NRIs interested in buying luxury homes post-COVID, says ANAROCK survey

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The real estate sector is one of the major contributors to driving India’s economy. In a report, ANAROCK said NRIs are once again searching for Indian luxury homes. As per its latest consumer survey, at least 73% of NRIs now prefer properties priced between Rs 90 lakh to Rs 2.5 crore. In the pre-COVID survey (H2 2019), just 41% preferred properties within this price bracket – most favoured affordable and mid-segment homes. Three and four BHK options currently top their wish-list.

The IT hubs of Bengaluru (24%) and Pune (19%) are seeing the highest NRI demand. Collectively, these two cities saw approximately 48,370 homes sold in 2020 – accounting for a 35% sales share among the top seven cities.

According to the survey, at least 67% of the polled NRIs are looking for ready-to-move-in homes. If we consider the overall survey trends (including NRIs and resident Indians) just 29% preferred to buy RTM homes, with another 27% respondents preferring under-construction properties that will be delivered within a year.

Prashant Thakur, Director & Head – Research, ANAROCK Property Consultants says, “The COVID-19 pandemic has increased NRIs’ emotional association of long-term security with physical assets. 63% of the polled NRIs state this as their reason for buying homes in India now. They are also driven by the uncertainties posed by COVID-19. Luxury properties have emerged as a hot favorite with NRIs because of the depreciating rupee value translating into greater buying power, coupled with ongoing developer discounts and offers. A majority of NRIs is buying for end-use, not as investments.”

Of the total 24% survey respondents who already booked properties in the last six months, at least 38% were NRIs looking to make the most of the prevailing market conditions in India, including discounts, offers, and lowest-best home loan rates.

Eighty-six per cent of the polled NRIs will only consider properties by branded developers who have the highest project completion capabilities, resulting in the lowest execution risk. Another reason for this choice is NRIs’ desire to buy into projects with international-grade amenities.

According to the survey, most of the polled NRIs seeking property in India are aged between 35-45 years of age. Among all NRI respondents who participated in the survey, close to 68% considered real estate as the best asset class for them at this time.

Regarding their outlook on residential property prices, at least 44% of respondents felt that prices will remain stable in the short-term (i.e. 12 months), while 27% feel they will increase during the year. Over the long term (i.e. in 5 years), 92% of NRI respondents think prices will increase.

It was already expected in the Indian Real Estate report in November 2020, that the real estate sector will incur more non-resident Indian (NRI) investment, both in the short term and the long term. Bengaluru was expected to be the most favored property investment destination for NRIs, followed by Ahmedabad, Pune, Chennai, Goa, Delhi, and Dehradun. And, now this survey added up to the report proving that the Indian real estate industry has moved towards the path of growth.