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Create Wealth

Intermediate

Real Estate Investing In India: High Returns & Growth Opportunities

Home

Create Wealth

Intermediate

Real Estate Investing In India: High Returns & Growth Opportunities

Real Estate Investing In India: High Returns & Growth Opportunities

Options for real estate investing in India with residential vs commercial vs REIT

Key Takeaways:

  • Real estate investing in India, whether land or buildings, offers opportunities for long-term wealth appreciation and can provide a steady stream of rental income.

  • Residential real estate is ideal for consistent cash flow and long-term appreciation, while commercial properties can offer higher returns but come with higher risks.

  • Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) in India allow investors to have fractional ownership in a variety of properties, providing regular cash flow, diversification, and higher liquidity.

Investing in real estate, including land or buildings, can provide the potential for long-term wealth appreciation. This tangible investment option can even offer a steady rental income with various tax benefits. 

However, real estate investing in India requires specific knowledge of market dynamics and actionable strategies.  Knowing how to invest in real estate in India, especially when it comes to choosing between residential vs commercial property, can help with REITs and smart investment planning. Read more to learn about different types of real estate investments and how to make informed decisions.

Residential Real Estate

These properties include the ones designed for the purpose of living, such as houses, apartments, villas, duplexes, etc. When purchasing a real estate property, it is crucial to consider the following:

  • Demand drives like population growth and employment rates

  • Market trends

  • Location factors like proximity to schools, colleges, hospitals, and other social infrastructure

Pros of Investing in Residential Real Estate

Investing in residential real estate has long been considered a reliable path to wealth and financial security. Check out the benefits below:

Long-term Appreciation

Throughout history, real estate investment has witnessed appreciation in property values in the long run, making it an attractive investment option.

Steady Cash Flow

You can generate a reliable source of income through residential properties by renting them out to tenants. This can help you cover the costs related to the upkeep of the property.

Tax Benefits

Under Section 24 of the Income Tax Act, you can claim a flat standard deduction of 30% on the gross value of the let-out property. You can also claim deductions up to a certain limit if you have taken a home loan for the acquisition, construction or repair of a property.

Cons of Investing in Residential Real Estate

While investing in residential real estate can offer significant rewards, it's not without its challenges. These are some of the disadvantages of real estate investing in India:

High Initial Investment

Unlike other investment avenues, real estate investing requires significant upfront capital. Moreover, there are also high ongoing expenses associated with the maintenance of the property. 

Market Volatility

The value of residential properties depends on various economic factors, including interest rates, consumer confidence, and employment levels. During a financial crisis, the value of a property can drop significantly, impacting your real estate returns.

Liquidity Issues

When compared to other investment options like stocks and bonds, real estate offers the least amount of liquidity. This is because finding a potential buyer, negotiating prices and completing the legal process can be time-consuming. 

Rental Potential

Residential properties with higher values, where the buyer owns the land on which the unit is built, tend to offer lower rental yields. In contrast, apartments and builder floors, where the buyer owns a share of the undivided land and the properties are generally more affordable, typically provide higher rental yields.

Commercial Properties

These include properties that are used for business purposes, such as offices, retail stores, shopping malls, and hotels. The key considerations one needs to make when purchasing these properties include:

  • Mix of tenants

  • Lease agreement

  • Potential Return on Investment (ROI)

  • Property’s location and accessibility

Here are the types of commercial properties you can invest in:

  • Office Spaces: These are the buildings for corporate use, such as business offices, Information Technology (IT) parks, call centres, etc. 

  • Retail Stores: These include properties used for retail purposes, such as standalone shops, supermarkets, and shopping malls.

  • Industrial Buildings: These are the properties where industrial units are built, such as warehouses, manufacturing units, factories, etc.

Investing in REITs in India

A Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) is an entity that invests in income-producing real estate properties. Through REITs investment in India you can opt for large-scale real estate ventures without directly owning physical property. Like mutual funds, they pool capital from numerous investors to invest in large-scale real estate.

REITs invest in a wide range of properties, including:

  • Office Buildings

  • Cell Towers

  • Hotels

  • Data Centres

  • Apartments

  • Warehouses

  • Shopping Malls

  • Cold Storages

The following are some of the benefits of investing in REITs in India:

  • Fractional Ownership: These investment avenues allow you to own a share of a specific property with an investment as low as ₹300. 

  • Capital Appreciation: The increase in the underlying value of the property results in attractive real estate returns. 

  • Regular Cash Flow: As per the SEBI regulations, REITs are required to pay 90% of the distributable cash flow.

  • Diversification: REITs invest in properties across geographies and tenants, which eliminates concentration risk.

  • Higher Liquidity: In contrast to physical real estate properties, REITs are listed and traded on exchanges, providing easier liquidity.

  • Professional Management: Like mutual funds, these are managed by experienced fund managers, ensuring optimal return on investment, transparency, and accountability.

Read more about the rewards and risks that come with leverage in real estate.

Choosing the Right Investment

Real estate investing in India requires careful planning to simplify your search for the right property and make an informed decision. Here are the factors that you need to consider:

Assess Your Financial Situation

Get an estimate of the total capital you need for the purchase price, stamp duty as well as registration charges. Create a budget and save consistently for it. If needed, you can also get a loan to ensure that you have access to the required funds.

Set Clear Investment Objectives

Define whether you are looking for short-term profits or long-term wealth generation. Zero in on the property you wish to purchase based on this strategy.

Search for the Right Property

Browse online real estate platforms to find comprehensive property listings and stay updated on market trends. Additionally, collaborate with real estate consultants to gain access to exclusive listings and benefit from expert negotiation services.

Conduct Due Diligence

Perform detailed property inspections to identify any hidden issues that may impact its value. Moreover, review zoning regulations and property taxes to understand potential use restrictions and ongoing expenses.

Make the Right Offer

Evaluate comparable properties to establish a reasonable offer, taking into account the condition and location of the properties. Negotiate both the price and terms, staying flexible and clear in your communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the main types of real estate investments?

The main types of real estate investment in India include:

  • Residential real estate

  • Commercial real estate

  • Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)

2. How do REITs differ from direct property ownership?

REITs provide diversification through investment across different geographies and tenants. They also offer higher liquidity but come with limited control. On the other hand, direct property ownership provides greater control with potentially higher returns.

3. Is residential or commercial property more profitable?

When comparing residential vs commercial property, you will find the latter is more profitable. Commercial real estate comes with higher costs and risks, but the returns are higher because of higher rents and longer lease terms.

4. What risks should I consider before investing?

The following are some of the risk considerations you need to make when investing in real estate:

  • Market trend risks

  • Location risks

  • Legislative risks

  • Tenant risks

  • Liquidity risks

5. How can I diversify my real estate portfolio?

You can diversify your real estate portfolio by employing various strategies, such as investing in different property types and locations. Additionally, you can explore investment vehicles like REITs and crowdfunding platforms to broaden your options further.

This information is provided solely for general informational purposes and does not constitute advice of any kind. OneConsumer Services Pvt. Ltd is not liable for any direct or indirect damages or losses that may result from decisions made based on this content. Please consult a professional advisor before making any decisions.