How to Conduct a Real Estate Development Feasibility Study
Constructing new structures or re-building existing properties, also known as Real estate development, is a complex process that requires careful consideration of various factors to ensure efficient and smooth completion of the project. Conducting a feasibility study proves to be a crucial step that significantly helps developers to assess the viability and potential profitability of a project.
The following key points highlight the importance of feasibility studies in informed decision-making and sustainable growth in the real estate development industry.
The following key points highlight the importance of feasibility studies in informed decision-making and sustainable growth in the real estate development industry.
1. WHAT IS A FEASIBILITY STUDY?
A feasibility study provides assessment of a real estate development project’s technical, economical, legal, and operational aspects. This comprehensive analysis is conducted prior to initiating a project and significantly helps developers to make informed decisions based on credible data, which reduces risks, and maximizes potential returns.
2. BENEFITS OF CONDUCTING A FEASIBILITY STUDY
A detailed feasibility study provides valuable insights into market trends, risks, cost estimation, revenue projections, return on investment calculations, and the financial viability of the project, among other significant factors.
Few key benefits include:
a)Thorough evaluation of technical aspects:
Feasibility studies include detailed site surveys, site analysis to understand the suitability of the site for development, analysis of existing infrastructure and built spaces, and careful assessment of any challenges or limitations likely to be encountered. These factors help developers in making informed decisions and mitigating risks.
b)Comprehensive understanding of the economic factors of the project:
Understanding the construction cost, potential revenue management throughout the project, and return on investment becomes paramount for the profitable completion of the project. A feasibility study carries out detailed analysis of these factors to ensure economic stability and growth of the project.
c)Analysis of legal and regulatory aspects of the project:
The process of constructing or redeveloping a building involves the drafting, signing and submission of a wide array of legal documents, which becomes easier with the guidance of well-researched feasibility reports.
d)Market survey:
Feasibility studies help in gauging market trends, demand-supply dynamics, market rates for different construction materials, sale rates per square feet, and many other factors related to the current statistics of the real estate market.
e)Project planning and design:
A feasibility report helps in understanding the permissible FSI (Floor Space Index) of the particular plot that further drives the planning of the structure. FSI calculation and analysis of the byelaws pertaining to the specific site leads to the structured planning of a typical floor plate that can utilize maximum built-up area.
f)Environmental Stability:
Incorporating environmental impact assessments and carbon footprint calculations of the proposed structure, the feasibility study can help in devising a strategy for constructing an energy-efficient structure that can cause minimum damage to the environment.
g)Stakeholder Communication and Engagement:
A well-researched feasibility study can elevate effective communication and collaboration between the developers, local authorities, community members, and potential partners. Any concerns and queries present in the minds of the parties involved can be addressed to ensure enhanced success of the project.
h)Analyzing Alternatives:
Feasibility studies allow the planners and developers to explore various alternatives in terms of both, planning and regulation scheme selection, as every development project has a wide array of practical possibilities. Feasibility studies provide the necessary clarity required to analyze and select the most appropriate and apt solution for the proposed project.
Few key benefits include:
a)Thorough evaluation of technical aspects:
Feasibility studies include detailed site surveys, site analysis to understand the suitability of the site for development, analysis of existing infrastructure and built spaces, and careful assessment of any challenges or limitations likely to be encountered. These factors help developers in making informed decisions and mitigating risks.
b)Comprehensive understanding of the economic factors of the project:
Understanding the construction cost, potential revenue management throughout the project, and return on investment becomes paramount for the profitable completion of the project. A feasibility study carries out detailed analysis of these factors to ensure economic stability and growth of the project.
c)Analysis of legal and regulatory aspects of the project:
The process of constructing or redeveloping a building involves the drafting, signing and submission of a wide array of legal documents, which becomes easier with the guidance of well-researched feasibility reports.
d)Market survey:
Feasibility studies help in gauging market trends, demand-supply dynamics, market rates for different construction materials, sale rates per square feet, and many other factors related to the current statistics of the real estate market.
