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The consequences of COVID-19 in the business sector have been unprecedented. It is no surprise that the pandemic has also severely impacted the real estate sector. Property sales came to a complete standstill during the March lockdown, and the anxiety among real estate developers has peaked as construction activities still haven’t completely resumed in some states.
On the brighter side, the pandemic gave rise to a few noteworthy trends in the real estate sector which cannot be ignored. High-value markets such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad showed a different graph in comparison to the otherwise secondary market of Real Estate Kolkata. As mentioned by West Bengal’s finance minister— Amit Mitra, the state was at the top with GDP rankings, marking a 12.58% growth during the financial year of 2018-19. A consistently growing market with a steady flow of major investments, increasing job opportunities, infrastructural developments, and upcoming residential projects in Kolkata, makes real estate at Kolkata a coveted investment option in the future.
With people forced to work from home, demand for home office spaces has witnessed a new high. Buyers are keen to invest in a home of their own, a trend that is especially common among millennials living in a shared apartment. Furthermore, many rent payers had to vacate the apartments, giving in to the pressures of the landlords asking to vacate. As a result, the demand for property sales also witnessed a rise during the period of COVID-19, owing to the growing uncertainties in the financial sector, the stock market volatility, among others.
Real Estate Kolkata attracts investments during COVID
Despite the prevailing circumstances, real estate developers in Kolkata—a long time underdogs in the real estate sector have come out victorious. Let’s discuss the reasons why Kolkata of all the high-value markets is a bullseye investment, especially during the times of COVID-19.
Real Estate Kolkata: steady market graph
According to a survey by The Economic Times, Real Estate Kolkata reported an 11% growth. Besides, Kolkata has the largest market in Eastern India and has ranked above the major real estate market players such as Gurgaon, Noida, and Mumbai in terms of growth in the last 10 years. Furthermore, the survey also ascertains that Kolkata has the largest unsold inventories, especially due to COVID-19, despite which the market size ranks at number three after Bengaluru and Pune.
In rapidly growing urban cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, the property markets yield a faster growth, in contrast to Kolkata’s steady graph in the real estate market, especially in the domain of residential properties. The impact-resistant characteristic of Real Estate Kolkata has been a crucial contributor to why major players from the realty sector are investing with real estate companies in Kolkata, particularly in the current slow-down trend of the market.
Kolkata has only recently secured a place in the race of lucrative property sales, Real Estate Kolkata has however shown great tolerance to market blows and has emerged as a prominent investment option. Several launches of new residential projects in Kolkata north, upcoming residential projects in Kolkata south, and new residential projects in Kolkata Rajarhat provide all the more reasons why Kolkata should be your place of choice.
Real Estate Kolkata looks promising with the upcoming IT hub
Although Kolkata joined the bandwagon of popular IT city culture much later, today Real Estate Kolkata has become a preferred choice for IT corporations such as Cognizant, Infosys, TCS, and Wipro, among others. The city is also becoming a preferred alternative for start-ups, thus contributing to the rise in the Kolkata economy. This change is followed by major infrastructural developments in the city such as East-West Metro, and proposed government projects such as SEZ in New Town, thus adding to the market value of the city.
With other major metro cities experiencing market saturation, upcoming cities like Kolkata have all the indicators of becoming a market favorite. Joka & New Town in Kolkata are among the top areas with the maximum number of launches by developers. Owing to its proximity to the IT Job Sectors in the region, residential projects in Kolkata new town, and other upcoming residential projects in Kolkata insinuate a lucrative market for active investments like rent and provides more scope for real estate projects Kolkata in the near future.
Kolkata is affordable than other cities
After a poor financial performance of two consecutive years, Real Estate Kolkata plummeted in the absorption rate, leading to remarkable growth in the absorption prices in the present. The launches from major developers such Tata Housing, Godrej properties, etc. also contributed to growth in the quarterly supply.
