By fractionalising commercial real estate and offering it on an easy-to-use online platform, Strata aims to democratise commercial real estate, making it accessible for a much larger investor base. Currently, it has an AUM of around Rs530 crore with an active investor base of 1,320 investors across 12 commercial (industrial, warehouses and offices) properties in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru Chennai and Jaipur. The investor can invest as little as Rs25 lakh. Strata looks to build an AUM of around $5 billion in the next five years.

“Post RERA and other structural changes in the real estate industry, newer investment options such as fractional ownership, REITs and ResiTel have now emerged. The idea of owning real estate is gradually turning towards earning rental yield versus capital appreciation. Fractional ownership options allow investors to own securities which own securities (typically convertible debentures or partnership units) of an entity (private limited company or LLP) which owns rent yielding commercial real estate,” says Vaibhav Jatia, managing director of the Mumbai-based Rhythm Group, which is pursuing the concept of ResiTel, through its premium resort project, Rhythm Lonavala where units have been sold to individual retail buyers who can utilise the asset as a property investment and a maintenance-free vacation home. Innovative asset class ensures that one’s real estate assets are used productively, both for family enjoyment as well as income generation, in a hassle-free manner.

“While REITs are a more sophisticated structure for fractional ownership, they are freely listed and hence the capital value of the investor’s investment fluctuates as per the volatility that is typically seen in listed equity investments. On the other hand, the advantage of ResiTel is that the investor’s investment while earning an income yield, is still in a real/underlying physical real estate asset directly and not indirectly as is the case with fractional ownership or a REIT,” adds Jatia who has pioneered the ResiTel concept in India. Buoyed by the success of its Lonavala projects, the group is planning resort projects in Khandala, Coorg, and Kumarakom in Kerala.

As per Subhankar Mitra, managing director, advisory services (India) at Colliers, real estate investments continued to remain strong in India. Despite the second wave of Covid, investments worth $2.7 billion were made during the first half of 2021 and in all likelihood the momentum will be carried forward in 2022 as well, as the country moves on the path of economic recovery.

“Those who are looking at fixed income reruns can look for REIT units which typically pays out 7-9 per cent returns annually. Investors of higher investment capacities can also opt for warehousing assets which can give more returns. Residential investors can expect 3-4 per cent as rental income with 5-10 per cent of capital value appreciation over the next few years. There are a few sunrise sectors such as senior living and co-living, which can give much higher returns than residential properties. This is applicable for both individual as well as institutional players,” adds Mitra.

Immense growth

Experts are of the view that in the current scenario, REITs could be one of the preferred investment avenues for retail investors even as the ecosystem is gradually being built. Michael Holland, CEO, Embassy REIT stated that globally REITs are a $2 trillion asset class and are created for investors who want to invest in commercial real estate in lot sizes. REITs are well regulated and are also tax-efficient.

In the past four decades, REITs have showcased a better performance than the S&P 500 by 2 per cent. In India, Embassy REIT has delivered a total return of 40 per cent since listing and has paid out quarter after quarter a predictable distribution totalling around Rs4,800 crore. This demonstrates that REITs are a resilient business through the pandemic and have growth from multiple levers – contractual escalation, mark to market, on-campus development, and acquisitions. 

“The sector will further see immense growth at a steady pace as the policy changes that the government has incorporated of allowing FPIs investment will boost the confidence of retail investors as well. Further, the IT/ITeS sectors have recorded massive hiring which will increase the demand for office space. Overall, the sector will witness an upward trajectory and will be beneficial for all stakeholders,” adds Holland.

“The real estate sector in India has seen an uptick when it comes to the growth graph even through the pandemic and hence it should be considered as a viable option when it comes to long-term wealth investment. Both the crucial arms of the real estate sector (ie residential and commercial) have shown resilience and healthy recovery in recent times. Investment in the real estate segment can turn out to be a profitable and reliable investment prospect to produce substantial returns,” says Harresh Mehta, CMD of Mumbai-based developer, Rohan Lifescapes.

“Owning a home has now turned into creating a revenue stream that enjoys capital appreciation. For homebuyers-turned-investors, a constant income-producing real estate is an excellent source of passive income that also offers long-term financial security. Investment in real estate under multiple avenues, as historically proven, will always serve as a safe tangible asset to mitigate the risk in your portfolio,” believes Hiral Sheth Gandhi of Sheth Creators.

No doubt, real estate will continue to be an integral part of one’s investment portfolio as its intrinsic characteristics provide a great degree of stability. Since we are witnessing the emergence of multiple options within this segment, investors will increasing add this asset class to their portfolio to make it more robust.