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As lights twinkle across cities and homes prepare for Diwali celebrations, India’s real estate market too seems to be glowing with renewed optimism. The festive season, traditionally associated with prosperity and new beginnings, has once again become a time when families turn their aspirations into tangible investments — a home of their own. Developers, realtors, and homebuyers alike are witnessing a positive shift in sentiment, with confidence returning to the market and demand gaining momentum across major cities.
A Season of Celebration and Investment
Navin Dhanuka, Director of ArisUnitern, captures this spirit well: “The festive season has always been associated with celebration, optimism, and new beginnings. Traditionally, it is also a period when families choose to invest in homes — translating aspirations into lasting assets. We anticipate that this year, too, the spirit of prosperity and renewed consumer confidence will further strengthen demand in the real estate sector, encouraging more homebuyers to take decisive steps towards owning their dream home.”
Dhanuka’s words reflect what has long been a cultural and economic truth in India — festivals like Diwali are seen as the most auspicious time to make significant life investments. The symbolism of light triumphing over darkness, of new beginnings and family togetherness, often translates into decisions about buying property, renovating homes, or upgrading to larger spaces.
Developers See Strong Market Traction
This festive quarter has also brought forth exciting opportunities for buyers and brokers alike. Monty Joshi, Co-founder of Sarvam Properties, shares that market enthusiasm is already visible across projects and locations. “The festive season has always been considered an auspicious time to buy a home, and this year is no exception. With favourable market conditions, growing buyer confidence, and a range of attractive offers, we’re witnessing strong traction across the real estate market,” he says.
Joshi adds that for many buyers, purchasing a home during this time goes beyond financial reasoning — it’s an emotional step toward stability and belonging. To make the process more rewarding, Sarvam Properties has introduced several festive incentives. “At Sarvam Properties, we extend special festive benefits to both clients and brokers. Buyers can enjoy incentives such as stamp duty waivers, on-the-spot discounts, and floor-rise exemptions, while brokers receive enhanced commission structures — starting from 2.5% on the first deal and 3% on two or more sales,” Joshi explains. “The festive season truly brings the right energy to close deals faster and create lasting value for everyone involved.”
Confidence Returns to Real Estate
The optimism is not limited to developers — it’s resonating across the broader real estate ecosystem. Bhavesh Kothari, Founder & CEO of Property First Realty, points out that Diwali continues to hold deep cultural significance for Indian families, who often see it as a time to make life-changing investments. “In India, the festive season has always symbolised optimism, hope, and renewed confidence. For the housing sector, this is when many families make the life-changing decision of purchasing a home, driven by both cultural significance and attractive market dynamics,” Kothari says.
With evolving buyer preferences, supportive government policies, and developers offering flexible payment plans, this period has become a sweet spot for real estate transactions. “With favourable sentiment, evolving buyer preferences, and strong offerings from developers, this period is set to further boost demand and reinforce trust in the real estate market,” Kothari adds.
Workspaces Join the Festive Spirit
Interestingly, the festive optimism is not limited to residential real estate. The commercial segment, especially flexible workspaces, is also drawing inspiration from the season’s themes of renewal and community. Shesh Rao Paplikar, Founder and CEO of BHIVE Workspace, says, “Festive signals new beginnings, and at BHIVE this year, we are proud to have channeled that spirit into creating meaningful impact for our members, communities and partners by launching our Work from Anywhere feature.”
BHIVE, which now operates over 29 hubs across Bengaluru, has expanded its footprint to bring workplaces closer to where people live. This move not only shortens commutes but also strengthens business networks. “This festive season also marks the success of our Work Life Harmony initiative, which seamlessly blends fitness, flexibility, a productive work environment, and a social life into the workday,” Paplikar explains. “As teams come together to celebrate the festive season and set their priorities for the year ahead, we are excited to continue shaping workspaces that inspire, connect, and elevate everyday work life.”
This highlights an interesting evolution in India’s urban landscape — the idea of ‘home’ and ‘work’ are both being redefined. Flexibility and quality of life have become central to both, and festive optimism is feeding into that change.
Mumbai Leads the Festive Surge
The country’s financial capital, Mumbai, is once again at the forefront of this festive upswing. Ayushi Ashar, Director of Ashar Group, shares some remarkable numbers: “Diwali is a festival that illuminates homes and hearts alike, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the joy of togetherness. In India, buying a home during this festive season is more than a transaction; it is an emotional milestone, representing stability, prosperity, and the start of new journeys.”
Ashar adds that Mumbai’s real estate market has displayed strong resilience and growth. “Mumbai’s real estate market has once again reflected its strength, with 6,238 properties registered during Navratri 2025—a 20% year-on-year growth and the highest festive performance in recent years,” she notes.
This surge is supported by stable interest rates, greater affordability, and recent GST simplifications. “Revenue collections of ?587 crore further reinforce the vibrancy and momentum of the market,” she says. “The festive season inspires families to act on their aspirations, seeking homes that provide comfort, security, and a bright future. This Diwali, may every home shine with happiness, prosperity, and new beginnings, creating spaces where dreams take root, families flourish, and communities thrive.”
Policy Stability Fuels Growth
The sentiment is echoed by Manju Yagnik, Vice Chairperson of Nahar Group and Senior Vice President of NAREDCO Maharashtra, who believes policy stability and financial prudence are playing a crucial role in sustaining this positive momentum. “Diwali is the ultimate celebration of prosperity, and for millions of families, that vision is fulfilled through homeownership. The enthusiasm witnessed in the market during the lead-up to the festival has been exceptional,” Yagnik says.
She points to the same Navratri data as a reflection of buyer confidence: “Mumbai’s Navratri performance, which recorded a record 6,238 property registrations and a substantial 20% year-on-year surge, confirms that homebuyer confidence is deeply resilient.”
According to Yagnik, this confidence is supported by regulatory and financial stability. “The Reserve Bank of India’s decision to maintain the repo rate at 5.5% ensures stable and predictable EMIs, offering buyers the certainty required to convert long-term aspirations into decisive purchases,” she explains. She also highlights the recent rationalization of GST on key construction materials like cement, which has improved project affordability.
“As India's economic fundamentals remain strong, this dual advantage of stable financing and enhanced affordability continues to fuel demand across the mid-mass and premium segments,” Yagnik adds. “The festive quarter, therefore, sets a powerful tone, positioning the real estate sector for a firm and resilient growth trajectory well into 2026.”
A Bright Path Ahead
This Diwali, the glow of diyas seems to reflect not just festive warmth but also the steady confidence lighting up India’s property market. With stable interest rates, improving affordability, and a cultural belief in new beginnings, homebuying has once again become an act of faith — and optimism.
Developers, brokers, and homebuyers are all part of this shared story of growth. Whether it’s a first-time buyer taking the leap, a developer offering new opportunities, or companies reimagining work-life balance, the festive season has become a reminder that homes are not just built with bricks but with hope.
Across India, that hope is shining brighter than ever.
