We are dealing with actual, undeniable headwinds right now. With the RBI increasing the repo rate by 25 bps to 5.50% on October 7 - the first hike since February 2023 - many banks are already lifting their lending rates. On a Rs. 50 lakh loan over a 10-year tenure, this adds about Rs. 66 a month to the EMI, and this can cause some stress among affordable and mid-segment buyers, but not on those who are scouting the premium and luxury markets
Author: Akash Pharande (Akash Pharande)
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NRI Watch: The great Indian space race – why bigger is suddenly better
It is a very real, very visible shift in what Indians now want from and in their homes – space. Lots of it. As much as they can afford. The trend has taken such a stronghold that there have actually been instances of some projects which had mostly smaller flats being converted to accommodate the demand for bigger homes
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NRI Watch: Right-fitting senior Indian homeownership
For older people with an empty nest, an oversized home in the wrong area becomes a source of depression and regret. Depression because large empty spaces echo the past far more efficiently than smaller ones, and regret because the cost - both financially and in terms of effort - are no longer justified
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NRI alert: GST reforms vs 50% tariffs
What does this mean to the housing sector in India? The GST reforms may not bring a big breather to homebuyers because lower cement prices and compliance costs will not completely eliminate the impact of the tariff-driven cost hikes
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NRI watch: How infrastructure failures swamp Pune and Mumbai
Where is the real problem? The authorities sometimes claim it is because of lack of funds, and at other times troubles with land acquisition. Often, the real reason is just clashing agendas of opposing politicians
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Why NRIs should consider moving to India
With India's job market steadily growing, and businesses putting more money into programs focussing on employee wellness, it's time NRIs looked at the cost advantage of living in India