Bengaluru, November 08, 2024: According to the Knight Frank report – Banking on Bricks, a survey of 1,629 Indian urban homebuyers revealed that 52% prefer apartments, followed by studio apartments at 19%, and independent houses or villas at 17%. Notably, gated communities and plots of land are less popular, chosen by only 7% and 5% of respondents, respectively. In terms of financing, about 79% of respondents indicated home loans as their preferred mode for purchasing a home.

Home ownership prevails amongst homebuyers:

Overall, 80% of respondents expressed a preference for owning a home with only 19% opting for renting and a mere 1% remaining uncertain. This sentiment is consistent across generations: 79% of Baby Boomers, 80% of Gen X, and 82% of Millennials favour homeownership, while Gen Z shows a notable difference, with only 71% preferring to own, and a high 27% leaning towards renting.

Source: Knight Frank Research

Reasons for purchasing a home – Investment vs End-Use:

Baby boomers favour investments but millennials prefer to upgrade their property. The reasons for purchasing a home show distinct generational difference. Millennials (39%) and Gen Z (36%) are leading the trend of upgrading and purchasing for end-use, while Baby Boomers display a stronger interest in investments (29%) and retirement plans (15%).

Overall, 37% of respondents are upgrading to a better home reflecting a growing shift towards mid-range and luxury housing which was traditionally concentrated in select cities but is now expanding to Tier 1 cities in India. The remaining 32% are first-time homebuyers for end-use, 25% are investing, and 7% cite other reasons, such as retirement or acquiring a second home or vacation home.

Shishir Baijal, Chairman & Managing Director, Knight Frank India, said “India’s real estate sector is not only pivotal to our economic growth, contributing significantly to GDP and employment, but also reflects evolving buyer preferences and financial support systems. Our latest survey highlights this continued preference for homeownership, with 80% of respondents aspiring to own homes and a growing trend toward premium properties, particularly in urban areas. As the BFSI sector facilitates this growth—offering home loans, investment avenues, and risk management tools—combined with emerging technologies and infrastructure advancements, we anticipate a resilient real estate landscape that aligns with India’s broader development goals.”

Balancing Aspirations and Practicality: Key Factors Influencing Homebuying Decisions:

Location stands out as a priority and is the determining factor for 50% of respondents, affirming its timeless importance in real estate. However, the near-equal emphasis is also provided on the property size and layout (45%), price and affordability (45%), which suggests that homebuyers are equally focused on securing value for their money while looking for spaces that meet their lifestyle needs.

Interestingly, the builder’s reputation (35%) and proximity to workplace (33%) play an important role, reflecting a strong demand for reliability and convenience, key factors that enhance buyer confidence in their long-term investment. Moreover, with amenities (32%) becoming more significant, buyers are not just purchasing homes, but are opting for enhanced living experiences, seeking integrated facilities like gyms, parks, or co-working spaces. On the financial front, financing options (29%) and future resale value (22%) highlights that affordability and long-term investment potential remain crucial factors in the decision process, particularly as more buyers gravitate towards high-end homes.

Home loans prevail as the most preferred mode of financing amongst surveyed homebuyers

Home loans is cited as the most preferred mode of financing across all income groups, with 79% of respondents relying on this option. However, there is a noticeable variation in how affluent homebuyers approach funding. While 83% of households earning between INR 1 mn to INR 5 mn prefer home loans, affluent buyers with household incomes above INR 5 mn show a higher inclination (19%) to utilize their personal savings or liquidate investments for home purchases compared to 11% in the less than INR 5 mn household income group. This suggests that wealthier individuals take a more flexible, diversified approach to financing, blending traditional home loans with personal resources to secure property.

In addition to financing, the survey sheds light on homebuyers’ expectations from banks and financial institutions during the homebuying process. The top priority for 74% of respondents is competitive interest rates, followed by flexible loan tenures (48%) and a quick loan approval process (38%). Guidance on legal and documentation aspects is also important for 25% respondents, and 15% of them value home insurance options.

Indian Idol Season 1 runner-up Rahul Krishna Vaidya has recently acquired a residential property valued at Rs. 9 crores in Mumbai, as revealed by registration documents reviewed by Square Yards. The newly purchased apartment is located in DLH Signature, a premium project by DLH Group, offering 3 BHK, 4 BHK, and 5 BHK units with an array of amenities across a sprawling 1.25-acre campus.

