Real estate continues to be the preferred asset class for investment in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but majority of homebuyers want discounts along with flexible payment options as an incentive, according to the Housing.com and NAREDCO survey.
The real estate portal conducted the survey between January to June this year of more than three thousand consumers. According to the survey findings, real estate is the preferred mode of investment for 43 per cent of respondents, followed by stocks 20 per cent, fixed deposit 19 per cent, and gold 18 per cent. The majority of the respondents (71%) feel that flexible payment plans and discounts will provide much-needed financial aid during current times and drive them to make purchase decisions. Strong housing sales in Maharashtra’s two key markets – Mumbai and Pune – suggest that stamp duty reduction by the state government did play an important role in stimulating demand during the September 2020 to March 2021 period.
The survey found that economic and income outlook for the coming six months is more optimistic. Prospective homebuyers are now taking into account nearby healthcare infrastructure for selecting a property. Recreational spaces and daycare centres have also made it to the list of top amenities that buyers look for. With corporates adopting work-from-home and hybrid work policies, homebuyers are expressing interest in looking for larger homes.