Are 1 BHK flats still selling in India—or are developers stopping them?

Are 1 BHK flats still selling in India—or are developers stopping them?

Yes, 1 BHK flats are still selling in the Indian real estate market. They remain relevant for first-time buyers, single professionals, small families, and investors—especially in high-cost cities where ticket size is the biggest barrier.

But developers are increasingly reducing new 1 BHK supply in many micro-markets because demand (and profitability) has shifted toward 2 & 3 BHK after Covid, with buyers prioritizing space for work-from-home, family needs, and lifestyle upgrades. This “bigger-home” preference is widely reflected in consumer research and city-level launch data.

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What the data suggests (real examples)

1) Mumbai: 1 BHK is still being launched (not “stopped”)

Mumbai is a great counterpoint to the “1 BHK is dead” narrative.

According to MahaRERA launch data (2025) reported by Hindustan Times:

• Total launches in 2025: 42,643 units
• 1 BHK share: 23%
• 2 BHK share: 34%
• Studios + 1BHK + 2BHK together were nearly 60% of launches

Meaning: Developers haven’t stopped 1 BHKs in Mumbai—because the city still has a huge affordability-led buyer base. But even here, the medium-term trend shows rising attention to larger homes.

2) Pune: 1 BHK supply has fallen sharply

Pune illustrates the “shift away” very clearly.

Hindustan Times (citing a Gera Developments research report) notes:

• 1 BHKs are now ~8–8.7% of new launches (record low)
• Down from 40%+ share in 2017–18
• Developers cite higher margins and buyers upgrading to 2/3 BHK

Meaning: 1 BHK demand may exist, but launch economics + buyer upgrades are pulling supply toward larger configurations.

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Why developers are reducing 1 BHK launches (even when they still sell)

1) India’s housing demand is becoming more “value-led” than “volume-led”

Across top cities, developers are leaning more toward mid/high/premium segments, and the affordable segment’s share is shrinking.

ANAROCK’s India residential annual update (2024) highlights:

• Luxury (₹1.5–2.5 Cr) + ultra-luxury (>₹2.5 Cr) together accounted for ~30% of launches, up from ~22% in 2023
• Affordable (<₹40 lakh) dropped to ~16% of launches

This is crucial because 1 BHK is most viable in affordable/mid segments. If that pipeline shrinks, 1 BHK supply naturally tightens.

2) Consumers are voting for bigger homes

ANAROCK’s Homebuyer Sentiment Survey (H1 2025) signals:

• A “pronounced move toward premium housing”
• Affordable demand sliding (survey notes affordability dissatisfaction around location/design/unit size)
• 45% of respondents prefer 3 BHK

This shift doesn’t erase 1 BHK demand—but it reduces its dominance.

3) Unit economics favor 2/3 BHK in many projects

In several markets, developers can achieve better:

• Price per sq ft realization
• Absolute margin per unit
• Sales velocity with end-users upgrading
• Brand positioning (amenity-led “premium” products)

So even if 1 BHK sells, the question becomes: does it sell “as profitably” as 2 BHK? In many micro-markets, the answer is no.

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So what’s the real situation in 2026?

The balanced truth:

1 BHK isn’t disappearing. It’s becoming more location- and use-case-specific.

You’ll still see 1 BHK supply in:

• High land-cost cities (MMR especially)
• Investor-heavy corridors
• Workforce housing catchments (near major employment hubs)
• Redevelopment projects with compact layouts
• Transit-oriented pockets where affordability is tight

You’ll see less 1 BHK supply in:

• Upgrade-driven cities/micro-markets where buyers want more space (Pune is a strong example)
• Premiumizing corridors where developers are pushing 2/3 BHK to maximize returns

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What this means for each stakeholder

If you’re a buyer

• In many cities, 1 BHK choice sets may shrink, which can support prices/rents in the resale market (depending on location).
• If your budget is tight, consider:
• older 1 BHK resale in strong connectivity zones
• compact 2 BHK “small-format” options (often positioned as “more livable than 1 BHK”)

If you’re an investor

• 1 BHK can still be a strong rental product where:
• tenant base is young/working
• commute and connectivity are strong
• rent-to-price makes sense
• But be careful: “1 BHK works” is micro-market truth, not a universal rule.

