Women in India are increasingly making independent property-buying decisions, with a significant shift towards real estate as an investment option. According to ANAROCK’s Consumer Sentiment Survey for H2 2024, 31 per cent of women are now buying homes purely for investment purposes, compared to just 21 per cent in H2 2022. Simultaneously, the share of women purchasing homes for self-use has declined from 79 per cent in 2022 to 69 per cent in 2024, indicating a major transformation in financial planning strategies.
Women Prefer Property Over Stocks
Real estate remains the top choice for wealth accumulation among women. The survey reveals that 70 per cent of women prefer investing in property, a steady increase from 65 per cent in 2022 and 57 per cent in 2019. In stark contrast, interest in the stock market has plummeted—only 2 per cent of women chose to invest in stocks in H2 2024, down sharply from 20 per cent two years ago. This highlights a clear shift in investment priorities, with women favouring tangible and secure assets like property over volatile equity markets.
Women are not just buying homes; they are opting for high-value properties. More than 52 per cent of surveyed women expressed interest in purchasing homes priced above ₹90 lakh, compared to 47 per cent in 2022. Within this segment, 33 per cent are looking at homes priced between ₹90 lakh and ₹1.5 crore, while 11 per cent are considering properties between ₹1.5 crore and ₹2.5 crore. Additionally, 8 per cent of women are eyeing ultra-luxury homes worth over ₹2.5 crore, underscoring the rising number of high-net-worth women in India.
Shift Towards Under-Construction Properties
The survey also points to a growing interest in newly-launched projects. In H2 2024, 18 per cent of women opted for under-construction homes, a significant jump from 10 per cent in 2022. On the other hand, demand for ready-to-move-in homes has dropped to 29 per cent, down from 48 per cent two years ago. This trend indicates that women investors are now looking at long-term gains, preferring under-construction properties from reputed developers to secure lower prices and higher returns in the future.
Gold Gains Popularity
Besides real estate, gold has witnessed a slight rise in preference among women investors. In H2 2024, 12 per cent of women chose gold as an investment option, up from 8 per cent in 2022. While real estate continues to dominate, the increasing interest in gold suggests a diversification of investment strategies among women.