Decoding Hinjawadi – The Locality that's Revolutionized Western Pune

Pune is such a laid-back city, it's easy to it call home. Located on the Deccan Plateau and 560 meters above sea level, it enjoys impeccable weather all through the year. However, it's not just the temperature that makes Pune cool, but also the people and its blend of traditional values and modernity. The infusion of these two elements brews a vivid cosmopolitan attitude that defines this city.

In 2001, India's first six lane high-speed Expressway was built, connecting Pune with its larger & more famous cousin, Mumbai. One could say it was the beginning of a revolution, one that influenced the transformation of Pune from an education city to a bustling IT hub.

The western side of Pune is exceptionally beautiful and surrounded by hills and lush greenery. Owing to its proximity to the Expressway, this area enjoys better connectivity that catalyzed an explosion of urbanization. The western suburbs began to garner the attention of builders that were eager to cater to the needs of professionals working at the busy IT parks in Aundh, Hinjawadi and Nagar Road.

Despite the rapid urbanization that Pune has witnessed in the last decade, the area of Hinjawadi still retains its tranquility and solitude. Thanks to the Special Township Policy Act of the Maharashtra Government, the suburb has a modern infrastructure with a deluge of luxury gated communities. These integrated townships encourage residents to work closer to where they live, with more convenience and a better way of life. The gated townships of Hinjawadi ensure that the suburb still retains its calm demeanor and open spaces, while adding impressive buildings and towers to the skyline.

In the coming years, Hinjawadi is set to become even more popular. The area will soon be incorporated with a proposed metro line that will ease travel through the city to a great extent. The area is also favored to experience steady price appreciation, which makes it an enticing investment opportunity for home buyers.

Life Republic, a popular township located in the neighborhood, is easily one of Pune's most vibrant townships. It presents a life of glamour and convenience set amidst a 400 acre sprawling community. The modern township has one objective, which of being a delectable and vibrant address in Hinjawadi. Featuring the best of amenities, the project is a haven for lively spacious homes with a contemporary attitude and aesthetic.

The layout of Life Republic begins with a wide boulevard that traverses through the mega-township. The project is also packed with premium lifestyle and entertainment options like fine dining restaurants, a multiplex, high-street stores, a mall, clubs, wedding and party venues, community centers and academies, lake-front recreation and much more.

Apartment towers are surrounded with ample green cover, and the project features artistic installations with an abundance of green open spaces. Life Republic also encompasses organic farming, an agro institute and fresh vegetable market. The plenitude of green cover here creates a pollution-free and pleasant environment.

At Life Republic, you experience a lifestyle that's unique to your preference but tailored to create an urban habitat where everyone’s needs are answered.

Townships like Life Republic are bringing a new premium lifestyle to Hinjawadi. It's this transformation that is shaping the future of real estate in Pune and in India.

This is a guest post by Gaurav Mishra

Press Release: Gera Developments Among Top 10 Pune Residential Developers

Gera Developments Among Top 10 Pune Residential Developers

Bloomberg TV India along with knowledge partner JLL announced the top real estate developers for both residential and commercial projects across in major cities

Pune, 10th October, 2014: Gera Developments, with a track record of over 43 years is one of the pioneers of the real estate industry and the creators of premium residential and commercial projects in Pune, Goa & Bangalore, have been announced as one of the top 10 Pune residential developers by Bloomberg TV India, the country's leading English business news channel and knowledge partners JLL.

Commenting on the accolade, Mr Rohit Gera, MD, Gera Developments said, ”This recognition is a testament to our commitment to our customers. Our commitment to quality, trust and customer satisfaction is part of our continued efforts to fulfill our vision.  The scoring system adopted by JLL takes into account sales pricing as well as velocity along with the construction delays of the projects.  We believe we have been able to show sales velocity as well as sales premiums as our customers recognize the benefits of buying with a reputed developer with a track record and commitment to customer satisfaction.  This honor will further motivate us to achieve greater heights. We are happy with the acknowledgement from industry experts like JLL who have recognized our extended benchmarks in the real estate realm with our constant innovation techniques which are way ahead of time – be it India's first ChildCentricTM project or Pune's first intelligent building. ”

Gera’s vast expertise in the sector that spans across more than 4 decades, along with its commitment to trust, transparency and innovation have ensured them a place in the top players in Pune. They have established a footprint across Pune, Goa and have recently entered Bangalore by meticulously constructing and delivering over 50 projects, with close to 4 million sq.ft. of development.

