Lifestyle, infrastructure and speed redefine homebuying and renting across India in 2025: Magicbricks Research

Indian homebuyers, renters and paying guests across major metros and prominent Tier-2 cities are making more deliberate, lifestyle-aligned and infrastructure-driven housing decisions in 2025, as rising awareness around long-term livability, connectivity and micro-market quality reshapes residential preferences, according to the latest research by Magicbricks.

Luxury housing demand remains resilient but controlled. Magicbricks data indicates that 75–80% of buyer demand in select premium micro-markets—such as Dwarka Expressway, Noida Expressway, Sarjapur Road, Gachibowli and Koregaon Park—is concentrated in the luxury segment, supported by the emergence of new high-end residential pin codes. At the aggregate level, Tier-1 cities show a near-even split, with 51% of buyers favouring mid-segment homes for affordability, while 49% continue to prefer luxury, reflecting a balance between aspiration and financial prudence.

Lifestyle considerations are increasingly influencing purchase decisions. Nearly 35–40% of buyers in NCR and Mumbai prefer sunrise-facing homes, underscoring the growing emphasis on natural light and wellness. In Kolkata, 42% of home seekers aspire for residences overlooking the Ganga, reinforcing the role of cultural and environmental context in housing choices.

Acceptance of vertical living continues to expand across metros. Mumbai leads this transition, with 41% of buyers preferring towers with G+5 floors or higher. In Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata, 30–37% of buyers are now open to high-rise developments, signalling denser and more globally aligned urban living patterns.

Infrastructure-led growth remains a key confidence driver. Around 30–35% of homebuyers in Ahmedabad and Hyderabad are investing in emerging localities supported by upcoming infrastructure projects. Functional considerations are also gaining prominence, with 70–73% of buyers in Gurugram, Greater Noida and Bengaluru seeking at least two parking spaces, while buyers in Thane and Ahmedabad display greater flexibility on parking norms.

On the rental front, speed and flexibility are shaping behaviour. Nearly 50% of renters in Kolkata and Ahmedabad prefer immediate move-in options, while 20–23% of rental searches in Bengaluru and Mumbai are initiated nearly three months in advance, reflecting a clear divide between urgency-driven and planned renting. Ownership preferences vary regionally, with 40–50% of buyers in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Pune opting for resale homes, while 63–67% of buyers in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and New Delhi show a stronger inclination towards new project launches.

The research also highlights the growing influence of lifestyle preferences on rental and PG demand. Chennai and Bengaluru together account for nearly 50% of India’s total rental searches, with 26% of renters in Bengaluru prioritising lifestyle-enhancing residential options. Rental demographics continue to differ by market, with Noida and Greater Noida remaining bachelor-dominated, while Thane and Chennai witness stronger family-led demand.