As housing prices in major Indian cities continue to soar, many middle-class families find it increasingly difficult to enter the real estate market. Recent discussions on Reddit highlight how the growing cost of homes and slow income growth push homeownership out of reach for many. Users share insights on the impact of rising prices, with some suggesting that it may be better to pay rent for now and wait for prices to correct before taking the leap into homeownership.

Mumbai is set for a transformative evolution with the advent of Mumbai 3.0. This new chapter, driven by substantial infrastructure projects and planned urban development, promises to redefine the city’s real estate landscape. Enhanced connectivity, better social amenities, and affordability are positioning Mumbai as a hotspot for investment and growth. Leading this evolution are pivotal projects such as the Atal Setu, the Panvel-Karjat suburban rail corridor, the Mumbai-Pune Expressway Missing Link, and the Navi Mumbai

Women make up half of the global population but less than 40% of the global workforce, according to the World Bank. In real estate, women have long been driving forces, not only shaping homes but also redefining the industry's landscape. International Women's Day and Women’s History Month, both in March, spotlighted the strides women have made in real estate, while acknowledging the challenges that persist.

Representation within the real estate workforce

The financial independence of women has been a subject of evolving legal and societal concerns. In a world increasingly championing gender equality, certain laws — though passed centuries ago — still serve as silent sentinels of a woman’s economic dignity.

The time spent at home has significantly increased compared to pre-pandemic days, leading to a noticeable shift in the housing market. There is a clear trend where people are no longer compromising on the idea of buying their own homes. Despite the risks, many are eager to move from smaller homes to more spacious ones. Additionally, the desire for homes with separate rooms for isolation or holiday homes to spend quality time with family members has risen.

To correct a flaw in the ready reckoner (RR) rates, where slums, redeveloped slums and chawls have been paying on par with the plush high rises next door, the government has decided to embark on ‘micro zoning’ of areas in Mumbai. The decision was taken after the economic disparity in areas that stand cheek by jowl, particularly with the redevelopment overdrive in the city, came to the government’s notice.

Residential sales across India reached 88,274 units in the first quarter of 2025 ( January-March), a 2% year-on-year (YoY) increase and the premium housing segment with homes priced above Rs 1 crore was the key market driver, accounting for 46 per cent of the sales, shows data analysed by property consulting firm Knight Frank India. 

India’s real estate market is witnessing a new pricing trend, with under-construction (UC) homes now outpacing the prices of ready-to-move (RTM) properties across major metros, according to the latest insights from real estate platform Magicbricks. 

Institutional investments in Indian real estate increased 31 per cent in January-March this year to USD 1.3 billion, driven by a sharp jump in inflows in the residential segment, according to Colliers India. Real estate consultant Colliers India noted that this growth was primarily driven by domestic investments, which accounted for 60 per cent of the total inflows during the latest March quarter.

"With USD 0.8 billion inflows, domestic investments saw a 75 per cent annual rise and were largely focused on industrial & warehousing and office segments," it said.

The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) announced an increase in property transfer fees across Navi Mumbai by 5 to 10 per cent, depending on the size and type of the property. The revised charges came into effect from Tuesday. Moreover, flats in registered housing societies and commercial shops will face a 50 per cent hike in transfer fees.

“The decision was finalised during CIDCO’s recent board meeting, with the new rates applicable for the current financial year,” said a CIDCO official.