Discounts and offers from real
estate developers are common, but this Navaratra was extra special with
builders going over the top—bigger discounts, a variety of flexi-payment plans
and freebies to attract buyers. The reason? The property market is witnessing a
glut. According to Cushman and Wakefield, there was a 12% drop in new launches
in the top eight cities and yet the supply is more than demand. Prices have
remained flat (even fallen in some specific pockets) for quite a few months.
According to a study by 99acres.com,
housing prices have declined by an average 8 per cent in Delhi-NCR (one of the most
sought-after property destinations) during 2013 compared with the year-ago
period due to slowdown in property market amid economic and political
uncertainties.
Industry experts say the reason for
this drastic fall in sales across regions and slackened demand is high cost of
borrowing. "Property prices in some of the established markets dropped on
account of an oversupply situation," says Sachin Sandhir, MD, RICS South
Asia.
Employment creation is another key
factor driving prices, where Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad and NCR
currently lead. "We are not seeing velocity in new job additions in cities
like Mumbai and Kolkata. Both these cities continue to do well in the premium
and luxury segment, but the budget segment is handicapped by the lack of
affordability by the common man," says Om Ahuja, CEO, Residential
Services, JLL India.
However, if one is to believe market
analysts, prices are expected to move up in the second-half of 2014. "In
the near to medium term, the growth momentum will not be the same as it used to
be during the boom period between 2006 and 2008. However, economic indicators
suggest that the market will start growing gradually after the general elections,"
says Sandhir.
The emerging areas still have
ongoing projects and developers are continuing to hold on to their prices in
the hope of markets to improve. "Most cities have oversupply in specific
pockets, and some key pockets still continue to see a shortage of supply when
compared to demand in that pocket. We haven't seen price correction in the key
pockets of most cities," says Ahuja.
Demand exceeds supply in areas like
Mount Road, Adyar and Nungumbukkam in Chennai, while the demand in North
Chennai is not catching up with the supply hitting the ground. This reflects in
the capital appreciation of these areas. Demand in the Bandra-Andheri belt,
Worli and Powai in Mumbai is far higher than the supply. Meanwhile, demand in
areas like Wadala and Lower Parel is not catching up with supply, and this has
reflected in slower capital appreciation.
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