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Housing sales drop 11% in top 7 Cities in Q3 2024: Here’s what you need to know!

<ul><li><keyword id="85530" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="new-projects" source="Orion">New projects</keyword> are selling out on launch day, highlighting the urgency among buyers to secure a property </li><li>The average rent increase has been higher than average salary increments across cities, prompting potential home buyers to take the plunge </li><li>Those who were initially considering homes in the 60-80 lakh range are now being priced out and are opting for more affordable options. </li></ul>India's major cities are experiencing a housing boom in 2024. <keyword id="6357824" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sales" source="Orion">Sales</keyword> have gone up by 20% in the first quarter so far (January 1 to March 15) with nearly 147,000 units sold across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune, according to a report by NoBroker, a property search portal. According to the report, this positive trend is likely to have been led by a combination of factors. The Indian economy is on a strong growth trajectory, and the government's stable economic policies are boosting buyer confidence in the real estate market. People feel secure about investing in property, despite ongoing increases in property prices, according to the report. Growing aspiration to own than to rent A clear desire for homeownership is evident, possibly driven by the security and stability that owning a physical asset like a house provides. Additionally, relatively affordable home loan interest rates, currently ranging between 8.30% and 11.15% per annum, are further greasing the wheels of the housing market. Says Amit Agarwal, CEO &amp; Co-founder of NoBroker.com, "The average rent increase has been higher than average salary increments across cities which has prompted potential home buyers to take the plunge. While rents may stabilise with more supply coming in gradually, they will not come down.” According to NoBroker’s annual report 2023, 74% of participants indicated that they favoured real estate as an option over other investment choices like Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs), stocks, gold, and Bitcoin. This momentum in <keyword id="1390483" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="housing-sales" source="Orion">housing sales</keyword> has been continuing for a while. Even in December 2023, housing sales were up 31% year on year, revealed a report by property consultant ANAROCK. Diverging implications on the <keyword id="6358021" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="budget" source="Orion">budget</keyword> of <keyword id="185169" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="homebuyers" source="Orion">homebuyers</keyword> However, an interesting trend is emerging within the buyer pool. Average urban buyers, who were previously looking at properties priced between ₹80 lakh and ₹1 crore, are now setting their sights on more expensive options, exceeding the ₹1 crore mark. This shift in preference suggests a desire for larger living spaces and the security of gated communities. On the other hand, those who were initially considering homes in the 60-80 lakh range are now being priced out. Such buyers are opting for even more affordable options albeit at faraway places with lesser amenities. It is important to acknowledge the uneven impact on different income groups — while some buyers are capitalising on the positive market conditions, others are struggling to keep up with rising prices. New projects in high demand New projects are selling out on launch day, highlighting the urgency among buyers to secure a property. This surge in demand is driving up prices, especially for near-completion properties, as buyers rush to lock in purchases before prices climb further. Interestingly, the gap between established developers (Grade A) and newer companies (Grade B) is narrowing. Grade B builders are commanding prices closer to their Grade A counterparts, suggesting a more competitive market. However, the recent easing of inflation in India could improve affordability for buyers, making it easier to get loans and participate in the market. This easing inflation might offer some relief for those looking to enter the Indian housing market.

Housing markets remain strong in 2024, sales rise 20% across six metro cities in Q1

