Fractional ownership platforms are enabling young Indians to step into high-quality property investments far earlier than previous generations, says Sourish Pal, Director – Real Estate at Client Associates.
By allowing small-ticket participation, offering app-based transparency, and easing exits, fractional investing is transforming real estate from a traditionally “lumpy” commitment into a liquid, tech-enabled asset.
As Pal explains, this shift is not just redefining access—it’s reshaping how the next generation builds long-term wealth. Edited Excerpts –
Q) Which key trends defined the realty market in 2025—luxury demand, affordability, rentals, or institutional participation?
A) Institutional investment remained a major feature of 2025 with Domestic Institutional investors increasing their share substantially.
Investment was spread across residential, office, mixed-use and logistics/industrial — signalling the sector’s growing maturity and diversification. Luxury and premium residential demand was high due to rising incomes, wealth creation and preference for lifestyle-oriented living.
Q) Going into 2026, what makes real estate a compelling asset class compared to equities, bonds, and gold?
A) Real estate offers a reliable mix of rental income and long-term capital appreciation, creating a steadier risk-adjusted return profile than most traditional assets.
Unlike equities, it is less volatile; unlike bonds, it provides an inbuilt inflation hedge; and unlike gold, it generates consistent cash flows.
With the rise of REITs, Grade-A commercial assets, stronger regulation, and improved transparency, real estate has evolved into a mainstream, professionally managed asset class with low correlation to public markets—making it a resilient portfolio anchor heading into 2026.
Q) Do you expect the growth in luxury and premium housing to continue in 2026, or will the market broaden to mid-income segments?
A) Yes, luxury and premium housing will continue to grow in 2026, driven by strong demand from HNIs, wealth creation, and preference for larger, lifestyle-focused homes.
However, opportunity lies in the mid-income segment, which is likely to see a rebound as developers shift focus, new supply comes in, and affordability improves through smaller configurations.
However, rising land cost can be a factor affecting growth in the mid-income residential segment, especially in rapidly expanding urban corridors across major cities.
Q) Gen Z prefers digital and bite-sized investing—how does fractional real estate fit into their wealth-building journey?
A) Fractional real estate lets Gen Z invest small amounts into high-quality properties through easy, app-based platforms. It fits their preference for low-cost, flexible, digital investing while still giving them the long-term stability of real estate.
This makes it an ideal way for young investors to start building wealth without committing to a full property purchase. Exit also becomes relatively easier as it is more affordable.
Q) How is fractional ownership changing the perception of real estate from a “lumpy” investment to a “liquid, tech-enabled” asset?
A) Fractional ownership lets people buy small shares of a property, so you don’t need a huge amount of money to invest.
With digital platforms and easy ways to track or sell one’s share, real estate becomes more like a liquid, tech-friendly investment. It’s changing the view of property from a big, locked-up purchase to something flexible and accessible for everyone.
By lowering entry barriers, offering transparent dashboards, enabling diversified exposure across asset types, and reducing the need for heavy paperwork or long holding periods, fractional models make real estate feel closer to modern financial products—dynamic, affordable, and easier to manage.
Q) What is your top advice for first-time real estate investors entering the market in 2026?
A) I would advise first-time real estate investors to start small and focus on well-located properties from quality developers with a strong, verifiable track record.
Think long-term and conduct thorough due diligence on pricing, rental potential, neighbourhood development, and regulatory clearances.
Leverage technology such as virtual site tours, digital title checks, and market-data platforms to validate assumptions.
It also helps to seek guidance from a reputed property advisor who can simplify complex paperwork, negotiate effectively on your behalf, and help you avoid costly, irreversible mistakes as you build confidence in your investment journey.
(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