The project is located in Bandra West, which has seen a surge in celebrity real estate investments in recent months. Bollywood stars such as Sunil Shetty, Ranveer Singh, and Deepika Padukone, alongside sports personalities like KL Rahul with Athiya Shetty, have also acquired properties in this neighbourhood.

Bandra’s allure lies in its historic ties to Bollywood and sports icons, creating an exclusive, close-knit community. Its proximity to the film industry, production studios, and networking venues offers clear benefits for entertainment professionals. High-end residences, modern amenities, and excellent connectivity to the airport and business hubs make Bandra a preferred choice for high-profile individuals seeking premium residential spaces in Mumbai.

According to Square Yards, the apartment purchased by the Vaidya spans a carpet area of approximately 3,110 sq. ft. (~288.92 sq. m) and a built-up area of 317.93 sq. m (~3,422 sq. ft.). The transaction which was finalized in October 2024, incurred a stamp duty payment  and a registration fee .

Rahul began his career as a child artist, participating in various music shows such as Star Yaar Kalakaar, Aao Jhoomein Gaayen, and Chalti Ka Naam Antakshari. His musical journey took a major step forward with his appearance on Indian Idol in 2004. He also became a finalist in Bigg Boss 14 and Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 11. In 2024, he participated in Colors TV’s reality show Laughter Chef, which became highly popular and captured the audience’s attention. Recognized for his versatility across genres, Rahul remains an active figure in India’s music scene, delivering engaging performances

The Board of Directors of Sundaram Finance Ltd. (SFL) approved the unaudited standalone and consolidated financial results for the half year ended Sep 30, 2024, at its meeting held on Nov 04, 2024, in Chennai.

“Team Sundaram has delivered a balanced H1FY25 despite lower-than-expected economic activity in the half year. Assets under management grew by 20% to Rs. 48,058 crores compared to the prior year period. Net stage 3 assets closed at 0.89% and profit after tax for H1FY25 was at Rs. 648 crores. Our Group companies in asset management, general insurance and home finance have continued their trajectory from FY24 and recorded strong results. We continue to rely on our time-tested approach of steady and sustainable growth with best-in-class asset quality and consistent profitability,” said Harsha Viji, Executive Vice Chairman. 

Disbursements for H1FY25 recorded a growth of 3% over H1FY24. Gross stage 3 assets improved over the previous year. Gross stage 3 assets as on September 30, 2024, stood at 1.62% with provision cover of 45% as against 1.86% as on September 30, 2023, with provision cover of 42%. Core operations performed strongly with profit from operations up by 23% in H1FY25. Profits after tax was flat at Rs. 648 crores during H1FY25 and H1FY24 primarily due to a shift in the timing of dividend income last year. Dividend income was at Rs. 43 crores during H1FY25 as against Rs. 181 crores in H1FY24. Return on assets closed at 2.50% in H1FY25 as against 2.95% for H1FY24 and capital adequacy at 20.0% remains quite comfortable.

“Economic activity in Q2 was well below expectations with the monsoons disrupting consumption and government spending being slower post the general elections. The tepid economic activity was exacerbated by growing concerns on asset quality in the microfinance and unsecured lending sectors. With no exposure in these segments, we delivered a well-balanced performance in a tough operating environment, recording operating profit growth of 23%. Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic of a recovery in economic activity in H2 as domestic consumption and private sector capital expenditure resume and the central government’s infrastructure spend and policy agenda gather pace. Team Sundaram will continue to remain sharply focused on delivering the Sundaram experience to our customers, our people and all stakeholders,” said Rajiv Lochan, Managing Director.  

STANDALONE PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS FOR H1FY25 

• Disbursements for H1FY25 grew by 3% to Rs. 13,768 crores as compared to Rs. 13,430 crores registered in H1FY24.
• The assets under management grew by 20% to Rs. 48,058 crores as on 30^th September 2024 as against Rs. 40,106 crores as on 30^th September 2023.
• Net interest income grew 19.4% to Rs. 1,304 crores in H1FY25 from Rs. 1,092 crores in H1FY24.
• Gross stage 3 as on 30^th September 2024 stood at 1.62% with 45% provision cover as against 1.86% with provision cover of 42% as on 30^th September 2023. Net stage 3 as on 30^th September 2024 closed at 0.89% as against 1.08% as on 30^th September 2023.
• The Gross and Net NPA, as per RBI’s asset classification norms for NBFCs, are 2.39% and 1.55% respectively as against 2.89% and 2.06% as of 30^th September 2023.
• Profit from operations increased by 23% in H1FY25 as compared to H1FY24.
• Cost to income ratio closed at 32.27% in H1FY25 as against 35.18% in H1FY24.
• The dividend income was lower during H1FY25 at Rs. 43 crores as against Rs. 181 crores in H1FY24.
• Profit after tax was flat at Rs. 648 crores during H1FY25 and H1FY24.
• Return on assets (ROA) for H1FY25 closed at 2.50% as against 2.95% for H1FY24. Return on equity (ROE) was at 14.2% for H1FY25 as against 16.2% for H1FY24.
• Capital Adequacy Ratio stood at 20.0% (Tier I –16.4%) as of 30^th September 2024 compared to 19.9% (Tier I – 15.9%) as of 30^th September 2023.

