NEW DELHI:The COVID-19 era presents a radically transformed real estate market, with preferences changing to accommodate new market realities. With work-from-home a viable option even after the lockdown, many future homebuyers will shift to the peripheral areas for bigger homes and a better lifestyle - at more affordable prices, say reports.
With the rise of Work-From-Home (WFH), the ‘walk-to-work' concept may lose some sheen prospective homebuyers will see sense in shifting to city peripheries, among many trends.
The previous 'gold standard' of Indian housing - the walk-to-work/ short drive to work, by definition only in and around central corporate workplace hubs - may shed some of its popularity for the middle class.
"The work-from-home concept may become the next fulcrum for home buying decisions, where the walk-to-work option had held the longest sway, " says Anuj Puri, Chairman - ANAROCK Property Consultants.
"This, and millennials' new-found preference for buying rather than renting homes, are among the most prominent new residential real estate trends of the COVID-19 era. With the rise of the WFH culture, many may now prefer to live in more spacious and cost-effective homes in less central areas. While sufficient supply currently exists in most of the peripheries, this new demand will eventually also dictate fresh supply. Bigger homes, affordable prices and more generous open spaces in the peripheral areas will draw demand from tenants and buyers alike, " Puri adds.
There are so many new opportunities in real estate and that too at affordable prices. One alternative called eXp Realty is the option most people would like to grab.
Affordability and Price Quotient
Apart from changing real estate consumer preferences in a strengthening WFH environment, affordability is an enduring concern especially to the backdrop of an ailing economy and job loss/uncertainty. The peripheral areas are more affordable both from a rental and purchase perspective.
The cost analysis of real estate difference for the country's three largest economic dynamos - MMR, NCR and Bengaluru are as follows:
In NCR, the average price for a standard 1, 000 sq. ft. property in areas within city limits is approx. Rs 88.20 lakh, against Rs 37.50 lakh in the peripheral areas – a 57 percent cost difference. Micro-markets within city limits considered include Vaishali, Vasundhara, Indirapuram, Noida, Golf Course Ext. Road, Sushant Lok, Dwarka Expressway, New Gurgaon, Dwarka, etc. Peripheral areas include Ghaziabad-Rajnagar Extension, Faridabad, Greater Noida, Sohna, Bhiwadi, Bahadurgarh, etc. Average monthly rent for a standard 2BHK home in areas within city limits is approx. Rs 22, 000, against Rs 9, 500 in the peripheries.
In MMR (Mumbai Metropolitan Region), the average price for a standard 1, 000 sq. ft. property in areas within city limits is approx. Rs 1.85 crore, against Rs 55.35 lakh in the peripheral areas –a 70 percent cost difference. Micro-markets within city limits included Andheri, Vile Parle, Goregaon, Malad, Kandivali, Chembur, Wadala, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Powai, Mulund, etc. Peripheral areas include Kalyan, Bhiwandi, Dombivli, Mira Road, Vasai, Virar, Thane beyond Kasarvadavali and Owale Panvel, Ulwe, Taloja, etc.
Average monthly rent for a standard 2BHK home in areas within city limits is approx. Rs 45, 800, against Rs 12, 500 in the peripheries.
In Bengaluru, the average price for a standard 1, 000 sq. ft. property in areas within city limits is approx. Rs 69.80 lakh, against Rs 43.50 lakh in the peripheral areas – a 38 percent cost difference. Micro-markets within city limits considered include Sarjapur Road, HSR Layout, Kudlu Gate, Singasandra, Hebbal, Jakkur, Yeswanthpur, Jalahalli, Whitefield, Marathahalli, KR Puram, J P Nagar, BTM, Jayanagar, Banashankari, Kodigehalli, etc. Peripheral areas include Attibele, Electronic City, Yelahanka, Doddaballapura Road, Varthur, Budigere Cross, Kanakapura Road, Tumkur Road, Mysore Road, Kogilu Cross and International Airport Road (Bellary Road). Average monthly rental for a standard 2BHK home in areas within city limits is approx. Rs 18, 500, against Rs 9, 500 in the peripheries.