Delhi-NCR emerges as second favourite home destination spot for NRIs | Check why Noida, Greater Noida, Gurugram witnessing increased homebuyer interest

Delhi-NCR emerges as second favourite home destination spot for NRIs: The findings of the recent CII-Anarock Consumer Sentiment Survey focusing on NRI sentiments towards real estate investments have yet again established their penchant for luxury homes.

While they differed in their views on choices of different investment locations, 63% of NRIs have voiced their interest in investing in property priced between Rs 90 lakh – Rs 1.5 crore. Hyderabad, NCR, and Bengaluru emerged as the first, second, and third destinations ranked by NRIs in the survey, which recorded the responses of 5,500 respondents. Of the participants, 22% of NRIs chose Hyderabad, 20% locked NCR, and 18% preferred Bengaluru.

Sharing his take on why NCR emerged as the second favourable destination by NRIs in the Anarock Survey, Amarjit Bakshi, CMD, Central Park, said, “The return of NCR as the second most favourable destination of NRI investment in real estate with more than 3/4th NRIs seeking bigger homes show how much homeownership sentiments with quality lifestyle have strengthened over the years in the region, especially Gurugram.”

“The depreciation of rupee has played out positively for NRI investors as most seek to diversify their wealth into the more favourable real estate sector as against stocks, FDs and gold. Apart from UHNIs & HNIs, who have an evident penchant for bigger homes with high-end amenities, world-class hospitality and close-to-nature living, NRIs too will be significant buyers of luxury properties in Gurugram as this global city has always been the foremost choice for investors as return on investment here is high,” he added.

Depreciating value of rupee heightens interest of NRIs

The survey attributed the heightened interest of NRIs to invest in their homelands to the depreciating value of the rupee and the consistently growing demand in residential realty, despite constant repo rate hikes. It was expected that demands in residential real estate would face a downturn owing to rising home loan interest rates.

Talking about the prominence of the NCR region, which had seen a mix of private equity investments and NRI home investments, Ashwani Kumar, Pyramid Infratech, said, “The CII-Anarock survey reflecting that 20% of the NRI respondents plan to buy homes in NCR came at a time when another report showed that private equity investments had seen a spectacular increase in the real estate sector. Overall, it demonstrates the lucrativeness of the region and NRIs wanting to buy residences with long-term investment as their focal point is another new dimension and gives a broad view of how NCR is becoming a global real estate hotspot garnering interest from diverse emigrant groups.”

“On the other side, the emphasis on bolstering international connectivity and spearheading high-end infrastructural projects has opened enormous space and opportunities in residential and commercial real estate development,” he further noted.

The work-from-anywhere concept, which is a pandemic-induced working structure, has contributed to NRIs wanting to shift their base to India. Most of them belong to the US, Canada, Gulf, Europe, and Asian countries as well.

Sharing similar views, Ashwinder R Singh, CEO residential Bhartiya Urban, said, “The NCR region has particularly aroused the interest of NRIs in the sphere of home investments. Two major cities of NCR, Noida and Greater Noida, have attracted significant NRI traction as both cities are being systematically planned and developed in a phased manner. The homes that fall in the price bracket of 1 Cr and downwards are up for sale in the property markets and prove to be a healthy, long-term investment for NRIs. A significant section of NRIs, which comprises of mid-income groups working in foreign countries like the UAE, are primarily investing in retirement homes as they plan to settle down in India at a later stage of their lives.”

The survey has also dug deeper into the psyche of NRIs, underlining factors of why they are choosing to invest in NCR and other cities. It has also corroborated and provided sufficient material to the mid-year research reports that NRIs will consist of a major portion who want to invest in ready-to-move-in luxury apartments, condominiums, and homes.

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