Owning a home in India – it's still the dream for so many of us, isn't it?
After thinking a lot myself and seeing what's happening in the market,
I've got a few insights to share.

First off, the market is definitely still seeing an upward trend. News reports suggest property prices are not going to fall significantly, though the rapid double-digit growth we saw in some areas last year might slow down a bit.

This means if you're waiting for a crash, you might be waiting a long time. Demand, especially for premium and luxury segments, is quite strong.

Here's my take:
* Affordability is the real challenge, especially in metros. While the government has schemes like PMAY to help, and banks offer various loan options (interest rates are hovering around 8.5-10.5% for most major banks right now), the sheer cost of properties in cities like Mumbai or Delhi is a huge hurdle for many first-time buyers. That ₹45 lakh 'affordable' threshold feels outdated in metro realities.

* Look beyond the city cen...read more