Global capital flow into Indian real estate will increase further
India is ranked fourth in developing Asia for FDI inflows as per the World Investment Report 2016 by the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development. That is endorsement at the highest levels - and real estate saw equity investment on a very visible return journey to India last year. Indian real estate has attracted $32 billion in private equity so far. The global capital flow into Indian real estate in 2016 stood at $5.7 billion.

Though the historic high of 2007 (in terms of total PE inflows) was not breached, last year proved to be the second-best year so far. Despite Brexit and uncertainty around the new US President's outsourcing and visa-related policies, private equity activity also looks healthy in 2017 - thanks to a strengthening and modernising economy, and the growing reputation of India as an attractive investment destination.

India's Tier-I cities moved up to the 36th rank in JLL's 2016 bi-annual Global Real Estate Transparency Index. The catalysing factors for this were improvements in structural reforms and the more liberalised foreign direct investment (FDI) regime. Increased transparency brings higher investments into such real estate markets.

Thanks to changes in its regulatory framework, India is now way more attractive to both global and Indian investors. Increased consolidation and transparency - and the launch of REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) this year - will further whet their appetites for getting a piece of the Indian real estate pie.