The residential market shows a positive outlook, with 51% of stakeholders predicting higher sales over the next six months. However, a notable 24% expect stability, while 25% predict a potential decrease, reflecting a balanced yet cautious sentiment, as per a recent <keyword id="19895043" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Knight-Frank" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Knight Frank" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Knight Frank">Knight Frank</keyword> report. The outlook for residential launches is also positive, with 61% expecting an increase, suggesting continued demand. A more tempered view is held by 20% of respondents who expect stability, and 19% foresee a decrease in launches. The Indian <keyword id="20152263" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="real-estate-sector" source="keywords">real estate sector</keyword> continues to reflect a positive outlook for the near future, though with a more cautious approach. In terms of pricing, 63% of stakeholders expect a rise, but 36% anticipate stable prices, and a very small minority predict a decline. G Hari Babu, National President, National Real Estate Development Council (<keyword id="20429653" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="naredco" source="keywords">NAREDCO</keyword>), said, "The residential and office markets continue to show notable activity, signaling ongoing growth and opportunity. Developers and other key stakeholders, including banks and financial institutions, are maintaining a positive outlook." He added, "This suggests that while there may be short-term challenges, the sector is well-positioned to adapt and thrive. The continued optimism and activity in the market highlight the sector's ability to sustain its momentum and drive forward, amidst changing conditions." The <keyword id="22822547" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="office-leasing-market" source="keywords">office leasing market</keyword> shows signs of strong recovery, with 63% of respondents predicting an increase in leasing activity, driven by positive business sentiments and <keyword id="21313740" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="economic-revival" source="keywords">economic revival</keyword>. However, 24% expect stability, and 13% foresee a decline. New office supply also remains a point of interest, with 47% expecting an increase, while 29% anticipate stability, and 24% forecast a decrease. Furthermore, 67% of stakeholders expect office rents to rise, signaling confidence in the market's ongoing growth, even as 27% anticipate stable rents and 7% expect a decrease. The <keyword id="20635920" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="future-sentiment-score" source="keywords">Future Sentiment Score</keyword>, which measures stakeholders' outlook over the next six months, saw adjustments across various regions. The North Zone score slightly decreased from 65 in Q1 2024 to 63 in Q2 2024, though it remains firmly optimistic. The South Zone witnessed a more significant drop from 76 to 65, signaling a moderated outlook. In the East Zone, the score fell from 77 to 65, largely influenced by the discontinuation of the 2% stamp duty cut. The West Zone also saw moderation, with the score dipping from 73 to 66, though it too, remains optimistic. The overall Developer Future Sentiment score decreased from 72 to 61, reflecting a more guarded approach. Developers, while cautious, continue to remain optimistic due to strong sales since early 2023. On the other hand, the Non-Developer Future Sentiment core, which includes financial institutions and PE funds, also moderated from 73 to 68. This shift indicates stakeholders' careful consideration of macroeconomic concerns. Optimism in India's broader economic scenario remains strong, with 59% of respondents expecting an improvement, reflecting confidence in the country's economic resilience. However, 24% foresee stability, and 17% predict a decline, underscoring global economic uncertainties. Meanwhile, 51% of respondents anticipate increased funding availability for real estate investments, reflecting continued confidence in the financial sector's support for the real estate market. Shishir Baijal, Chairman and Managing Director of Knight Frank India Pvt Ltd, noted, "As we transition through 2024, a host of factors are playing out globally. The global economic landscape shows resilience despite ongoing challenges. Inflation rates are gradually aligning with central bank targets, enabling a more supportive monetary policy. India, benefiting from stable post-election conditions, remains a strong growth beacon." He added, "Domestic consumption is robust, supported by consumer loans, though there are some signs of growth moderation. Food inflationary pressures persist, but are converging overall towards price stability targets. With a projected GDP growth rate of 7.2% for FY 2025, India's outlook remains positive. An effective monetary policy by the Reserve Bank of India has helped sustain growth with price stability, positioning India as one of the fastest-growing large economies globally." The Current Sentiment score, which reflects stakeholders' view of the market compared to six months ago, moderated from a decadal high of 72 in Q1 2024 to 65 in Q2 2024. This suggests a more measured outlook as stakeholders navigate evolving global economic conditions. Despite the dip, the score remains indicative of optimism. Looking forward, the Future Sentiment index also adjusted from 73 in Q1 2024 to 65 in Q2 2024, signaling a positive yet more conservative outlook for the near term. While macroeconomic uncertainties may dampen enthusiasm, stakeholders continue to show confidence in the sector's resilience and adaptability.

Despite budget provisions, residential housing market will see sales growth, notes recent report by Knight Frank

