The Investment Potential Of Pune’s Growth Areas

The 2012 Government Ready Reckoner for Pune shows a property rates increase of between 20-25% in some of the rural areas, primarily those that are being developed rapidly. Is this surprising? After all, would one not expect rates to go up more in urban rather than rural areas? Not necessarily.

In the first place, it is the developing areas of Pune that are the investment hotspots, not the established ones. This is because these areas, though priced lower than the central city locations, are seeing addition of infrastructure and rapidly improving connectivity.
This means that property investors focusing on Pune can pick up properties at lower rates and watch their value grow as these areas become better connected to the city’s economic hubs. This phenomenon is already being witnessed in areas like Wakad, Punewale, Moshi and Ravet, all of which benefit from proximity to the Hinjewadi Infotech Park, the Expressway and the PCMC manufacturing belt. The demand for housing in these areas is high and increasing with every passing month.
It must be remembered that the price of housing is determined by the demand for it. In any given area, housing prices grow in tandem with the growth in local population. The basic logic is simple – as more people are added to a local economy, the more housing is required – and the greater the demand for housing, the higher will be the property prices. Pune property investors are obviously interested in cashing in on this trend.
The fact that Ready Reckoner rates are rising should also point the way for aspiring home owners. This is the right time to buy a home in one of the rapidly growing development areas of Pune. Investment in the right kind of home in the right kind of location can provide them a comfortable lifestyle now and financial security for themselves and their families in the long run.
Here are some quick guidelines for the selection process:

• Ensure that the project is being constructed by a reputed builder with a good track record for timely completion
• Ensure that the location has appreciation potential – ask a local broker by how much prices there have grown over the last three years and how much they are expected to grow in the next three years
• Do not go by price alone but look at what is scheduled to happen in the location in the near and distant future
• Invest in a township property. Township properties generally show better resale value than standalone projects because they have better infrastructure, security, construction quality, facilities and ambience

Posted by: K. D. Nagarkar