The Indian real estate sector has witnessed a revolution, driven by the booming economy, favourable demographics and liberalised foreign direct investment (FDI) regime. Growing at a scorching 30 per cent, it has emerged as one of the most appealing investment areas for domestic as well as foreign investors.

The second largest employing sector in India (including construction and facilities management), real estate is linked to about 250 ancillary industries like cement, brick and steel through backward and forward linkages. Consequently, a unit increase in expenditure in this sector has a multiplier effect and the capacity to generate income as high as five times.

All-round Development

Rising income levels of a growing middle class along with increase in nuclear families, low interest rates, modern attitudes to home ownership (the average age of a new homeowner in 2006 was 32 years compared with 45 years a decade ago) and a change of attitude amongst the young working population from that of 'save and buy' to 'buy and repay' have all combined to boost housing demand.

According to 'Housing Skyline of India 2007-08', a study by research firm, Indicus Analytics, there will be demand for over 24.3 million new dwellings for self-living in urban India alone by 2015. Consequently, this segment is likely to throw huge investment opportunities. In fact, an estimated US$ 25 billion investment will be required over the next five years in urban housing, says a report by Merrill Lynch.

Simultaneously, the rapid growth of the Indian economy has had a cascading effect on demand for commercial property to help meet the needs of business, such as modern offices, warehouses, hotels and retail shopping centres.

Growth in commercial office space requirement is led by the burgeoning outsourcing and information technology (IT) industry and organised retail. For example, IT and ITES alone is estimated to require 150 million sqft across urban India by 2010. Similarly, the organised retail industry is likely to require an additional 220 million sqft by 2010.

Global Majors

With the significant investment opportunities emerging in this industry, a large number of international real estate players have entered the country. Currently, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the sector are estimated to be between US$ 5 billion and US$ 5.50 billion.

• Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), the world's leading integrated global real estate services and money management firm, plans to invest around US$ 1 billion in the country's burgeoning property market.
• Dubai-based DAMAC Properties would invest up to US$ 4.5 billion to develop properties in India.
• Merrill Lynch & Co bought 49 per cent equity in seven mid-income housing projects of India's largest real estate developer DLF in Chennai, Bangalore, Kochi and Indore for US$ 375.98 million.
• UAE-based real estate company Rakeen and Chennai-based mineral firm Trimex Group have formed joint venture company - Rakindo Developers - which would invest over US$ 5 billion over the next five years.
• Dubai-based Nakheel and Hines of the US have tied up with DLF to develop properties in India. DLF has also formed a joint venture with Limitless Holding, a part of Dubai World, to develop a US$ 15.23 billion township project in Karnataka.
• Gulf Finance House (GFH) has decided to invest over US$ 2 billion in a greenfield site close to Navi Mumbai.