In Colliers India’s 2026 survey, more than 60% of prospective buyers preferred ready-to-move or near-completion homes, while 62% preferred two- or three-bedroom apartments. These are answers to different questions: readiness describes possession status, an apartment describes the type of home, and affordability depends on a buyer’s budget and the local market. A home can fit all three descriptions.
What homebuyers say they prefer
Colliers India’s Homebuying Sentiment Survey 2026 covered around 1,800 respondents across more than 30 established and emerging residential markets. It found that more than 60% preferred ready-to-move or near-completion homes, 62% preferred two- or three-bedroom apartment configurations, and 46% preferred properties priced between ₹50 lakh and ₹1.5 crore. Separately, 50% said they were willing to purchase within the next two years. These are stated preferences and intentions, not a census of buyers or a record of completed purchases. Colliers India, 17 September 2026.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The survey’s percentages should not be read as a contest between three mutually exclusive options. A buyer might want a two-bedroom apartment that is ready to occupy and within their budget. The practical choice is whether a particular property balances price, location, layout, completion status and financing.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
How to compare the three labels
| Label | What it describes | Main buyer question |
|---|---|---|
| Affordable | Price relative to the household’s finances and the local market | Can I manage the full purchase cost and ongoing payments? |
| Ready-to-move or near-completion | Construction and possession stage | When can I take possession, and how much delivery risk remains? |
| Apartment | Housing form and, often, a configuration such as two or three bedrooms | Does the unit’s usable space and layout suit my household? |
Affordable homes: judge the full cost and location
Affordability is not established by a price band alone. In the Colliers survey, 31% named affordability and pricing as their primary concern, and 46% preferred homes in the ₹50 lakh–₹1.5 crore range. Those figures describe respondents’ preferences; they do not define an affordable home for every income, city or household.
#1 Best Overall
Compare the total acquisition cost, not just the advertised price. Include applicable registration and stamp duty, other purchase costs, loan interest and the payment schedule. Also test whether the location makes the home workable: NHB says affordable housing should be near transit corridors and job centres, rather than pushed to the urban edge. A lower-priced home can become a poor fit if commuting time and costs are excessive.
Supply is a constraint in some major markets. The National Housing Bank’s 2025 housing report cites an affordable-housing supply-to-demand ratio of 0.36 across India’s top eight cities through June 2025, down from 1.05 in 2019. It says builders’ shift toward premium projects for higher margins has contributed to pressure on affordable supply. The ratio is a reported market measure, not a guarantee about availability in any particular neighbourhood. National Housing Bank, Report on Trend & Progress of Housing in India 2025.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
Ready-to-move homes: weigh possession certainty against price and choice
The leading preference in the Colliers survey was for ready-to-move or near-completion homes. The appeal is understandable: buyers can assess a more finished property and face less construction and delivery uncertainty than they would with a newly launched project. Near-completion is not the same as ready for possession, however; verify the actual completion status and the expected handover date rather than relying on the label.
Compare the specific property’s price and condition with alternatives. A home closer to completion may not suit a buyer’s budget or desired layout, and the survey does not establish that ready-to-move properties are always cheaper, safer or better value. Check the possession timeline, payment terms, location, usable area and ongoing maintenance arrangements before deciding.
Apartment size and layout: choose for use, not just bedroom count
Two- and three-bedroom apartments were the preferred configurations for 62% of Colliers respondents. Preferences varied by city: the survey describes compact, right-sized units as more preferred in Mumbai, while larger units were more often preferred in Delhi NCR, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. These are broad survey patterns, not a substitute for checking a particular household’s needs or local listings.
Bedroom count alone does not tell you whether a home will work. Compare usable space, room dimensions, storage, ventilation and the layout of shared areas. Consider whether the unit can accommodate likely changes in household size or work needs without requiring space you cannot afford.
Rank #4
What the wider market data can—and cannot—tell buyers
Knight Frank’s tracked-market data recorded 0.35 million home sales in 2025, down 1% year over year, alongside 0.36 million launches. Launches above ₹10 million rose 12%, while launches below ₹5 million fell 28% and those from ₹5 million to ₹10 million fell 9%. These figures show a mixed market and a supply mix shifting toward higher price points; launches are not sales, and the totals should not be generalized to every city. Knight Frank India, India Real Estate: Office and Residential Market, H2 2025.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →For historical credit and price context, the Ministry of Finance reported that individual housing loans outstanding stood at ₹33.53 lakh crore on 30 September 2024, up 14% year over year, and that NHB-RESIDEX rose 6.8% year over year in the quarter ended September 2024. These are dated national indicators, not current loan rates or a forecast for a particular property. Ministry of Finance, 12 March 2025.
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Does festive season increase home sales?
Colliers describes the festive season as a typical catalyst for purchases and expects demand to remain firm over the next few quarters. That is the publisher’s market outlook, not a measured estimate of how much festive dates or promotions cause sales to rise. Treat festive offers as one part of a property’s cost and terms, and compare them with the value and possession timeline you would accept at another time of year.
A practical checklist before choosing a property
- Calculate the all-in cost. Add the purchase price, registration and stamp duty, other acquisition charges, loan interest and scheduled payments.
- Test the location. Check commute times, access to transit, proximity to jobs and essential social infrastructure, and the likely cost of travel.
- Check the actual space. Compare usable area and layout, not just bedroom count; consider safety, open space and maintenance or service quality.
- Verify possession status. Establish whether the property is ready, near completion or still under construction, and assess the delivery risk and date that matters to you.
- Review financing. Compare eligibility, interest costs and payment flexibility with your household budget. Do not treat a subsidy or loan approval as assured until the lender or scheme confirms your case.
Check whether PMAY-U 2.0 could apply
For eligible buyers, the Government of India’s PMAY-U 2.0 Interest Subsidy Scheme may be relevant to financing. A Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs parliamentary response reported ₹312.38 crore released to 70,638 beneficiaries and 6,205 credit-guaranteed loans worth ₹614.76 crore through 31 January 2026. The cited response gives scheme terms including household income up to ₹9 lakh, loan value up to ₹25 lakh, property value up to ₹35 lakh, and a 4% subsidy on the first ₹8 lakh for up to 12 years, subject to the scheme’s conditions. Confirm current eligibility and terms with the official scheme and your lender before including any benefit in your budget. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs parliamentary response via PIB.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
