How to check a builder’s reputation

If you are planning to buy a property under construction, don't just go by the brochure claims. A lot depends on the builder's competence and resources. ET lists some checks before you finalise a project.

1. Ground report

You can conduct a quick Internet search by keying in the company name since customer forums, blogs, news reports, property sites, etc, typically have a lot of information. However, it is still a good idea to go in for field research. Talk to customers who bought units in old projects as well as local brokers. The current market price of the past projects in comparison to peers in the same locality is also an indicator of the builder's standing. 
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New government: Home prices may not rise immediately

 

While the the stock markets, the corporate world and a large section of the country's citizens are celebrating the election verdict, 45-year-old Shailesh Singh, a Delhi-based executive, is a worried man. Singh has been hunting for an apartment in the National Capital Region (NCR) for the past six months but has not been able to zero in on one. Now he is afraid that in the euphoria generated by the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) decisive victory, real estate prices may start rising again, making his purchase more expensive.

Why prices won't move up

Singh's worries might be premature. Realty experts are of the view that while there might be some euphoria-driven rise in transactions and a marginal rise in prices, this will dissipate soon. "It will take another 12-odd months before prices begin to rise within the sector. And that will happen only if the new government has a successful first six months and its initiatives put the economy on a higher growth .. 

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Commercial rents may rise in coming few quarters

Rentals for office and retail spaces are expected to increase in the coming quarters on the back of rising demand, according to a survey by RICS. 

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a global body for setting standards in the property sector, said in its latest report that the demand for office and retail spaces rose during the January-March quarter. 

"There are positive indicators in the market. The occupier demand for the first time since 2011 has outpaced the rise in av vailability (though marginally). This means that there is healthy demand for quality space in the market," RICS South Asia Managing Director Sachin Sandhir said in a statement. 

Rents have bottomed out over the past few quarters, he said, adding that they are expected to rise from these levels...
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What To Expect From REITs In 2014

A Real Estate Investment Trust(REIT) is a corporation, trust or association that owns and, in most cases, operates income-producing real estate and/or real estate-related assets. Modeled aftermutual funds, REITs pool the capital of numerous investors. This allows individual investors to earn a share of the income produced through commercial real estate ownership, without having to go out and buy or finance property or assets. “REITs offer important benefits to investors and to property owners alike,” said Joe Mansueto, Chairman and CEO, Morningstar. “They allow investors to easily access real estate investments, and to do so with daily liquidity, diversification and broad choice.”

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Sector awaits BOOSTER DOSE

 

Buyers-end users and investors—must make up their minds soon and enter the market, as prices are expected to appreciate once a new government is sworn in.

A new, stable government will have a positive influence on the economic growth story, which has been sluggish in the past few months. With revival of the economy, the demand for real estate is expected to improve drastically, which would further lift the prices in the sector. Naturally, with the talk of a new government, all the stakeholders— developers, builders consultants, suppliers, end users, investors—have each, come out with a wish list.

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How your 2014 portfolio should look like- A forecast for Indian/NRIs Investment

2014 is definitely a year to watch out for especially for those who have a kept a keen eye on Indianmarkets and have wondered the fate of the Indian Rupee. 

Well, amidst all the economic mayhem, 2014 is also important politically. 

Reason: it’s the election year. Economics has always been a hostage to many political gimmicks and unfulfilled promises by the party that comes into power. 2014 is, however, a bit different than any other election year held before. One big difference is that whichever party wins, will either bring very little change or will bring a lot of change. This is because India is going through an economic reform process. The central bank of India (Reserve Bank of India) has been making changes in repo rates in installments making interest rates fluctuate, something similar to what Federal Reserve did in 2008. Investors need to understand that the ‘ruling party’ or even a prediction to which party will form the government in 2014 will have an effect on the markets. This holds true not only for Indian investors but all those NRIs who are looking to invest in the Indian markets in 2014.

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Essential guide for NRIs investing in Indian real estate.

In the aftermath of the Sub Prime crisis in the US and the sinking real estate segment in the EU nations, NRIs have been looking homewards for investing in real estate in past couple of years. Additionally the depreciation of the rupee in the last year has further fuelled the demand for real investment by NRIs in India. In some of the Middle East nations as well as places like Malaysia and Singapore the domicile restrictions are forcing NRIs working there to secure a home back in India when the going is good. But before investing in real estate in India the NRI must be clear about the actual benefits, the options available, the procedure involved and pitfalls that may accompany such a financial decision. Why buy a House in India? Currently there are several extremely compelling reasons for NRIs to buy a house in India: The depreciated rupee presents an ideal situation for smart investment in Indian real estate.

Read more at: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/nris/essential-guide-for-nris-investingindian-real-estate_809882.html?utm_source=ref_article