New Delhi, September 20, 2026: India’s residential real estate market is expected to maintain healthy housing demand during the 2026 festive season, although the pace of sales growth may moderate compared with the strong expansion seen in previous years, according to a recent industry report.
The festive period traditionally accounts for a significant share of annual housing activity, and developers are preparing for continued buyer interest during the second half of the year. However, rising property prices are making homebuyers more careful about their purchasing decisions.
Rising Property Prices Change Buyer Behaviour
Higher property prices are influencing what buyers choose, where they buy and how much they are willing to spend. According to an Anarock consumer sentiment survey cited in the report, 65% of respondents were at least moderately concerned about rising housing prices, while 40% viewed the increase as a long-term trend. At the same time, 44% of respondents said they still intended to proceed with their planned property purchase.
Among buyers who were delaying or cancelling their purchase plans, affordability was the main concern, followed by a lack of suitable properties within their budget.
Buyers Looking More Closely at Property Quality
The changing market conditions are also encouraging buyers to conduct more detailed comparisons before making a decision. Location, construction quality, amenities, payment schedules and the overall value offered by a project are becoming increasingly important factors.
Developers, meanwhile, are becoming more selective with new project launches and are introducing targeted payment schemes and festive offers in some projects instead of relying on broad price reductions.
Premium Housing Continues to Attract Interest
Despite affordability concerns, demand for premium housing remains firm. Buyers with higher budgets are continuing to look for properties offering better locations, larger living spaces, modern amenities and improved construction quality.
Industry data also indicates that housing prices have continued to rise across several Indian markets. Recent reports have highlighted strong price growth in emerging Tier-II markets, including the Chandigarh Tricity, where residential prices increased significantly between 2021 and 2026.
What This Means for Property Buyers
For buyers planning to purchase a house, plot or apartment during the festive season, experts recommend paying close attention to the total cost rather than focusing only on the advertised price.
Buyers should carefully check the property’s location, legal documents, approvals, construction quality, payment schedule and additional charges before finalising a deal.
The current market suggests that demand remains active, but buyers are becoming more selective as property prices rise. For developers and sellers, offering quality properties with transparent pricing and flexible payment options could remain important during the festive housing season.
Source: Business Standard; industry data cited from Anarock and other real-estate reports.
