India’s 2026 real estate map: industry leaders weigh in

“India’s luxury housing market is entering 2026 on solid ground, driven by real, structural demand rather than speculation. In 2025 alone, houses priced above ₹4 crore recorded over 80% year-on-year growth in sales across major cities, while luxury home values have risen 30%–40% over the last three years. Rising domestic affluence, steady NRI inflows, and a clear preference for premium living are reshaping buyer behaviour. Today’s luxury buyer is largely an end user, seeking larger homes, branded developments, wellness-focused amenities, and long-term value making this segment far more resilient than other residential categories.”Bhavik BhandariChief business officer, Ashwin Sheth Group

“The smaller assets, although not as large as mega parks, are strategically located close to urban centres and thereby help maintain a balance between fast delivery and minimum cost. For new investors, this particular sub-segment will present an interesting risk-reward situation, provided they are location and tenant profile disciplined. Properties with good access to ring roads, arterial highways, and major residential catchments must be the target instead of remote sheds with cheap land but weak connectivity. Leasing to a reliable 3PL (third-party logistics) or e-commerce will be a great advantage for income streams.”Siddharth MauryaFounder & managing director, Vibhavangal Anukulakara

“2026 will be a significant year for the nascent office markets of Tier II cities where offices for IT, and manufacturing-linked services are being set up. Occupiers are moving to well-planned business parks in smaller cities that cost less but offer strong connectivity. New investors, however, should not get into this area blindly. They should pick completed or almost completed assets that have visible occupancy and strong anchors, and transparent leasing structures. Also, it is very important to work with reliable local partners or advisors who know the micro-market dynamics. These offices when selected well can simultaneously provide better entry valuations and rental growth as these lessors mature between 2026 and 2030. ”Shashank GuptaDirector of RPS Group

“In 2026, the hospitality real estate sector is expected to see moderate yet sustainable growth, with overall industry revenues projected to increase 6% to 8% year-on-year as demand continues to outpace supply. Premium hotel occupancies are forecast to rise to 72% to 74%, reflecting robust domestic leisure, corporate travel and MICE activity, while average room rates are likely to climb further to about ₹4,500-₹6,500 in FY 2026. Asset-light expansion and strong investor interest underpin this resilience, even as branded supply increases at a slower pace than demand. These fundamentals point to selective growth opportunities and stable returns.”Vikram KamatFounder and managing director of VITS Hotels & Resorts Group

“Real estate investment in 2026 is primarily about investment-grade, state-of-the-art buildings that are being hunted by big tenants. Dwellings of global and local corporations — in terms of tech-enabled, eco-friendly certified campuses that favour close work, cooperation, and wellness — are the chief reason behind the top office areas remaining popular, since the demand is large. For a novice investor, getting into a whole commercial unit by himself or herself would mean high financing and management. A more feasible idea is to invest in REITs (real estate investment trust) and fractional ownership platforms, which are based on leased grade-A offices that have lower entry sizes and professional management. The latter will ensure allotment of new investors to unique office assets in terms of quality and location, with day-to-day tenant sourcing or facility upkeep being taken care of by professional management. The golden rule for 2026 is the same as it was in 2020: strong tenants and strong buildings are to be followed, not simply attractive returns shown in brochures.”Gunjan GoelDirector, Goel Ganga Developments

“2025 reinforced the importance of structured, goal-oriented financial planning as investors navigated market volatility and shifting interest-rate cycles. There was a clear move away from ad-hoc investing towards diversified portfolios backed by professional advice and long-term discipline. As we enter 2026, investor focus is expected to sharpen on personalised wealth solutions, digital advisory platforms and prudent risk management, with trust, transparency and financial education emerging as key drivers of sustainable wealth creation.”Abhishek DevCo-founder and CEO, Epsilon Money

“Infrastructure is the main driver behind the real estate cycle in India, and in 2026, this will be visible even to novices. The government’s capital expenditure has increased significantly in the past few years, and now the focus is on better execution, private participation, and eco-friendly, technologically sophisticated projects along with the usual high spending. New expressways, metro networks, logistics parks, renewable energy corridors, and data centres are changing the framework of valuing locations. For a beginner investor, this implies that ‘following infrastructure’ is not a mere metaphor, but a practical method: identify new highways, metro lines, and industrial nodes that are being built and look for residential, commercial, and warehousing opportunities in those influence zones. In a period of five to 10 years, such areas frequently witness large appreciation as connectivity and economic activities grow.”Aman GuptaDirector, RPS Group

“Large regional malls are flourishing, but 2026 will also be the year that emphasises the importance of resilient neighbourhood retail in high-density urban areas and Tier II locations. Products and services for daily needs such as groceries, pharmacies, clinics, and service-oriented outlets will continue to attract lots of customers, especially in places where the mid-income residential population is getting denser. If beginners are thinking of buying a small shop, it would be safer for them to take the route of retail that is essential, rather than the one that is purely discretionary. The prerequisites of the location become obligatory: it has to be visible from the main roads and have easy access, parking facilities, and a stable residential population nearby. Besides the rent, investors should also look into lease terms, lock-ins, and tenant quality rather than concentrating too much on the headline rent number.”Lokendra RanawatCo-founder and CEO, WoodenStreet