Property prices in India’s prime residential markets firmed up further in the past one year amid a spike in the cost of construction and home loan interest rates remaining elevated.

According to a recent PropTiger.com report it was observed that average property prices in most of the top 8 cities analysed experienced double-digit growth in the third quarter of 2024 (Q3CY2024) compared to the same period last year. The report, attributes this price appreciation to rising demand, especially for high-end properties. Further, the Reserve Bank maintaining a status quo on the repo rate at 6.5% in the past 10 policy meetings ,added further pressure on pricing. In the absence of a rate cut, developers as well as buyers continue to pay a comparatively high interest on loans, which ultimately impacts housing affordability.

The report underlines a consistent annual growth in property prices for new supply and available inventory across the top eight cities. This sustained growth demonstrates the real estate sector’s resilience and adaptability in the face of evolving market conditions. According to the report, the highest annual jump in prices was seen in the Delhi-NCR property market, with a staggering 57% increase.

“The rising construction costs have necessitated adjustments to the basic selling price (BSP) of residential units in this market. The combination of strong end-user demand for luxury properties and renewed investor confidence have fueled the upward trajectory of housing prices here,” the report said.

The western cities of Ahmedabad and Mumbai, along with the southern tech hub of Bengaluru, all experienced healthy price appreciation in the 15-21% range whereas Chennai in south and Kolkata in east saw robust growth of 22% compared to the previous year, indicating strong economic activity and housing demand in these metros. This trend points to sustained demand in these economically vital centers.

Pune, often seen as a more affordable alternative to Mumbai, also saw an 18% increase, suggesting it is maintaining its appeal for homebuyers while still seeing significant price growth. Hyderabad, known for its IT sector, showed the most modest growth at 7%, indicating a more stable and mature market.

Quarter-over-quarter, most cities showed more modest increases or even slight plateaus. This could suggest that the market frenzy might be cooling off slightly.

Citywise Price Insights (Rs./ sq ft)

Says Vikas Wadhawan, CFO, REA India & Business Head, PropTiger.com, “While we’ve observed significant price increases, especially in the prime localities of metro and mini metros, it’s crucial to view these developments through a wider lens of India’s economic growth trajectory and urbanisation patterns. The current market dynamics, characterised by a nuanced demand-supply equation, are creating a more stable and sustainable environment for long-term growth. This stability is particularly beneficial for end-users and serious investors. As we navigate through this phase, we anticipate a gradual alignment of buyer expectations with the new price realities.”

Looking ahead, driven by factors such as infrastructure development, smart city initiatives, and the growing prominence of tier-2 and tier-3 cities, the long-term outlook for Indian real estate, remains robust, offering diverse opportunities across residential, commercial, and emerging asset classes for those who approach the market with a strategic, forward-looking perspective.