Despite geopolitical tensions and global economic jitters, India’s wealthy elite are doubling down on their faith in the nation’s growth story. According to the latest Luxury Residential Outlook Survey 2026 by India Sotheby’s International Realty, 67% of HNIs and UHNIs predict a bright 12-24 month horizon for the economy.
Conducted among the country’s top earners, the report paints a picture of unshakeable optimism. A whopping 72% believe FY27 GDP growth will hover between 6-7%, defying external headwinds. This confidence is translating into heightened activity in premium real estate markets.
Luxury housing is witnessing a surge in investor appetite. Respondents indicate plans to sustain property investments, but with more selective criteria than before. Key drivers include declining borrowing costs, improved purchasing power, and sustained consumer demand, positioning real estate as a prime wealth-building tool.
Expectations for returns are ambitious: 67% of investors anticipate 15% yearly gains. Sales data shows investment-motivated purchases accounting for 53% of luxury home deals, versus 47% for self-occupancy. City-center residences dominate preferences, chosen by 31%, while pure investment plays attract 30%.
That said, the market isn’t without hurdles. Limited supply of high-quality assets and price surges have cooled second-home buying slightly in the last year. For those undeterred, suburban farmhouses emerge as favorites, endorsed by 46% in the poll.
Overall, the findings signal a strategic pivot by India’s rich toward real estate as a hedge and growth engine in uncertain times.