Pools & privacy beckon India’s ultra wealthy to farmhouses in suburbs

• Almost three-fourths of India’s ultra wealthy are keen on investing in real estate in the next 1-2 years.
• Investors are also looking to create multi-generational wealth through realty investments, as per a survey by Sotheby’s.
• Apart from commercial properties, holiday homes and farmhouses are the top choices of affluent Indians.
  

Indian high and ultra-high networth individuals are undeterred by the 40% rise in property prices since the pandemic. As much as 71% of them are looking to bet on this asset class in the next 12-24 months, as per a Sotheby’s survey.

Most of them see it as an investment as 44% of them picked capital appreciation as the reason they’d buy a property in the next 1-2 years. This reason trumped lifestyle upgrade and income generation. Most of the affluent Indians surveyed in annual Luxury Outlook Survey 2024 own multiple properties.

This indicates that investors are back in the market, and many of them are keen on holding on to them for the long-term to create wealth for the next generation.

“There’s also a shift in sentiments that aligns with a broader acknowledgment of real estate's enduring value and potential for sustained financial growth. We believe investors are strategically positioning themselves for wealth accumulation and creating multi-generational wealth through real estate investments," said Ashwin Chaddha, CEO, India Sotheby's International Realty.

Holiday homes & farm houses

Commercial real estate which generates rent was the most preferred sub-set. Holiday homes, farm houses and agricultural land were the other popular choices.

“We observe an increasing trend of owning farmhouses in suburbs/ city peripheries, driven by the need for larger spaces, open green areas, work from home, privacy, and amenities such as a private swimming pool,” the report said.

In other notable findings, 35% of holiday home buyers expressed Goa as their preferred destination. It highlights the enduring appeal of Goa's lifestyle among India's wealthy, Sotheby’s notes.

Desire to invest in overseas property remained stable at 12%. Their top choices are Dubai, UAE, and USA.