India Office and Home Sales Fall Most in Decade, Knight Frank Says

Sales of homes and leasing of offices across eight of Indias biggest cities saw their steepest fall in a decade in the first half of 2020, according to Knight Frank, as lockdowns to contain the coronavirus pandemic worsened already slowing economic growth and consumer demand.

Residential sales fell 54% and absorption of office space declined 37% between January and June from the same period a year earlier, the research firm said in a report published Thursday. Although policy makers have slashed interest rates, Knight Frank said higher risk perception has erased these gains on mortgages.

“With income uncertainty for future, demand for housing will take a hit,” said Chairman Shishir Baijal.

Housing Plunge

India home sales drop 54% in the first half of 2020 across top eight cities

Source: Knight Frank India

Note: Eight cities include Mumbai, National Capital Region, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmadabad, Kolkata

Commercial office space, which was the only bright spot in Indias otherwise struggling property market this decade, has seen vacancy rise to 14.1% from 12.7% a year ago. Around 6.3 million square feet has been surrendered by occupiers back to landlords as revenue disruptions caused by the pandemic forced them to cut costs, Knight Frank said.

Bengaluru accounted for almost 56% of the space surrendered during January to June. Transaction volumes in Mumbai, India‘s financial hub, fell by a relatively modest 17% due to two large deals that amounted to almost half of the city’s total transactions “and salvaged an otherwise disastrous period,” Knight Frank said.

Office Absorption Plunge

India's office space leasing dropped 37% in 1H2020 across 8 cities

Source: Knight Frank

Note: Eight cities include Mumbai, National Capital Region, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad

“Most occupiers are expected to hesitate in committing to expansion in the current market scenario and may delay their leasing decisions for later,” according to the report. “For the office market, it will be a wait and watch till a more permanent solution to this pandemic is found.”