CONSOLIDATED PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS FOR H1FY25 

The consolidated results of SFL include the results of its standalone subsidiaries Sundaram Home Finance, Sundaram Asset Management and joint venture company Royal Sundaram General Insurance.

• The assets under management (AUM) in our lending and general insurance businesses stood at Rs. 72,541 crores as on 30^th September 2024 as against Rs. 60,578 crores as on 30^th September 2023, a growth of 20%. The assets under management of our asset management business stood at Rs. 76,845 crores as on 30^th September 2024 as against Rs. 61,884 crores as on 30^th September 2023, a growth of 24%.
• Profit after tax for H1FY25 grew by 18% to Rs. 871 crores as compared to Rs. 741 crores in H1FY24.

GROUP COMPANY PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Our group companies continued to perform well.

• The asset management business closed the half year ended 30^th September 2024 with assets under management of Rs. 76,845 crores (around 85% in equity) and consolidated profits from the asset management businesses were at Rs. 68 crores as against Rs. 49 crores in H1FY24.
• Royal Sundaram reported a Gross Written Premium (GWP) of Rs. 2,053 crores as compared to Rs. 1,818 crores in the corresponding period of the previous year, representing a growth of 13%. The Company reported a profit after tax of Rs. 126 crores for H1FY25 as against a profit of Rs. 145 crores in H1FY24.
• Sundaram Home Finance continued to grow strongly with disbursements up by 26% to Rs. 2,896 crores in H1FY25. The profit for H1FY25 was Rs. 111 crores, as against Rs. 117 crores in H1FY24.

By-Vivek Jalan – Partner Tax Connect Advisory Services LLP – a multidisciplinary PAN India Consulting Firm

The Year to date Net GST collection growth at 9% is much lower than the budgeted GST growth of around 11%, which was aligned more or less to the nominal GDP growth too. Further, standing at 7.9%, the month to date GST revenue growth is much lesser. Furthermore this is a festive month collection. This reflects that the economic activity in India needs a push so that the fiscal deficit target can be achieved.

As far as GST is concerned, the next GST Council meeting in November/December 2024 should see a lot of action in terms of real estate and rate rationalization, on which Group of Ministers are now working.

Founded in 2014, Deshpande Realty has rapidly become a trusted name in Pune’s real estate industry, distinguished by its dedication to quality and innovative redevelopment. Over the past decade, the company has set new standards in the industry, creating iconic landmarks and transforming old properties into high-value, modern developments. Guided by Managing Director Prasad Deshpande, along with Directors Abhishek Deshpande, Shilpa Bharade, and Karan Tambe, Deshpande Realty continues to make a substantial impact on Pune’s real estate landscape.

Rooted in Pune, Deshpande Realty understands the city’s unique character and the aspirations of its residents. This local insight has helped the company earn the trust of societies and clients alike, who appreciate its unwavering commitment to quality and timely delivery. By offering projects across Pune’s popular neighborhoods—including Senapati Bapat Road, Baner, Aundh, Model Colony, Kothrud, and Satara Road—Deshpande Realty ensures that clients can enjoy well-crafted, contemporary spaces within close reach of their communities.

Recognized for Excellence in Redevelopment

In a proud moment for Prasad Deshpande Group of Ventures, the company has been honored with the Times Realty Icons Award for “Excellence in Redevelopment, Marketing & Quality Construction.” This prestigious award celebrates the company’s dedication to innovative, quality-driven redevelopment in Pune.

Sushma Group, a leading name in Punjab’s real estate market, started with the phase-wise possession of its 15th project, Sushma Grande NXT. The group delivered 62 units in the first tower before the Diwali festival. With this milestone, Sushma Group offers residents the joy of new beginnings during Diwali to celebrate the festive season in their new homes.

