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Investment Analysis of Housing Market in India
Investment Analysis of Housing Market in India
Sudhanshu R. Sahoo
Sudhanshusahoo206@gmail.com
Investing is Housing Market in India 2
Abstract
The housing market in India has been a subject of interest for investors in recent years, as the
demand for housing has increased significantly due to the growing population and urbanization.
This paper aims to provide an investment analysis of the housing market in India, considering
The study looks over all the market conditions that directly or indirectly affects the housing
market. The Indian housing market has a high potential for growth, driven by factors such as
increasing urbanization, rising income levels, and a favorable regulatory environment. The
demand for affordable housing in the country is also expected to increase, as the government has
launched several initiatives to promote affordable housing and improve the housing
infrastructure. However, the study also identifies some challenges and risks associated with
Overall, the study suggests that investing in the Indian housing market can be a lucrative
opportunity for investors, but they need to carefully evaluate the market dynamics and adopt a
long-term investment strategy to achieve optimal returns. The paper concludes by highlighting
the need for further research in this area to develop more nuanced insights into the Indian
Keywords: Housing market, urbanization, demographic changes, rising income level, affordable
Introduction
The housing market refers to the buying and selling of residential real estate properties, such as
houses, apartments, and condominiums. The housing market is an important component of the
economy and has a significant impact on the financial well-being of individuals and
communities.
The housing market in India has been growing steadily over the past few decades, fueled by a
rapidly growing population and a rising middle class. India's housing market has seen a surge in
demand due to the increasing urbanization of the country and the resulting need for housing.
The Indian housing market is primarily divided into two segments: affordable housing and
luxury housing. Affordable housing is aimed at middle and low-income groups, while luxury
The Indian government has also taken several initiatives to boost the housing market, including
the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme, which aims to provide affordable housing to
all by 2022. The government has also introduced several other policies and incentives to promote
1
According to Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme, as of 2023 122.69 lakhs houses
have been sanctioned and a total of 8.31 lakh crore have been invested
Investing is Housing Market in India 4
Despite the growth of the housing market, there are still several challenges that need to be
addressed, such as lack of affordable financing options, high property prices, and inadequate
infrastructure in some areas. However, with the government’s efforts and the continued growth
of the middle class, the Indian housing market is expected to continue to grow in the coming
years.
The housing market in India has been a popular topic of research for investors and analysts alike,
given its potential for high returns and stability. Here is a brief literature review of investment
and Archana Singh: This study analyzes the residential real estate market in India using a
sample of 30 cities from 2011 to 2016. The study finds that the real estate market in India
has been stable, and investment in the residential real estate market in India can yield
high returns and recommends that investors should invest in Tier-II cities for better
returns.
2. “Housing Price Indices in India” by Charan Singh: This study provides the brief
knowledge about how the housing price indices are calculated in India and a few other
countries. This paper also investigates the growth of the housing market. The study also
3. “Investment Analysis of Indian Real Estate Sector: An Overview” by R.K. Uppal and
Anuradha: This study provides an overview of the Indian real estate sector and analyzes
the investment opportunities in the sector. The study finds that the Indian real estate
sector has been growing steadily and has a high potential for investment.
Overall, these studies suggest that the housing market in India provides significant investment
opportunities and can yield high returns. However, investors should carefully consider various
factors, such as location and property type, before investing in the Indian housing market.
sector has a direct impact on employment generation, GDP growth and consumption pattern in
the economy. But before diving into the housing market, one must take into consideration several
factors. Now, housing can be a good investment in some circumstances, but there are several
1. Lack of diversity: Real estate is a single asset class, so investing all your money in
comes to investing as the more diversified your portfolio is the less is your risk.
Investing is Housing Market in India 6
2. High Home Prices: Home prices have been increasing rapidly in recent years, making
it more difficult for potential buyers to enter the market. This high price point may
make it harder for individuals to afford homes and may deter potential buyers.2
3. Limited liquidity: real estate is a relatively illiquid investment, meaning that it can
take time to sell a property and convert it into cash. This can be problematic if you
4. Maintenance costs: owning a property requires ongoing maintenance and repair costs,
which can add up over time. These costs can significantly impact your net returns,
5. Risk of housing bubble: The housing market can experience periods of road
appreciation, followed by a sharp decline in value. This can result in significant losses
for investors who have overpaid for property during the boom period.
