The 10-Year Shift: How India's Home Buyer Has Fundamentally Changed

A decade ago, buying a home in India was a very different process. Homebuyers would visit multiple properties, compare builders, review specifications, and spend weeks—often months—deciding. Trusting sellers took time, choices were limited, knowledge of new projects was scarce, and there was a strong preference for standalone buildings. Altogether, this made the buying process longer and more cumbersome.

Buyer profiles have changed significantly over the years. A decade or two ago, primary homebuyers were typically in their late 40s or 50s and focused mainly on end use. In contrast, younger, modern buyers also consider potential appreciation, amenities, and higher living standards.

These younger buyers now have shorter real estate buying cycles, especially in India’s Tier 1 cities, where homes are often booked even before construction begins. So, what has changed?

1. First Buyer Enthusiasm

Earlier, home-buying decisions were cautious. With no RERA-like regulations, limited knowledge about builders, and no reliable quality-control processes, buyers needed strong assurances to build trust. Most purchases relied on word of mouth, pre-owned standalone properties, or vacant land. Today, however, millennials and Gen Z buyers are entering the market at a younger age and making quicker, more informed decisions when buying their first homes or investing.

“Especially in metropolitan markets like Bangalore, Pune, Noida, and Gurugram, young buyers increasingly seek the first-mover advantage by purchasing during a project’s launch. This shift is driven by digitisation, higher purchasing power, transparency under RERA, reliable platforms for builder reviews, and the brand equity of reputable developers—verifiable through multiple online and offline sources,” says Amit Agarwal, CEO and Co-founder, NoBroker.

2. High Demand, Low Supply of Estate

India’s top cities are facing a consistent shortage of quality housing. Add to that the fact that property prices have seen consistent Y-O-Y appreciation. According to NoBroker's 2025 Real Estate Report, prices have increased by 16 per cent in Bangalore, 26 per cent in Noida, and over 22 per cent in Gurugram since 2024.

This price trend has created a ‘buy now or regret later’ sentiment in the market, especially for first-time home buyers. Buyers know that the prices will only go up, and so there is less hesitation.

3. Gated Communities For The Win

A defining shift over the last decade has been the homebuyer’s preference for gated communities. In many parts of Tier 1 cities, houses with their land ownership were preferred over apartments. However, today’s buyer seeks convenience, amenities, security, and managed services, everything a modern township has to offer.

That is where gated communities with their amenities like clubhouses, swimming pools, power backup, and, most importantly, ease of management come into the picture. With the influx of IT professionals, it has become a mandate for working professionals, nuclear families, and NRIs looking for buy-to-let options. Builders are also addressing this need, offering exceptional housing experiences that are transparent and assured. Thus, reducing the consideration to the buying stage time.

4. Digitisation, Transparency, And Easy Financing

Digital property listings, virtual walkthroughs, AI-based property matchmaking, and online legal support, offered by various online platforms, have transformed the home search process. Ten years ago, the lack of all this meant relying on brokers and multiple in-person visits.

“Buyers today can exercise greater autonomy in the purchase process and the dependency on third parties is not indispensable. Online platforms ensure good hand holding throughout the purchase process from helping them find the right property to paper work and property verification. Some even offer home loan facilities. So, the entire home buying process which was scattered over multiple windows can now be completed with single touch point,” says Agarwal. 

Additionally, transparent norms and mandates, such as RERA for builders, are making homebuying safer and more secure for buyers.

5. Shift In The NRI Investment Trend

Today, a considerable portion of luxurious and ultra-luxurious housing in top-tier cities is purchased by NRI investors. This wasn’t the scenario a decade back. These investments are aimed at diversifying their portfolios, staying connected to their roots, and/or planning a future return.

The strong rupee-to-dollar exchange rate, improved infrastructure, digital documentation, better legal framework, tax benefits and high rental income potential have become a strong catalyst for them to reconsider India as an investment destination.

6. Reliable Builder Brands And Higher Buying Power

There are more dual-income households in India today than ever before. Pair it with the high-paying jobs, and you witness a rise in disposable income. Buyers are using this income to gain knowledge and invest in real estate.

“Builders, on the other hand, whether from top-tier or tier 3, are driven to deliver homes built with the best materials, offering high-quality designs, and providing excellent amenities to attract homebuyers. They are also more responsive, provide better housing plans, and offer high-quality after-sales service to build buyers’ confidence. Buyers are, therefore, more comfortable investing in pre-launches by reputed builders,” says Agarwal.

These factors are shortening the lead-to-buy cycle, creating a safer, stronger, and faster-moving market. Buyers today are more informed, confident, and decisive than ever. The average age of property buyers has fallen from 45–55 a decade ago to 32–40 now, reflecting how technology, dual-income households, transparency from online platforms, and a sense of autonomy in the process have empowered young buyers’ decision-making.