realty. The latest in the list is Chicago-headquartered hedge-fund 'Capri Capital Partners' which has big plans for growing in country through its India arm - Capri Global Capital. Considering this, CNBC TV18's Manasvi Ghelani finds out what's attracting global investors to Indian realty at a time when domestic banks are shying away from exposing themselves to the sector.

With domestic investors and banks cautious of lending to the Indian real estate sector given the current economic scenario, foreign investors are coming to the rescue. So after Blackstone, its US based hedge fund Capri, which is now investing big in India through its arm - Capri Global Capital.

The company has recently signed a deal with real estate developer Monarch Universal Group to fund Rs 45 crore for two residential projects in Roadpali and Kalamboli in Mumbai.

Besides, in the last nine months Capri has invested a total of about Rs 200 crore for partnerships with Marvel Group in Pune, CHD Developers in Delhi and Ozone & Unishire Group in Bangalore.

Reports also suggest, Capri is planning to launch its first India-dedicated real estate private equity fund to raise about USD 400 million soon after the elections.

And the management says their strategy is already yielding positive returns.   

“The banks pulled back and that gave us the opportunities to step up so we had significant appointment of capital in the last 12 months. We have experienced very strong credit performance, in terms of delinquencies, they have been very low. We have been able to generate 20% of returns on monies we have let out in the market,” Quintin E Primo III, Chairman, Capri Global Capital says.

On the other hand this is good news for cash-strapped Indian developers as well.

Sanjay Dutt, Executive MD - South Asia, Cushman & Wakefield says: “It is important that you to de-risk your projects and basically have equity partnership and therefore not necessarily invest too much money from your pocket. So that has resulted in a lot of play between developers and PE firms.”

But despite this renewed interest from global investors, analysts say more needs to be done to help developers and all eyes are now on the new government's policies post elections to see if it can get in more FDI for the realty sector as well as push through REITS.

Source: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/cnbc-tv18-comments/capri-capital-betsindia-plans-dedicated-realty-fund_1039653.html?utm_source=ref_article

Chennai Real Estate Market Scenario

In contrast to what was been witnessed in many of the more volatile cities over the last couple of years, Chennai's residential property market saw steady growth in terms of pricing, demand and supply. Chennai's residential property market is predominantly end user driven. The absence of overt speculation has also ensured that developer has move pricing of homes in a stable and gradual manner. Unnatural spiking has therefore been successfully kept at bay.

Demand scenario

Chennai is known for its conservative mind-set, which reflects visibly on its residential property market trends, as well. For instance, home buyers in Chennai have historically been driven by location over and above most other considerations, and this had put definite limits on the demand and potential for community living in the city.

Chennai is still a predominantly end user-driven market, with 60-65% of the buyers being people purchasing for self-use. Residential space investors in Chennai tend to take a long term view, the modus operandi being to look at off-loading their holdings within an average time-span of 5-7 years. This attribute further strengthens the market's end-user behaviour.

Increased job security in the city has definitely helped the market to maintain buoyancy and a positive outlook. It’s becoming increasingly evident that Chennai's residential real estate market is significantly dependent on the IT/ITES sector. With employment stability in this sector looking good, demand for homes has now reached a comfortable and dependable growth trajectory from which developers are taking their market cues.

Pricing Trends

Chennai is a stable market wherein residential property prices move in accordance with actual sales. Price volatility due to other factors has been completely excluded. As a result, prices have not dropped in most projects over the last few years.

Also, residential property in Chennai is driven more by locations than by specifications and amenities. The scarcity of land parcels and also the cost of premium FSI within the city have create relentless upward pressure on residential product pricing. This has resulted in the available options in these locations shooting way past the budgets of even the upper middle class. Prices for standard apartments with minimum or no amenities within Chennai city can range from Rs. 1.5-5 crore.

Chennai's residential market is witnessing considerable demand in the affordable segment - specifically for units in the price range of Rs. 35-60 lakh - in locations which offer an acceptable degree of social infrastructure.

Residential developer who want to keep the cost of units in their projects affordable need to look at suburban locations with limited infrastructure. The only other option available to such developers is to cut the unit sizes so that they can include some degree of decent infrastructure. Lack of locations with good infrastructure has hindered the supply of land, which has resulted in pricing going upwards whereas the pricing remains stable or stagnant in locations which lack good social infrastructure.