6. Exit strategy: Have a clear exit strategy in mind before making any investment
decisions, such as selling the property at a profit, renting it out for a steady stream of
A market such as real estate can be good investment under certain conditions, such as
stable market and low interest rates, it is not always the best choice for everyone. It is
2
According to Times Property, home prices are predicted to increase by over 7% nationwide.
Investing is Housing Market in India 7
essential to weigh potential risks and benefits carefully before making any investment
decisions.
Investing is Housing Market in India 8
Methodology
There are several methods that can be used to assess the performance of a housing
1. Sales Volume: This method looks at the total number of homes sold in each period,
2. Housing Price Indexes: This method looks at changes in housing prices over time. It
can be used to track trends in the market and identify periods of growth or decline.
3. Housing Affordability Index: This method measures the ability of the average
4. Mortgage Rates: Majority of people take home loans in order to buy a house. For this
case the mortgage rates are to be checked before determining whether it would be
5. Days on Market: This method measures the average length of time it takes for a home
to sell in each market. It can be an indicator of how quickly homes are moving off the
6. Rent vs Buy Analysis: This method compares the costs of renting versus owning a
home in each market. It can be used to determine whether it makes more financial
7. Demographic Trends: This method looks at changes in the population, income levels,
and employment rates in each market. It can be used to identify trends that may
impact the housing market, such as an increase in demand for rental properties due to
a growing population.
the performance of a housing market and make informed decisions about buying or selling
Sales Volume
The sales volume of the housing market in India can vary depending on various factors such as
economic conditions, government policies, and the overall demand for housing,
According to a report by PropTiger.com, a real estate services firm, the total sales volume of
residential properties in India increased by 8% in the financial year 2021 compared to the
previous year. The report states that a total of 1,81,370 homes were sold in the top 7 cities in
India, which include Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata.3
However, it is important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the
real estate market in India, with a decline in sales volume during the lockdown period. The
market has since recovered, but the overall impact of the pandemic on the real estate sector in
3
According to PropTiger.com, the demand for affordable housing has increased, with homes
priced under INR 45 lakhs ($60,000) accounting for 47% of the total sales in the financial year
2021.
Investing is Housing Market in India 11
Graph 1: Bar Graph Showing the Change in Sales Volume of Housing Units
300 279.82
267.96
244.69 242.33 245.86 232.9
250 228.07
215
200
154.43
150
100
50
0
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Source: Statista
As shown in the above chart, there has been a constant decline in the sales volume of the housing
units with a sudden dip in 2020, due to covid 19. 2021 saw a decent recovery, although still less
than the figure in 2019. As per 2022 the sales volume was at 215,000, again less than that the
value of 2021. It is predicted that the sales volume will increase in 2023 looking at current
market trends.
It is important to consider the current state of the economy and the housing market. If the
economy is strong, with low unemployment and steady economic growth, the housing market is
likely to be stable or even thriving. On the other hand, if the economy is struggling, with high
unemployment and slow growth, the housing market may be weak or experiencing a downturn.
Investing is Housing Market in India 12
Trends in all-India HPI and its constituent Cities were also disseminated regularly by the RBI.
The price data on transacted houses while registering of a house are collected from the
house price index based on registration price data and stratified weighted average measures,
where transactions are Stratified in three categories, viz., small, medium, and large houses and
different geographical Wards/zones. However, this measure captures prices relating only to those
houses that are sold during a Period and not relevant to all houses in the economy.
200
HPI of selected cities
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Mar- JUN SEP- DEC Mar- Jun- Sep- Dec- Mar- Jun- Sep- Dec- Mar- Jun- Sep- Dec- Mar- Jun- Sep- Dec-
- -- - - 2019 2019 2019 2019 2020 2020 2020 2020 2021 2021 2021 2021 2022 2022 2022 2022
2018 2018 2018 2018
From the above chart and the corresponding line graph the HPI is increasing although after
4
According to Indian Express, RBI’s HPI recorded a 2.79% growth to 302 in the third quarter as
compared to 293.8 when it showed a 3.1% growth a year ago despite the rise in interest rates.
