Summary of this article
It is a prevalent trend in the Indian residential market for developers and, to some extent, banks to offer schemes and incentives to homebuyers during the festive season. These incentives and offers typically include waivers on registration charges and stamp duty, GST exemptions, and even direct discounts of 1-2 per cent on the final purchase price.
Festivals like Navratri and Diwali – indeed, the entire festive season -- have traditionally been regarded as one of the most auspicious periods in India for making big-ticket purchases, especially real estate. Developers often align new project launches, offers, and discount schemes with the festive season, while home buyers view it as the right time to invest in their dream homes.
Industry experts expect housing demand to see a notable upswing during Navratri 2025, driven by festive sentiments, attractive deals, and the belief that purchases made on auspicious dates bring prosperity.
Commenting on the relevance of the festive season, auspicious periods and dates, Dr Samantak Das, Chief Economist and Head of Research and REIS, India, JLL, says, “Indian homebuyers regard Navratri and Diwali as auspicious periods for property investments, believing that purchasing a new home during this time brings prosperity and good fortune. Housewarming ceremonies are frequently scheduled to coincide with these dates. Furthermore, developers and banks actively promote this season as an 'opportune time' for property purchases, thereby reinforcing and capitalizing on this cultural perception.”
Festive Schemes During Navratri
It is a prevalent trend in the Indian residential market for developers and, to some extent, banks to offer schemes and incentives to homebuyers during the festive season. These incentives and offers typically include waivers on registration charges and stamp duty, GST exemptions, and even direct discounts of 1-2 per cent on the final purchase price.
“We have frequently observed flexible payment plans that provide home buyers with benefits during the initial payment periods. Additionally, freebies and in-kind gifts are also commonplace,” informs Das.
On the financing front, banks often provide special festive interest rates, processing fee waivers, and expedited approvals with simplified loan documentation. It is worth noting, however, that the intensity of these schemes and incentives has been diminishing over the years.
“These various schemes and incentives have been instrumental in driving sales growth in the primary residential market across India's top 7 cities, consistently delivering modest growth during the second half of calendar years. Our data reveals that sales in these top 7 cities during the second half (June-December, representing the extended festive season) of 2022 and 2023 registered growth of 6 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, compared to the first half performance. However, 2024 marked a departure from this trend, as we observed no comparable growth during the festive season,” observes Das.
Festive Offers By Developers & Their Expectations
Whatever be the case, real estate developers remain upbeat and are once again betting big on festive sales — even as residential sales across the top seven Indian cities dipped 9 per cent year-on-year to around 97,080 units in Q3 2025, compared to over 1.07 lakh units in Q3 2024, according to ANAROCK data.
Developers are expecting the realty sales to go up by at least 15 to 20 per cent during the current festive season.
Ankush Kaul, President – Sales, Marketing & CRM, Central Park, says, “As an industry, we're seeing a significant upswing in the residential real estate market, as the festive season marks the most auspicious time for homebuying in India. Property sales typically rise by 15-20 per cent during this period compared to regular months, a clear indicator of strong consumer sentiment and a celebration of new beginnings. The demand is clearly moving toward larger, better located, and more premium homes, reflecting rising aspirations and stronger purchasing power. With supportive policy measures and festive optimism, we aim to deliver not just homes, but enduring joy and harmony."
Manik Malik, CEO, BPTP, says the festive season has always brought renewed positivity to the housing market, and this year it aligns with the GST rationalisation, offering a timely boost to real estate. While the immediate cost impact is modest, the move plays a far more meaningful role in improving affordability, strengthening buyer sentiment, and enhancing overall market liquidity.
“Over the past five years, we’ve seen consistent festive demand growth across Gurugram, Faridabad, and Noida—driven by infrastructure upgrades and a more informed, aspirational buyer base. At BPTP, we view this as a structural enabler that supports smoother launches and fosters a more transparent, efficient ecosystem. The reduction in material tax incidence also improves working capital flow, enabling developers to respond better to demand. This festive season, we look forward to welcoming new homeowners into communities built on accessibility, sustainability, and trust—turning aspirations into real ownership,” Malik adds.
Santosh Agarwal, CFO & Executive Director, Alpha Corp Development Limited, says the festive season has always held immense significance in India, symbolising prosperity, optimism, and new beginnings.
“For homebuyers, it is considered the most auspicious time to make long-term investments, especially in real estate. For developers, the season also marks a time to introduce exclusive offerings that resonate with this spirit of celebration. With rising demand and strong buyer sentiment, the festive months continue to be the most promising phase for the real estate market, driving both growth and opportunity,” Agarwal adds.
Although festive offers have been limited this season, some developers have already introduced schemes to attract buyers and investors.
NCR-based Trehan Iris, for instance, has come out with an exclusive Navratri offer at their mixed-used development project - Iris Broadway Greno West, Greater Noida. The company is offering a 40:60 payment plan for Omega Office spaces on limited inventory, designed to make investment seamless and rewarding. Additionally, every purchase during this festive period will be accompanied by assured surprise gifts.
Says Didar Singh (Sr. VP- Sales), Trehan Iris, “The festive season is widely regarded as an auspicious period, symbolizing good fortune, prosperity, and new beginnings, making it an ideal time to invest in real estate. This Navratri make an investment that brings both prosperity today and enduring value for the future.”
Aarize Group is also enhancing this festive spirit through their Navratri festive offer, which is valid till 18th October 2025. The offer is for Aarize The Tessoro in Sector 114, Dwarka Expressway, and South Drive in Sector 69, SPR Gurgaon, where every booking comes with assured gifts such as gold coins, iPhones, and couple international trips, with T&C applied.
Dr. Renu Singh, Director - Sales & Marketing, Aarize Group, says, “The festive season has always been a catalyst for real estate investments in India, with buyers seeing it as the most auspicious time to secure long-term assets. This year, the momentum in commercial real estate is particularly strong, as investors are prioritizing wealth creation and steady returns over volatile options. We see our offer not just as an incentive, but as a celebration of trust and confidence that investors continue to place in commercial real estate.”
Precautions To Take While Finalizing Deals
The festive season, thus, appears to be an opportune time to buy one’s dream home, thanks to the combination of auspicious timing, freebies, and special offers. Still -- according to JLL -- homebuyers should conduct thorough due diligence before making any purchase, whether during the festive season or otherwise. In India, home purchases are typically once-in-a-lifetime decisions, involving substantial financial investments.
Buyers, therefore, must undertake the following essential checks before buying a house:
Legal and title due diligence
Location and connectivity assessment – covering both physical and social infrastructure
RERA registration verification
Builder track record evaluation, including delivery timelines, project completion history, financial stability, construction quality, and customer testimonials
Loan eligibility assessment, bank due diligence, and identification of hidden costs
Regulatory approvals and compliance verification, including building plan sanctions, Occupancy Certificate (OC), and other statutory clearances.
