Showing posts with label https://www.facebook.com/MERLINGROUP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label https://www.facebook.com/MERLINGROUP. Show all posts

Friday, 7 March 2014

Common Home Loan Myths

1. The bank is not concerned with the Employment Status of the borrower

The ability and the willingness to pay back the loan are two cornerstones on the basis of which banks give the borrower the loan. While the income documents and account of assets and liabilities give a fair idea of a borrower’s willingness. The individual’s past track record is checked for the willingness and capabilities for reduced delinquency to pay.

Thus irrespective of the value of the property it is integral for person to submit the required details for the bank to grant the loan. The home loan agreement states that the borrower has to keep the bank informed about his employment status i.e. whether he has changed his job or lost his job or retirement etc.

2. Higher EMI is better than longer Tenure or vice versa

 This question always gives you a tough time. Ideally one should go for a higher EMI, at first it might cause a dent to the borrower’s pocket but it would benefit you in the longer term. This is because most home loan borrowers are in their 30’s when they apply for loans, and if the loan tenure is of about 30 years or more then the borrower will be paying off his loan even after his retirement, this obligation would then be difficult to fulfill when he will have no source of income.

3. Hike in interest rate means inflated EMIs

Do not freak out when you listen to something like this. Most banks, subject to conditions, usually extend the tenure of the loan and keep the EMI amount unchanged. This decision is taken by banks on various factors such as a borrower’s property, income and so on. It completely depends on t a borrower if he/she does not wish to prolong their loan repayment they can inform the bank about their willingness to service a higher EMI.

4. Fixed Rate of interest is better or Floating Rate of Interest

Fixed Rate of Interest: The interest rate charged on the loan remains fixed irrespective of the interest rate trends. The EMI on your loan amount will remain the same for the entire term. Floating Rate of Interest: The interest rate on your loan will vary according to the interest rate prevailing in the market. Whether the either is better or not for you entirely depends on the market scenario. If the interest rates are expected to fall then fixed rate of interest will not be good but at that time floating rate of interest would be favorable, as that would lower your EMI. On the other hand if the interest rates are rising then the fixed rate of interest would be better than the floating rate as the EMI on the latter will increase in this case.

5. Prepayment attracts Penalty

This factor again depends upon the bank. Usually prepayment charges are levied in the initial 2-3 years from the disbursement date of the loan and which declines over time. If you repay the loan out of your own funds, you will not lose much. This does not apply if you opt to refinance your loan from any other bank; most of the financial institutions do waive the prepayment penalty. Mostly institutions allow up to 25% of the loan outstanding to be part prepaid in a financial year, but they can charge anything ranging from 2% to 4% for any amounts paid over the specified limit of 25%.

Friday, 24 January 2014

Real Estate scenario in 2014

Outlook Time to match demand with relevant supply:  India’s gripping urbanization growth story has been fascinating global investors so far, an underlying truth gradually emerged in 2013 - economic growth, the consumption story and property prices may not rise consistently, and there could be intermittent hurdles or growth risks. The presently cautious market sentiment is likely to continue, as headwinds to growth will prevail till the first half of 2014. However, the second half is likely to witness gradual revival in absorption. Residential real estate capital values will increase in a subdued range of 10-12% year-on-year pan-India for the whole year. Affordability will drive growth in 2014. An emerging economy is never short of opportunities, and it is time that the Indian residential real estate industry realizes where the opportunity lies. To date, the shortage of homes in India stands at around 19 million units, and 95% of this housing shortage is in the economically-weaker section (EWS) and low-income group (LIG) categories. In India, housing for EWS is defined by the Technical Group on Estimation of Housing Shortage as having a carpet area of 21-27 square meters; LIG housing includes units of 28-60 square meter carpet area. By the government's definition, EWS housing falls in the range of INR 4-10 lakh. This means that development of affordable housing will have to penetrate into the deeper suburbs of our cities, where such price points are feasible. The TATA Shubh Griha project (popularly known as Nano homes; completed in 2011) in Boisar near Mumbai was a splendid example of successful identification and auctioning of such opportunities. The project had 1,300 units, which received applications from 3,500 households. A recommendation to the government by the technical group to incentivize such projects by subsidized land, tax rebates, grants per supply of dwellings, etc. could help developers in improving the feasibility of such projects. Redevelopment activity to increase With scarce availability of land in the urban agglomeration, redevelopment will emerge as another growth driver in a scenario the cost-and-time-intensive complexities with regards to land acquisition brought forth by the LARR 2013 amendments. Indian cities present an exceptional opportunity for developers in this respect -- as per the latest available census data on households, only 50% of the residential units are in good condition, while the remaining are either merely livable or in dilapidated condition.
So, the 2013 may have been the year when both the developers as well as the lenders were waiting for policies like the REIT to roll out as well as other cost & benefit analysis. However, the direction in which the market is heading to, added with the new funding sources being cleared by the government, it seems the turnaround of the financial fortunes is just ahead in 2014.


Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Latest in the World of Real Estate - Real Estate in a sluggish economy

In spite of the sluggish economy and the falling value of the rupee, the real estate sector has been surprisingly expanding its scope of operations. This is primarily due to the factor that over the last 10 years or so, the Indian realty sector has consistently channelized the FDI and the NRI investment pools. In the falling economy the Indian government has resorted to various reformative reforms for the stakeholders in the recent past.
Earlier this year, keeping in mind the needs of the residential real estate sector the RBI had reduced the rates for external commercial borrowing. Following the cue, the World bank has also recently sanctioned a fund of $100 million for affordable residential properties, that is to be implemented over the period of the next 5 years. The Indian government is also contemplating to relax the FDI norms aiming to attract large quantities of foreign investment in this falling economic situation, to keep the realty sector afloat.

Currently, with an increase in the demand for residential properties all over the country, coupled with relaxed norms, favorable regulatory policies and imminent avenues of funding the real estate sector has its hands full.  The sector looks to be maturing, consequently indicating growth and opportunities for all its sub sectors. However, the final outcome is still in question, though the major players in the sector are hopeful that the real estate market in India will benefit from the transparency and streamlining of the investments, due to be facilitated by the ratification of the regulatory bill by the Rajya Sabha. 

Monday, 8 July 2013

Testimonials and appreciations from our Associates

“My association, both personal as well as professional, with the Merlin
Group over the past many years has always been very enriching. I
appreciate the consistency of the 4Cs – cost, connectivity, convenience
and above all, customer benefits incorporated by the Merlin Group in its
projects. I extend my good wishes for the success of the group in all its
endeavors.”

Ravindra Chamaria, Chairman, Infinity Group, Kolkata