Amidst the festive season, encouraging signs have emerged for the country's real estate sector. According to the Homebuying Sentiment Survey 2026: Decoding India's Evolving Buyer Preferences by Colliers, despite economic uncertainty and rising costs, the intention of Indian buyers to purchase housing remains resilient. Approximately 50 percent of respondents stated their desire to buy a new home within the next two years.
This survey was prepared based on interviews with about 1800 people across more than 30 established and developing residential real estate markets. The report presents a detailed analysis of changing buyer preferences and the main factors influencing the decision to purchase housing.
Geopolitical tensions globally, supply chain issues, fluctuations in commodity prices, and uncertainty regarding interest rates persist. Nevertheless, Indian buyers are demonstrating a positive outlook on the real estate sector. In the survey, 54 percent of respondents believe that external challenges will have a relatively small impact on the Indian real estate market.
The report indicates that buyers have become more cautious regarding price and value. 46 percent of buyers prefer properties priced between 50 lakh and 1.5 crore rupees. Although demand for high-end homes remains strong in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, the demand for compact and appropriately sized units is higher in Mumbai, whereas in Delhi NCR, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, priority is given to larger and more spacious homes.
According to the survey, 62 percent of prospective buyers prefer apartments with two or three bedrooms. Beyond affordability, unit size, layout, transport accessibility, and social infrastructure play a decisive role in housing purchases. About 75-80 percent of buyers included unit size, layout, transport accessibility, and surrounding amenities in their primary priorities. Security and protection systems in gated communities have become the most important feature, followed by green spaces, open areas, and public amenities. Among buyers under 30, there is significantly greater interest in fitness and wellness facilities compared to average buyers.
The report shows that over 60 percent of buyers prefer projects that are ready for occupancy or nearing completion, rather than those still under construction. This suggests that buyers place greater importance on timely delivery and lower project risks. However, young buyers' views differ: about 50 percent of buyers under 30 are willing to take the risk of investing in early-stage projects. Only 36 percent of buyers over 30 are willing to take such a risk.
According to the report, end-user demand dominates the Indian real estate market. 51 percent of people stated they want to buy a home for self-residence, while 16 percent expressed a desire to acquire a second or vacation home. This indicates that buyers are now investing in real estate not only for primary residence but also to meet lifestyle and leisure needs.
Despite the strong desire to buy housing, budget and prices remain a major concern. About 31 percent of people cited the affordability and cost of real estate as their main problem. Furthermore, buyers are cautious regarding employment guarantees and future income.
Ravi Shankar Singh, Managing Director of Colliers India for Housing Services, believes that the Indian housing market remains largely driven by end-user demand. He notes that buyers have become more vigilant regarding price, value, and risk. Consequently, future sales will depend on how effectively developers can offer the right price, quality product, and flexible financing options.
Vimal Nadar, National Director and Head of Research at Colliers India, believes that housing demand may remain strong during the festive period. However, he emphasizes that developers need to adapt their projects to the changing needs, budgets, and preferences of buyers.