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By:

Bhalchandra Chorghade

11 August 2025 at 1:54:18 pm

Real estate sentiment steadies ahead of 2026

India’s real estate sector appears to have regained its equilibrium in the final quarter of 2025, with stakeholder sentiment stabilising after a phase of moderation earlier in the year. The 47th edition of the Knight Frank–NAREDCO Real Estate Sentiment Index for Q4 2025 (October–December) indicates that both current and future outlooks remain firmly in the optimistic zone, underpinned by improving macroeconomic visibility, easing inflationary pressures and steady funding conditions. The...

Real estate sentiment steadies ahead of 2026

India’s real estate sector appears to have regained its equilibrium in the final quarter of 2025, with stakeholder sentiment stabilising after a phase of moderation earlier in the year. The 47th edition of the Knight Frank–NAREDCO Real Estate Sentiment Index for Q4 2025 (October–December) indicates that both current and future outlooks remain firmly in the optimistic zone, underpinned by improving macroeconomic visibility, easing inflationary pressures and steady funding conditions. The Current Sentiment Score edged up marginally to 60 in Q4 2025 from 59 in the preceding quarter, while the Future Sentiment Score held steady at 61. Although these readings remain below the peaks witnessed during 2023–24, they reflect a market that has absorbed recent volatility and is now progressing on more stable fundamentals. The stabilisation suggests that stakeholders are tempering expectations while retaining confidence in the sector’s medium-term prospects. A key driver of this optimism is the strengthening domestic macroeconomic environment. Real GDP growth accelerated to 8.2 per cent in Q2 FY 2025–26, a sharp improvement over the 5.6 per cent recorded in the corresponding period last year. High-frequency indicators continue to signal sustained economic momentum, helping offset global uncertainties. According to Shishir Baijal, Chairman and Managing Director, Knight Frank India, stronger macro visibility, steady funding conditions and disciplined decision-making across stakeholders have collectively reinforced confidence. He noted that calibrated residential supply and robust office leasing activity are providing structural support to the market. Funding availability sentiment also improved during the quarter. Most respondents expect liquidity conditions to remain stable or improve, aided by policy continuity and a sustained focus on asset quality. While lenders and investors continue to adopt a selective approach, capital access across asset classes remains supportive, indicating confidence in the sector’s underlying fundamentals rather than speculative expansion. Regionally, future sentiment strengthened modestly across all zones, with every region remaining in the optimistic zone. The South Zone retained its leadership position with a score of 62, driven by strong office leasing in Bengaluru and Hyderabad and resilient demand in higher-ticket residential segments. The East Zone improved to 62 on the back of steady mid-segment housing demand, while the West Zone also strengthened to 62, supported by stable commercial activity and a calibrated approach to residential development. The North Zone recovered to 59, reflecting stabilising sentiment after earlier softness, aided by steady office traction and ongoing infrastructure momentum. The broad-based regional improvement underscores confidence anchored in urban demand and improving economic conditions. Stakeholder sentiment, however, showed moderate divergence. Institutional stakeholders such as banks, financial institutions and private equity funds recorded a higher Future Sentiment Score of 63, reflecting growing confidence in asset quality and liquidity. Developers, in contrast, maintained a more cautious stance with a score of 58, highlighting a disciplined approach that aligns growth plans closely with demand visibility and funding prudence. This divergence points to a market where capital providers are willing to support growth, while developers remain focused on risk management and execution efficiency. In the residential segment, future sentiment improved in Q4 2025, supported by sustained demand in higher ticket size segments and careful inventory management. Although sales momentum has moderated from earlier peaks, improving financing conditions and controlled supply additions have reinforced confidence. Overall sentiment remains optimistic, characterised by stable demand rather than rapid expansion. The office sector continues to anchor overall market confidence. Leasing expectations remain strong, driven by sustained occupier demand, particularly from Global Capability Centres across major cities. Limited availability of quality Grade A space has encouraged pre-leasing and early commitments, supporting firm rental expectations. Sentiment around new office supply has also improved, indicating expectations of a stronger development pipeline even as near-term availability remains constrained. Parveen Jain, President, NAREDCO, observed that the index reflects confidence strengthening after a period of mild moderation, with residential stability and consistent office leasing forming the backbone of optimism. Taken together, the Q4 2025 findings suggest that India’s real estate sector is entering 2026 on a steadier, more balanced footing, guided by economic clarity, prudent capital deployment and demand-driven strategies across asset classes.

The Business Growth Secret Hiding in Your Story

In today’s competitive world, business owners and professionals are constantly chasing growth, revenue, and new clients. Many believe that if their work is good enough, it will speak for itself. Others dismiss storytelling as unnecessary or even indulgent. After all, what does telling your story have to do with closing a deal or running a business? The answer, though often overlooked, is everything.


The greatest brands and leaders in history have understood that people remember stories more than products, logos, or job titles. Logos fade. Professions change. Industries evolve. What remains etched in memory is the story that someone told and the way it made us feel. Yet many business owners fail to recognize the power of this tool. Some feel they don’t have a story at all, that their business simply “started one day.”


Others underestimate its impact, believing that transactions are all that matter. What they fail to realize is that in a marketplace overflowing with choices, it is the human connection created through stories that makes someone choose you over another. I have seen this not only in global icons but also in my own journey.


My personal experiences, both struggles and successes, have become the foundation of my work. Sharing them openly has not only built trust but also made people connect with me at a deeper level. It is not about narrating a perfect tale; it is about revealing the human side behind the brand. And there is an art to it. The way a story is delivered can make it either fall flat or resonate so strongly that the listener feels as if it is also their own.


A good story is never just about you; it is about how your audience sees themselves in your journey. The irony is that the very business owners who dismiss storytelling as a distraction often complain about struggling to stand out or to attract loyal clients. They continue to focus on features, benefits, and pitches, unaware that these things are easily forgotten. What people truly carry with them is the emotional memory of an encounter — and stories are what create that. Without them, even the best brands risk being invisible.


The good news is that storytelling does not demand a dramatic rags-to-riches journey. It does not require exaggeration or a stage-worthy performance. Some of the most powerful stories are the simplest ones: the reason you chose your profession, the turning point that shaped your vision, the challenge you overcame that taught you resilience, or even the values that guide your everyday work. These are the narratives that breathe life into a personal brand, giving it both authenticity and relatability.


When people tell me they don’t have a story, I remind them that life itself is a series of stories. The problem is not the absence of one but the inability to see it. That is where the real work begins — uncovering those moments, shaping them, and then sharing them in a way that touches the people who matter to your growth. Done right, storytelling is not just a communication skill; it is a business strategy. It is the bridge that turns a transactional relationship into a long-term connection.


The truth is simple: people may forget your pitch, your designation, or even your company name. But they will not forget a story that made them pause, reflect, or feel understood. That story becomes the anchor of your personal brand, the reason someone remembers you long after the conversation ends, and the reason they come back or recommend you when opportunities arise.


For leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who have been putting storytelling aside, it is no longer optional. It is the missing link between where you are today and where you aspire to be. And if you believe you don’t know how to begin or what to share, that is exactly where I can help. Because your story is already within you — it only needs to be uncovered, shaped, and told with authenticity. If you’re ready to uncover and shape the story that will set you apart, I’d be delighted to help you craft it. Reach out, let’s connect, and together we can make sure your story is not just heard, but remembered.


LinkedIn: DivyaaAdvaani Instagram: @suaveu6 YouTube: @suaveu


(The author is a personal branding expert. She has clients from 14+ countries. Views personal.)

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