The need of the hour in Chennai's residential real estate market is a good supply of land so that new locations can be opened up and the requisite social infrastructure and other utilities can be put in place. If this happens, we will see more innovation in residential products, because developers will need to set themselves apart with uniqueness and differentiation in their products.

Upcoming residential areas to watch

I.                North Chennai:

North Chennai is a real estate market that is waiting to happen. For now it is the preserve of the local residents who drive the demand for housing unlike elsewhere in Chennai – the West and the South, which are the focus of attention of home buyers. This part of Chennai comprising Kolathur, Korattur, Madhavaram, Perambur, Puzhal, Thiruvottriyur, Tondiarpet and Villivakkam is predominantly a middle income group market. Projects offering houses under Rs 50 lakh are in demand with houses in the 700-1,200 sq.ft range, according to a report by the property portal, IndiaProperty.com.

North Chennai accounts for about one-sixth of the total property development in the city. With the implementation of major infrastructure projects including that on the Outer Ring Road, Chennai-Ennore Port Connectivity project, and the metro rail project connectivity will improve and catalyse real estate development and demand. Perambur, Tondiarpet and Kolathur and major residential areas and Madhavaram is a fast growing residential hub that has attracted the attention of developers, said the report.

The north Chennai skyline is beginning to change with a number of large-scale properties setting up base there. More builders are coming to north Chennai as several of these areas have been merged with the Chennai Corporation.

The population here is also dependent on public sector and large industrial enterprises for employment. This is also one reason that North Chennai does not see significant office space development, most of which is concentrated in the South.

The price of land is cheaper by 20 per cent in the north prompting several builders to develop properties in far flung areas such as Red Hills. Residents do not mind the distance for the sake of affordable housing, said Mr. P. Manishankar, president of Federation of Flats and Housing Promoters Association.

R. Kumar, managing director of Navin Housing and Properties, said the trend of luxury apartments was catching up in areas such as Sembium and Tondiarpet. Better connectivity and improved infrastructure are attracting more people to the northern suburbs. “In north Chennai, people can buy flats at two-third of the rates prevailing in south Chennai,” he said.

The price of an apartment ranges from Rs. 3,500 per sq. ft. to Rs. 6,500 per sq. ft. depending on the location. A majority of the customers are first-time buyers, said S. Senthil Kumar, former president of North Chennai Flat Promoters Association.

M. R. Nazeerudeen, immediate past president of Chennai Real Estate Agents Association, said: “One of the most popular areas for builders now is Kolathur. Though the number of high-rise apartments is much lesser, budget homes are available.”

Proximity of Kolathur and Madhavaram to Inner Ring Road, easy access to areas like Anna Nagar and infrastructure development such as new bus terminus and grade separators have acted in favour of these areas.

D. Viswanathan, a builder, who has two ongoing projects, entered Madhavaram five years ago because the area had quality groundwater and was close to areas such as Parry’s Corner and Perambur.

II.               Madhya Kailash ' Sholinagnallur

This stretch is witnessing a clear supply-demand mismatch, with demand outstripping supply. With new employment being generated in this corridor and corresponding absorption of IT space, this area and its peripheries are witnessing extremely healthy demand for residential property. Its proximity to the city adds to the appeal of this area, which will see good appreciation over the coming years. Encouragingly (and in contrast to other parts of OMR) all completed projects here are fully occupied.

III.             Velachery

Velachery is seeing consistent growth, because it is one of the few areas which are seeing holistic and self-sustaining development. With malls and other social infrastructure improving, Velachery is definitely next in line for good appreciation. In fact, near-lying areas such as Medavakkam, Pallikarnai, Pallavaram, Thoriapakkam, the 200 ft. MMRD Road and Rajakilpakkam are already experiencing the positive fallout effect of Velachery's growth as a residential property destination. These areas are also witnessing good absorption and capital appreciation. There is also significant demand for homes in Porur along the NH4 corridor up to Urapakkam on the GST Road.

