Record-Breaking Real Estate Investments in India: What Buyers Need to Know

India’s real estate sector has witnessed a record capital inflow of $30.7 billion between 2024 and the first quarter of 2026, marking an 88% increase from the $16.3 billion recorded in the previous two-year period, according to a report by CBRE Group.

The report indicates that acquisitions of land and development sites, along with built-up office assets, accounted for more than three-fourths of the total inflows during this period. Institutional investors, who contributed nearly 30% of overall investments, more than doubled their capital deployment compared to 2022-2023, driven by office, retail, and logistics assets.

Industry experts say the sharp rise in investments reflects growing confidence in India’s property market and could translate into more residential developments, improved infrastructure, and a wider range of housing options for buyers across both metro and Tier-II cities.

Parvinder Singh, CEO of Trident Realty, notes that India’s real estate sector is moving into a more balanced and sustainable growth phase, supported by infrastructure upgrades, stronger investor confidence, and evolving buyer expectations. He adds that Tier-II cities are attracting attention as urban development and connectivity improve, creating fresh opportunities for residential projects. Singh emphasizes that buyers today are prioritizing connectivity, convenience, open spaces, and holistic living experiences while choosing homes.

Anil Godara, Founder and Managing Director of J Estates, says that housing demand across major Indian cities has remained steady in recent years, supported by rising income levels and growing investor confidence. Referring to the CBRE report, he notes that annual housing sales since 2023 have consistently exceeded 400 million square feet. Godara highlights that buyers are looking for spacious homes, better amenities, and improved connectivity, while senior citizen housing projects are also witnessing rising interest due to changing lifestyles and family structures.

Aman Sharma, Managing Director and Founder of Aarize Group, states that the report reflects a structural shift in India’s real estate market, driven by stronger infrastructure, improved connectivity, stable occupier demand, and a more mature investment environment. He notes that Tier-II cities are gradually becoming important markets for organized residential and mixed-use developments, helping broaden growth beyond major metropolitan centers. Sharma adds that buyers are becoming more selective and value-conscious, preferring better-planned communities, open spaces, and improved quality of living.

Pratik Tibrewala, Head of Corporate Finance at M3M India, says the scale of capital inflows highlighted in the report underlines the sector’s structural transformation and strengthening confidence among investors and end-users. He adds that a significant share of land acquisition capital is being directed toward residential and mixed-use developments, which could create wider opportunities for homebuyers in the coming years.

Santosh Agarwal, Executive Director and CFO of Alpha Corp Development, says reforms such as the Real Estate Regulatory Authority have improved transparency and strengthened confidence among both buyers and investors. She notes that continued capital inflows are enabling developers to build with greater confidence while opening new avenues for residential projects across cities.

Ashish Sharma, AVP Operations at Brahma Group, says the growing share of investments flowing into residential and mixed-use developments reflects continued confidence in end-user demand. He adds that institutional interest across office, retail, and residential assets indicates broad-based and long-term confidence in India’s real estate market.