If you’re a developer / real estate marketer

Instead of “Should we stop 1 BHK?”, ask:

1.     Who is the buyer here—end-user or investor?

2.     What’s the absorption of compact units in this exact micro-market?

3.     What is the margin delta vs compact 2 BHK?

4.     Can we design a ‘right-sized’ compact 2 BHK that captures 1 BHK buyers?

Often the winning strategy is:

• limited 1 BHK inventory (to capture entry demand) + core 2 BHK mix (for profitability and wider demand)

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Bottom line (LinkedIn-ready takeaway)

1 BHK flats are still selling in India, and they haven’t been “stopped” across the board.
But new supply is tightening in many cities because buyer preferences and developer economics are shifting toward 2 & 3 BHK, alongside a broader premiumization trend in launches and consumer demand.

 

© Dhananjay Parmar

✆ +91 9223497891

Real Estate 2030: Why “Experience-Driven, Tech-Enabled, Sustainable Assets” Will Define the Next Decade

🏙️ Real Estate 2030: Why “Experience-Driven, Tech-Enabled, Sustainable Assets” Will Define the Next Decade

The real estate industry is entering the most transformative decade in its history. By 2030, traditional ideas of “location, location, location” will evolve into experience, efficiency, and ecosystem.

Among all real estate segments, the strongest forecast for 2030 belongs to three interconnected themes:

Smart & Sustainable Housing + Mixed-Use Developments + Data-Driven Commercial Spaces

Let’s break down why these will dominate the next decade—and where investors, developers, and marketers should focus today.

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1)  Smart & Sustainable Housing: From Luxury to Necessity

By 2030, sustainability will no longer be a “premium feature”—it will be a baseline expectation.

🔹 What will change?

• Green buildings will command 10–20% higher valuation
• Smart energy systems will reduce operating costs by 25–30%
• Buyers will prioritize low maintenance + energy efficiency over size

🔹 Key demand drivers

• Rising electricity & water costs
• Climate regulations & ESG compliance
• Tech-savvy Gen Z & Millennials entering peak home-buying years

🔹 Winning assets

• Smart apartments with IoT automation
• Solar-powered residential societies
• EV-ready parking & energy-efficient designs

📌 2030 Insight:

Homes that save money every month will outperform homes that simply look premium.

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2)  Mixed-Use Developments: Live • Work • Leisure in One Ecosystem

The post-pandemic world changed how people value time and mobility. By 2030, integrated townships and mixed-use developments will outperform standalone residential or commercial projects.

🔹 Why mixed-use wins

• Reduced commute = higher quality of life
• Built-in footfall for retail & offices
• Better rental yield stability

🔹 What succeeds in 2030

• Residential + office + retail + healthcare + entertainment
• Walkable neighborhoods (15-minute city concept)
• Community-centric designs, not isolated towers

📌 2030 Insight:

People won’t buy square feet. They’ll buy convenience ecosystems.

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3)  Data-Driven Commercial Real Estate: Smaller, Smarter, Flexible

Traditional large office spaces are losing relevance. By 2030, flexible, tech-enabled commercial spaces will dominate.

🔹 Major shifts

• Hybrid work = smaller but smarter offices
• AI-based space utilization & access control
• High demand for co-working & managed offices

🔹 Growth segments

• Managed office spaces
• Warehousing & logistics (last-mile delivery)
• Data centers & cloud infrastructure real estate

📌 2030 Insight:

Commercial real estate will shift from status symbols to productivity engines.

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4)  Affordable Housing with Lifestyle Upgrades: The Silent Giant

One of the most underestimated segments for 2030 is affordable housing with aspirational features.