Ultra-luxury homes hit ₹2,443 cr in sales in 8 months across top cities

<ul><li>The <keyword id="22511807" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-Pixel-9-Pro-XL" source="Orion">Google Pixel 9 Pro XL</keyword> is the latest flagship offering from Google.</li><li>The device is priced starting at ₹1,24,999 and is available in two variants.</li><li>Here’s my review of the Pixel 9 Pro XL that will help you decide if you should buy the device.</li></ul>Google launched the Pixel 9 series, consisting of the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the company’s flagship smartphones a few months ago. This time around, Google launched three devices unlike last year Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is the successor of the Pixel 8 Pro, offering a similar size and features. This year’s Pixel 9 Pro offers flagship hardware while offering a smaller display and battery. With the three devices, Google is offering a similar line-up to Samsung and Apple. I have been using the Pixel 9 Pro XL for a few weeks now, and here’s my detailed review of the latest smartphone from Google. <h2><keyword id="22405856" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-Pixel-9-Pro-XL-price" source="Orion">Google Pixel 9 Pro XL price</keyword> and availability</h2>The Pixel 8 Pro has been priced at ₹1,06,999 for the 128GB variant and ₹1,13,999 for the 256GB variant. It comes in Blue, Beige and Obsidian colour options and is available from Flipkart. <h2>In the box</h2><ul><li>Pixel 9 Pro XL smartphone</li><li>USB Type-C cable</li><li>SIM ejector tool</li><li>Documentation</li></ul><h2>Pixel 9 Pro XL specifications</h2> <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Particulars </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Specifications </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Display </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6.8-inch Quad HD+ LTPO OLED </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Refresh rate </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">120Hz </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Protection </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Chipset </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Google Tensor G4 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Variants </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">16GB + 256GB and 16GB + 512GB </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rear camera </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">50MP + 48MP + 48MP </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Selfie camera </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">42MP </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Battery </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5,060mAh </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Charging </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">37W </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Wireless charging </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">23W </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Fingerprint sensor </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">In-display fingerprint sensor </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Weight </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">221 grams </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Water resistance </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IP68 </td></tr></tbody></table> <h2>Pixel 9 Pro XL pros and cons</h2><h3>Pros</h3><ul><li>Software and performance </li><li>Camera </li></ul><h3>Cons</h3><ul><li>Price </li></ul><h2>Design and display</h2>Google has overhauled the design of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, making major changes to the design when compared to the Pixel 8 Pro. The search giant has opted for a flat display, flat sides and a revamped camera module. <div type="image" title="Back 2" msid="115487059" hostid="261" sizebytes="64462" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Pixel 9 Pro XL rear design&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The device comes in Hazel, Porcelain, Rose Quartz, and Obsidian colour options. I tested the Rose Quartz colour variant of the device. <div type="image" title="right side" msid="115487089" hostid="261" sizebytes="52702" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rounded corners on the Pixel 9 Pro XL&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The device comes with flat sides, with rounded corners for its aluminium frame, that give it a premium feel while holding. At first look, you may get an iPhone-like look, with people even mistaking it for an iPhone during my usage, but this clears up immediately after looking at the pill-shaped camera module. The aluminium frame comes with a glossy finish and is slightly slippery. The aluminium frame also attracts dust fingerprint smudges easily. For these reasons, it might be a good idea to use the device with a case. <div type="image" title="Camera" msid="115487108" hostid="261" sizebytes="28950" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The pill-shaped camera module&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> It comes with a large pill-shaped camera module that houses the triple camera setup, a temperature sensor and the LED flash. Apart from the camera module, the device comes with Google’s logo at the back. <div type="image" title="Right" msid="115487125" hostid="261" sizebytes="62716" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Power button and volume rockers on the right&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The power button and the volume rockers are placed on the right side. Unlike a lot of other devices, the Pixel 9 Pro XL continues to place the power button on top and the volume rockers below it. <div type="image" title="Bottom" msid="115487162" hostid="261" sizebytes="47264" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Ports at the bottom&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> At the bottom, you get the speaker grille, a USB Type-C port, a microphone and the SIM tray. <div type="image" title="IMG20240818172922" msid="115487276" hostid="261" sizebytes="46502" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Pixel 9 Pro XL top&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> At the top, you get the mmWave antenna cover and a microphone. <div type="image" title="Ch" msid="115487285" hostid="261" sizebytes="30756" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Made in China text on the Pixel 9 Pro XL&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> On the left, apart from antenna lines, the device comes with “Made in China” written for some reason. Coming to the display, the Pixel 9 Pro XL comes equipped with a large 6.8-inch Quad HD+ LTPO OLED display with a 1-120Hz refresh rate, up to 3,000 nits brightness and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. <div type="image" title="Display" msid="115487313" hostid="261" sizebytes="72596" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Pixel 9 Pro XL display&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The device sports a good display, which offers accurate colours and offers good visibility, even in direct sunlight. The display is excellent, with the high refresh rate offering a good experience while gaming and watching content. <h2>Software and performance</h2>The Pixel 9 Pro XL runs on Android 14 out of the box and is promised to get seven years of Android updates and security patches. The software is the highlight of the Pixel lineup and the Pixel 9 Pro XL is no different. The device offers an Android experience as imagined by Google, the operating system maker. As expected, the device comes loaded with AI features in the form of Gemini. To enable users to make the most out of the AI features, Google is offering a one-year premium subscription to Pixel 9 Pro XL users, giving them access to Gemini Advanced, 2TB of Google Drive storage and more. The device comes pre-installed with Pixel Studio, a new GenAI image generation app from Google, allowing users to generate images easily on the go. You also get access to Gemini Live, a live-chat version of Gemini, which allows for voice-enabled interactions. In what might excite most photography enthusiasts like myself, the device also comes with a more powerful Magic Editor, giving access to a ton of new tools. Talking about AI and photography, the new Add Me feature is excellent, especially for those who often end up being the ones to take group pictures and regret not being in them. The new Add Me feature allows you to take a group picture and then hand your phone to your friend and then join the group for another picture, then using AI to blend them into one image to make the perfect group picture. I used this feature during one of my trips and found it to be quite useful. Once you get the hang of it and remember to stand in the correct place, it works quite well. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is powered by the Google Tensor G4 chipset built on Samsung’s 4nm process. It comes with 16GB of RAM and offers up to 512GB of internal storage. If you are hoping for a drastic performance improvement compared to the predecessor, you might be disappointed. It offers an incremental improvement in performance but can easily handle everything that you throw at it. One area the chipset and the device has improved a lot over the Pixel 8 Pro is thermal management and proper connectivity. These were some of my biggest issues with the last-gen devices and Google has made a significant improvement in this aspect. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is powered by a 5,060mAh battery with 37W wired and 23W wireless charging support. The device offers a day’s battery life with normal usage. <h2>Camera</h2>The camera is the strongest selling point of Pixel smartphones, and unsurprisingly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL excels in this regard. <div type="image" title="Rear cam" msid="115487382" hostid="261" sizebytes="53002" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Pixel 9 Pro XL rear camera&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Coming to the camera department, the Pixel 9 Pro XL features a triple camera setup at the back, consisting of a 50MP primary camera with Samsung GN2 sensor with OIS, a 48MP ultra-wide-angle camera with Sony IMX858 sensor and a 48MP 5X telephoto camera with Sony IMX858 sensor with up to 30x digital zoom. <div type="image" title="PXL_20240818_123753737" msid="115487547" hostid="261" sizebytes="186394" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Image captured while moving&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The smartphone supports zero shutter lag, which means it captures photos at the same moment you tap on the shutter button. This is very handy when trying to capture moving subjects, especially kids and pets. <div type="image" title="PXL_20240818_124521580" msid="115487564" hostid="261" sizebytes="84032" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Image captured in natural lighting&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The smartphone’s daylight camera performance was excellent, with accurate colour reproduction, dynamic range, and well-defined details. The portrait mode is excellent in both daylight and indoor conditions. <div type="image" title="n" msid="115487621" hostid="261" sizebytes="147076" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Image captured using night mode&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The Pixel 9 Pro XL also performs excellently in low-light and night conditions, capturing well-detailed, colour-accurate photos despite the challenging lighting conditions. The images turned out to be sharp and clear, with adequate details and minimal noise. On the front, the Pixel 9 Pro XL features a 42MP selfie camera. The front camera can easily capture good selfies in normal lighting and low light conditions. <h2>Verdict</h2>The Pixel 9 Pro XL is the best device in the current Pixel lineup and one of the best Android smartphones out there. The device offers an excellent user experience, a premium design and good cameras. It offers good performance and ample storage, ticking off a lot of the boxes. At the same time, the Pixel 9 Pro XL commands a premium price and while enthusiasts may like the stock Android experience, the lack of customisation may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you are looking for a stock Android experience with powerful hardware and are willing to pay a premium, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is an excellent option. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a purchasing guide or recommendation. We advise readers to do additional research, including hands-on usage of the device at a retail outlet, before making a decision. 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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review – the best Android experience

