By Ai Powered PMC Akbar Jiwani, Special Correspondent: Realestate, Realnewsofindia.com
NEW DELHI: India’s residential market ended the July-September 2026 quarter on a firm footing. Property consultant Anarock’s latest Q3 2026 report says housing sales across the top seven cities rose about 3 per cent year-on-year to cross the one lakh unit mark, while fresh launches jumped around 18 per cent over the same period last year.
The numbers point to developers growing more confident after a cautious stretch. A rise in new project launches usually means builders expect demand to hold, and the Q3 figures suggest they are acting on that view.
Prices up, affordable supply doubles
The report also notes that average prices continued to rise, by roughly 7 per cent, and that supply in the affordable housing category has nearly doubled. This matters for first-time buyers, a segment that had been squeezed by rising land and construction costs in recent years. A larger pipeline of affordable homes could ease some of that pressure, although rising prices overall remain a concern for buyers.
Policy support for the sector’s capital base
On the regulatory front, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a framework for depository receipts against units of REITs and publicly listed InvITs, a move aimed at widening access for foreign investors through the GIFT City route. If finalised, it could deepen the pool of institutional capital available to India’s commercial and rental real estate assets.
What it means
Sales growth in low single digits alongside an 18 per cent rise in launches suggests the market is moving from a phase of price-led growth to one where supply is catching up. For buyers, the expanding affordable segment is a positive sign; for investors, the REIT framework could open a new channel for global money.
