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.
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.
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.