The comprehensive analysis and research was carried on the basis of detailed parameters like total units launched, Launch Price (INR psf), average size of units in each project, sales velocity etc. The secondary factors for evaluating the companies were price and rental bench-marking, the total space built by the company and vacancy levels for commercial projects by the company etc.

The report is based on hard data and demonstrated deliverable, and is the most rigorous study of its kind to date.

The Top 10 real estate companies in Pune are: 

Note: The developer names have been arranged alphabetically

	Top 10 Pune Residential Developers	Top 10 Pune Office Developers
1	Amit Enterprises	DLF
2	Gera Developments	Embassy Property Developments
3	Goel Ganga	K Raheja Corp
4	Kolte Patil Developers	Kolte Patil Developers
5	Kumar Properties	KUL
6	Marvel Realtors	Magarpatta Township Development & Construction Co.
7	Panchshil Realty	Panchshil Realty
8	Paranjape Schemes	Paranjape Schemes
9	Pride Purple Group	Pride Housing
10	Sukhwani Associates	Shapoorji Pallonji Group

About Gera Developments:

Gera Developments, one of the pioneers of the real estate business in Pune are recognized as the creators of premium residential and commercial projects in Pune, Goa & now Bangalore. Gera Developments has recently unveiled ChildCentricTM Homes, a new way to live for today’s young home buyer. It is a revolutionary concept and an innovative solution that is set to create a new category in the residential real estate industry and establish a benchmark in the product + services model.

Gera Developments prides itself on providing long term enjoyment to customers and innovation being a hallmark of the company’s projects.  There are many 'firsts' that stand to Gera Developments’ credit such as 5-Year Warranty on Real Estate consisting of Preventive Maintenance and Repairs for the first time in India and providing Insurance of buildings for 3 years (prepaid). 

Pune Real Estate Trend 2014

Gera Pune Realty Report January 2014 to June 2014 revises price increase expectations of the Pune realty market for 2014 to be in the region of 10% to 14%

1. The half yearly price increase has been at the lowest in years at 2.2% 
2. Pune realty market has expanded by only 22% in the calendar year June 2013 – 2014 as compared to 31.9% in the corresponding period of June 2012 - 2013
3. The average price across the city is pegged at Rs. 4910/- per square foot 
4. Inventory has reached an all-time high of 66,279 units which translated into 29% increase over the past year

Pune, August 6, 2014 - Gera Developments, one of the pioneers of the real estate business in Pune and the creators of premium residential and commercial projects in Pune, Goa and Bangalore released the Gera Pune Realty Report for the period January – June 2014. The consolidated report which is now an industry benchmark presents a detailed update and analysis of the Pune real estate residential market. The current report reflects that the impact of the overall economic slowdown has finally started showing on the Pune real estate numbers over the last 6 months and clearly indicates that the same has had a bearing on the demand in the market place. The assessment of the overall gross stock (defined as projects under construction and ready projects with more than 5% unsold stock and more than 10 units) reveals that the rate of market expansion has come down in the last 12 months i.e. June’ 13 to June’ 14. This period saw the gross stock rise from 200,944 units to 245,674 units, an increase of 22% as compared to the preceding 12 months from June ’12 to June ’13 which saw stock rising from 152,311 units to 200,944 units, an increase of 31.9%.

The half yearly price increase has been at the lowest in the years at 2.2% for the period January’ 14 to June’ 14. There is however a counter effect of increased loading and extra charges that has, to an extent added to the price rise but does not show up in the normal analysis. The average price across the city is now just shy of Rs. 5000 psf and stands at Rs. 4910 psf. The average basket of homes has delivered a 41.29% increase in rates over the last 3 years where average prices in June 2011 were at Rs. 3475 psf.  The 3 year compounded annual growth rate has been 12.25%. Investors who have purchased homes 3 years ago with mortgage rates at 10.5% and loan to value of 80% would have seen an equity returns of 18.75% per annum, making real estate still an attractive investment especially when factoring in tax benefits and deducting entry load costs.

