The introduction of the new GST, which will see a 6% levy imposed on most transactions, is also contributing to a drop in activity. While house sales themselves are exempt from the GST, factors contributing to housing prices, such as the labour and materials used in construction, are not. Increased costs will inevitably affect overall prices. Analysts expect the GST to push up house prices by around 4%, while Redha in March puts the increase at more than 6%. Siva Shanker, the