Home Sales Dip 6%: Is Now Your Time to Buy?

Home sales in India's top 8 cities fell 6% this quarter as buyers turned cautious over high prices. If you're planning to buy, a slower market means sellers may now be more open to negotiation — but prices are still holding above ₹10,000 per sq ft.

Here's what happened: Home sales across India's top 8 cities fell approximately 6% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, with total units sold dropping to around 91,000.. Despite falling sales volumes, average property prices in these cities remain elevated above ₹10,000 per square foot, suggesting sellers are resisting price cuts for now.. Buyer caution is being driven by a combination of high EMI burdens, stretched affordability at current price levels, and a wait-and-watch stance on interest rate movements..

What you should do: Negotiate assertively — in a buyer's market, ask for a 4–7% discount, free parking, or waived maintenance charges before signing any agreement.. Check RERA registration of any project you're considering at rera.gov.in or your state's RERA portal to verify builder track record and delivery timelines.. Compare home loan rates across at least 3 lenders right now — a 0.5% difference on a ₹60L loan saves you over ₹3.6L in total interest over 20 years..

Pro tip: Builders rarely advertise discounts but often offer 'subvention schemes' or GST waivers in slow markets — ask specifically about these in writing during site visits.