Sushma Grande NXT is an extension of Sushma Chandigarh Grande located on the Chandigarh—Delhi National Highway near Best Price, Zirakpur. The project is spread over 3.5 acres of land and offers G+12-storey apartments with all exclusive amenities. The location ensures the best connectivity to Chandigarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and New Delhi. Sushma Grande NXT offers the best modern living with amenities like a power backup, a kids’ play area, a kids’ club, flower gardens, etc.

Mr Prateek Mittal, ED, Sushma Group, expressed, “We are delighted to announce the possession of Grande NXT during this Diwali where we are creating not only homes but vibrant communities that meet the aspirations of modern residents. Every project is driven by our passion and dedication to quality, and each handover reaffirms our customers’ trust in us. With Grande NXT, we’re not only delivering thoughtfully designed homes but are also providing a truly enhanced living experience, setting new benchmarks in the region.”

Reflecting on their experience with Sushma Group, a Sushma Grande NXT buyer commented, “Taking possession of our home before Diwali has made this festival even more special for us. From quality to construction to exceptional amenities, Sushma Grande NXT has shown their commitment to every promise they made.”

Sushma Grande NXT exemplifies the group’s dedication to elevating residential living standards with thoughtfully crafted designs and top-tier development quality. Through a legacy of impactful projects, Sushma Group continues to push the boundaries of excellence in the industry, consistently delivering refined living experiences that contribute to the evolution of urban landscapes.

India, 2024: The office space market in India is set to break records in 2024, with absorption projected to exceed 70 mn sq. ft., according to the latest report from Savills India, a global real estate advisory firm. The demand reached 55.1 mn sq. ft. between January and September 2024, marking a 30% year-on-year (YoY) increase across six major cities.

The Year-To-Date (YTD) leasing activity has set a new benchmark for the January-September period, aligning with 2022’s full-year performance. With only 7 mn sq. ft. remaining to surpass 2023’s total, 2024 is expected to achieve absorption levels in the range of 70-74 mn sq. ft.

Q3 2024 Surge
The third quarter of 2024 saw office absorption hit 20.2 mn sq. ft., a 28% increase from Q3 2023. Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, and Mumbai collectively contributed 66% of the overall leasing activity during this period.

The IT-BPM sector led the market with a 29% share in Q3, followed by Flexible Workspaces (23%) and the BFSI sector (22%). Additionally, large deals accounted for 50% of total leasing activity, with Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, and Pune driving more than 50% of their respective leasing through such transactions. While demand soared, new office completions slowed down during the first nine months of 2024, with a total of 32.6 mn sq. ft. added, reflecting a 12% YoY decline. As a result, vacancy rates decreased to 15.5% by the end of September.

2024 Projections
Savills India forecasts that leasing activity will reach 70-74 mn sq. ft. by the end of 2024, representing a 17% increase from last year. New completions are also expected to accelerate, with a projected total of 60-62 mn sq. ft., a 22% increase from 2023.

“India’s office market reached record-high absorption levels in Q3 of 2024, reflecting strong business sentiment amongst occupiers. With employees returning to physical offices, demand has surged across all segments, including tech. We anticipate this momentum to continue in the last quarter of the year, potentially driving absorption levels to new record of over 70 mn sq.ft in 2024. Demand is likely to be driven by tech, BFSI, flex workspace and engineering & manufacturing occupiers.” said Naveen Nandwani, MD, Commercial Advisory and Transactions, Savills India.” said Naveen Nandwani, MD, Commercial Advisory and Transactions, Savills India.

Bengaluru
● Bengaluru recorded 6.2 mn sq. ft. of absorption in Q3 2024, registering a 48% increase YOY. Large-sized deals (100,000 sq. ft. and more) continued to dominate the leasing activity, accounting for 67% of the total share.
● YTD 2024, absorption stood at 15.9 mn sq. ft., registering a significant rise of 49% in the corresponding period the previous year. The city is expected to achieve a record gross absorption of about 20 mn sq. ft., in 2024.
● Q3 2024 recorded a significant influx of new supply of 6.2 mn sq. ft., representing a 128% increase compared to the previous quarter.
● The BFSI sector saw a significant rise in demand, contributing 23% to the city’s total market leasing activity in Q3 2024, while the IT-BPM sector continued to be the top contributor with a 46% share.

