Is time ripe to invest in booming Pune realty?

Pune has delivered an overall residential price appreciation of well over 20 per cent in just one year. Naturally, both end-users and investors find the city very appealing, especially considering its rapid growth since 2020

Why Pune Pulsating:

• Economic growth and employment opportunities
• Infrastructure development
• Shift in housing segments

Pune, one of India's most vibrant real estate markets, has experienced rapid changes over the past few years. Latest data from leading real estate consultancies show a scenario of strong housing price increases and ongoing changes in market dynamics, pointing towards further price hikes in the future.

According to real estate consultants Anarock, Pune and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) saw over 50 per cent of the overall housing sales in Q2 2024 among the top seven cities. This is a resounding statement for Pune — a city once considered the laid-back cousin of the financial capital and is now competing in the same league.

Rising property prices: A continuum

Recent data from various leading consultancies clearly show Pune's trend of rising property prices. There has been a significant 20-23 per cent year-on-year increase compared to Q1 2023. This resilience and rising demand are driving prices higher. Several factors explain Pune's growing housing prices:

♦ Economic growth and employment opportunities: Pune's real estate market has improved significantly due to its development into a major IT and manufacturing centre. High demand from professionals seeking homes near their workplaces has led to a surge in property values in and around IT parks and manufacturing hubs.

♦ Infrastructure development: Ongoing and planned infrastructure improvements such as road extensions, new flyovers, and the Pune Metro are boosting the city's property values and connectivity. This dynamic is evident across Greater Pune, which includes the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the infrastructure-driven Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).

♦ Shift in housing segments: Pune's housing market is now driven by mid-range and premium-to-luxury housing, thanks to higher demand for such options. The higher purchasing and borrowing power of the target clientele supports ongoing price increases.

So - buy now or later?

To answer this very important question, it is necessary to consider some fundamentals. Pune's strong economic growth draws professionals and families from various industries. The city offers a high livability quotient, better housing affordability, and a superior climate compared to neighboring Mumbai. It also boasts top-grade healthcare and education options and proximity to Mumbai, Maharashtra's main economic hub.

Pune has delivered an overall residential price appreciation of well over 20 per cent in just one year. Naturally, both end-users and investors find the city very appealing, especially considering its rapid growth since 2020, which saw Pune's lowest year for housing demand in the last decade due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Job losses, economic disruption, and the disappearance of construction labour brought building activity to a halt. The lockdowns caused a significant decline in real estate market demand and supply.

But in 2021, the market began to bounce back powerfully. With a 17 per cent year-on-year increase, Pune saw the highest property sales since 2013. Buyer confidence increased steadily. In 2023, the Pune housing market rebounded remarkably. The current year is poised to set new benchmarks.

The writing is clearly on the wall — there is no stopping the Pune housing market, and a wait-and-watch stance can cost buyers dearly. For those who want to buy a home in Pune, either to live here or to reap investment returns, there is a strong argument for acting now. Historical data and current patterns clearly imply that the city's property values will keep rising.

Given the continuous growth of the city and its expanding economic base, homes bought now will deliver significant value addition over time. Pune is currently second only to Mumbai in new residential launches and sales and is also attracting increasing interest from institutional investors eyeing its commercial real estate market.

This means more workplaces, more jobs, and even higher housing demand driving prices steadily northward. For potential buyers and investors, the message is clear - there is no equity in waiting for a more opportune time in Pune's thriving housing market.

(The author is Managing Director of Pharande Spaces)