Luxury Homes Outpace Mass Market in India's Housing Boom

In every housing cycle there comes a moment when the numbers stop being just a metric and begin to reveal in which direction the market is heading. In India, that moment has arrived. The residential sector is not simply bouncing back from the slowdown of recent years; it is rearranging itself in ways that could define the next decade.

While the important and vital middle and affordable segments are navigating headwinds, the luxury housing market in India is not just holding steady, it is pulling ahead. This is not a passing ripple caused by a pandemic rebound or a shift in lending rates. What is unfolding is the result of years of changing buyer preferences, sharper developer strategies, and an economic climate that increasingly rewards premium positioning.

The luxury home segment has moved from being an occasional indulgence for a few to a serious aspiration for a much wider share of buyers. 

Changing Trends

The year-on-year demand for homes in the Rs. 3-5 crore segment grew at 28 percent. Recent reports also highlighted a rising interest in second homes in Goa and Alibaug, with 54 per cent of respondents considering properties in hill or beach destinations. Goa, Alibaug, and Kasauli have observed appreciation in capital of 9 percent to 12 percent annually, with select areas in north Goa recording even up to 20 percent returns. 

The demand is not just sentimental, it is financial. In 2025, Goa’s  luxury real estate market surged by an extraordinary 66.3 percent year-on-year, while luxury villas above Rs 15 crore began yielding rental returns of 30–40 percent. North Goa offers average rental yields of 8–9 percent, compared with 6–8 percent in South Goa, figures that comfortably outperform most Indian metros.

The focus should also be on expanding the real estate infrastructure in India into areas that are desirable for buyers.

Beyond the Numbers

For many home buyers today, a home is a personal reflection of who they are and what matters to them. It is beyond just a purchase, the buyer now pays close attention to every element - whether the amenities and privacy truly match the elevated lifestyle they have in mind. More recently, questions about sustainable real estate development have taken center stage and are a crucial part of the purchase decision. Developers too are taking notice and have been quick to adapt to this change.

Those buying at the high end are also far less rattled by swings in interest rates. A large share of them rely on their own funds instead of heavy loans, which keeps this segment moving even when the broader market slows. That financial cushion has helped entrench the idea of premium property investment as both a lifestyle upgrade and a relatively safe store of value.

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The Road Ahead

Developers who maintain a mix of luxury and mid-market luxury projects are better placed to tackle market changes. The focus should also be on expanding the real estate infrastructure in India into areas which are desirable for buyers. The challenge now, and in the years to come, is figuring out how to keep redefining what luxury really means. Buyers are asking for more than grand design. They want homes that respond to climate change and spaces that support health and well-being. These are no longer seen as add-ons but have become baseline expectations.

As professionals and entrepreneurs continue to experience significant wealth creation, there will be an increased appetite for premium homes that reflect their success and provide an elevated lifestyle. Together, these catalysts are driving the luxury real estate growth in India, making luxury homes more accessible to a broader segment of buyers.

About the author

Lincoln Bennet Rodrigues acts as the Chairman and Founder of Bennet & Bernard Group, a luxury real estate and diversified lifestyle conglomerate based in Goa. With a passion for creating elevated living experiences, Rodrigues has developed an influential portfolio of luxury villas, hospitality, and gourmet food businesses. Renowned for his entrepreneurial mindset, Rodrigues has established the group as a leading player in Goa's luxury property market.