Over the past five years, NRI investment in Indian real estate has grown steadily, rebounding sharply after the pandemic dip. A favourable currency gap, improved sector transparency post-RERA, and strong confidence in India’s long-term economic trajectory have amplified overseas interest. Today, NRIs account for a larger share of residential and commercial deal activity compared to the mid-2010s, with particularly strong participation in premium and luxury housing.
In terms of geography, MMR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune remain the top NRI magnets, driven by strong job markets, global connectivity, and high-quality developments. States with large remittance inflows, Kerala, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, also feature prominently, reflecting cultural ties and return-migration aspirations. Thus, NRI real-estate hotspots closely align with India’s major remittance corridors.
A notable trend is the broadening of NRI interest beyond metros. Tier-2 cities with improving infrastructure, rising employment hubs, and attractive entry prices, such as Kochi, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, and Indore, are drawing increased interest. Rather than shifting away from metros, NRIs are diversifying their property portfolios more widely.
The nature of NRI investment is evolving too. While buy-and-hold and rental-yield motives remain strong, a growing share of NRIs now purchase for end-use purposes, retirement, eventual return, children’s housing, and lifestyle upgrades. Senior-living, villa communities, and gated premium homes are seeing heightened demand, reflecting a more balanced blend of emotional and financial motivations among expatriate buyers.
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The Hindu Business Line: https://bit.ly/3KIkoWJ
Published Date: 9th Dec 2025
