The festive season is traditionally associated with property purchases, but buying a home or investing in real estate requires more than favourable timing or attractive offers.
Buyers need to assess affordability, borrowing costs, location, developer credibility and their ability to hold the asset over the long term.
For those buying a home to live in, housing needs, financial stability and the expected duration of stay should guide the decision.
Investors, meanwhile, need to weigh rental income, maintenance costs, resale prospects and potential appreciation against the total cost of ownership.
Ram Raheja, Managing Director of S Raheja, says the decision should depend on the buyer’s purpose, budget and financial readiness rather than year-end sentiment. Location, connectivity, the developer’s delivery record, approvals and RERA registration are among the factors buyers should evaluate.
Mukesh Kumar, Founder and Director of M-SANVI Real Estate, says there is no single answer to whether this is the right time to invest. Buyers need to consider affordability, borrowing costs and their ability to manage long-term financial commitments.
Property returns vary across markets, and real estate cannot always be converted into cash quickly, he says.
Navin Dhanuka, Director of ArisUnitern RE Solutions, says investment decisions should be driven by fundamentals rather than market excitement or fear of missing out. He highlights location, connectivity, pricing, developer credibility and the area’s long-term growth potential as important considerations.
What do housing market trends indicate?
Market conditions can help buyers understand where demand is developing, but they do not guarantee returns from an individual property.
Kishore Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director of Mana Projects, cites ANAROCK Research data showing Bengaluru housing sales rising 12% year-on-year to approximately 16,670 units in the third quarter of 2026. Rising inventory is also giving buyers greater choice, reinforcing the need for careful project selection, he says.
Dipesh Garg, Real Estate Advisor and Co-Founder of SouthDelhi1, cites Knight Frank India’s 2026 report, which shows residential sales across the top eight cities at 2,58,238 units in the first nine months of 2026, while NCR sales decline 11% year-on-year to 35,574 units.
Garg advises buyers to compare properties and negotiate rather than assume that a premium location automatically makes a property a good investment. A genuine investment opportunity should make financial sense even after festive incentives end, he says.
Mohit Goel, Managing Director of Omaxe, says buyers are evaluating location, construction quality, delivery track record and long-term asset potential. He expects the festive period to support enquiries and conversions, particularly in established and emerging growth corridors, while affordability remains important for mass-market buyers.
Should buyers wait for lower interest rates?
Interest rates affect home loan affordability and the total interest paid over the loan tenure. Buyers should assess whether the EMI fits their budget alongside household expenses, existing debt and emergency savings.
Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO, India, South-East Asia, Middle East and Africa, at CBRE, says a 25-basis-point RBI rate increase to 5.50% affects borrowing costs at the margin but does not materially change the broader real estate investment case.
He points to strong office leasing and institutional investment activity as signs of activity across commercial real estate and related sectors.
However, commercial property trends do not directly establish the likely returns from residential property. For individual homebuyers, the ability to service a loan comfortably is more relevant than trying to predict the next interest rate move.
Sarveshaa SB, Chairman and Managing Director of BHADRA Group, says buyers should prioritise quality, location and long-term value. He highlights RERA compliance, connectivity, lifestyle infrastructure and rental potential as factors investors should examine.
Are second homes and luxury properties worth considering?
Some buyers are also considering farmhouses, second homes and luxury properties as lifestyle purchases or long-term investments. These require a separate assessment of costs, intended use and resale prospects.
Ashok Nehlia, Founder and CEO of Nehlia Developers, says interest in farmhouses and second homes is growing among wealthy buyers seeking more space, natural surroundings and long-term investment opportunities. The quality of the asset and its location matter more than market timing, he says.
Ashwin Kumar, Founder and Managing Director of Vibez Estates, says affluent buyers are onsidering private villas, second homes and properties offering privacy, nature and hospitality-led experiences. He says the overall lifestyle proposition, developer credibility and long-term relevance of the asset are important considerations.
However, lifestyle appeal alone does not guarantee investment returns. Buyers should examine maintenance expenses, actual rental demand, ongoing management costs and resale liquidity before committing money to such properties.