Homebuyers adapt to price rise, shift locations and rentals while seeking larger homes

As per the latest business developments, Rising property prices are prompting some Indian homebuyers to rethink where and when they buy, but most are not abandoning their purchase plans, according to the latest consumer sentiment survey by ANAROCK.

The ANAROCK Consumer Sentiment Survey H1 2026, which covered 8,320 respondents, found that 65 percent were concerned around rising housing prices. Yet 44 percent stated they scheduled to go ahead with their purchase, while 38 percent stated they may delay it slightly.

Among buyers affected by price increases, 31 percent stated they were shifting from buying to renting, while 20 percent were considering homes in peripheral locations.

The survey additionally points to a widening gap between what buyers want and what they can afford. While 48 percent of respondents preferred 3BHK homes, the Rs 90 lakh-Rs 1.5 crore budget range was the most preferred, chosen by 34 percent. Another 27 percent were looking at homes priced above Rs 1.5 crore.

Demand for 4BHK and larger homes has additionally increased to nearly 5 percent from around 3 percent in H1 2024.

Anuj Puri, Chairman, ANAROCK Group, stated the H1 2026 findings pointed to continued premiumisation of housing demand.

“The firm preference for 3BHKs, coupled with growing interest in elevated budget segments and 4BHK-plus homes, indicates that buyers keep prioritise space and quality despite the elevated ticket sizes involved. Importantly, this trend is being led by end-users, suggesting that larger homes are increasingly being viewed as a long-term lifestyle and value proposition rather than mere premium purchases,” he stated.

The survey additionally reveals that housing demand stays largely end-user fuelled, with 68 percent of respondents buying for self-use. At the same time, 77 percent consider rental income important or very important, while 67 percent attach importance to resale value. This indicates that buyers are increasingly assessing homes both as residences and long-term financial assets.

The shift is particularly pronounced in Delhi-NCR, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Hyderabad, where more than half of respondents prefer 3BHK homes.

For developers, the findings indicate that demand is shifting towards larger configurations even as buyers become more price-sensitive. New launches are preferred by 34 percent of respondents, compared with 18 percent for ready-to-move-in homes.

Developer reputation is the leading consideration for buyers evaluating new projects, followed by pricing, location and construction quality.

Sudeep Bhatt, Director-Strategy, Whiteland Corporation, stated the growing preference for larger homes reflected a clear evolution in the aspirations of today’s homebuyers.

“In NCR, we are seeing this shift translate into stronger demand for thoughtfully designed, spacious residences,” he stated.

“Buyers today are looking beyond square footage as they are seeking better planning, exclusivity, services and long-term value. This premiumisation of end-user demand is likely to stay an important driver of NCR’s residential market as aspirations keep evolve,” he stated.

Rishabh Periwal, Senior Vice President, Pioneer Urban Land and Infrastructure Ltd, echoed similar views, saying the rising preference for larger homes was a firm indicator of how the definition of modern urban living is evolving.

“With Delhi-NCR recording a 53 percent preference for 3BHKs, the demand is clearly moving towards homes that offer greater space, flexibility and comfort for families. As aspirations keep climb, developers will need to focus not merely on larger configurations, but on creating thoughtfully designed homes that deliver meaningful value and a superior quality of life,” he stated.