Indian homebuyers are increasingly shifting towards premium and branded homes, a trend that is expected to continue strongly into 2026. This shift reflects a change in buyer preferences, with a greater emphasis on lifestyle, quality, and long-term value. Several factors are driving this trend, including rising incomes, increased global exposure, and a desire for enhanced amenities and curated community experiences.

Demand Drivers

One of the primary drivers of this shift is the increasing number of high-net-worth individuals in India. These affluent buyers are prioritizing lifestyle upgrades and are less sensitive to economic cycles. They are seeking homes that offer a comprehensive living experience, with features such as smart technology, sustainability, wellness integration, and top-notch craftsmanship.

Another key factor is the increased global exposure of Indian homebuyers. Many have traveled extensively and have experienced branded residences, resort villas, and ultra-luxury condos in cities like Dubai, Singapore, London, and New York. As a result, they now expect similar levels of service and amenities in their own homes, such as concierge services, hotel-style lobbies, spa-grade wellness facilities, co-working lounges, and curated food and beverage options.

The Rise of Branded Residences

The demand for curated living and brand assurance is fueling the growth of branded residences in India. These are high-end homes developed in partnership with well-known hotel, fashion, lifestyle, or luxury brands. Residents enjoy amenities like concierge services, housekeeping, and private dining. India is now among the top 10 global markets for branded home supply. Delhi NCR currently leads with the most branded residence units, followed by Mumbai. Cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Goa, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh are also emerging as preferred locations for these projects.

Premium Housing Market Performance and 2026 Outlook

India's premium residential market performed strongly in 2025, with capital values rising sharply across key cities. Under-construction projects recorded price appreciation of up to 36% year-on-year. Strong end-user demand, improving infrastructure-led connectivity, limited supply in prime locations, and rising input costs drove this uptrend. Experts expect the premium segment to remain buoyant in 2026, supported by wealth growth and improved transparency.

Savills India expects capital values in the premium residential segment to continue rising steadily in 2026. The pace will be driven more by timely project delivery, infrastructure execution, and evolving buyer preferences rather than speculative activity. Disciplined pricing and calibrated supply are critical for long-term stability.

Trends in Luxury Housing

Luxury housing in India is transitioning from an aspirational segment to a structural asset class. Demand is driven by wealth creation, capital market liquidity, senior executive and entrepreneurial income growth, and a shift in buyer preference toward larger, low-density, lifestyle-oriented homes. Unlike previous cycles, current luxury housing demand is largely end-user driven. Buyers are increasingly purchasing luxury homes as primary residences rather than purely investment assets.

Factors for Success in 2026

As India enters 2026, the real estate sector is transitioning into a phase of structural maturity. Strengthening homebuyer confidence, improving affordability conditions, and sustained occupier demand are creating a stable foundation for long-term growth. The next phase of expansion will be driven by disciplined construction, timely execution, and infrastructure-led development. Developers who adopt efficient project planning, modern construction technologies, and phased execution will manage to protect margins while ensuring delivery timelines.

Expanding Geographies

While established metros such as Mumbai, Delhi NCR, and Bengaluru will continue to anchor real estate activity, infrastructure investments are broadening the growth map. Expressways, metro rail expansions, logistics corridors, and industrial clusters are unlocking new micro-markets and Tier 2 cities. Cities like Pune and Ahmedabad are emerging as strong growth engines due to better affordability metrics, planned urban development, and disciplined supply pipelines.

Overall, the Indian housing market is seeing a definitive shift towards premium and branded properties, with the outlook for 2026 remaining strong, driven by end-user demand and a desire for quality and lifestyle-oriented homes.