Dharavi's Profile in Mumbai Real Estate

Dharavi, the thriving 200-hectare of land in the heart of Mumbai, home to over a half million people, is one of Mumbai's prime properties.

With real estate values sky-high in Mumbai and a key commercial district on the cards in north of Dharavi; a multi-billion dollar redevelopment plan for this area is now up.

Booming economy

An annual business turnover of more than $650m (£350m) a year is what Dharavi's contribution to Indian economy is.

Dharavi has a hefty number of flourishing small-scale industries that manufacture embroidered garments, export quality leather goods, pottery and plastic. Most of these products are sold in domestic as well as international markets.

Apprehensive of impending redevelopment plans, residents have raised their concerns fearing uncertainty over the relocation of their small businesses in the informal sector.

The existing residents are believed to be shifted to apartment units. Mumbai is offering them an area of 225 sq.ft each in apartment blocks but there is no space allocated for their prolific enterprises, say media reports.

An 'affordable' alternative

Moreover in a city where house rents are among the highest in the world, Dharavi provides an economical and affordable option. As Dharavi is situated between Mumbai's two main suburban rail lines, majority of people find it convenient for work.

According to industry sources, rents here can be as low as 185 rupees ($4/£2.20) per month.

Future Outlook

Dharavi's location has made it a hot property in Mumbai Real Estate. The redevelopment project is estimated to cost $2.1bn (£1.1bn) but intended for a city that personifies India's hopes of becoming an economic competitor to China this costs zilch.

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The Ups and Downs of Mumbai Properties

While rest of the country is up for a 20-25 per cent price fall, Mumbai will witness the fall in the range of 10-15 per cent, source Housing Development Infrastructure (HDIL). The property boom continuing for the past four years has lead to as much as 300 per cent appreciation in the Mumbai property prices, including the suburban areas of the city as well. But the current market correction is expected to result in prices falling to almost 25 per cent in some areas of Mumbai.

Mumbai Real Estate Developers were holding on to properties for long but now they are releasing them as the market is no longer buoyant. Mumbai has recently been announced as Asia's third and the world's sixth most expensive location to rent a three-bedroom apartment, media reports. Amid that, the news of price correction has bought a much needed relief for the buyers who are waiting for long to buy a house in the city anticipating the fall in Mumbai property rates.

However, Mumbai real estate builders are optimistic as ever. Owing to the fact that people are vying to buy an apartment Mumbai and the demand is robust but supply is limited, the developers feel that there can never really be a crash in the residential property market of Mumbai.

Although the real estate agents and builders accept that there is a fall in the market but they affirms that rental market is still growing strong. The demand for all property types (be it residential or commercial) in Mumbai outstrips the supply, anytime. Due to this demand-supply mismatch, although there would be a market correction in the residential sector of Mumbai, still it is going to be a task for a common man to get a home in Mumbai. Moreover, the realty slump world over is leading to Mumbai properties being flocked by the foreign investors because of its strategic location.

George Gonigal provides you the best and latest information on Mumbai Real Estate, If you want to Buy Apartments in Mumbai, he suggests you log on to magicbricks.com

Drop in Mumbai Suburb Prices - Hopes For Buyers

Owing to nil supply the property prices in the core areas of Mumbai are buoyant as ever. However, the suburban areas are witnessing a drop in prices by 10-20 percent. As the supply side is in excess the values of property are much less in the suburbs as compared to the main city.

According to market research reports, while in Borivali, prices are likely to come down by 10 per cent, the drop would be in the range of 15-20 per cent in Thane and Navi Mumbai. Industry experts feel that it would take a long time for the real estate industry to recover from the current slump.

As per a recent survey, Mumbai is the 10th most expensive city in the world. Having said so to buy an apartment in Mumbai remains a distant dream for a larger section of population. The profile of the prospective buyers mainly consists of youngsters who have come to make a career in Mumbai and spend considerable years of their life in rented apartments and homes. The rented options cost a bomb as well. So, owing a house in Mumbai is a task in its self.

As it is the property are so high in Mumbai and on top of that the rising interest rates has hit the home sales hard. Since long the transactions have been very low all across Mumbai. Mumbai real estate builder, Neelkanth Group, has seen its sales dropping by over a third in the same period.

But the news of a drop in residential real estate prices has brought array of hope for many who are in search of a home in the city.

Mumbai Real Estate Developers, who have their projects in the city suburbs, are now hoping that their projects will soon find some takers. They are optimistic of a good business ahead. Real estate in Mumbai has always been a trendsetter in the property market of the country. Therefore, considering prices declining in its suburbs the property agents and developers are hoping the same trend in other metros as well.

George Gonigal provides you the best and latest information on Mumbai properties. If you want to Buy Apartments in Mumbai, he suggests you log on to magicbricks.com.

Can Green Buildings Become Popular in India?

Mumbai-based Lodha Group announced a green building project at Kanjur Marg recently. With this, Lodha Group joins the bandwagon of other private property developers who are developing green buildings in India. Hiranandani Group, K Raheja Corp and RMZ Corp have already launched green construction at various part of the country.

Green buildings usually involve an incremental cost of 7-10 % over traditional buildings. This may become a hindrance for small developers who want to build energy efficient buildings.

Have your say – Do you think Indian developers can embrace green building concept, overlooking the financial burden? Share your opinion with us.

Home Loan Rate inTerest Rates: Burdening the Masses?

Higher home loan interest rates will soon become a fact of life from the coming month, thanks to the announcement of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for increased repo rate and Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR)

While expectations of a rise for home loans between 0.5% and 1% in the interest are predicted by home loan lenders, some have even indicated a jump of 2%.

This will add to the monthly investments’ increase for an average home seeker who already feels burdened with overall costs of buying a house.

With the cost of living already going up by rising inflation standards, don’t we need an innovative thinking for housing loan solutions offered by government authorities or the developers that may save us from the both financial as well as psychological pressures?

Are Property Prices Coming Down Any Soon?

Property consultant Knight Frank expects further correction in home prices in India. Their recent report suggest that since the volumes of property transactions are going down, hence the asking price for property will also go down. Additionally, over-supply of property is posing as a major reason for the slow down in Real Estate prices.

Recent media reports have also suggested the same trend. Reports suggest that Real Estate Prices in Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, and National Capital Region have corrected 15-20% in the first quarter of this year. Market-watchers say that this trend will be repeated across the Tier II cities and suburbs too. No wonder property developers are wooing prospective users with all sorts of offers. Some are even offering lower EMIs for flats while some are offering goodies like cars along with property. Still others are wavering off the stamp duty prices.

Are the property prices coming down in your area? Is the property slow down really impacting the end user in a major way? Should the home seekers cheer for some reasons? Is there a possibility of a market dive? Or is this a temporary phase in the housing segment?