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Top Real Estate Choices for NRI & HNI Buyers in India
By Aman
Top Real Estate Choices Among NRI and HNI Buyers in India
Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) have traditionally shown strong interest in India's real estate market. A 2020 global buyer report highlighted the cities and real estate developers that were most preferred by these high-value buyers.
According to the report, Mumbai and Bengaluru were among the leading Indian destinations for NRI and HNI property investment. In terms of developer preference, Sobha Limited and Godrej Properties ranked among the most trusted names.
NRIs and HNIs Show Cautious Approach Towards Indian Real Estate
The report also highlighted that a significant portion of NRIs and HNIs were becoming cautious about investing in Indian property.
Around 78% of respondents reportedly preferred considering overseas real estate markets for various reasons. Concerns included high property prices, changing government policies, taxation, delayed project deliveries and comparatively low rental returns.
International destinations that attracted interest included Dubai, London, Singapore, Canada, New York, Malaysia, Mauritius, Cyprus, Sydney and Thailand.
Top Real Estate Brands Preferred by NRIs
The leading developers preferred by NRI buyers in the 2020 report included:
Godrej Properties
Prestige Group
Sobha Limited
K Raheja Corp
Ashiana Housing
Embassy Group
DLF
Oberoi Realty
Sunteck Realty
Piramal Realty
These companies were recognised for their brand reputation, project quality and perceived reliability among buyers.
Top Real Estate Brands Preferred by HNIs
The preferences among HNI buyers were broadly similar. The leading names included:
Sobha Limited
Godrej Properties
Prestige Group
K Raheja Corp
Ashiana Housing
Embassy Group
DLF
Sunteck Realty
Oberoi Realty
Piramal Realty
The overlap between NRI and HNI preferences indicates the importance of developer reputation and brand trust when making premium property investments.
Preferred Real Estate Markets in North India
The report indicated that Noida was preferred over Gurugram among global buyers in North India at the time.
Several leading developers from the Noida market appeared among the region's preferred brands, while Gurugram also had strong representation.
Major names included DLF, Ashiana Housing, Godrej Properties, ATS, Mahagun, ABA Corp, Central Park, Sobha Limited, Gulshan Homz and Mahindra Lifespaces.
Top Property Brands in South India
Bengaluru dominated the list of preferred developers in South India. Eight of the ten leading brands mentioned in the report were associated with Bengaluru, while two were from Chennai.
The major names included:
Sobha Limited
Prestige Group
Embassy Group
Brigade Group
Godrej Properties
Puravankara Limited
Akshaya Homes
Total Environment
Mahindra Lifespaces
Salarpuria Sattva
Leading Developers in West India
Mumbai remained a major centre of premium real estate investment in West India. Most of the leading developers in the region were Mumbai-based.
The prominent names included K Raheja Corp, Godrej Properties, Sunteck Realty, Oberoi Realty, Piramal Realty, Hiranandani Group, Kalpataru, Adani Realty, Mahindra Lifespaces and Shapoorji Pallonji.
Major Real Estate Brands in East India
The report also identified several established developers in East India. Some of the prominent names included:
Ambuja Neotia
South City Projects
Forum Group
Siddha Group
RDB Realty
Srijan Realty
PS Group
Unimark
Shrachi Realty
Mani Group
What Attracts NRI and HNI Property Buyers?
For premium property buyers, the reputation of the developer plays an important role. Factors such as project delivery record, construction quality, location, rental potential, transparency and long-term investment prospects can influence purchasing decisions.
For NRIs especially, properties with strong connectivity, established infrastructure and reliable property management can be attractive because they may not be able to personally monitor their investments regularly.
Conclusion
The 2020 global buyer report showed that Mumbai and Bengaluru were among the preferred Indian destinations for NRI and HNI property buyers, while established developers such as Sobha Limited, Godrej Properties, Prestige Group and DLF featured prominently among preferred real estate brands.
However, the report also highlighted concerns around property prices, taxation, project delays and rental returns. Therefore, investors should evaluate the developer, location, legal status, project delivery record and potential returns before making a real estate investment.