India's Prime Housing Markets Face Stagnation as Affordability Crisis Deepens
India's top eight residential property markets show flat year-on-year sales with 96,827 units sold in the July-September quarter, a mere 0.30% increase. New supply rose by 3% to 94,419 units. The market is shifting towards premium offerings, with homes priced above ₹45 lakh accounting for 84% of total sales. Regional performance varies significantly, with Chennai showing 51% growth and Delhi-NCR declining by 14%. The affordable housing segment is under pressure due to rising costs, leading to a growing mismatch between housing prices and buyer affordability. Recommendations include government intervention through tax incentives, GST adjustments, and improved financing options to address the supply-demand mismatch and revitalize the affordable housing sector.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
India's residential property market is experiencing a significant shift, with prime housing markets facing stagnation and a deepening affordability crisis. The latest data reveals a complex picture of the real estate landscape across the country's eight largest residential markets.
Sales and Supply Overview
The July-September quarter saw flat year-on-year sales in India's top eight residential property markets:
| Metric | Current Quarter | Previous Year | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Units Sold | 96,827 | 96,544 | +0.30% |
| New Supply | 94,419 | N/A | +3.00% |
This minimal growth in sales, coupled with a slight increase in new supply, indicates a market struggling to gain momentum.
Shift Towards Premium Offerings
A notable trend is the shift away from affordable housing:
- Homes priced above ₹45 lakh now account for 84% of total sales
- The affordable housing segment (under ₹45 lakh) is under severe pressure
- Rising land and material costs are pushing developers towards premium offerings
Regional Performance Variations
The performance across different regions shows significant disparities:
| City/Region | Sales Growth |
|---|---|
| Chennai | +51.00% |
| Bengaluru | +23.00% |
| Hyderabad | +5.00% |
| Mumbai Metropolitan Region | -4.00% |
| Delhi-NCR | -14.00% |
Southern markets demonstrated strength, while key northern and western markets experienced declines.
New Launches
Quarter-on-quarter new launches increased by 12%, with notable growth in:
- Bengaluru: 22%
- Hyderabad: 21%
- Ahmedabad: 23%
Affordability Crisis
Housing.com CEO Praveen Sharma highlighted a critical issue: "Price increases over five years have dampened affordable housing sales despite steady underlying demand."
This observation underscores the growing mismatch between housing costs and buyer affordability, particularly in the lower-priced segments.
Recommendations
To address the supply-demand mismatch and revitalize the affordable housing sector, the report suggests:
- Government intervention through tax incentives
- GST adjustments
- Improved financing options
These measures aim to make housing more accessible across different price points and revive the struggling affordable segment.
The current state of India's residential property market reflects broader economic challenges and changing consumer preferences. As the market continues to evolve, stakeholders will need to adapt to these shifting dynamics to ensure sustainable growth and address the pressing issue of housing affordability.
