Mumbai: Tata Indica, the <keyword id="19924335" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Group" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Group" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Group">Tata Group</keyword>'s big passenger car bet, was not delivering expected returns a year into its launch. Desperate, the <keyword id="19906967" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Motors" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Motors" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Motors">Tata Motors</keyword> brass, led by <keyword id="19981455" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ratan-Tata" source="keywords">Ratan Tata</keyword>, acceded to a meeting request from <keyword id="23121503" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ford-Motors" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ford Motors" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Ford Motors">Ford Motors</keyword> for a possible sale of the passenger vehicles division to the American auto major. Some people had advised Tata to sell the business, and the Ford officials came to Bombay House to hold talks. During the meeting at the Tata headquarters, the American company evinced interest in buying out the business after the not-so-warm response to the hatchback car for over a year since launch. Soon, top Tata officials, led by Ratan Tata, went to the US for a further meeting, which lasted about three hours. According to a person who attended the meeting, officials from Ford "humiliated" the visiting Indians at the meeting in Detroit. "You do not know anything, why did you start the passenger car division at all," the Ford officials told their guests, and spoke about doing a favour to the Indian company by buying out the latter's business. The team decided to return to India immediately after the meeting, which was described as "humiliating" by the person present. On the 90-minute flight taking them back to New York, a sombre Ratan Tata spoke very few words. "This was in 1999 and come 2008, the same Ford's <keyword id="19916884" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="JLR" source="keywords">JLR</keyword> was bought by us. Ford chairman Bill Ford thanked Tata, saying, 'You are doing us a big favour by buying JLR'," Pravin Kadle, a long-time group veteran, had recounted during a public event a few years ago. In 2008, the Tata Group bought the iconic brands from making sedans and sports utility vehicles in a USD 2.23-billion deal from Ford. Post-acquisition, the Tata Group has scripted one of the most fabulous turnarounds in the auto industry and has been able to position the marquee British brands as formidable entities in the fiercely competitive global car market. Even as Tata Motors has come a long way and gained market share in India, it continues to earn a significant part of its revenues from the JLR.

