An analysis of the Indian luxury real estate market

Gone are the days when people compromised on residential facilities and amenities. These days, everyone wishes to have a gym or swimming pool on their residential premises. Convenience is no longer an option. It has become a compulsion to homeowners. Thankfully, the Indian real estate market has evolved from being a market obsessive about a home with a location to a new and vibrant concept of branded homes. Luxury housing concept refers to houses that are approximately 2000 sq. feet in area as the starting size of apartments. It goes onto much larger sizes depending on the category of luxury housing that the project is looking at offering. At this moment, potential buyers are checking out luxury villas for sale in Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Today, luxury homes are the fastest growing segment of residential housing. Studies reveal that to cater to this growth in demand, India would require 1.5 million luxury homes over the next 15 years.

• How has globalization contributed to the development of luxury real estate?

In the last decade, rapid globalization has paved the way for employment opportunities. Due to this, income earned on the executive level is significantly high. Individuals from this segment are exposed to world-class amenities, are well-read, well-traveled, and thus, have an idea of what they want as a reflection of their taste and lifestyle. It has acted as a catalyst and paved the way for real estate developers to earn high-incentives while simultaneously catering to the housing needs of the uber wealthy of the city. These are the ones who are happy to pay for a luxurious property that would be an indicator of their social and financial standing.

Indian real estate market has witnessed a surge in the sale of properties due to an emerging concept of owning more than one luxury property by the upper segments of society. Investment in premium properties further diversifies the assets of an individual and is primarily motivated by a variety of reasons that range towards a passionate inclination or even investment purposes.

• Factors that draw potential buyers towards luxurious segment

There are multiple factors that a customer keeps in mind before investing in luxurious properties. Apartments and villas in Devanahalli, Bangalore, and other locations of South India are widely in demand. The location is stated to be the prime factor. Outstanding infrastructure, the status of people living in the vicinity, trouble-free access to nearby locations, etc. play a crucial role. Properties that are situated near golf courses, beaches, mountain tops are all time favorite developments. Research indicates that top locations in luxury segments in India are like ones that have an inclination towards environment-friendly projects. A vast number of individuals are demanding homes that would have less impact or no impact on the Eco-system. Green Homes make use of Eco-friendly/recycled materials for construction, use of solar energy and bio-gas plants, have more windows to allow natural light. These are some features that are considered while making a purchase.

• What is the future of luxury residential real estate in India?

Major steps are being taken towards the creation of intelligent living spaces. The use of high-tech built-in features that allow you to lock-unlock doors, air-conditioners, turn on the lights, etc., with a click of your phone, high-speed elevators and security systems such as limited access cards always makes a mark. Builders are even collaborating with international designers and brands to create a statement. Currently, the luxury real estate market is going through a slowdown due to an oversupply situation. NRIs are skeptical about the investment in this sector due to global economic downturn.

Ultimately, a smart buyer knows that it would make sense to use, this time, as the property prices are at an all-time-low, and would rise in the long run.

This is a guest post by Deepak Yewle