Around 50 Percent of Prospective Homebuyers Plan Purchase Within Two Years: Colliers Survey
Gurgaon, September 17, 2026: Prospective Indian homebuyers continue to demonstrate resilience despite global macroeconomic volatilities, with approximately 50 per cent planning to buy a residential property within the next two years, according to Colliers’ latest report, Homebuying Sentiment Survey 2026: Decoding India’s Evolving Buyer Preferences.
The survey, which sampled around 1,800 respondents across over 30 residential markets in India, revealed that 54 per cent of respondents believe external economic headwinds will have a relatively low impact on the domestic housing sector. While long-term ownership aspirations remain firm, buyers are increasingly price-sensitive, with 46 per cent favoring homes priced between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1.5 crore. Additionally, 62 per cent of prospective buyers prefer two- and three-BHK configurations, while over 60 per cent favor ready-to-move or near-completion homes due to possession certainty.
Commenting on the shift in buyer dynamics, Ravi Shankar Singh, Managing Director, Residential Transaction Services, Colliers India, noted the need for strategic market positioning. He said, “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. In this environment, housing sales are likely to depend on three closely linked levers: price-value alignment, financing flexibility and product-market fit.”
The report also highlighted that about 51 per cent of respondents plan to acquire homes for self-use, maintaining end-user dominance in the market. Meanwhile, one-third of buyers cited affordability and pricing as their primary concern, followed by job security and income visibility.
Elaborating on regional configuration preferences, Vimal Nadar, National Director and Head of Research, Colliers India, emphasized developer alignment ahead of the festive season. He said, “About 62% 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.”
