Vikas Rikhye,India Real Estate Blogger

Gurgaon ! privileged status of “Cyber City” battling a power crisis that has seen power cuts over 12 hours , there is no immediate relief in sight.

Most of the people who moved to Gurgaon for a better quality of life, they , now feel cheated & cursing the day they moved to Gurgaon.

The life becomes miserable, when the whole town plunges into darkness in peak of summer, as one has to surrender to the invertors and then to generators, an expensive proposition besides being unfriendly to the environment.

Students in the city are invariably the biggest sufferers. Long hours of power cut and exhausted inverters have made their lives harder.

A common man is in total confused state of mind as the electricity “Complaint telephones “are usually un-attended or give a busy tone. Personal complaints lead to no results, With repeated assurances of officials, consumers have learnt the hard way not to trust officials.

Tired of long & frequent power cuts and false promises of improvement, created almost a situation of riots in the city as News Headlines of Hindustan Times dated May 7th 2008 read as “Power riots erupt in city, Gurgaon” it further added “People stone power offices”

Is that the “Millennium City” we dreamt of ?

Vikas Rikhye,India Real Estate Blogger

In one of my articles I had mentioned that we never seem to hear about real estate investors who go bankrupt.I had also cautioned that it does not happen very often unless the decision is rash or it is due to lack of basic relevant information and facts.

But I am sorry to state that in the recent past many innocent investors have been trapped by the” Rosy pictures painted” by some of the masterminded Broker Turned Builders (BTBs) who wanted to enter the real estate market as New Players for New Real Estate Projects.Neighbor’s prosperity, News paper &,T.V. advertisement backed up with lucrative assurance of their neighborhood broker was good enough for them to be tempted them to get ready for a Bright & Prosperous future through investment in property.

The new investor having lured by “Real Estate Prosperity” all around got eager to join the “Prosperity Race”. It is understood that while some had
put in their life time savings ,others managed to raise funds at a very high rate of interest & some had raised funds to invest in property by selling their personal belongings as well as inherited gold ornaments.

In 2006-2007 as we all know that “Unheard investment destinations” were being advertised with New Townships besides NCR townships with:

1.Pre-launch offers

2.Rock bottom Prices

3.Assuring heavy return on investment

4.Costly Sales Brochures depicting Quality of life matching International Standards supported by strategically designed marketing techniques

5.Heavy commission to Brokers

6.Cocktail Dinners on Pre-launch (In ***** Hotels)

7.Luxury Cars as gifts on achieving Sales Targets

All this as stated above was good enough for these investors to have the direction, they had in mind.

I often use to wonder ,that how would a builder be able to bear such expensive cost of marketing and yet would be able to deliver the promised project.

I could feel very close to the answer, when I remembered my Business Guru’s saying ‘The Brower who pays 10% interest never returns the original capital”

As I understand almost same thing happened, as while many of the smart investors made a quick buck at the same time where “Fly by Night Operators “have disappeared or Builder/ Promoter has failed to deliver the project, many of the victims are either running from pillar to post for refund or some accepted it as a bad luck/wrong decision .

At the same time some of the ‘Stay Back’ Builders are asking for future installments without any visible progress as the payment plan seems to be time bound & not construction linked

In Gurgaon after master plan 2021 has earmarked 58 new Sectors,
I understand from news paper advertisement that some of the new Developers are offering apartments in remote locations at a lesser price ranging 2200-2500 per sq.ft with 15% Cost along with application along with a 45day PDC of 10%, which means that with 25% of the selling cost builder receives almost more than 40% of his cost ,without even starting the construction & since the remaining payment is construction linked, therefore apparently the developer has already got his chunk of profit and yet stays in the business at the cost of his investor’s money having a stake free existence .

Secondly, even if the builder delivers the project in time in these remote locations, how would that become livable in absence of basic infrastructure like Public Transport , Sewer, Electricity ,Water etc.