Investing is Housing Market in India 14
It’s also worth noting that even if the HPI is high, there may still be opportunities to find a good
deal, such as buying a house that needs renovations or negotiating with the seller. It’s important
to do your research and work with a trusted real estate agent to help you navigate the housing
The Housing Affordability Index (HAI) is a measure used to determine whether the typical
household can afford the typical home in a particular area. It is typically calculated by taking the
median home price in a particular area and dividing it by the median household income. The
resulting ratio Indicates the percentage of a typical household’s income that would be required to
A higher HAI Indicates that housing is more affordable, while a lower HAI indicates that
housing is less affordable. The HAI can be used by policymakers, researchers, and individuals to
track changes in housing affordability over time and to make informed decisions about housing-
related issues.
Factors contributing to the decline in HAI in India include rising house prices, stagnant incomes,
and high interest rates. Additionally, supply-side issues such as a lack of affordable housing stock
and inefficient land use policies have also contributed to the problem.
Investing is Housing Market in India 15
HAI
Mumbai
Delhi
Chennai
Pune
Bengaluru
Hyderabad
Jaipur
Kolkata
Ahemdabad
Surat
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Source: Business-Standard
Over the years, the HAI for India fluctuated between 50 and 70, indicating that housing
affordability in India remained a challenge. Although it should not be the only concern while
buying a house. For example, although the HAI of Mumbai is the lowest at 28.2, the demand of
real estate in Mumbai is also high meaning it would build high equity over time and at the time
of selling, it could fetch a good return on investment. But the result is not guaranteed it
Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates in India are determined by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and are influenced by
various factors such as inflation, economic growth, and market conditions.5 The interest rates on
mortgages in India can be either fixed or floating. Fixed-rate mortgages offer a stable interest
rate for the entire loan tenure, while floating-rate mortgages are linked to a benchmark rate and
6.00%
4.00%
2.00%
0.00%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
5
According to Bank Bazar, as of 2021, the average mortgage interest rate in India ranged from
From the above graph, the mortgage rates have been decreasing over time. This could be a
positive factor when it comes to buying a property using housing loan but even here certain
Loan Tenure: One should consider how long will it take them to repay the loan. If the
payment, as this will lower the amount of the loan and the interest paid over time.
Loan Type: There as various types of housing loans available such as fixed rate loans,
floating rate loans, and hybrid loans. By looking at the current market trend it could be
said that a floating rate loan would be a more viable option when compared to fixed rate
loan.
Days on Market
Days on market (DOM, alternatively active days on market, market time, or time on market) is a
measurement of the age of a real estate listing. The statistic is defined as the total number of days
the listing is on the active market before either an offer is accepted or the agreement between real
The days on market for residential properties in India can range from a few weeks to several
months.6 But it should not be the only concern of the investor as other economic factors also
come into play. For example, if a particular city is experiencing a surge in population growth and
a booming economy, it may be a good time to invest in the housing market, even if the days on
Thus, days on market can be used as a tool to determine the demand for real estate in a particular
geographical location. A low number of days on market may indicate a strong demand for homes
in a particular area, while a high number of days on market could suggest that the market is slow
or oversaturated.
16
Time taken(in months)
14
13.5 13.5
12
10 11
10.5 10.5 10.5
10
8
0
Mumbai Delhi-NCR Bangalore Chennai Hyderabad Pune Kolkata
6
. According to a report by PropTiger.com, the average time taken to sell a property in the top 9
cities in India was around 10-12 months in 2020, with the highest being in Mumbai at 16 months and the
lowest being in Hyderabad at 6 months.
Investing is Housing Market in India 19
Above show graph shows the days on market of a few cities. Similarly, before investing in the
real estate of any area, one should what is the days on market of that area to get an idea how long
Rent vs buy analysis is a financial analysis that compares the costs and benefits of renting versus
owning a property over a certain period. This analysis considers various factors, such as the cost
of renting or buying, the length of time you plan to stay in the property, the interest rates, and the
The goal of a rent vs buy analysis is to determine which option is the most financially beneficial
for you based on your unique situation. The analysis will compare the total cost of renting a
property over a certain period to the total cost of owning a property over the same period,
including the initial down payment, mortgage payments, property taxes, and maintenance costs.
