India, Sept. 10 -- No matter your age, 30 or 60 years, buying a home is never an easy decision. Often, the ideal property feels out of reach. When planning to buy, affordability should be your guiding principle. Never overstretch, as life is unpredictable and having a financial buffer is crucial, advises Harmohan Sahni, MD and CEO of Raymond Realty.

"If you can afford 60-65% of your dream home today, go ahead. It's a natural hedge against future price rises, and over time, as you upgrade smartly (not too frequently), you will reach your desired lifestyle. In India, with long-term growth, property prices will keep pace with the economy. In the end, renting may look cheaper on paper, but owning a home will always make more sense in the hea...