Premium Homes Take Over: Rs 1.5 Crore+ Now 27% of Demand
Look at the mix of homes being built and sold, and one trend stands out: the market is moving up the price ladder.
The numbers
-
Demand: homes priced above Rs 1.5 crore accounted for 27% of demand in H1 2026, up from 13% in H1 2021 (Anarock)
-
Launches: JLL recorded a 45% year-on-year rise in launches priced above Rs 1 crore in Q1 2026, and a 134% increase in the Rs 1.5-3 crore segment
-
Sales: CBRE recorded over 61,000 residential sales in Q2 2026, with a rising share of high-end apartments
Where affordable housing stands
CREDAI says the share of affordable homes in overall sales has fallen, and it wants the Rs 45 lakh price cap removed from the definition. A new affordable housing policy is expected within about six months.
What developers say
Executives quoted in a press release said buyers are increasingly end-users who weigh location, rental potential and developer credibility more as ticket sizes rise. That is a developer view, so treat it as perspective rather than independent data.
Why it matters
Premiumisation helps developers' margins but squeezes first-time buyers. It also helps explain why average prices can climb even when sales are flat, as in Delhi-NCR, where prices rose 12% while sales slipped 1%.
What buyers can do
If your budget sits below Rs 1 crore, look at slightly outer micro-markets and ready or nearly ready projects, and compare festive offers carefully.