Most people migrate from rural to urban areas for a better life. Urbanization highlights the importance of shaping cities and influencing the real estate market.
The urban population is expected to grow by 600 million by 2030. According to a U.N. report, more than 2.5 billion people will live in cities by 2050.
In the wake of urbanization, the demand will surge across the real estate spectrum. The urban-infused demand surge is a defining real estate feature, and every broker should be aware of the factors that lead to demand.
Due to this, investors and stakeholders are recalibrating their strategies to cater to demand, ushering sustainability and affordability. Let’s understand urbanization, and later – we will talk about trends.
What is Urbanization?
People from small towns and villages often migrate to cities searching for livelihood. The migration leads to the expansion and growth of urban settlements.
Most importantly, some factors such as economic opportunities, industrialization, improved infrastructure, and better living standards drive urbanization. And as people move to cities, the urban population rises.
However, the shift toward urban living has implications for the real estate market. As more people migrate to cities, the demand for housing projects increases. Also, it can lead to higher property prices. Urbanization is a cycle of opportunity for real estate brokers.
Urbanization Trends in Real Estate:
Staying updated with the urbanization trends can give real estate brokers an edge over competitors. Here are some trends that can impact the market.
Mixed-use Development
Have you heard about mixed-use development? Well, urbanization has led to mixed-use development, and the preferences have changed with time. Today, people are looking for integrated spaces that allow them to live and work. Most developers design projects based on such requirements.
You can expect dedicated Work From Home (WFH) rooms in these projects. Also, this demand has led to projects that offer lifestyle amenities like a gym and co-working spaces.
Modern home buyers want recreational facilities near homes. Mixed-use development has become a crucial part of urbanization. Ideally, this is one trend that brokers should look forward to.
Increase in Housing Demand
With the population surge in cities, you can expect an increase in the need for housing. Rightly so, as the population increases, the demand for housing projects also increases. In the last few years, the housing loan rates have gone up due to inflation control efforts by RBI, which has impacted the real estate market.
More than 1 lac property units were sold in the top cities according to ANAROCK property research 2023. There has been a 36% increase in housing demand compared to the last few years. With these figures, it is a challenge for govt and developers to offer affordable houses to home buyers.
Luxury Homes
Real estate has witnessed a significant rise in luxury homes. According to ANAROCK (real estate report), in 2022, 18% of 365,000 homes were sold in the luxury category.
The number shows that people want to invest in luxury homes. The modern home buyer wants to upscale living spaces with elevated houses.
As a result, developers are now developing luxury properties that cater to urban needs. Luxury living means more recreational and communal spaces – a modern home buyer is ready to pay extra for these amenities and spaces. Luxury living spaces are a trend that can impact urbanization.
Tech Innovations
The future of the real estate market will see a revolutionary transformation with seamless technology integration. Redefining technology’s potential in shaping the real estate industry is vital for brokers.
India’s urbanization is aligned with different tech advancements, leading to smart city concepts. According to a report by Research and Markets, the home automation sector is expected to boom and is projected to reach 25 billion dollars by 2030.
Besides convenience, home automation offers security, energy efficiency, and comfort. The innovations are making urban living more convenient, leading to urbanization.
Inclusive Amenities
All-inclusive amenities entice most potential home buyers. Developers are building projects with all-inclusive amenities to provide the best lifestyle features to buyers.
Also, most developers create communities to address the diverse needs and preferences of the buyers. There is a growing demand for nature-inspired spaces – making it the most significant aspect of home buying. Aesthetic development helps to promote a sense of wellness.
Focus on Sustainability
The real estate sector’s approach towards sustainability has changed over time. With the awareness of environmental impact, developers have recognized the need to adopt energy-efficient and eco-friendly building practices. Besides contributing to environmental conservation, sustainable development offers tangible benefits to home buyers alike.
Impact on Real Estate
Urbanization impacts the real estate market due to the above factors and trends. As the cities grow, more people will migrate to urban areas, further impacting the growth.
Due to this, developers are investing in sustainable and community-driven projects to cater to the preferences of home buyers. With the increase in urban population and growing economy, the real estate sector is set to thrive.
Urbanization has become a vital force driving changes in the real estate market. Community-centric living, technological innovation, and sustainability are all contributing factors that affect urbanization.
With projects indicating market growth, developers can focus more on these factors. Besides these factors, many other driving factors may impact urbanization. With the change in perception, there will be a change in – how home buyers prefer to buy a property.
Urbanization and real estate demand go hand in hand. A real estate broker needs to keep a tab on the developments in the sector. Besides, the trends keep changing depending on the demand for properties.
The real estate sector is ready for transformative change, and urbanization will play an essential role. As a broker, you must stay updated with the trends in urbanization.