Indian homebuyers continue to show a strong preference for larger homes, with 48% respondents opting for 3BHK configurations, according to the Anarock Consumer Sentiment Survey – H1 2026. The survey, which covered 8,320 respondents across 14 cities, found that homes priced between Rs 90 lakh and Rs 1.5 crore emerged as the most preferred budget segment.The findings indicate a continued shift towards premiumisation in the residential market, with buyers prioritising larger living spaces and higher-value properties. While 3BHK homes remain the most preferred configuration, 2BHK units account for 38% of buyer preference. Demand for 4BHK and larger homes has also increased to nearly 5%, up from around 3% in H1 2024.Ahmedabad recorded the highest preference for 3BHK homes at 57%, followed by Chennai and Delhi-NCR at 53% each and Hyderabad at 52%. Bengaluru and Kolkata recorded 46% preference, while Pune stood at 47%. Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) reported the lowest preference among surveyed cities at 39%.The survey also highlights a rise in demand for higher budget homes. The Rs 90 lakh–1.5 crore segment has become the most preferred price bracket, reflecting buyers’ willingness to invest in larger configurations, better locations and improved housing quality.Anuj Puri, Chairman, ANAROCK Group, said, “The H1 2026 findings clearly point towards a continued premiumisation of housing demand. The strong preference for 3BHKs, coupled with growing interest in higher budget segments and 4BHK-plus homes, indicates that buyers continue to prioritise space and quality despite the higher ticket sizes involved.”Despite rising property prices, overall purchase intent remains steady. The survey found that 65% of respondents are concerned about the ongoing price surge, while 44% plan to proceed with their purchase decisions. Around 38% may delay their purchase slightly, whereas 18% may postpone or cancel their plans.Affordability remains the biggest challenge, cited by 44% of respondents who are delaying or reconsidering purchases. Other factors include limited property options within budget and changing preferences towards peripheral locations or temporary rentals.End-use continues to be the primary driver of housing demand, with 68% respondents purchasing homes for self-use compared with 32% buying for investment purposes. The survey also found that buyers increasingly consider homes as long-term financial assets, with rental income potential and resale value influencing purchase decisions.New launches are gaining traction among buyers, with 34% respondents preferring newly launched projects compared with 18% opting for ready-to-move-in homes. Among buyers evaluating new projects, developer reputation emerged as the most important consideration at 34%, followed by location at 21%, price at 15% and construction quality at 12%.Residential real estate continues to remain a preferred investment avenue, with 60% respondents favouring property over other asset classes such as stocks, gold and fixed deposits. The survey also found that 44% of respondents investing in non-real-estate assets plan to use future investment gains towards purchasing a home.