Saturday, July 25, 2009

Global warming, high tides and Mumbai sea-facing property prices

Yesterday I was one of the curious onlookers witnessing the ferocious waves as they lashed upon the sea-walls. My parents have lived their whole life in Mumbai and they havn't seen this phenomenon ever. Flooding in Bacchan's Juhu house due to rains has become a norm, now the sea water has started entering his house due to tides. All areas within the vicinity of the beach are flooded. This set me thinking that maybe this is a game changer for all these sea facing mumbai properties. Global warming is real, the tides are higher then ever, the rains are more then ever and this combination is lethal. I love the sea, except when it enters my house and destroys my car and all my possessions. I think its time to rethink prices on Mumbai's sea-front. We are witnessing a game changer here. What do you guys think ?

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Price rise is realtor strategy, not indication of market lift: report

Price rise is realtor strategy, not indication of market lift: report

A July 2009 report by HDFC Securities notes that over the last three months, there has been an average price rise of 3 to 8 per cent in Mumbai. “We believe this increase, by a few hundred rupees per sq ft, is being used as a tool to sway potential buyers to close deals,” it states. It notes that banks providing home loans have reported a significant increase in home purchases and approvals in disbursements have been peaked in the central suburbs.

Between May and July, Kalpataru has increased rates for its projects in Thane, Ghatkopar and Kandivli in the range of 5 to 8 per cent, Nahar for its Chandivli project by 7 per cent, RNA Corp for its Kandivli project by 10 per cent. A few like HDIL and Lodha, which had launched projects at relatively low rates, have hiked prices now, HDIL by 23 per cent at its Kurla and Versova projects and Lodha by 20 per cent at Dombivli.