50% of prospective homebuyers plan to buy a house within 2 years: Colliers

Nearly half of prospective homebuyers in India are looking to purchase a residential property within the next two years, even as affordability concerns and uncertainty around job security and income remain key factors influencing purchase decisions, according to Colliers’ Homebuying Sentiment Survey 2026.

The survey, which covered around 1,800 respondents across more than 30 established and emerging residential markets, found that 54% of respondents believe external economic volatilities will have a relatively low impact on Indian real estate.

At the same time, buyers are becoming more selective about prices, property configurations and possession timelines.

Around 50% of prospective buyers said they are willing to purchase a home within two years, indicating that purchase intent remains intact despite macroeconomic uncertainties.

Affordability remains a key concern
Affordability and property pricing emerged as the biggest concern for prospective homebuyers, cited by 31% of respondents. Concerns around job security and income visibility followed.

At the same time, 46% of respondents preferred properties priced between ₹50 lakh and ₹1.5 crore, pointing to a significant preference for homes within this price range.

The survey found that affordability was the top consideration for buyers, followed by unit size and layout, and social infrastructure and connectivity. Around 75–80% of respondents identified unit size and layout, as well as social infrastructure and connectivity, as important considerations when choosing a property.

In gated housing societies, security and safety systems emerged as the most preferred amenities, followed by green and open spaces and community and lifestyle-oriented facilities. Younger buyers also showed a stronger preference for fitness and wellness amenities.

Emerging Micro-Markets Powering the Next Growth Phase
Within the Dwarka Expressway corridor, Sectors 103 and 112 are emerging as some of the most promising residential micro-markets. Strategically located near the Delhi border, these sectors offer seamless connectivity to Dwarka, IGI Airport, NH-48 and Gurugram’s key commercial districts, making them well-positioned for sustained residential growth.

2 and 3 BHK homes remain popular

About 62% of prospective homebuyers prefer two- and three-bedroom apartments, according to the survey.

The preference for larger homes is stronger in markets such as Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, while Mumbai continues to see demand for more compact housing units, the report said.

Ticket sizes also vary across markets, with Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Hyderabad showing stronger demand for higher-value properties.

Buyers prefer homes closer to possession

More than 60% of respondents said they prefer ready-to-move-in or near-completion properties over under-construction and newly launched projects.

The preference indicates greater emphasis on possession certainty and reduced construction-related risk. However, buyer preferences vary by age. Around half of respondents below 30 years were comfortable taking construction risk, compared with 36% of those above 30 years, according to the survey.

The report also found that 65% of respondents consider attractive pricing and flexible payment plans important factors in enabling an immediate purchase decision.

Abhieshek Kumar, Managing Director, Trinayan Group, said such survey findings should be viewed in the context of the markets and buyer segments covered.

“Real estate is too local a decision to fit one national headline; it depends on the buyers in that market, available supply, and how developers there have actually performed,” he said, Kumar said end-users generally tend to prefer ready or near-completion homes because longer possession timelines can add uncertainty, while investors may be more willing to enter projects at an earlier stage where the developer has an established track record.

Ashish Sharma, AVP Operations, Brahma Group , said, “The intent to purchase a home within the next two years reflects the underlying resilience of India’s residential market; however, the more significant shift lies in how buyers are assessing their options. For developers, this stresses the need to deliver well-planned projects backed by strong execution, differentiated offerings and transparent value propositions. The upcoming festive season could further accelerate conversions as deferred purchase plans translate into active buying decisions.”

Yash Garg, Director, M3M Noida, said, "The sustained intent to purchase homes is a strong reflection of the depth of end-user demand in India’s residential market. For developers, the opportunity lies in creating well-planned communities that bring together thoughtful layouts, quality construction, connectivity and lifestyle amenities. Going forward, consistent execution, transparency and a strong customer experience will be critical to sustaining buyer confidence and supporting the next phase of residential growth"

Santosh Agarwal, Executive Director & CFO, Alpha Corp Development added, "The residential market is witnessing a shift towards more deliberate and future-oriented homebuying decisions, with a significant share of prospective buyers planning to purchase within the next two years. Factors such as location, connectivity, quality of construction, amenities and potential for value appreciation are playing a greater role in purchase decisions."

Sheeshram Yadav, Managing Director,Yugen Infra, said, "The finding that nearly 50% of prospective homebuyers are looking to purchase within the next two years reflects the underlying strength of housing demand in India. At the same time, buyers today are more informed and careful about where they put their money. Affordability remains important, but the decision is no longer based on price alone. Buyers are looking at the size and layout of the home, connectivity, social infrastructure, safety and the overall quality of the development."

Self-use remains the primary purpose

Around 51% of respondents said they plan to purchase a home for self-use, highlighting the continued importance of end-user demand in the residential market. Another 16% said they intended to purchase a second or vacation home, suggesting that a segment of buyers is also considering property for lifestyle or leisure purposes.

“Nearly half of prospective homebuyers looking to purchase a home within the next two years is an encouraging indicator for the residential market. What makes this intent particularly significant is that buyers today are evaluating their decisions with greater care. The preference for self-use points to demand being shaped by end-user requirements, greater certainty and a long-term view of homeownership,” said Dr Gautam Kanodia, Founder, KREEVA and Kanodia Group. He added that buyers are increasingly evaluating factors beyond the home itself, including neighbourhood quality, amenities and the overall lifestyle offered by a project. “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% 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,” said Ravi Shankar Singh, Managing Director, Residential Transaction Services, Colliers India. According to Singh, price-value alignment, financing flexibility and the suitability of the property to buyer requirements will be important in converting purchase intent into actual transactions. Vimal Nadar, National Director and Head of Research, Colliers India, said that the preference for two- and three-bedroom homes reflects demand across major Indian markets, while festive-season activity could support housing purchases over the coming quarters. The findings suggest that while homebuying intent remains relatively firm, prospective buyers are placing greater emphasis on affordability, connectivity, property configuration and certainty of possession when making purchase decisions.