🔹 Why this segment explodes

• Massive urban migration
• Government incentives & infrastructure push
• Young families prioritizing ownership over luxury

🔹 What buyers want

• Compact homes with smart layouts
• Good connectivity (metro, highways)
• Basic amenities: security, parking, digital access

📌 2030 Insight:

The biggest volumes will come from homes that balance price + dignity + functionality.

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🔮 Final Forecast for 2030

By 2030, the best-performing real estate assets will be:

✅ Technology-enabled
✅ Sustainability-focused
✅ Experience-driven
✅ Data-optimized
✅ Community-centric

Real estate will no longer be about buildings—it will be about how people live, work, and interact within them.

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📣 Closing Thought (Great for Engagement)

The question for real estate professionals is no longer “What should we build?”
It is now “What problem are we solving for the next generation?”

 

© Dhananjay Parmar

✆ +91 9223497891

 

Your client is risking your brand reputation in a crisis. How do you navigate this delicate situation?

Your client is risking your brand reputation in a crisis. How do you navigate this delicate situation?

 

Handling a crisis where a client's actions threaten your brand's reputation requires a careful and strategic approach. Here’s how I’d navigate it:

1.     Assess the Situation Quickly – Gather all relevant facts, understand the scope of the issue, and identify potential risks to your brand.

2.     Communicate Transparently – Honesty is key. If your brand is associated with the client, publicly acknowledge concerns while reinforcing your values.

3.     Distance If Necessary – If the client's actions conflict with your brand's integrity, consider setting boundaries or even severing ties, depending on severity.

4.     Offer Solutions – If the crisis can be mitigated, collaborate with the client on a responsible resolution that restores trust.

5.     Protect Your Brand – Reinforce your commitments through PR, internal messaging, and proactive brand positioning.

6.     Monitor & Adjust – Track public perception, respond to concerns, and continuously refine your approach.

Crisis management is as much about perception as action. How are you thinking of tackling this challenge?

 

Dhananjay Parmar  

✆ +91 9223497891 

Struggling to balance creativity and client needs in digital marketing?

Struggling to balance creativity and client needs in digital marketing?

 

Navigating the intersection of creativity and client expectations can be tricky, but it's also where the magic happens in digital marketing. Clients often focus on measurable outcomes—engagement, conversions, brand consistency—while you, as a marketer, aim to infuse originality and compelling storytelling.

Here’s a way to approach the challenge:

• Frame creativity as a business asset: Clients may resist unconventional ideas, but presenting creative approaches backed by data—showing how innovation drives engagement and retention—can make them more receptive.
• Establish trust early: When you understand their priorities and showcase past success stories, they’re more likely to grant you creative freedom.
• Find middle ground: A campaign doesn’t have to be wildly experimental to be creative. Sometimes small but bold adjustments (like clever copywriting, unique visuals, or interactive content) make a big difference without stepping too far from their comfort zone.

What kinds of creative ideas have been toughest to get approval for? I’d love to explore ways to bridge the gap.

 

Dhananjay Parmar  

✆ +91 9223497891 

You're facing sudden algorithm changes. How do you collaborate with your team to adapt quickly?

 

Adapting to sudden algorithm changes requires agility, clear communication, and collaborative problem-solving. Here’s how I might approach it with a team:

1.     Rapid Assessment: First, I’d work with the team to analyze the changes and understand their impact. We’d identify which areas are most affected and prioritize immediate action.

2.     Open Communication: I’d facilitate an open discussion with team members, encouraging everyone to share insights and ideas. Diverse perspectives often lead to creative solutions.

3.     Delegation of Tasks: Based on individual expertise, we’d divide responsibilities—whether it’s researching the changes, testing solutions, or updating workflows.

4.     Iterative Problem-Solving: I’d emphasize a test-and-learn approach. Implementing quick fixes, evaluating their effectiveness, and refining strategies would be the way to go.

5.     Documentation and Learning: Throughout the process, the team would document findings and actions taken. This ensures we’re better prepared for future changes and can share knowledge across the team.

How would you handle this kind of scenario, Team collaboration is key—I'd love to hear your thoughts!

 

Dhananjay Parmar  

✆ +91 9223497891