The following procedure must be done in order to conduct Rent vs Buy analysis –
1. Determine the Time Horizon: The first thing to do is to determine how long do you plan
to stay in the property. If you’re planning to stay for a long time, it might make more
2. Determine your Budget: One should determine how much they are able to afford to spend
on either buying or renting a property as this will help in narrowing down the options.
Investing is Housing Market in India 20
3. Research the real estate market: Do a thorough analysis of the market to see the current
trends in the market and the average prices of properties and find one suitable to your
budget
4. Estimate the cost of Buying: Cost of buying includes purchase price, down payment, and
any other fees associated with buying the property. One should also consider ongoing
costs such as mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs.
5. Estimate the cost of Renting: Cost of renting includes monthly rent, security deposit, and
any other fees associated with renting. One should also consider expenses such as renters’
6. Calculate the financial impact of owning: When you buy a property, you are building
equity over time. You should calculate the potential appreciation of the property and the
7. Compare the costs of renting vs owning: Once you have estimated the costs of buying
and renting, you can compare the two to determine which option is more cost-effective.
8. Decide: Based on the analysis, you should be able to make an informed decision on
In conclusion it is essential to note that buying a property is more feasible when you’re
considering living in it for the long term. Otherwise renting could be a better option if you’re not
Demographic trends
Various demographic trends affect the Indian housing market, some of which are:
1. Urbanization: India’s urban population has been growing steadily, and it is expected to
reach 600 million by 2030. This growth is leading to an increased demand for housing in
urban areas.
2. Young population: India has a large population of young people, with more than 65% of
the population under the age of 35. This demographic group is likely to drive demand for
3. Nuclear families: The trend of nuclear families, where a couple and their children live
separately from their extended family, is becoming more common in India. This is
4. Rising income levels: India’s middle class is growing, and with it, their purchasing
power. This has led to an increase in demand for larger, more luxurious homes.
Investing is Housing Market in India 22
5. Migration: India has a large population of migrant workers who move from rural areas to
cities in search of employment. This is leading to an increased demand for rental housing
in urban areas.7
Overall, the housing market in India is likely to be influenced by these demographic trends in the
coming years. Developers and policymakers will need to keep these trends in mind while
7
According to Macrotrends, the net migration for India was -0.356 per 1000 population, a 3.52%
decline from 2020
Investing is Housing Market in India 23
-100
-142
-150 -158
-200
-350
The negative values suggest that there is more emigration from India than Immigration to India.
This indicates that India is experiencing a net loss of people due to migration.
Investing is Housing Market in India 24
The above diagram shows the number of people moving in and out of each state in India. The
states with high immigration will have more demand for houses than those with high emigration.
Comparative Analysis
There is a variety of investment instruments, Stocks and real estate have the potential to provide
high returns but are also subject to market fluctuations and require significant capital. Bonds and
FDs are considered less risky but offer lower returns. Nifty 50 provides investors with exposure
to the Indian stock market without the risks of investing in individual stocks. Investors should
carefully consider their investment goals, risk tolerance, and financial situation before investing
30 %
20 %
10 %
0%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
-10 %
-20 %
From the above graph we can see the performance of various investment instruments in the last 10
years. Although real estate is a risky asset, the return on investment does not justify the risk. We see
dips in returns in housing market in the year 2015 and 2020. Granted Stocks and Nifty 50 have also
performed similarly but the return on investment they provide is way more than real estate. Even if we
compare estate with safer alternatives such as bonds and FDs, we can see that they have performed
better than real estate as they did not face any decline even during the year 2015 and 2020.
Investing is Housing Market in India 27
Conclusion
In conclusion it could be said that investing in the housing market is a long-term commitment so
a thorough research prior to that is necessary. It is without a doubt a risky asset and if not bought
with proper analysis of cost over the long term, could turn into a liability. Many factors play a
role while determining whether investing in the housing market would be feasible or not.
