Bottom Line: Reports of price correction on eve of festivals like Gudi Padwa are often misleading.
Backed by the media reports on inevitable price correction in the Mumbai market, Meenaxi Rohtagi, a textile engineer waited for long to buy an apartment in and around Andheri East. Though the prices have moderated in the last three quarters, the media reports, backed by the property consultants’ analysis, suggest some more significant price correction is on the cards. She now has made up her mind that she will book the flat on the day of auspicious Gudi Padwa.
“I have waited for long anticipating the substantial price cut in the housing market. Of course, there have been marginal price cut in the housing market but that is nowhere close to my expectations. It would not make any difference to my EMIs burden. I am actually expecting a good correction but going by the brokers’ feedback I am rather disappointed and even more confused,” confesses Meenaxi.
She is not the only one in the Mumbai housing market to feel confused about the housing trend and disappointed with the kind of price cut that the market has to offer. Everyone in the housing market across the city, whether the novices or the seasoned investors, have the same dilemma today. Whether there will be more price cut? Will the price cut be symbolic or substantive? Should I buy on the day of Gudi Padwa when more price correction is expected ahead?
Will I get the discounted price, as being reported? Will the festival be the beginning of the price correction this time around? Will the housing market of Mumbai ever be buyers’ market? There are many questions and hardly any answer that could convince, and not confuse, the prospective homebuyers across the length and breadth of Mumbai.
The fact of the matter is that the answer to these questions is not straight and simple and it can be answered as both yes and no. Analysts point out that it all depends upon which market one is talking about as within Mumbai market there rests many sub markets, each having its own distinct character. Then comes the question of segmentation, as all the housing segments in the city are not showing the same trend, whether in pricing or demand & supply cycle.
Quick bytes
- Price trend has many variable across the MMR; no consistent price trend across the city
- Price correction more in the luxury segment, less in mid segment and no correction in the affordable segment
- South Mumbai prices correcting, Western Suburbs softening, and locations of Eastern Suburbs firm
- Attractive deals available this Gudi Padwa with new launches
Prashant Nambiar, a broker operating out of Mahalaxmi area says there are various pockets of property in Mumbai and price correction depends upon the kind of inventory that is available in the market. According to him, it is much easier to say that Mumbai is sitting over a record number of inventory and with nearly four years of inventory the only way to move forward is to cut the prices. But the reality is that there is real scarcity of properties in certain price brackets.
“If you are talking about affordable housing, then I feel Gudi Padwa onwards the prices will rather firm up as there is hardly any inventory and the demand is huge. Added to this, the market sentiments are improving and the economy shows the signs of revival. In mid segment, some sort of correction in the form of discounts and freebies will be available during the festivals and even beyond. But in luxury not just correction but some sort of crash can also not be ruled out,” says the broker.
Geeta Shukla, another homebuyer is on the property hunt, having been shifted to Mumbai recently from Bangalore. Being new to Mumbai tradition, but a spiritual person at heart, she decided to book the apartment on the festival spirit of Gudi Padwa as well. Her property search led her to an altogether new finding; something that in a way confirms the assessment of the property broker Rajesh.
“Across South Mumbai I am finding that substantial price correction has happened and some attractive properties are available at very attractive price points. What is a reality in Colaba, Cuffe Parade or Fort is not a Mumbai reality though. In Western Suburbs locations like Bandra, Khar or Santacruz the prices might have corrected in the last one year but not as much as in South Mumbai. However, as I move to Eastern Suburbs locations like Kurla, Chmbur or Ghatkopar, I did not find any signs of price correction. It is like travelling rom one different city to an altogether different city in Mumbai,” says Geeta.
In a nutshell, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) is not a linear property market where the price trends would be consistent. Each pockets of growth have their own price trend and demand & supply dynamics. It also depends upon the segment of housing and the price correction has mostly happened in the upper segment of housing. On Gudi Padwa too the expected price correction would be more in the upper end of property pyramid.
Does it mean that the affordable homebuyers have no hope of getting reasonable property on this Gudi Padwa? Not really! Analysts suggest that the affordable homebuyers too have their options and they need to keep a close reality check on the market. With a number of new launches expected on the festive occasion there are chances of some attractive deals being offered. It is just a question of finding the right property at the right time and at the right price point.
Many developers are strategizing their marketing channels to make the best of festive spirit. This sounds good for the prospective homebuyers who wish to book their dream home on the day of festivals. Call it due to price correction or strategy or the emerging market reality, but this Gudi Padwa promises to offer everyone a decent deal in the housing market.