The pandemic has created a massive demand for mid-segment and affordable housing. This trend is bound to boost sales in Real Estate Kolkata. Besides, housing interest has hit the lowest level, which is bound to foster investment in real estate with the highest ROI. The lower interest rates will also fuel demand for properties for sale in Kolkata.
Real estate developers are investing in low-inflated states like Kolkata, owing to the fluctuating equity markets. This makes Kolkata a smart investment option during the pandemic period.
Furthermore, the Central Government along with the State Government of West Bengal is working on developing subsided plans like PMAY Scheme, and Nijashree Scheme. Such schemes are opening doors to affordable homes to all. Furthermore, major banks are also reducing the rate of interest for different kinds of home loans, thus proliferating the launches of real estate projects Kolkata. “Major developers in Kolkata say their focus on affordable apartments has helped prevent the price drops seen in other cities, though an unviable build-up of commercial space has led to a plunge in rents and sales.”(Livemint)
The ‘buy now’ option
Real estate companies in Kolkata are flourishing, especially with residential properties that offer plenty of premium projects of affordable housing. Buyers can choose from a plethora of ready-to-move-in flats. Real estate developers in Kolkata with unsold inventory are struggling with a loss on sale margins, such projects especially lead to low prices and less GST, thus making the present the best time to invest in upcoming residential projects in Kolkata. Furthermore, the Nijashree Scheme introduced by the State Government of West Bengal adds value to affordable housing for all.
The new normal boosts sales
In general, it is one of the best times to invest in real estate. The concept of work from home has picked up in the COVID-19 phase and people are definitely seeing the benefits of owning a house, rather than rented accommodation. The new normal of owning an office space at home has surged the demand for buying premium 2bhk, 3bhk, and 4bhk properties among middle-income and upper-middle income groups.
Furthermore, people are staying at home more than usual and for a longer period, therefore appreciating and realizing the value of owning a house, thus adding to the business in general and for real estate developers in Kolkata.
Government support
Support from the Reserve Bank of India is offering home loan interests at record low prices. RBI has minimized the repo rate, thus contributing to benevolent interest rates. Besides, the government has announced several fiscal packages, with other benchmark rates to fuel the sales in the real estate sector.
On October 9, 2020, the RBI announced an unchanged repo rate at four percent and reverse repo rate at 3.5 percent, the unanimous decision has been taken as long as the market stabilizes. As per the latest developments made by the RBI, the risk weights on home loans have been rationalized and have been linked only to Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratios. This has been an encouraging motive for real estate developers in Kolkata and financiers to real estate companies in Kolkata.
Additionally, in the post-COVID-19 times, erosion in the valuation of the stock market is likely. This will further result in lower rates of fixed deposits. With home loans getting cheaper, and the currency value of the rupee declining against stronger international currencies, it is also a good time for NRIs to engage in lucrative property buying. The NRI contribution will foster the buying trend in the real estate sector.
The pandemic uncertainty
With the uncertainty of how long the pandemic will prevail and what lies ahead, the offers in real estate have escalated to a new high, a trend that was previously valid only as festive offers. If not in the form of clear cut lucrative discounts, buyers can avail easy payment deals, complimentary car parking options, among others. It is therefore the best time for buyers to invest in property as the industry is looking at some of the lowest prices, along with various options with location and budget bandwidths. Furthermore, there is also the possibility to buy ready-to-move properties at prices so low which were previously witnessed only with under-construction projects.
Conclusion
Real estate is one of the largest employment building sectors in the country. Real estate Kolkata and real estate developers in Kolkata are hoping for more innovative measures and support from the Government. Should measures such as relaxation in policy rates, and curb in interest rates are effectively implemented in the realty sector at ground level, the overall cost of buying a property will reduce, thus stimulating the percentage of homebuyers, and its positive effects will be visible in the real estate market in the future.
You can also check out our vivid guide that helps you choose your ideal 4 BHK and 3 BHK flats in Kolkata.
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