Whereas , so called booming almost 12 years old “New township of Gurgaon” still is awaiting its “Infrastructure dream” to come true

It is also noticed that some of the better known builders are selling Builder floors , which as per present rules do not enjoy a clear title on secondary sales ,where, in some of the cases the builder has already taken more than 25% of the price, without any visible progress

I very frequently get, desperate phone calls from some of such investors, that they would like to get rid of their investment at any cost in some cases they are ready to sell out the booked property below cost

The scene of the Gurgaon shopping malls is no less gloomy as few of the specialized malls give a deserted look awaiting the occupants & investors/owners are asked to pay Maintenance charges, while others Malls which are under construction have slowed down the construction process with a fear of lack of occupancy.

IT office space / IT Parks ( victim of overtrading) had become an investor’s craze , who are continuing to invest ,without realizing the Government’s Plans & Policy.

To me it seems “Some can not think due to lack & greed of money others
Can’t think due to overdose of money”

Mr. Vikas Rikhye,Realtor,Real Estate Blogger and Real Estate Promoter

Despite the fact that countries like U.A.E (Dubai) Australia, New Zealand & others are making best of their efforts to attract foreign investors to invest in real estate sector but the fact remains that US. China & India are the preferred ones’

According to a survey conducted by Association of Foreign Investors in Real Estate (AFIRE), amongst the global investors, US has retained its top position, while China ranked 2nd followed by India ranking 3rd.

It is understood that in the current survey China moved to second place with 21.4%votes & India was preferred by only 16.7%, whereas in 2006, China got 14.6% votes while India had 18% and was ranked in the second position.

The investors confidence seems stronger in China, apparently because of better appreciation chances offered as compared to opportunities in India.

On the other hand, the US, whose economy continues facing the threat of a recession, still managed to retain the ‘most preferred destination´ tag for real estate investment.

Since now India is growing ahead with overall progress in real estate & infrastructure ,we, therefore look forward to its ranking as No-1

Mr. Vikas Rikhye,Realtor and Real Estate Blogger

A blend of Historical Heritage & Modern Technology makes Jaipur a most sought after destination for Builders, Real-estate promoters & Investors.

Multinationals and IT related companies have also started a thought -process of considering Jaipur to be suitable township for their future expansion.

Moreover, it becomes more luring & lucrative destination for all concerned with the following:

• In a close proximity to NCR having a very strategic location on NH-8, with fast developing infrastructure.

• The up gradation of Jaipur airport as “International Airport”.

• Liberal Government policies to encourage foreign investors.

• With opening up of SEZs (Special Economic Zones) , some of the well-known BPOs and IT companies have already started setting up their offices because of low operational cost as compared with other metropolis .

• The pre-existing infrastructure like Hotel etc has served as added benefit to overall growth and development.

With most visible progress, Builders like Vatika Group, Ansals & Omaxe etc are already showing their active presence .The prices of Residential and Commercial are showing upward trend.

It is understood , as per Market estimates in next 4-5 years, around Rs.1500 Billion is in the pipeline to be spent in Jaipur Real estate Sector itself. And according to an Expert ” Jaipur Real-estate market grow to double of today by 2010″ ……..

Mr Vikas Rikhye,Realtor and Real Estate Blogger

With all around Real-estate development in Gurgaon it seems that Housing problem in this fast growing township has met with a comfortable solution.The news papers, full of advertisements of prominent builders promising Luxury Villas & Luxury Apartments endorse of a fabulous life style matching international standards.

But in one of my articles: Gurgaon Needs Economic Growth with Social Justice , I remember having mentioned:

While Prominent Builders are competing with each other in offering Luxurious Villas & Apartments with a price tag ranging 50 lacs to 2.5 crores and above leaving no scope for a common man to even own a simple shelter, as the uncontrolled land prices are much beyond his means

This scene has started appearing in other parts of the nation.

