India's real estate market is experiencing a significant upswing, with Mumbai leading the charge during the recent festive season. The financial capital recorded an impressive 6,238 property registrations during Navratri, marking a substantial 20% increase from the previous year's 5,199 registrations.

Revenue Boost for Maharashtra

This surge in property registrations has translated into a notable financial gain for the state. Maharashtra saw its revenue collections rise by 17% year-on-year, reaching Rs 587.00 crore. The robust performance is not isolated to the Navratri period alone; September proved to be Mumbai's strongest in a decade, with 12,070 property registrations.

Factors Driving Growth

Several factors are contributing to this positive trend in the real estate sector:

• GST Simplifications: Recent changes have made the tax structure more straightforward for property transactions.
• Stable Interest Rates: The current interest rate environment is conducive to property purchases.
• RBI's Monetary Policy: The Reserve Bank of India's cumulative 100 basis points repo rate cuts have improved affordability for homebuyers.

Attractive Festive Offers

Developers are capitalizing on the festive spirit by rolling out enticing packages to potential buyers:

• Flexible payment plans
• Zero GST on select ready-to-move-in units
• Waived registration charges

Luxury Segment Thriving

The luxury real estate market is experiencing robust demand across major metropolitan areas:

• Mumbai
• Delhi NCR
• Bengaluru
• Goa

Notably, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are showing increased interest in high-end properties.

Industry Outlook

Real estate industry executives report encouraging statistics:

• 25% increase in property enquiries
• Expected 10-15% growth in festive sales

Historically, the festive quarter contributes significantly to annual sales, accounting for 25-35% of the yearly figures.

Conclusion

The current boom in India's real estate market, particularly evident in Mumbai's record-breaking registrations, signals a robust recovery and growth phase for the sector. With favorable economic conditions and attractive offers from developers, the industry appears poised for sustained momentum.

The Indian real estate sector is witnessing a significant shift in demographics and market dynamics, driven by changing economic factors and infrastructure development across the country.

Homebuying Age Drops Dramatically

According to Shobhit Agarwal, CEO of ANAROCK Capital, the average homebuying age in India has seen a remarkable shift from the late 40s to the early 30s. This transformation is attributed to several key factors:

• Rising disposable incomes
• Easier access to credit
• Extended EMI (Equated Monthly Installment) tenures
• Growing aspirations among millennials and Gen Z to own homes earlier

Infrastructure Development Boosts Real Estate Demand

Infrastructure improvements across India are having a profound impact on the real estate market in various cities:

• Goa: The introduction of a second airport has reduced tourism seasonality, potentially boosting year-round demand for properties.
• Ayodhya: Improved road connectivity led to a residential project selling out completely within a month, highlighting the impact of infrastructure on property demand.
• Dehradun: The Delhi-Dehradun expressway has resulted in increased hotel occupancy and rates, demonstrating the positive effects of improved accessibility on the hospitality sector.

Commercial Real Estate Landscape

Major cities continue to dominate the commercial real estate sector:

• Primary hubs: Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore
• Secondary hubs: Chennai, Hyderabad, and Pune

These cities remain the focal points for commercial real estate development and investment.

Luxury Housing Segment Expands

The luxury housing market has seen significant growth, with minimum ticket sizes increasing from ₹1-2 crores to ₹3-4 crores. This expansion is driven by:

• Gains in the stock market
• Changing lifestyle preferences post-COVID

Extended EMI Tenures Improve Affordability

A notable trend in home financing is the extension of EMI tenures:

• Previous norm: 15-year payment periods
• Current trend: Payments spread over 25 years

This shift has improved affordability for many buyers, allowing them to purchase properties that may have been out of reach with shorter loan terms.

Market Outlook

The Indian real estate sector appears to be in a dynamic phase, with younger buyers entering the market and infrastructure development playing a crucial role in shaping demand across various regions. As cities become more connected and accessible, and as financing options become more flexible, the real estate landscape in India continues to evolve, presenting both opportunities and challenges for developers, investors, and homebuyers alike.