Sarbajeet K Sen Moneycontrol News
The real estate sector has seen one of the worst times post-demonetisation with sales falling across the country, bringing down home prices. With the financial system having been successfully remonetised to a large extent, what is the outlook for the sector in the coming financial year?
Will activity in the real estate sector pick up 2017-18? Will sales pick up? How will home prices move in the coming fiscal? What will the factors driving real estate be post April 1?
The Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (Credai) is optimistic that the new financial year would be good for the real estate sector and rising sales will lead to home prices moving up.
“The outlook for real estate in 2017-18 is very positive. The recent flurry of reforms and policy initiatives have set the tone for the future growth of the sector. This growth will be driven by efficient implementation of the initiatives and the subsequent rise in demand. We will see the residential sector take center-stage and be the driving force of the sector,” Getamber Anand, President, Credai told Moneycontrol.
Anand says that residential real estate prices have bottomed out and they would move up in coming months. He says those planning to buy homes should finalise the deal now.
“Prices in most markets have bottomed out and stabilised. Imbalance between demand and supply will result in an increase in property prices in the main markets. The recent policy moves have also restored consumer faith in the sector and the fence-sitters are slowly realising the timing is right for a purchase,” Anand said.
He also pointed out the loan rates are some of the lowest now. “With Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and the exemptions provided on housing loan in the Income Tax Act, the effective rate of interest for a home loan of about Rs 35 lakhs works out to about 5 percent only which improves the affordability factor and will further elevate the demand in the sector,” Anand said.
Surendra Hiranandani, Chairman & Managing Director, House of Hiranandani, agrees that low loan rates would push demand. “Post-demonetisation, interest rates have been reduced significantly on the back of huge inflows of deposits in the banking system making home loans cheaper. The various reforms undertaken by the government will address concerns faced by home buyers. Increased transparency and credibility will make it more attractive for consumes to invest in real estate,” Hiranandani said.
He also feels that homebuyers should seize the opportunity. “Homebuyers must use this opportunity and invest in properties that are available at attractive prices. They can purchase homes of their choice by full cheque payment. Those looking to buy resale properties can now avail higher finance through banks as the entire payment will happen through cheque,” Hiranandani said.
Hiranandani also feels home prices will move up after the turn of the financial year. “Home prices are expected to pick up in the second quarter of 2017 as the overall economy improves after demonetisation. Also, with Real Estate Regulation and Development Act (RERA), GST and other regulatory changes coming into effect in the coming months there is bound to be better transparency and credibility in the sector.
However, new launches would get impacted due to the implementation of these rules, so the demand for available inventory and ready-to-move-in homes will increase. The rise in demand will ensure that prices will move up again in good quality projects. This is the perfect time to buy a property,” he said.
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