India premium housing sales drove a recovery in the residential property market, with home sales across seven major cities rising 6 per cent year-on-year to 2,14,562 units during January-September 2026.
The growth reversed a 12 per cent decline recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, according to a report by property consultancy JLL.
Apartments priced at Rs 1 crore and above recorded 23 per cent year-on-year growth. They accounted for 72 per cent of total sales, compared with 62 per cent a year earlier.
The report attributed the recovery to sustained urban migration, infrastructure upgrades and changing lifestyle preferences among homebuyers.
Premium housing leads demand across major markets
The Rs 1.5-3 crore segment recorded the strongest growth, with sales rising 54 per cent year-on-year.
Siva Krishnan, Senior Managing Director and Head of Residential Services, India, JLL, said developers had responded to this demand with a 70 per cent increase in launches in the segment.
In contrast, sales in the sub-Rs 1 crore mass housing category declined 23 per cent year-on-year. Affordability pressures and growing preference for larger homes with higher specifications continued to affect demand.
Housing launches rise 15% in January-September
Developers increased residential launches across the seven major cities by 15 per cent year-on-year to 2,59,425 units during January-September 2026.
The supply trend reflected developers’ efforts to align new projects with demand for premium housing.
JLL said homebuyers were placing greater emphasis on project quality, location and amenities. Preference for established developers with reliable delivery timelines also indicated a more mature residential buyer base.
Hyderabad leads Q3 housing sales growth
Residential sales increased 12 per cent quarter-on-quarter to 76,181 units in the third quarter of 2026.
Hyderabad led the growth with a 70 per cent increase, followed by Kolkata at 28 per cent and Bengaluru at 13 per cent.
Sales declined marginally in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, falling 5 per cent and 2 per cent, respectively.
The third-quarter performance reflected continued demand across several major markets, although sales trends varied by city.