The Tata way of paying back humiliation: doing the 'favour' of 'buying out'

Air conditioning and <keyword id="17833175" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="engineering-services" botkeyword="" source="Denny">engineering services</keyword> provider <keyword id="21567326" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Voltas-Ltd" botkeyword="" source="Denny" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Voltas Ltd" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Voltas Ltd">Voltas Ltd</keyword> on Tuesday reported a 22.75 per cent decline in <keyword id="20203162" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="consolidated" botkeyword="" source="Denny">consolidated</keyword> <keyword id="17985868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="net-profit" botkeyword="" source="Denny">net profit</keyword> to Rs 110.64 crore in the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2024, impacted by higher <keyword id="18067946" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="expenses" botkeyword="" source="Denny">expenses</keyword>. The company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 143.23 crore in the same period previous fiscal, <keyword id="6354999" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="voltas" botkeyword="" source="ET" sourcekeytype="COMPANY" meta.keywordsubtype="EQ" meta.aliasname="voltas" meta.entityname="Voltas Ltd." meta.entityid="12815" meta.seoname="voltas-ltd">Voltas</keyword> said in a regulatory filing. Consolidated <keyword id="17915033" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="revenue" botkeyword="" source="Denny">revenue</keyword> from operations during the quarter under review stood at Rs 4,202.88 crore as against Rs 2,956.8 crore in the year-ago period, it added. Total expenses in the fourth quarter were higher at Rs 4,044.90 crore compared to Rs 2,761.45 crore in the corresponding period a year ago. In the fourth quarter the unitary cooling products business segment revenue grew by 44 per cent to Rs 2,955 crore as compared to Rs 2,049 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year on account of a better product mix enhancement approach, the company said. The engineering products and services division clocked revenue of Rs 156 crore as compared to Rs 142 crore in the year-ago period, it added. Similarly, electro-mechanical <keyword id="18084086" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="projects" botkeyword="" source="Denny">projects</keyword> and services segment comprising both domestic and international projects businesses grew by 38 per cent year-an-year due to a healthy carry forward order book position, it added. <keyword id="21544478" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Voltas" botkeyword="" source="Denny">Voltas</keyword> said for the fiscal ended March 31, 2024, consolidated net profit was higher at Rs 248.11 crore as compared to Rs 136.22 crore in the previous year. Consolidated revenue from operations in FY24 was at Rs 12,481.21 crore as against Rs 9,498.77 crore in FY23. The company said it achieved the milestone of 20 lakh <keyword id="21211630" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AC-sales" botkeyword="" source="Denny">AC sales</keyword> in 2023-24. Voltas said its board of directors has recommended a <keyword id="18713200" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dividend" botkeyword="" source="Denny">dividend</keyword> of Rs 5 per share of the face value of Re 1 per share for the year 2023-24 subject to the approval of shareholders of the company. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/aadhar-housing-finance-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/109919298.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/aadhar-housing-finance-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/109919298.cms" target="_blank">Aadhar Housing Finance IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-april-2024-tata-punch-continues-to-dominate/slidelist/109909744.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-in-india-in-april-2024-tata-punch-continues-to-dominate/slidelist/109909744.cms" target="_blank">Top-selling cars in India in April 2024 – Tata Punch continues to dominate</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/worldwide-tablet-shipments-grow-in-q1-2024-after-two-years-of-decline/articleshow/109876390.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/worldwide-tablet-shipments-grow-in-q1-2024-after-two-years-of-decline/articleshow/109876390.cms" target="_blank">Worldwide tablet shipments grow in Q1 2024 after two years of decline</a>

Voltas net profit declines 22% YoY to ₹110.64 crore in Q4 FY24

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Companies from United to Nestlé have talked about a sales slowdown due to the presidential election.</li><li>Experts say some shoppers are holding back until after November 5 — but not everyone.</li></ul>Companies are bracing for people to shop, travel, and drink less around <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-going-on-with-economy-jobs-inflation-election-voting-2024-10">Election Day</a>.Executives at some major brands have said on earnings calls in recent weeks that they expect their <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/election-impact-companies-trump-harris-2024-10">financial results to take a hit</a> around the time voters will decide between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. They range from Constellation Brands, the maker of Modelo, which expects fewer people to go out drinking around the election, to airlines like United and Delta, which often see passenger counts dip around Election Day.Some companies already have seen political news distract customers. When a gunman died after injuring Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in July, for instance, Amazon saw some people put off making purchases on the website, CFO Brian Olsavsky said in August."A lot of times, purchases will defer and people will come back and buy what they were going to buy," Olsavsky said on a call with reporters. "And other times — that won't happen."Other companies have invoked the election but not provided details about the dynamics leading consumers to pull back. Anna Manz, CFO of Nestlé, said on the company's earnings call last week that it's facing a slowdown in the US and "concerns around the elections are playing out." Nestlé did not immediately respond to a request for more details from Business Insider.Research suggests that some consumers — though not all — do indeed reduce purchases around the event.Some shoppers are holding off on making purchases until after November 5, according to a September survey of 400 Kroger shoppers by 84.51, the grocer's marketing subsidiary. Eighteen percent of those surveyed said they were holding off on buying big-ticket items such as electronics or appliances. Slightly smaller percentages said they were holding off on an investment decision or buying a car.Consumers might be holding off on big purchases because they need loans and hope that interest rates will fall more in the months after the election, said Alex Trott, director of insights at 84.51. But some might not actually care as much about the election as the seasonal promotions that tend to follow in November and December, she added. "We are also bumping up against a holiday season where there are always sales," Trott said.People under 34 were also more likely than older consumers to put off a major financial commitment until after the election, 84.51 found.Older consumers, such as Baby Boomers and members of Gen X, "can make some of these bigger decisions," said Trott. "Younger people don't have that spending power. They are sensitive to these smaller price changes."Most people — 53%, according to 84.51 — said they weren't delaying any big purchases as a result.This US election is taking place after years of inflation have squeezed consumers. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pennsylvania-grocery-store-voters-talk-economy-inflation-harris-trump-2024-10">The economy is a top concern</a>, voters told BI this week. Deutsche Bank said <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sticky-inflation-outlook-risk-cpi-fed-rate-cuts-geopolitics-recession-2024-10">inflation will remain stickier than expected</a>.Many companies are also forecasting that demand will return after either Trump or Harris wins the election. Modelo maker Constellation, for instance, said it expects beer demand to pick up again.Ron Hill, a professor at American University's Kogod School of Business, said consumers' retreat could last longer if determining who won takes weeks.Polls show that the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/harris-trump-presidential-election-swing-state-polls-sun-belt-2024-10">race between Trump and Harris</a> is close to a toss-up just over a week ahead of Election Day. If the race comes down to a single evenly divided state, as it did in 2000, when it took five weeks beyond election day to determine that George W. Bush had won the White House, shoppers might spend more time focused on that news and less time making discretionary purchases, Hill said."That's going to be hell to pay" if that happens, he said.

