With the stamp of approval by SEBI, REITs are finally a formalized concept. This is a big change from the ambiguity and uncertainty that prevailed about this very important instrument in previous years. It is gratifying to note that SEBI fully intends to deliver on its assurances of bringing better and faster funding into Indian real estate.
As the drafts for REITs stands now, further clarity about taxation eligibility norms is definitely required, and will doubtlessly come before the first listing goes up. When this happens, there will be vastly increased interest from foreign investors.
Currently, Grade A office space in the top seven cities of India amounts to around 376 million square feet, and we anticipate that approximately 50% of this space will get listed in next 2–3 years. The valuation of these assets is around $10-12 billion, and this accounts for a fairly massive influx of funding waiting in the wings to hit the Indian real estate market via REITs over the next few years.