e)Project planning and design:
A feasibility report helps in understanding the permissible FSI (Floor Space Index) of the particular plot that further drives the planning of the structure. FSI calculation and analysis of the byelaws pertaining to the specific site leads to the structured planning of a typical floor plate that can utilize maximum built-up area.
f)Environmental Stability:
Incorporating environmental impact assessments and carbon footprint calculations of the proposed structure, the feasibility study can help in devising a strategy for constructing an energy-efficient structure that can cause minimum damage to the environment.
g)Stakeholder Communication and Engagement:
A well-researched feasibility study can elevate effective communication and collaboration between the developers, local authorities, community members, and potential partners. Any concerns and queries present in the minds of the parties involved can be addressed to ensure enhanced success of the project.
h)Analyzing Alternatives:
Feasibility studies allow the planners and developers to explore various alternatives in terms of both, planning and regulation scheme selection, as every development project has a wide array of practical possibilities. Feasibility studies provide the necessary clarity required to analyze and select the most appropriate and apt solution for the proposed project.
3. HOW TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY
Conducting a feasibility study is not easy but with careful steps/stages of progress, a proper study can be obtained.
1)Defining Objectives:
The first step before starting a feasibility study is to define clear and concise objectives for the particular development project. Identifying the target market, defining a rough budget, and deciding the property type (residential, commercial, hybrid, etc.) becomes important for conducting a specifically detailed feasibility study.
2)Market Analysis:
Understanding the current market conditions, rates, demand and supply statistics, opportunities, overall economy conditions, and other external factors gives an apt start to a comprehensive feasibility study.
3) Site Analysis:
Understanding the site location, existing site conditions, existing built spaces on the site, proximity of the site to major public transport hubs, accessibility to the site, widths of the roads adjacent to the site, and identification of the specific zone of the site as per the developmental regulations of the area is extremely important to understand the corresponding permissions, documents, and construction strategies required for the proposed project.
4) Planning and designing:
After understanding the FSI regulations and calculating the permissible built-up area, efficient planning and designing of a floor plate needs to be done to analyze the FSI consumption of the plot. A volumetric analysis and planning can help in consuming maximum built-up area on the plot.
5) Detailed revenue calculations:
Every development project requires a steady cash flow to reach successful completion. Calculating land and site development costs, construction costs, sale figures, and all other costs related to the functioning of the project becomes paramount to understand the revenue cycle and ultimately the financial feasibility of the project.
1)Defining Objectives:
The first step before starting a feasibility study is to define clear and concise objectives for the particular development project. Identifying the target market, defining a rough budget, and deciding the property type (residential, commercial, hybrid, etc.) becomes important for conducting a specifically detailed feasibility study.
2)Market Analysis:
Understanding the current market conditions, rates, demand and supply statistics, opportunities, overall economy conditions, and other external factors gives an apt start to a comprehensive feasibility study.
3) Site Analysis:
Understanding the site location, existing site conditions, existing built spaces on the site, proximity of the site to major public transport hubs, accessibility to the site, widths of the roads adjacent to the site, and identification of the specific zone of the site as per the developmental regulations of the area is extremely important to understand the corresponding permissions, documents, and construction strategies required for the proposed project.
4) Planning and designing:
After understanding the FSI regulations and calculating the permissible built-up area, efficient planning and designing of a floor plate needs to be done to analyze the FSI consumption of the plot. A volumetric analysis and planning can help in consuming maximum built-up area on the plot.
5) Detailed revenue calculations:
Every development project requires a steady cash flow to reach successful completion. Calculating land and site development costs, construction costs, sale figures, and all other costs related to the functioning of the project becomes paramount to understand the revenue cycle and ultimately the financial feasibility of the project.
CONCLUSION:
Feasibility studies play a vital role in analyzing and calculating the overall viability of a real estate development project. Important factors, like, financial viability, market statistics, site potential, sale rate, and risk mitigation, are covered in a detailed feasibility report that aptly predicts the future success and completion of the project. As a team of skilled architects, Atelier ARBO is well-trained to conduct feasibility studies of proposed development projects to obtain a well-researched idea of how to efficiently execute a particular project.