By Aditya Agarwal 
India’s housing market is entering the festive season with demand still holding up.
However, buyers are becoming more selective.
A new Colliers survey found that 50% of prospective homebuyers plan to purchase a home within the next two years. At the same time, affordability remains the biggest consideration. (Business Standard)
That combination is shaping India’s real-estate market in 2026.
People still want homes.
Yet they are becoming more careful about what they buy and how much they pay.
Demand Has Not Disappeared
The latest survey points to continued housing interest.
Half of prospective buyers surveyed said they plan to purchase within two years. (Business Standard)
That is important because the market is facing broader economic uncertainty.
Nevertheless, housing demand remains resilient.
Moreover, festive-season activity could provide another boost to sales.
Therefore, developers are entering an important period for converting buyer interest into actual transactions.
Affordability Is the Main Filter
The biggest change is not necessarily a lack of demand.
Instead, it is how buyers evaluate properties.
Affordability has emerged as the leading consideration.
Price matters.
So does the size of the home.
Connectivity also matters.
Consequently, buyers are increasingly looking at the total value of a property rather than simply its location or brand.
This can influence which projects perform well.
What Buyers Actually Want
The survey shows strong interest in practical apartment configurations.
Around 62% of prospective buyers prefer two- and three-bedroom homes.
Meanwhile, a large share of buyers is considering properties priced between ₹50 lakh and ₹1.5 crore. (Business Standard)
That creates an important middle-market opportunity.
However, preferences vary between cities.
Higher-ticket demand remains stronger in markets such as Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Therefore, developers cannot rely on a single national strategy.
Connectivity Is Becoming a Core Feature
A home is no longer evaluated only by its walls.
Buyers also consider how easily they can reach offices, schools, hospitals and daily services.
As a result, connectivity has become a major part of property value.
Metro systems can influence neighbourhood demand.
Road infrastructure can change commuting patterns.
Meanwhile, new employment centres can create entirely new residential corridors.
Therefore, real estate and infrastructure increasingly move together.
Lifestyle Is Changing Housing Preferences
Amenities are also becoming more important.
Security remains a key consideration.
Open spaces and community areas also influence decisions.
Younger buyers show stronger interest in fitness and wellness facilities, according to the Colliers survey. (Business Standard)
That reflects a wider shift.
Homebuyers are not simply purchasing square footage.
They are purchasing a lifestyle.
Consequently, developers need to understand how consumer expectations are changing.
Premium Housing Still Has Momentum
India’s housing market has also seen stronger activity in premium segments.
Earlier market data showed that premium housing has been driving a significant share of residential growth, while affordable inventory has become harder to find. (The Economic Times)
That creates a two-speed market.
Premium buyers may continue to spend.
Meanwhile, middle-income buyers remain more sensitive to price.
Therefore, developers face a difficult balancing act.
They need to deliver quality while keeping projects financially accessible.
What Developers Need to Get Right
The latest data points toward three major factors.
First comes price-value alignment.
Next comes financing flexibility.
Finally, there is product-market fit.
A project can have strong amenities.
Yet buyers may hesitate if the price does not match perceived value.
Similarly, an attractive property may struggle if connectivity is weak.
As a result, successful projects will need to combine several factors rather than rely on one selling point.
The Real Estate Market Ahead
India’s housing market is not showing a simple boom-or-bust pattern.
Instead, the market is becoming more segmented.
Some buyers want premium homes.
Others are searching for practical affordability.
Many want better connectivity.
Meanwhile, younger buyers are increasingly interested in lifestyle-focused communities.
Therefore, developers will need sharper market intelligence.
The Indian homebuyer is still in the market.
But in 2026, the buyer is asking a more demanding question:
“What am I actually getting for the price?”
That question could shape India’s residential real-estate market through the next phase of growth.
Tags: India Real Estate 2026, Indian Housing Market, Homebuyers India, Property Prices India, Residential Real Estate, Housing Demand, Real Estate News
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