New Trends in the market

There has, so far, been no scope for the growth of large-sized township projects within the city. Chennaites had been showing an unyielding preference towards living within the CBD because of the dearth of good schools, convenience stores, entertainment and restaurants in other areas. Developers had been more than happy to construct projects of 12-30 units with limited or no amenities, little or no green cover and extremely restricted open spaces.

In the coming months, Chennai will see a major change in this aspect, with a string of township projects by developers of national stature under execution and nearing completion. These township projects have minimal plot coverage, which paves the way for large green cover and ‘lung space' within the project. This is an added incentive to opt for community living, which was largely unheard-of until as late as 2006.

The new game changers in the Chennai residential real estate space are generous landscaping, serene environment, schools within the campus, big club houses, health club facilities for both indoor and outdoor sports, multiplexes in the vicinity, health care, restaurants and large swimming pools.

As a result, community living in the true sense is finally going to emerge in Chennai. Once these large projects are fully executed, we will see a decisive forward momentum in the concept of large, well-equipped residential communities in Chennai.

(Sources: Times of India: Sep 9, Oct 11, 2013, Business Line: July 26, August 10, 2013, Moneycontrol.com: Aug 2013)

Gurgaon Realty Trend

New Delhi's property market may have slowed down with builders struggling to sell flats, but Gurgaon is still going strong. Cushman & Wakefield say prices in Gurgaon's luxury residential market have risen 29 percent year-on-year (YoY). So what used to cost around Rs 17,000-25,000 a square foot has appreciated to Rs 22,000-32,000 a square foot.

In the more affordable mid-end category, Cushman & Wakefield estimates an 18 percent price appreciation. So, apartments that a year ago cost Rs 6,500-9,000 a square foot now carry a price tag of Rs 6,800-11,500 a square foot. Gurgaon's Golf Course Road saw frenzied real estate activity over the last decade.

(Source: “Prime Property”-CNBC TV 18, 5^th July 2013)

A look at some of the micro-markets under Gurgaon Realty Market

Dwaraka – Gurgaon Expressway on its way to be a hot Real Estate market

Dwarka-Gurgaon Expressway is now registering huge real estate development with developers taking advantage of the planned infrastructural development in and around the developing sectors along this stretch.

Dwarka-Gurgaon Expressway, also known as NPR (Northern Peripheral Road), a project of the HUDA is expected to ease the traffic rush on the operational Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway. Out of the total 18km length, black-top work of nearly 13km-length has already been completed with balance work expected to be completed in the next six months.

With its close proximity to the IGI airport, the Delhi Aerocity Metro station, and the forthcoming Diplomatic Enclave in Dwarka the Dwarka-Gurgaon Expressway area is expected to follow the same growth curve as premium Gurgaon locations like Golf Course Extension Road and NH-8. With the increasing number of corporates operating out of Gurgaon, coupled with the limited availability of mid-segment residences in Gurgaon and Delhi, Dwarka-Gurgaon Expressway is emerging as an attractive alternative for investors and end users.

Fast connectivity and proximity to the proposed Diplomatic Enclave in Dwarka will significantly benefit Dwarka Expressway, placing it high on the investment-return scale. Projects that were quoting at Rs 2,500 per sq ft in 2010 are quoting at Rs 5,000-7,500 per sq ft now, for multistory residential units.

A number of top realty players like Chintels Group, ATS, Vatika, Puri Construction, Assotech Ltd, Godrej Properties, Adani, Tata Housing, Sobha Developers, Raheja Developers, CHD Developers, Micortek Infrasturctures Pvt Ltd, BPTP, Satya Group, Spaze, Paras, Ansal Housing, etc, are already developing projects along this stretch.

Residential property of Dwarka-Gurgaon Expressway, especially in areas like Sectors 103-106, 109 to 113, is estimated to appreciate by substantially over the next five years. Nearly 18,649 residential units were launched along here since 2007.

NRIs, too, are showing interest in this area owing to the handsome appreciation of property here, along Dwarka-Gurgaon Expressway. This area has also emerged as a prominent destinations for IT-ITeS outsourcing and off-shoring hubs with 22.3 million sq ft of new office supply expected by 2017 and about 48 million sq ft of office space stock to be added during 2012-2017.