Election Day stress is affecting some companies' sales

<keyword id="6357824" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sales" source="Orion">Sales</keyword> of <keyword id="47359" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="apartments" source="Orion">apartments</keyword> across seven <keyword id="480949" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="major-cities" source="Orion">major cities</keyword> are estimated to rise by 20 per cent to around 2.6 lakh units, the highest since 2008, on better demand, according to JLL India. Sales stood at 2,15,621 units in the last calendar year in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Pune. Real estate consultant JLL India on Thursday said sales in the first nine months of 2023 reached 1,96,227 units as against 1,61,575 units in the year-ago period. Only apartments are covered in the report while <keyword id="4454413" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="row-houses" source="Orion">row houses</keyword>, <keyword id="46887" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="villas" source="Orion">villas</keyword>, and plotted developments are excluded. Mumbai includes Mumbai city, Mumbai suburbs, Thane and Navi Mumbai. In 2024, the consultant expects residential sales to be around 2,90,000 to 3,00,000 units on the back of robust demand and quality launches. "Despite the increase in home loan interest rates and <keyword id="72248" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rising-prices" source="Orion">rising prices</keyword>, the overall sentiment in the domestic housing market remains positive, with homebuyers maintaining an upbeat attitude towards purchasing homes. "In 2023, residential sales are expected to surpass 2,60,000 units and launches 2,80,000 units to reach a historic high post-2008," Samantak Das, Chief Economist and Head of Research, India at JLL, said. Commenting on the report, Akhil Saraf, founder of HDFC Capital-backed Reloy, said the real estate industry has undergone a comprehensive transformation in recent years, encompassing regulatory changes and a shift in the mindset of both suppliers and consumers. Reloy helps builders in generating referral sales. "Developers are increasingly adopting a customer-centric approach, focusing on meeting the specific needs and demands of homebuyers. This renewed focus has bolstered confidence among potential buyers, reaffirming real estate as a viable asset class," Saraf added. Pradeep Aggarwal, Chairman of realty firm Signature Global, said the real estate sector has witnessed an impressive surge this year across major cities, including Delhi-NCR. "In areas like Dwarka Expressway, New Gurugram, South of Gurugram (Sohna) and SPR (Southern Peripheral Road), residential demand has seen a significant upswing, driven by a keen interest from buyers towards mid-housing and massive infrastructure development in these locations," Aggarwal said. Construction and real estate firm BCD Group MD Angad Bedi said the real estate sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience in 2023 despite uncertainties related to the global recession and rising interest rates.

Sales of apartments in top 7 cities may rise 20 pc to 2.6 lakh units this year: Report