Chennai
● The city recorded absorption of 1.8 mn sq. ft.in Q3 2024, registering a YOY decline of 35%. Large size deals of 100,000 mn sq. ft. and above continued to dominate the leasing activity, with a 42% share.
● Leasing activity in Q3 was predominantly centered in the OMR Zone 1 (Tharamani, Perungudi, MGR Salai) and MPR micro markets (Mt Poonamalle Road – Manapakkam, Porur, Nandambakkam, Ramapuram), which collectively accounted for 64% of the total market share. CBD, Guindy and OMR Zone 2(Thoraipakkam, Shollinganallur, Navalur, Siruseri) micromarkets also remained prominent, contributing 10%, 6%, and 9% of the office space demand, respectively.
● The flexible workplace segment registered a significant Q-O-Q growth, with its market share rising from 6% to 29%. The IT-BPM and BFSI sectors continued to be key drivers of leasing activity in Q3, accounting for approximately 24% and 18% to the overall market share, respectively.
● Owing to the increasing demand for office space and limited available supply, Q-O-Q rentals in the MPR and Guindy micromarkets have shown an uptick of 7% – 9%.

Delhi-NCR
● Delhi-NCR recorded absorption of 4.0 mn sq. ft. in Q3 2024, registering a 92% YOY increase. YTD absorption stood at 7.6 mn sq. ft., registering a decline of 6% when compared with the absorption in corresponding period in 2023. The region is expected to witness gross absorption of 11-12 mn sq. ft. in 2024.
● In Q3 2024, the region added 0.7 mn sq. ft. of new supply, bringing the YTD supply to 2.0 mn sq. ft. This marks a 17% decrease compared to the 2.4 mn sq. ft. of supply recorded during the same period (January-September 2023) last year.
● Gurugram, with 64% share contributed highest in the leasing activity in Q3 2024. Within Gurugram, Gurugram SBD topped the chart with 49% of the city leasing coming from this micromarket. NOIDA stood second with 27% share in the overall leasing followed by Delhi with 9% share.
● The flexible workspace segment led the leasing activity with 50% share in absorption in Q3 2024, followed by the Engineering & manufacturing and BFSI sectors with 9% & 7.8% share in the overall leasing activity.
● Large (100,000 sq. ft. or more) & mid-sized (25,000-99,999 sq. ft.) lease transactions dominated the leasing activity in Q3 2024 with 54% & 31% share, respectively.

Mumbai
● Mumbai recorded 3.2 mn sq. ft. of absorption in Q3 2024, registering a 35% increase YOY. Mid-sized deals (25,000 sq. ft. to 99,999 sq. ft.) continued to dominate the leasing activity, with a 36% share.
● YTD absorption stood at 9.7 mn sq. ft., just slightly below the current peak full year 2023 absorption of 10.1 mn sq. ft. Mumbai is paving its way to record a decadal peak absorption in 2024 of about 12 mn sq. ft.
● Mumbai witnessed 1.6 mn sq. ft. of new supply in Q3 2024, almost double of that witnessed in the corresponding period previous year.
● The BFSI sector continued to be the conventional and majority demand driver in Mumbai with a 32% share followed by the tech sector garnering a 17% share in Q3 2024.
Pune
● Pune recorded 2.0 mn sq.ft. of gross absorption in Q3 2024, registering a 42% YOY increase. This was driven by financial services occupiers pre-leasing of large spaces, totaling 1.1 mn sq.ft.
● The city witnessed YTD absorption of 6.6 mn sq.ft., with a projection to end the year with a gross absorption of 9 mn sq.ft.
● The BFSI sector led the leasing activity, accounting for a 55% share in Q3 2024 absorption. IT-BPM accounted for 16% of the total leasing activity followed by Engineering and manufacturing with a share of 12%.
● Large-sized deals (100,000 sq. ft. or more) continued to dominate the leasing activity with a substantial 55% share in Q3 2024.
Hyderabad
● The city witnessed a significant rise in YTD absorption, reaching 8.7 mn sq. ft., registering a 34% YOY growth. In Q3 alone, gross leasing activity totaled around 3 mn sq. ft., primarily driven by mid-sized deals (25,000-99,999 sq. ft.), which accounted for 1.6 mn sq. ft. and represented 54% of the overall leasing activity.
● IT-BPM maintained its stronghold on leasing activity, capturing 52% of the total market share with 1.5 mn sq. ft. absorbed in Q3 2024. The city has also experienced a notable uptick in demand for flexible workspaces, with 0.6 mn sq. ft of office space leasing activity accounting for 35% YOY growth.
● In Q3 2024, the city witnessed a supply of 5.8 mn sq. ft., marking an increase of 8% on yearly basis. The SBD II micromarket (Gachibowli, Nanakramguda, Kokapet) contributed the largest share, accounting for 67% of the new supply, while SBD I accounted for about 33%.