Sales volume have been seeing a constant decline in the housing market meaning the level of
activity has been decreasing over the years. This could an indication that one you buy a property
it could take some time to liquidate that asset and get back your money invested. It also depends
upon the days on market of that area. The more the days on market of an area, the longer it will
The Housing Price Index (HPI) of many cities in India have seen a steady increase over the years
which is a good sign as a high HPI means that the value of the real estate will grow over time.
Apart from HPI, Housing Affordability Index (HAI) is another thing one should consider before
investing in the housing market. It reflects how affordable the real estate of a particular area is.
One should choose such a property which lies in an area which is high in both HPI and HAI to
Other factor such as demographic trends also play an important role. If we could see the net
migration of a certain area, we could determine the size of the market. In India, the net migration
Investing is Housing Market in India 28
is seeing a negative trend over the few years so that could be a concern before investing in the
If you want to invest in housing market are not ready to put in a hefty sum of money for a long
term, the best option will be to invest in Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). Buying and selling
of REIT shares is easier than it is with a physical property. They obviate the need for market
specific knowledge and property management while making it easier to diversify your real estate
portfolio.8
8
According to Emerald.com, the percentage of Indian REITs in a portfolio goes from 9% at the
smallest risk level to 19% at the maximum risk level. This shows that including Indian REITs in a
diversified portfolio of assets is an effective way to spread out the risk.
Investing is Housing Market in India 29
References
India”.
Shukla, S. and Singh, S. (2019), “Indian housing market: A study of housing finance and
Jain, J and Neha Singh, N. (2021), “A study on the impact of economic indicators on the
“Ramesha, K. and Devaraja, T.S (2020), “An analysis of the Indian housing market and
National Housing Bank (2023), “NHB RESIDEX: Tracking the prices of residential
properties in India”.
Footnotes
1. According to Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) scheme, as of 2023 122.69 lakhs houses have
been sanctioned and a total of 8.31 lakh crore have been invested
nationwide.
3. According to PropTiger.com, the demand for affordable housing has increased, with
homes priced under INR 45 lakhs ($60,000) accounting for 47% of the total sales in the
4. According to Indian Express, RBI’s HPI recorded a 2.79% growth to 302 in the third
quarter as compared to 293.8 when it showed a 3.1% growth a year ago despite the rise in
interest rates.
5. According to Bank Bazar, as of 2021, the average mortgage interest rate in India ranged
from 6.65% to 7.25% depending on the lender and the type of loan.
6. According to a report by PropTiger.com, the average time taken to sell a property in the
top 9 cities in India was around 10-12 months in 2020, with the highest being in Mumbai
7. According to Macrotrends, the net migration for India was -0.356 per 1000 population, a
at the smallest risk level to 19% at the maximum risk level. This shows that including
Indian REITs in a diversified portfolio of assets is an effective way to spread out the risk.
Investing is Housing Market in India 31
Tables
Graphs
Graph 1: Bar Graph Showing the Change in Sales Volume of Housing Units
300 279.82
267.96
244.69 242.33 245.86 232.9
250 228.07
215
200
154.43
150
100
50
0
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Source: Statista
200
HPI of selected cities
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Mar- JUN SEP- DEC Mar- Jun- Sep- Dec- Mar- Jun- Sep- Dec- Mar- Jun- Sep- Dec- Mar- Jun- Sep- Dec-
- -- - - 2019 2019 2019 2019 2020 2020 2020 2020 2021 2021 2021 2021 2022 2022 2022 2022
2018 2018 2018 2018
HAI
Mumbai
Delhi
Chennai
Pune
Bengaluru
Hyderabad
Jaipur
Kolkata
Ahemdabad
Surat
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Source: Business-Standard
6.00%
4.00%
2.00%
0.00%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Source: BankBazaar
Investing is Housing Market in India 34
16
Time taken(in months)
14
13.5 13.5
12
10 11
10.5 10.5 10.5
10
8
0
Mumbai Delhi-NCR Bangalore Chennai Hyderabad Pune Kolkata
-100
-142
-150 -158
-200
-350
30 %
20 %
10 %
0%
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
-10 %
-20 %