It may not feel like it yet, but the housing market's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/housing-market-ice-age-higher-home-prices-fewer-sales-inventory-2023-5">Ice Age</a> is finally thawing.Would-be buyers and sellers have found themselves stuck over the past couple of years. For-sale signs stood frozen in front yards as home shoppers balked at prices. Wild swings in mortgage rates discouraged almost everyone from venturing out into the market. Many <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/economy-housing-market-mortgage-buying-car-interest-rates-new-jobs-2024-3">felt as if they had no option but to stay put</a>. But when I talk to housing experts these days, they speak cautiously of a shift in the weather, a warming in store for American real estate.Green shoots are popping up everywhere. The typical borrowing rate for a 30-year home loan is near the lowest it's been in two years, which could nudge more sellers to emerge from hibernation. The pool of available homes on the market is larger than at any point since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the median home price nationwide is up by 3% to 5% compared with a year ago, that's actually within the range that economists typically look for in a well-balanced market. If things keep trending this way, we should expect to see this coming spring, the time of year when transactions typically pick up, that more people are ready to get moving again.Would this mean we're back to normal? Definitely not. Things may be more stable than they were during the peak of the home-trading frenzy or the depths of the slowdown, but that doesn't mean the housing market's problems are solved. It'll be hard for both buyers and sellers to shake off the pessimism of the past few years, especially when budgets are stretched so thin and home prices remain so high. That reality shouldn't obscure the encouraging signals, though. As I wrote earlier this year, a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/denmark-mortgage-rates-lock-in-effect-home-buying-selling-easier-2024-5">gummed-up housing market</a> — the Ice Age I was talking about — is good for nobody. In half a year's time, we may be looking at a healthier one.There's a tendency to look at housing in binary terms: Is it a better time to be a seller or a buyer? But a lot of people fall into both camps; most sellers have to turn around and purchase another home to live in. Recently, this fact of life has created what Skylar Olsen, Zillow's chief economist, calls the "musical chairs" problem: People can't jump up and find a new home if their neighbors aren't making similar moves, so everyone's stuck in their seats.A big reason Americans find themselves trapped in place is what's known as the "lock-in effect." When mortgage rates hit multidecade lows during the pandemic, millions of people were able to snag or refinance their way into cheaper monthly costs. But starting in the spring of 2022, the rate for a typical mortgage soared, more than doubling from those pandemic-era lows. While it's come down from a two-decade peak last October, the prevailing loan terms are still about twice as expensive as they were back in 2021, which means a buyer could have to pay hundreds of dollars more each month toward interest than they would have a few years ago. A lot of people don't want to give up a good deal, so they don't make a change unless they absolutely have to. One paper from the Federal Housing Finance Agency suggested that the lock-in effect prevented a whopping 1.3 million home sales between mid-2022 and the end of 2023. A mere 2.5% of America's housing stock traded hands in the first eight months this year, according to Redfin, the lowest rate in at least three decades and 31% lower than in 2019.The recent drop in the typical rate for a 30-year loan — from about 7.2% in early May to 6.1% in early October — won't erase the lock-in effect, but it's an encouraging sign for buyers who have been grasping for anything that could ease the burden on their wallets. Even after a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mortgage-rate-increase-since-federal-reserve-cut-interest-rates-housing-2024-10">uptick in the last few days</a> following the unexpectedly strong jobs report, more interest-rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, which signaled last month that it was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fed-rate-cut-explained-inflation-labor-market-conditions-outlook-recession-2024-9">turning its focus away from battling inflation</a>, could further bring down mortgage rates, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/mortgages/how-does-fed-impact-mortgage-rates">though there's not a direct connection between the two</a>. Fannie Mae, for instance, predicts the rate for a typical home loan could end next year at 5.7%. That'd be within spitting distance of what the experts at John Burns Research and Consulting, a housing-research firm, call the "magic mortgage rate." Among homeowners and renters who said they planned to use a mortgage to purchase their next home, 47% told the firm in September that they'd be willing to sign up for a rate between 5% and 5.49%. Even if rates continue their downward trajectory, changes in mortgage payments typically take about six months to show up in home-sales activity, Ralph McLaughlin, a senior economist at Realtor.com, told me. So movement now could set the stage for a stronger uptick in sales next spring. Fannie Mae has also predicted that the total number of sales will be up by 10% in 2025 compared with this year, with most of that increase coming in the second half of the year.<div type="image" title="house for sale sign" height="1414" width="2121" msid="114076822" hostid="261" sizebytes="84578"></div>While mortgage-rate movement can be a helpful guide for future activity, to get a full picture of what's actually happening in the real-estate market, you need to look at two data points: inventory, or the number of available homes on the market, and new listings, or the number of homes hitting the market. Olsen, the Zillow economist, likens inventory to a swimming pool and new listings to the spigot that keeps water flowing — as with any pool, too full or too empty is a problem. A balanced market is one in which there are enough new homes to meet the demand from buyers, but not so many that prices plummet. We're still a long way from refilling the pool of homes on the market: Inventory in September was down by about 23% from pre-pandemic levels, according to Realtor.com. But there is clear improvement taking place here, too. The number of active listings in September was up by 34% from the same month a year ago, increasing to its highest level since April 2020. The number of homes newly listed for sale in September was also up by 11.6% from last year. By slowing down home sales, higher rates have given inventory time to build back up from pandemic lows — homes are lingering on the market longer with fewer buyers, so the pool's water level has steadily climbed.More homes to choose from, lower mortgage rates — that's a "powerful combination," said Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtors' chief economist, adding that sales should move higher in the coming months as a result. Buyers can take heart in another data point, which is that far fewer homes are being snapped up as soon as they hit the market. According to the housing-data firm Altos Research, there were about half as many "immediate sales" in late September as there were in 2022. "It looks like that frenzy is finally gone," Altos' president, Mike Simonsen, said in a recent video update. The baseline expectation for the spring, the Redfin economist Chen Zhao told me, is a modest uptick in sales and new listings. Most economists don't expect mortgage rates to fall dramatically, meaning sellers will slowly start to reenter the market as they decide it's time to make a change. New listings this year increased by about 5% a month on average compared with the same months in 2023 — you might expect to see that climb a little next year, Zhao told me, to maybe 10% year-over-year growth. The total number of homes on the market each month tended to be about 10% or 15% higher than last year, but you might see that rise to 20% or 25% when you compare 2025 with this year. This is the housing's version of a soft landing; there won't be dancing in the streets, but it would be a marked improvement from the past couple of years."Even though the housing market is recovering, the recovery is going to be very slow," Zhao told me. "We're not going to see anything like the activity that we saw in 2021 or 2020 — or even 2019, 2018 — for a while."Still, if buyers are feeling better about their prospects, that should grease the wheels of America's housing market.It is important to note that forecasts are just forecasts. There's a lot that could change in the next year. The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hiring-slump-professional-white-collar-jobs-recession-high-salary-2024-4">strength of the job market</a> is a big question mark — people won't move if they don't feel sure about their next paycheck. There are huge regional differences to consider here, too. Builders have finished a lot more new housing in Sun Belt states in the lower half of the US, for example, which has made it harder for homeowners there to sell at their desired prices than for their counterparts in the Midwest or the Northeast. Affordability is still a huge pain point. An August survey by Fannie Mae suggested consumers were feeling remarkably optimistic about the future of mortgage rates, but only 17% of respondents said it was a good time to buy a home. Any one of these issues could chill the market and slow America's exit from the Ice Age.That said, it's impossible to ignore the signs of a shift underway. Mortgage rates are a key piece of the equation. I'll also be keeping a close eye on inventory and the pace of new listings hitting the market, which should heat back up starting around February and March. But all this focus on the numbers can obscure the simple fact that people have to move for all kinds of reasons that have nothing to do with a few digits and a percent sign.I recently spoke with Mark Palim, the chief economist at Fannie Mae, who left me with a salient piece of advice: "Leave timing the bond market to the hedge-fund guys." In other words, trying to predict mortgage rates — and buying or selling a home accordingly — is a fool's errand. Budgets matter, absolutely, and monthly payments are a crucial consideration for any buyer. But buyers and sellers should remember that their home isn't just an investment vehicle or a bet on where the economy is headed. At the end of the day, you have to live in it."All sorts of things can happen," Palim told me. "Rates may move. Home prices may go up, home prices may go down. But would you be happy living there for a while? Does it meet your needs?"<a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/james-rodriguez">James Rodriguez</a> is a senior reporter on Business Insider's Discourse team.

