Real Estate: Festive Season Boosts Confidence In Land Investments; Here’s What Industry Players Say | Real Estate News

Real estate developers say the current environment is encouraging long-term investments, especially in land and plotted developments.

As the festive season lifts sentiment in India’s housing market, developers say the environment is encouraging long-term investments, especially in land and plotted developments that continue to hold enduring value.

“Among various asset options, investing in a piece of land such as plotted development, or themed farm plots in particular, stands out as a strong long-term play,” said Rohit Maroo, Executive Director, ORA Realty. “The land prices on the urban periphery have risen significantly over the last decade, driven by infrastructure expansion and industrial growth. As cities expand due to urbanisation, land on the outskirts becomes more valuable,” he added.

According to Maroo, festive periods naturally strengthen buying sentiment. “Developers ride the festive sentiments too, which makes it easier for buyers to close deals. They roll out discounts, offer bundled prices, freebies, and flexible payment plans. The season also sees new launches. Many banks also run festive schemes like waive processing fees etc. to boost buyer sentiments during this period,” he said. He, however, cautioned that “the true value of a piece of land lies in clear titles and credibility of the project”.

Harsh Jagwani, managing director of Notandas Realty, said, “During last year’s Diwali period, sales volumes were up 20-25% year-on-year versus the festive window. Diwali remains an auspicious time for high-value purchases, and luxury buyers – largely end-users and high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) – treated premium real estate as both a lifestyle upgrade and a durable store of value in an inflationary environment. Momentum through Navratri has been strong, and the trend is set to continue into Diwali. We expect 20% higher sales versus last year’s festive quarter, supported by more serious inquiries, shorter conversion cycles, and steady movement in premium inventory. The intent has shifted: buyers aren’t just browsing—they’re committing when quality aligns with expectations.”

Jagwani expects the current momentum to carry through the quarter. The festive rush is already translating into faster closures, and year-end typically brings another wave of decisions – when bonuses are disbursed and families review their financial plans.

Developers across India note that festive optimism, policy support, and affordability improvements are driving homebuying sentiment, especially in smaller cities. Amrita Gupta, director of Manglam Group, said, “Festive seasons in India have always been a time for families to make long-term commitments, and this year is no different. With the recent GST cut creating a more enabling environment, we see a strong demand across tier 2 and 3 markets, with Jaipur emerging as a standout destination.”

Mohit Goel, managing director of Omaxe, said, “This year, the GST changes have further boosted affordability, which is particularly encouraging for families in Tier 2 and 3 cities. These markets are seeing a steady rise in demand thanks to rapid infrastructure projects such as new highways, metro networks, and airports.” He added that Omaxe is witnessing growing interest in integrated townships that combine housing with retail, education, and open spaces.

The festive season has also reinvigorated premium markets like Goa. Lincoln Bennet Rodrigues, Chairman and Founder, Bennet & Bernard, said, “The festive season has always been a period of hope and new beginnings, and this year that spirit is clearly visible in Goa’s luxury real estate market, considering a sharp rise in enquiries and site visits. For NRIs too who often return to India during the festive season, are looking at luxury real estate as a long-term investment opportunity.” He added that Goa has evolved into “an address with global appeal, attracting people who value culture, heritage, exclusivity, wellness, and long-term legacy.”

In Bengaluru, where demand continues to be end-user driven, Anjana Sastri, director (marketing) of Sterling Developers, said, “With the ongoing festive season, we are seeing more and more inquiries, particularly because purchasing a home at this time of year is said to be lucky and symbolic to many customers.”

She noted that homebuyer confidence is at an all-time high, supported by favourable economic conditions, higher disposable incomes, and regulatory stability. “While investing in a property, buyers should not only look at the attractive deals but also consider the reputation of the developer and other factors like location, execution capability, and amenities that the developer has to offer,” she added.

Mahendra Nagaraj, vice-president of M5 Mahendra Group, said, “The festive season has always been a turning point for India’s housing market, when sentiment, savings, and aspiration come together. Every year, we see a clear surge in enquiries and conversions as buyers look to make long-term investments during this auspicious period. This year, with supportive factors such as GST rationalisation, stable interest rates, and attractive festive offers, demand is even more robust – especially in markets like Bengaluru.”

Meanwhile, according to the latest report by PropTiger, housing sales in the country’s top eight markets dropped by 1% to 95,547 units during July-September 2025, mainly due to lower demand in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi-NCR.

Though sales volumes have stabilised, the total value of properties sold during July-September 2025 surged 14 per cent annually to Rs 1.52 lakh crore, according to PropTiger.

Aurum PropTech Executive Director Onkar Shetye said, “The Indian residential market is clearly transitioning from a broad-based, volume-led recovery to a more mature and sustainable phase of value-driven growth.”