Real estate is often marketed in India as a “must-have” — a default asset class every responsible adult should own. But like every asset, property too is governed by cycles. And if there's one principle investors consistently forget, it's this:

Timing is everything.

Buy When Others are Selling

Smart asset acquisition happens in a downturn — when there’s fear in the market, liquidity is tight, and prices soften. That’s when real value emerges.

But the herd does the opposite. People rush in when the market is hot, when sentiment is euphoric, and developers are launching glitzy new towers every weekend. That’s when prices are inflated, competition is high, and you're more likely to overpay.

Golden rule:

Don't chase momentum. Buy on value, not noise.

The best deals are found when the market isn’t sexy — when others are hesitant, not when every relative and broker is screaming "buy now".

Each Property is Unique — So Are Your Reasons

No two properties are alike. Location, layout, age, view, tenantability, resale value — everything matters. But before even looking at listings, ask the most important question:

Why are you buying?

• Self-use? Then convenience, connectivity, future-proofing, and comfort matter most. Capital appreciation is secondary.

• Investment? Then yield, resale potential, market cycle entry point, and legal clarity are key.

Capital Appreciation is No Longer a Given

n the 2000s and early 2010s, real estate was India’s goldmine. Prices doubled every few years. But post-2013, the story changed.

Then came RERA, GST, demonetisation, and finally, the pandemic — all of which corrected the market. Despite a post-COVID recovery in headline prices, most cities have barely seen 15–20% appreciation over a 10–11 year horizon.

That’s less than 2% compounded annually — below inflation.

In other words, a decade-long real estate investment could have left you poorer in real terms.

So, What Should You Do?

• Buy only when you're financially ready, not emotionally pressured.

• Time your entry — look for market lulls, distressed inventory, or forced sales.

• Be clear on purpose — don’t confuse a dream home with an investment strategy.

• Do the math — net rental yield, cost of capital, tax impact, and opportunity cost matter more than brochure gloss.

• Be patient — real estate is a long game. Get in at the right time and price, or don’t get in at all.

Conclusion

Buying property is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. But the way it’s treated in India — as an emotional impulse, a societal checkbox, or a speculative punt — sets most buyers up for disappointment.

It’s time we applied the same logic to real estate that we apply to other assets:

Buy when the price is right, not when the pressure is high.

Because in the world of real estate, FOMO is expensive, and timing is everything.