The Housing Ice Age is thawing

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A tough US housing market is weighing on sales of pricey home appliances.</li><li>Appliance maker Whirlpool slashed guidance in its recent earnings release, citing weak housing market activity.</li></ul>The US housing market is tough for buyers, and the slowdown in sales activity means Americans are spending a lot less on big, pricey appliances these days.In its latest earnings, Whirlpool cut its full-year outlook, adjusting annual earnings guidance to $12 a share, down from a range of $13-$15 as sales of big-ticket items slow.Whirlpool's North American major appliance sales fell 5.7% year-over-year, hurting earnings even as the segment's sales in Latin America and Asia grew by 11.3% and 19.7%, respectively.Whirlpool stock is down about 17% year-to-date, and was trading at $100.65 per share on Thursday. CEO Marc Bitzer attributes the fall in sales to a tough real estate market. In June, US home sales<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/housing-market-outlook-logjam-existing-home-sales-record-prices-mortgages-2024-7"> hit their lowest level since 2010</a>, declining 5.4% from May to June according to<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-slipped-5-4-in-june-median-sales-price-jumps-to-record-high-of-426900"> data from the National Association of Realtors</a>.Meanwhile, median home prices soared 4.1% year-over-year to $426,900, marking a consecutive monthly record."You have a consumer who's somewhere navigating between inflation, interest rate increases, global wars and an election campaign which seems to be played on doomsday scenarios. So that does not help consumer confidence," Bitzer said in an interview with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-24/whirlpool-cuts-earnings-forecast-as-appliance-sales-remain-weak">Bloomberg</a>.On the earnings call, Bitzer said the company expected the Fed to cut rates at some point this year to ease home prices, but those cuts have yet to materialize."There's no doubt that we have been and still are at a low point in the US housing market. With interest rate reductions, this will ease at some point and we are well-positioned to benefit from improving demand," he said.Fed officials have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fed-rate-cuts-outlook-inflation-target-economy-waller-barkin-williams-2024-7">hinted at a September cut,</a> and markets are eyeing as many as three cuts through the rest of this year as the soft-landing scenario of steady economic growth and disinflation materializes.

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Election Day stress is affecting some companies' sales

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