Commenting on the key findings of the Gera Pune realty report, Mr. Rohit Gera, Managing Director, Gera Developments said, “We have studied and evaluated the Pune realty market to realize that on the surface there seems to be a slowdown in the rate of increase of realty prices. However the quantum of slow down needs to be viewed with total cost of purchase rather than the traditional rate per sq. ft. model that has been used to value property. The loading of the common areas onto the carpet area is in the region of 33% to 35% for the common areas.  This has had an impact of 8% - 10% on the carpet area or 5% - 7% on the saleable areas. The increase in the extra costs like club house charges, infrastructure etc. has risen more than the rates themselves thereby having a positive impact on the overall cost that the consumer pays for the home.”

Mr. Gera further added “We have gauged the market in terms of supply and unsold stock based on the category of housing. The categories we have created are Budget, Value, Premium, PremiumPlus & Luxury. These parameters have helped us to understand that the maximum stress is on the luxury segment (where current quoted prices are in excess of Rs. 7500 psf) which has seen a 61% rise in unsold stock in the last 12 months. This segment is most exposed to the vagaries of the economy which has resulted in to a deferment of purchase. Also customers seem to have found greater value in the prices between Rs. 6000 and 7000 psf.”

For today’s buyer there may appear to be a slowdown in the increases in rates over the past years, however it is interesting to note that the rate of increase in luxury specifications and amenities has only increased. Locations where Italian marble or home automation would have been considered extravagant a year ago, now have a number of projects offering higher better specifications and amenities.  All these amenities end up costing the developer but are provided in a hyper competitive market. The boost to infrastructure and civic amenities  have provided customers with a better bargain since homes are actually getting cheaper in real terms with lower rates of appreciation, adjusted for infrastructure, better specifications and amenities. Though the additional loading and extra costs have impacted the overall prices, customers continue to look at the cost per sq. ft. and as such, feels satisfied that the rates have not risen. In reality, the overall cost of ownership has increased over the last few years.

While commenting on the price outlook, Mr. Gera explained that, “Our previous price outlook had indicated an increase of 13% to 18% for the year 2014. The first half of the year has shown a mere 2.2% increase.  Keeping this in mind, we would like to revise our outlook for the future and would recast price increase expectations for the upcoming 12 months to be in the region of 10% to 14%.”

The increase in inventories has also continued with unsold inventories at an all-time high – the unsold inventory that was at 39238 units 24 months ago increased by 30.9% to 51363 units 12 months ago and currently stands at 66279 units, an increase of 29% over the past year. On a macro level, areas like Chakan and Kondhwa saw the most infusion in terms of new supply, followed by Wagholi and Pradhikaran region of PCMC. City center, Vimannagar, Erandwane, Kothrud & Karve Nagar witnessed the maximum price appreciation in the last 24 months while Sopan Baugh, Khed, Aundh and Koregaon Park witnessed the lowest price appreciation owing to the saturation in those micro markets.


SUMMARY
Years of the economy slowly grinding to a halt has finally seen the impact on the real estate sector.  While there is a renewed sense of optimism in the air, the same has not translated into demand into the market place as yet.  This enhanced demand when triggered has the potential to create an upward pressure on prices as seen in the earlier years.

The counter effect to increasing prices is the hope that that simplified procedures with reduced red tape will improve the supply into the markets thereby keeping prices in check. The question of the timing of these two significant developments will determine the impact on prices.  The more likely outcome seems to be that the optimism will turn to demand sooner than the simplification of processes and reduction of red tape.

 
About Gera Developments
Gera Developments, one of the pioneers of the real estate business in Pune are recognized as the creators of premium residential and commercial projects in Pune, Goa & now Bangalore. Gera Developments has recently unveiled ChildCentricTM Homes, a new way to live for today’s young home buyer. It is a revolutionary concept and an innovative solution that is set to create a new category in the residential real estate industry and establish a benchmark in the product + services model.


Find the detailed Pune Real Estate Report below:

Pune residential realty report for the period January to June 2014 from Green Realtech Projects Pvt. Ltd


Appendix:

Demographic Projections for Pune Municipal Corporation, 2001-2027

Pune's Population Projections:

Year	Population
2001	1855476
2007	2138243
2012	2371663
2017	2650482
2022	2975720
2027	3356121