Ajay Aggarwal, MD of Microtek Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, says: “Work on and near Dwarka Expressway is moving in the right direction. Like any other big-ticket infrastructure project, it also faced some delays, but thanks to the combined efforts of all the stakeholders, it has picked up momentum lately. In the near future, property market around Dwarka Expressway or New Gurgaon will become premium destinations.”

Cyber city of Gurgaon rules the realty roost

Gurgaon and Manesar continue to be the hub of real estate activities in the NCR region. Despite the slowdown in the economy, demand for residential and commercial real estate in these sub-cities has not been affected appreciably. Now, developments in these parts are extending all the way till Dharuhera along NH-8, Sohna along Sohna Road, and Pataudi along Pataudi Road. A number of large players like Godrej, Tata Housing, Mahindra Realtors, and Sobha Developers have entered the market here. Apart from them, a number of realty majors like DLF, Unitech, Emaar, Raheja, Ireo, Vipul, Vatika, M3M, Puri Construction, ATS, Supertech, Assotech, Orris, Ramprastha, etc, have already launched projects in the area.

A large number of Fortune 500 companies, BPO and ITeS companies, too, have opened offices in the millennium city. Thus, the demand for commercial real estate space and the demand for residential units feed upon each other. Interestingly, despite the slowdown in the economy in the; last couple of year, there is no visible slowdown in the demand for commercial space in the sub-city, which has further kept the demand for residential units alive.

However, along with signs of sluggishness in the economy, the commercial sector is facing challenges like lack of funding for building more projects, inflated prices, excess inventory across large cities, and delays in obtaining building approvals.

Market boom on Gurgaon – Faridabad Road

Real estate development along Gurgaon-Faridabad Road, which further connects to Ballabhgarh-Sohna Road, is in a boom phase.

This stretch connects the economic centres of neighbouring states like Haryana, Rajasthan, ;Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. This road also connects tourist spots like Surajkund, Damdama Lake, the Tourist Complex in Sohna, the Bird Sanctuary in Sultanpur, Agra, Jaipur and other historical places of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Tourists coming from T3 airport or from Jaipur will also find Gurgaon-Faridabad Road highly convenient and time-saving for reaching tourist spots like Agra, Mathura, Vrindavan, etc.

Gurgaon-Faridabad Road is shaping up as a prime location for real estate development with fast connectivity and improving infrastructure. This developing realty region is proving to be a good residential location owing to its excellent connectivity with Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, and South Delhi. The master plan of the area envisages a future Metro line, provision for wider roads, parks, along with a ;good combination of commercial and residential mix of projects.

Future Market Gurgaon Extension: Next residential hub

A new developing zone – Gurgaon Extension (the area extending from Sohna Road and directly connected to the main Gurgaon-Sohna Road) – is being considered by realty experts as a good place for affordable-range housing.

According to the recently approved Master Plan-2031 of Sohna, the population of Gurgaon Extension (Sohna) is expected to grow tenfold by 2031. The developing area will have 5,000 acres of residential and commercial development and 2,600 acres of green and open space development in over 20 sectors. Close on the heels of its new Master Plan-2031, a slew of group-housing projects, townships, plotted developments, and luxury projects have been announced by leading developers like Raheja Developers, IREO, Parsvnath, Avlon, Gold Souk, etc, for this area. The Delhi-Mumbai dedicated freight corridor is located close by and all the mega industrial estates and infrastructure coming up along with the KMP corridor will add more value to the investments here.

Connectivity and accessibility is the biggest USP of Gurgaon Extension (Sohna). Proposed KMP bypass would take care of the heavy vehicle movement, reducing the traffic flow on the existing Gurgaon-Sohna-Alwar Highway and the new 90metre to 150metre roads. Also, the area will have excellent connectivity with the NCR through the proposed Metro line.

Gurgaon Extension has emerged as a prime residential destination for end users and is currently registering a healthy demand. It is a good example of mixed-use development with great scope for further growth. Planned urbanization with IT parks, malls, residential apartments, villas and new ;residential projects under construction on both sides of this road make the area a sought-after location among first-time homebuyers and those looking for a property for investment. 

(Sources: Prime Property-CNBC – TV 18-5^th July 2013, Magic bricks Website 14^th August 2013, 16^th August 2013, 16^th August 2013, Business Standard, and 17^th August 2013)