Posts tagged Property
Should I invest in real estate now?
With the improvement in economic conditions, property price have picked up in some metros, Tier-I and Tier-II cities across India. The global slowdown brought the focus of the developers back to quality of construction and delivery timelines. The real estate market is rapidly becoming brand conscious. Developers with strong execution capability command premium over their peers. In this backdrop our analyst Rahul Sonthalia gives his views regarding investment in property in various metro cities of India now.
Mumbai
- Mumbai is a ‘hot property’ when it comes to buying or selling real estate
- The buyers here pay a steep premium because a residential or commercial property is a coveted asset in this ‘city of gold
- While demand for budget flats is very strong, demand for commercial space is slowly picking up
- Real estate prices in Mumbai have gone up by about 24.0% till April 2010 as compared to prices in 2007
- Volumes in 1Q10 in Mumbai dropped compared to 3Q09 and 4Q09 due to price escalation
- Most developers focus on premium housing because of higher margins, though the demand for mid-income housing is high
- Buyers and investors may be advised to wait for correction and then enter the market
Delhi & NCR
- The October 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi have proved to be a big trigger for real estate in Delhi and NCR region
- Rising demand for residential and commercial property in Delhi and NCR regions have driven the property prices quite high
- Further, new Metro links have provided boost to property prices in the city and NCR
- Volumes in 1Q10 in Delhi dropped compared to 3Q09 and 4Q09 due to price escalation
- The end-users can buy a home now as the prices are expected to go up further due to the ensuing Commonwealth Games
- As for investors, they too can enter and make decent profits in about a year’s time
Kolkata
- The property prices in Kolkata had risen by a whopping 59.0% in about a year-and half since 2007
- After the rally, realty prices have remained stable in the second half of 2009
- Prices in areas like Salt Lake City, Maniktala, Lake Town, Bhawanipur etc. 60-100 per cent in first half of 2009 as compared to 2007 prices
- Since the prices have already appreciated quite a lot, it is advisable to wait for the prices to correct and then decide on buying/investing
Bengaluru
- The lag effect of the global economic crisis which began in late 2007 and continued till end-2008 saw prices of residential and commercial spaces declining sharply in 2008 as well as 2009
- However, the fall in property prices was arrested in second half of 2009 as prices began to stabilize
- With the revival of the IT sector, the positive impact will be felt across all markets
- This may be the ideal time to buy or invest in residential and commercial properties
Chennai
- The fall in demand from IT professional for residential properties and IT companies for office space saw property prices correcting in the second half of 2008
- Property prices have stabilized in the second half of 2009 and with revival in demand expected from IT professionals and companies, one can expect prices to show an upward trend going forward
Author:Rahul Sonthalia, Research Head, Kredent
Fixed Assets / Property, Plant & Equipment : Differences between Indian GAAP and IFRS
- Under Indian GAAP the terminology used is Fixed Assets where as under IFRS it is termed as Property, Plant and Equipment
- Standard IAS 16 covers Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) where as there are 2 standards for Fixed Assets under Indian GAAP i.e. AS-10 Fixed Assets and AS-6 Depreciation
- As per Indian GAAP subsequent expenditure related to item of fixed assets are to be capitalized only if they increase the future benefit from the existing asset beyond its previously assessed standard of performance where as under IFRS subsequent costs are evaluated on the basis of same recognition principles as that of initial cost for recognizing as item of PPE
- Under IFRS cost of major inspections should be capitalized where as under Indian GAAP there is no specific provision for the same.
- IFRS for PPE is based on component approach. Under this approach “Each part of an item of PPE with a cost that is significant in relation to the total cost of the item shall be depreciated separately” where as Indian GAAP does not mandatory require full adoption of the component approach
- Under IFRS the residual value and useful life of an asset be reviewed at least each financial year end and if it differs from previous estimate then it is considered as change in accounting estimate where as such a review is not required under Indian GAAP
- Change in depreciation method is considered as change in accounting estimate under IFRS where as under Indian GAAP it is considered as change in accounting policy
- IFRS requires an entity to choose either the cost model or the revaluation model as its accounting policy and to apply that policy to entire class of PPE. Kindly refer http://moneybol.com/treatment-of-tangible-assets under-ifrs/ Under Revaluation model; revaluation will be with respect to fair value of item of PPE. It also says that revaluation shall be made with sufficient regularity to ensure that the carrying amount does not materially differ from the fair value as at the balance sheet date where as under Indian GAAP revaluation approach does not specifically state adoption of fair value basis and also about frequency of revaluation of assets.
Judgment required in applying Depreciation rates and Method
When deciding on depreciation rates and method, most common factors that can be taken into account are expected rate of technological developments, expected market requirement and the expected pattern of usage of the assets.
Review of Residual life
When reviewing residual values, an entity would estimate the amount that it would currently obtain for the disposal of the asset after deducting the estimated cost of disposal if the asset were already of the age and condition expected at the end of its useful economic life.
How to do Component Accounting?
Firstly allocate amount to significant parts and depreciate separately. Then group together significant parts with same useful life and depreciation methods.
The remainder of the item is to be also depreciated separately. Remainder consists of parts that are individually not significant.
Regular major inspection performed can also be considered as component of an item of PPE and can be depreciated separately.
For Instance
Suppose Cost of Acquisition of Building is Rs. 100,000 allocated to following components:
| Component | Amount | Depreciation period |
| Interior | 10000 | 5 years |
| Restoration | 12000 | 10 years |
| Elevators | 15000 | 15 years |
| Building | 63000 | 30 years |
Above is an illustrative example. An opinion of expert valuers has to be sought for above information by companies for component accounting.
Replacement of components of PPE
- Capitalize the cost of replacing major component as separate assets such as replacement of elevators
- Net book value of old component is removed
- Routine repair and maintenance expenditure is to be expensed as incurred
Author name: CA Shalini Tibe

