Sharad Mittal, Director and CEO, Motilal Oswal Real Estate
Real Estate

Sharad Mittal, Director and CEO, Motilal Oswal Real Estate

Over the last six months, residential real estate has witnessed a strong recovery wherein almost all top cities are clocking record sales as compared to previous years. Customers and investors who had stayed away from residential real estate over the last four to five years are returning to the sector.

While some part of this recovery may be attributed to pent-up demand, developer discounts and temporary stamp duty waivers, a large part of it is on the back of fundamental factors such as multi-decadal low interest rates, bottomed-out pricing creating a room for price rise in future and a general increase in need for owning a home in light of Covid.

Return of this lost demand is imperative to the revival of residential real estate, which has been going through several challenges over the last four to five years due to a spate of regulatory reforms and funding crisis. The upcoming budget should focus on the revival of demand for real estate.

A key measure that can be introduced to boost end-user demand would be to increase eligibility limits on home values for affordable housing benefits from the current Rs 4.5 million to Rs 6 million. The move would expand the benefits of the affordable housing scheme to more homes.

Till 2017, the entire loss from deemed let out properties (second homes and thereafter) could be adjusted with income from all sources. That adjustment incentivised many people to invest in real estate for better tax planning. Restricting this limit to Rs 0.2 million in the 2017 budget created a drop in investor demand. Removing this limit in the upcoming budget would go a long way in bringing back lost investor demand.

Over the last six months, residential real estate has witnessed a strong recovery wherein almost all top cities are clocking record sales as compared to previous years. Customers and investors who had stayed away from residential real estate over the last four to five years are returning to the sector. While some part of this recovery may be attributed to pent-up demand, developer discounts and temporary stamp duty waivers, a large part of it is on the back of fundamental factors such as multi-decadal low interest rates, bottomed-out pricing creating a room for price rise in future and a general increase in need for owning a home in light of Covid. Return of this lost demand is imperative to the revival of residential real estate, which has been going through several challenges over the last four to five years due to a spate of regulatory reforms and funding crisis. The upcoming budget should focus on the revival of demand for real estate. A key measure that can be introduced to boost end-user demand would be to increase eligibility limits on home values for affordable housing benefits from the current Rs 4.5 million to Rs 6 million. The move would expand the benefits of the affordable housing scheme to more homes. Till 2017, the entire loss from deemed let out properties (second homes and thereafter) could be adjusted with income from all sources. That adjustment incentivised many people to invest in real estate for better tax planning. Restricting this limit to Rs 0.2 million in the 2017 budget created a drop in investor demand. Removing this limit in the upcoming budget would go a long way in bringing back lost investor demand.

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Centre suggests states to list power firms

Power Minister Manohar Lal urged states and union territories to consider listing their power generation, transmission, and distribution companies on stock exchanges to attract investment and improve operational efficiency. Addressing the media, after a conference of power ministers, Lal highlighted the need for increased capital inflows to meet India’s rising power demand, which has placed added strain on the sector. “With the growing power demand, there is a growing need for investment in the sector and improving operational efficiencies. States may identify and take up utilities for lis..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Metro on backburner as Tricity set to get new e-buses circuit

To boost connectivity for the commuters of the Tricity, a new circuit-cum-network of electric buses (e-buses) is all set to come up that will cover Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali. The move comes days after Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar said that in Chandigarh the ridership is not according to the criteria set for operating a Metro. He had also said that the option of a pod taxi can also be explored as it will not impact the heritage of the Union Territory (UT).Officials stated that the e-buses decision intends to provide an eco-friendly public transportati..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Rajasthan government plans to develop hi-tech city near Jaipur

On the lines of Gujarat International Finance Tech (GIFT) City and Hyderabad Information Technology and Engineering Consultancy (HITEC) City, Raj govt is gearing up to develop a "hi-tech city" close to Jaipur. Recently, Boston Consulting Group – a multinational consulting firm – gave a presentation on the concept of hi-tech cities, follwing which the state govt has started looking for suitable land on outskirts of Jaipur. "We are going to construct a hi-tech city on the outskirts of Jaipur. We are trying to ascertain the amount of land required for core areas of the city and for areas wh..

Hi There!

"Now get regular updates from CW Magazine on WhatsApp!

Join the CW WhatsApp channel for the latest news, industry events, expert insights, and project updates from the construction and infrastructure industry.

Click the link below to join"

+91 81086 03000