NRI Investments in Indian Realty To Rise In FY22

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Backed by favourable policies by the regulatory agencies, NRI investments in India have gone from strength to strength in recent years. In fact, Non-Residential Indians have invested $13.3 billion in the Indian real estate market in FY 21 as against the earlier estimates of $13.1 billion, according to a report by 360 Realtors. The investment volume has climbed up by 6.4% compared to the previous fiscal despite the overall market sentiment taking a beating due to the pandemic. In the 1st quarter, the numbers shrank by 35% due to the worldwide lockdown that triggered a massive panic. The sharp slowdown in economic and business activities integrated with the full-blown medical crisis weighed badly on the NRI investment sentiments. However, the situation improved significantly in the 2nd quarter, as numerous attractive payment plans started luring NRI buyers. This was also a time when liquidity infusion by the Government of India helped in improvising the overall economic climate as well as lowering the home loan rates. As per the report, numerous factors are playing a crucial role in the uptrend. Besides attractive payment plans and growing focus on the tangible asset to de-risk, correction in the value of the Indian rupee is also giving a buying boost. Based on a regression analysis, the report has further suggested that investments will rise to $14.9 billion in FY22, growing by 12%. By the end of the 2nd quarter, the investments from NRIs grew by 18% on a Y/Y basis, as per the 360 Realtors’ report. In the subsequent quarters, the ascending tendencies continued, with NRI investments jumping by 24% & 22%, respectively, on an annual basis. The reduction of the stamp duty in states like Maharashtra and Karnataka also helped in fostering increased growth. As per the data points shared by the report, GCC continues to be the major source of NRI investments in India. Collectively, GCC accounts for around 41% of the total investments. Investment inflow from the expat community in the USA comprises 17% of the total purchase, followed by Singapore (12%). Other major source markets include Canada, UK, Germany, Kenya, South Africa, among others. A striking point that has emerged in the present edition of the NRI report by 360 Realtors is incremental growth in average ticket size. Earlier reports have suggested a dip in average ticket sizes. However, this time after the pandemic, most of the buyers are now opting for larger spaces, which has made the ticket sizes edge up. In FY21, average ticket sizes from the USA have reached $124,000 compared to $111,000 in FY20. From Singapore, the average ticket sizes have inched up to $93,000 from $91,000 in FY 20. Similarly, the average ticket size of purchase from UAE-based NRIs has grown by 11.5% to reach $97,000. NRI investments in FY 14 were pegged at $6 billion. Since then, they have gone from strength to strength, reaching $13.3 billion in FY 21, growing by a CAGR of slightly over 12%. Investments from the NRI will continue to spiral upwards in the coming quarters. The pivot to digital will be a major game-changer. In the wake of the current crisis, both developers and brokerages have understood the significance of building digital assets across the value chain. Digital launches, 3D viewing of properties, augmented & virtual reality-based design concepts, virtual property shows, and online transactions have finally started moving out of the contours of boardroom discussions and witnessing wider real-world application. In addition to painting a very positive picture for the overall industry, this is also giving a big push to NRI buyers. Active use of digital technologies is bridging the gap and helping expat buyers watch and learn more about various property options without the need for coming to India and make informed decisions.