Nearly half of homebuyers eye property purchase within two years: Colliers Survey

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

GURGAON, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026  

     India’s residential real estate market continues to show resilience, with nearly half of prospective homebuyers planning to purchase a property within the next two years, even as affordability concerns, economic uncertainties and rising construction costs make buyers more selective, according to a Colliers survey released on Thursday.

The report, titled Homebuying Sentiment Survey 2026: Decoding India’s Evolving Buyer Preferences, is based on responses from around 1,800 prospective homebuyers across more than 30 established and emerging residential markets in India. It found that while buyers are increasingly price-sensitive and risk-averse, their underlying willingness to own a home remains strong, supported by long-term homeownership aspirations and confidence in the Indian residential market.

The upcoming festive season is also expected to provide further momentum to housing sales across major residential markets, the report said.

The survey comes against the backdrop of regional conflicts, commodity price volatility, supply chain disruptions, trade realignments and fluctuating interest rates, which continue to weigh on global economic growth and influence investment and consumption decisions.

Rising construction material and labour costs, combined with changing lifestyle aspirations, are prompting Indian buyers to scrutinise property purchases more closely. Nevertheless, housing sentiment remains relatively resilient, with 54 per cent of respondents saying that external economic volatilities are likely to have a relatively lower impact on Indian real estate.

 “India’s residential market remains fundamentally end-user driven, but the path from purchase intent to actual conversion is becoming increasingly nuanced. Our Homebuying Sentiment Survey Report highlights that while 50 per cent of prospective homebuyers are willing to purchase a property within the next 2 years, they are becoming more price-sensitive, risk-averse and selective in purchase decisions. In this environment, housing sales are likely to depend on three closely linked levers: price-value alignment, financing flexibility and product-market fit,” said Ravi Shankar Singh, Managing Director, Residential Transaction Services, Colliers India.

Affordability and pricing have emerged as major concerns for nearly one-third of prospective buyers, followed by apprehensions about job security and income visibility. The findings indicate that homebuying decisions are increasingly influenced not only by property prices but also by buyers’ confidence in their future income and financial stability.

Affordability is the top consideration for prospective buyers, followed closely by unit size and layout, as well as social infrastructure and overall connectivity. Around 75-80 per cent of respondents identified unit size and layout, and social infrastructure and connectivity, as key considerations, highlighting the growing importance of right-sized homes in locations offering a high quality of life.

Within gated residential communities, security and safety systems rank as the most sought-after amenities, followed by green and open spaces and community- and lifestyle-oriented zones. Younger buyers are displaying a distinct preference for wellness-oriented facilities, with respondents below 30 years of age prioritising fitness and wellness amenities at nearly twice the overall average.

The survey also underlines the continued dominance of end-user demand. Around 51 per cent of respondents said they intend to purchase a home for self-use. At the same time, 16 per cent plan to buy a second or vacation home, pointing to the growing role of leisure and lifestyle-driven ownership.

The trend could encourage developers to sharpen their second-home strategies by focusing on emerging leisure destinations, wellness-focused communities and lifestyle-centric residential projects that address both recreational and investment-oriented requirements.

Possession certainty is another decisive factor influencing buyer behaviour. More than 60 per cent of potential homebuyers prefer ready-to-move-in or near-completion properties over under-construction and newly launched projects. The preference reflects buyers’ growing focus on certainty of possession, lower execution risk and greater visibility on project completion timelines.

However, the survey also reveals a generational difference in risk appetite. Around half of homebuyers below 30 years of age are comfortable taking construction-related risks, largely because early-stage projects can offer relatively more affordable price points. In comparison, only 36 per cent of respondents above 30 years are willing to embrace such project risk.

Two- and three-bedroom configurations continue to dominate buyer preferences, with about 62 per cent of potential homebuyers across major Indian markets preferring these formats. Larger and more spacious homes are preferred in markets such as Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, while Mumbai continues to see strong demand for compact and right-sized units.

 “About 62 per cent of potential homebuyers across major Indian markets prefer 2 & 3 BHK apartment configurations. While larger and spacious units are preferred more in cities like Delhi NCR, Bengaluru & Hyderabad, Mumbai continues to demonstrate strong demand for compact and right-sized units. With the festive season typically serving as a key catalyst for home purchases, housing demand is expected to remain firm over the next few quarters. However, developers will need to align product offerings more closely with evolving buyer preferences and affordability considerations to translate demand into sustained sales,” said Vimal Nadar, National Director and Head of Research, Colliers India.

Looking ahead, the residential sector is expected to remain supported by healthy end-user demand and rising lifestyle aspirations. However, persistent affordability pressures and heightened expectations around connectivity, livability, product quality and possession certainty are likely to require developers to adopt a more calibrated approach to product positioning.

Infrastructure and connectivity, along with premiumisation, are expected to remain important factors shaping housing demand and emerging opportunities across major markets. The ability of developers to balance affordability with quality while responding to demand for well-connected, lifestyle-oriented communities will remain central to sustaining growth in India’s residential real estate market.