As it seems that housing sector has been only targeted for Rich & Affluent segment of society leaving no scope for middle/low income group. It therefore calls for a meticulous planning to protect the interest other section of the society as well.

It is the need of the hour to explore the possibilities / options for affordable housing for one and all.

It is understood from sources that the subject of “Affordable Housing” was discussed in recently concluded three day national conference, NATCON 2008 organized by Real Estate Developers’ Association (CREDAI).

It is also understood that in this conference that was attended by ,The State Minister of Housing & Poverty Alleviation , CREDAI Chairman Kumar Gera , Hiranandani Construction Managing Director Mr.Niranjan Hiranandani and other dignitaries ,who made a very valuable contribution.

It would be a matter of a great appreciation if some of NGOs participate in organizing seminars & conferences to stimulate ideas /option on affordable housing and pass on the same to concerned authorities ,acting as helping hand.

Mr Vikas Rikhye,Realtor and Real Estate Promoter

The History of Pre launch goes as back as about four years that is late 2004, when the real estate business was about to “Take off’. Some of the masterminded Broker Turned Builders (BTBs)wanted to enter the real estate market as New Players for New Real Estate Project.

Having a basic support of the large client/investor-base & Fellow Broker Network they designed a scheme to raise funds from profit hungry small investors from the market with a very clear objective to generate interest free money to implement the project.

Usually in real estate the word Pre launch means that the Builder/ Promoter has purchased the land on which a project is to be developed (& in some cases, the builder may not have the possession of the land, he might have an agreement to sell/collaborate with the owner of the land).

The promoter/builder offers to sell the property at discounted price (directly or thru Broker net-work) before the formal launch.

It means the following:

• At this stage Regulatory, legal and formal Government approvals are awaited.
• Land title might not be clear.
• Due to some other Legal reason its Formal Launch can not be done

It is also undermined that Builder instead of utilizing his own investment resources, is trying to raise interest free monetary reserve from investors, to pay off the Land owner Govt .fees, Initial infrastructure/construction cost etc.

Many experts feel that there is no wrong as the investor is aware of the risk involved.

In many states pre-launch bookings have been banned to Curb the malpractices by dubious operators. It is also understood that the Promoters /Developers have been banned to release advertisements about projects that do not have necessary approvals.

It is noticed that “Reputed Real estate companies” have never launched any of the luring Pre launch schemes.

The Pre-launch fever started spreading in other part of Northern including prominent towns like Amritsar, Patiala,Luhiana,Japur,Bhewadi,Neemrana,Alwar,Rudharpur and many more are under its grip.

While many of the smart investors made a quick buck at the same time where “Fly by Night Operators “have disappeared or Builder/ Promoter has failed to deliver the project, many of the victims are either running from pillar to post for refund or some accepted it as a bad luck/wrong decision.

Mr Vikas Rikhye,Real Estate Blogger

Gurgaon Progress/ Prosperity vs Common Man (The CM)

Someone has to monitor the progress/ growth of this New Township of Gurgaon in more balanced & Planned manner having Prime focus on the following:

• Housing : While Prominent Builders are competing with each other in offering Luxurious Villas & Apartments with a price tag ranging 50 lacs to 2.5 crores and above leaving no scope for a common man to even own a simple shelter, as the uncontrolled land prices are much beyond his means.

• Education: The most modern education systems are being introduced in best of institutes finding their place in Gurgaon, making Education a luring business but what is in store for a child who is studious but does not have resources.

• Health care :With appearance of well known expensive Hospitals & Medicity, remarkable progress is noticed , awaiting the Financial boom from “Medical Tourism”. Yet ,hundreds of poor patients are left to their fate for the want of resources.

• Local commuting/Transport: Speeding Swanky Cars reflect of an affluent culture prevailing all around, forgetting the basic need of a humble commuter who is the one of the pillars of today’s Glittering Gurgaon.

Time is warning us that we are not far away from the crucial stage of “Haves & Have-nots” ……………… which can be disastrous for the society.