Sunday, January 18, 2009

DELHI-NCR REAL ESTATE SECTOR UPDATE

Source : Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj

Pankaj Renjhen – Managing Director (North India) Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj
Gaurav Wahi – AVP, Strategic Consulting (North India)

PREDICTIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR

The real estate market in Delhi-NCR, like in other parts of the country, is witnessing some slowdown and price correction in certain corridors and this trend may continue for some time. The slowdown may result in:

• Price rationalization in real estate products
• Price correction in select corridors
• Delay in project completions
• A continued wait-and-watch sentiment amongst end user and investor alike
• Reduction in demand for the developments across sectors

The booming Indian Information Technology (IT) sector is witnessing a slower growth in the current fiscal (08-09) due to the global economic slowdown and lower technology spending in the US and UK. US companies that had bought stakes in Indian real estate companies are facing a cash crunch, thereby slowing the demand in IT-led real estate development in NCR.

Project spans may witness an increase for existing projects and real estate developers may find it difficult to complete their projects, as the cash flows have become difficult to obtain from most sources (viz. financial institutions, funds, investors and even end users which actually drive the core consumption in real estate.)

However, recent relief measures announced by various Government institutions targeting the demand in the middle income segment have provided impetus to developers to position residential sector developments in this segment. Moreover, well-planned, branded and properly positioned projects are currently witnessing demand in prominent growth corridors. The present year may see rationalization of real estate products in terms of their quality, pricing and positioning; which, coupled with improvement in market sentiment, will boost demand in times to come.

CURRENT PROMINENT PROJECTS

- Residential Projects

• Gurgaon: Magnolias by DLF and Nirvana Country (integrated township) by Unitech
• Faridabad: The Forest by Omaxe, BPTP Grandeur, Pranayam by Puri Constructions
• Noida: Jaypee Greens by Jaypee Group, Unitech Grande, Assotech Celeste Towers
• Ghaziabad: Orange County by Meriton Group, Shipra Suncity by Suncity Projects

- Corporate Projects

• Gurgaon: Palm Drive by Emaar, DLF Corporate Park, Vatika Atrium
• Faridabad: Saffron Square, Charmswood Plaza
• Noida: Corenthum, Logix Cyber Park
• Ghaziabad: lacks any prominent commercial development

MAJOR DEVELOPERS IN THE DELHI AND THE NCR REGIONS

Among the major developers in Delhi-NCR region are:

• DLF
• Unitech
• Parsvnath
• Omaxe
• Ansals
• Supertech
• BPTP
• Emaar MGF
• Vipul Group
• Vatika Group
• JMD Group
• Logix

MAJOR AREAS OF REAL ESTATE ACTIVITY

The major areas in Delhi NCR witnessing developments in real estate sector are:

• Gurgaon: NH-8, Golf Course Road, Southern Periphery Road and Sohna Road
• Faridabad: NH-2 and areas across Agra Canal
• Noida: Sectors 18, 37, areas along Taj Expressway and Greater Noida Expressway
• Ghaziabad: Indirapuram and NH-24

The global financial crisis and the subsequent slowdown in real estate sector have led to A slowdown in investment activities across all segments of investors, viz. funds, HNIs, etc. Most investors are holding off their investment plans at present. However, a market scan for potential lucrative projects is an ongoing process.

TARGET CUSTOMER PROFILE/SEGMENTS FOR DEVELOPERS

At present, the focus of developers is to complete ongoing projects being developed for the HIG and MIG segments. However, given the incentives of targeting the middle income segment of the population in the wake of the recent relief measures, many developers are planning to position developments targeting the MIG and upper LIG segments. That said, as an after-effect of the economic slowdown and ongoing market sentiment, consumers are less inclined to buy real estate at present, and may stall their real estate procurement plans for some time. However, the softening of capital prices may act as a catalyst to boost demand.

CURRENT STATE OF THE REAL ESTATE MARKET

The real estate market in present times is experiencing a great turmoil in terms of project timelines/completions, pricing strategies and intensity of demand for the developments across all its sectors. As for the different sectors of THE real estate industry - the financial crisis has resulted in noticeable price corrections across all sectors. For instance, in the retail realty sector, the impact of the recent slowdown has resulted in an overall price correction of approximately 15-20% in Delhi NCR region.

The impact has been observed to be more on the organised retail malls, where the retailers are under severe pressure due to major decrease in sales and high rentals. This has even forced some retailers to vacate space taken in operational malls, while the retailers who have signed agreements in upcoming malls have stepped back and have even withdrawn from their agreements. The high streets markets of the city have also experienced the impact of the retail slowdown, which has been reflected in a correction of rental values from those prevailing in the last 2-3 months. However, the market is witnessing price stability or correction depending on the supply situation from micro market to micro market.

Non IT and IT-BPO sector is also witnessing impacts that include lowering of contract rates with further delay in signing of contracts, decrease in growth rate of the IT sector and restricted employment in the sector. All these factors are resulting in the rapid lowering of rentals in IT/ITeS complexes, thereby creating severe problems for the developers. However, though some small and medium-sized companies are experiencing a heavy impact due to the slowdown, large IT companies (both Indian and MNCs) are likely to prevail.

The residential sector has also experienced the brunt of the slowdown. This has been evident from the major decrease in demand for residential projects among both investors and end users. The result is a lowering of sales of residential projects over the last 3-4 months, thereby leading to major problems for the developers.

Real estate developers are seriously affected by the severe fund crunch and are experiencing in executing projects. Many intend to delay their projects due to lack of demand. Major real estate developers like DLF etc. have not been as seriously affected, as they have been able to raise equity/debt from large private equity players, banks and hedge funds. However, there are some large developers who may be seriously impacted if they are not able to raise funds to meet ongoing commitments.

In all, major developers - irrespective of their leverage positions -, are seeking additional funds to complete their under-construction projects or pay off expensive loans.

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