“Buyers are willing to invest more when they see meaningful value” 

Bengaluru has for long been one of India’s most alluring cities, and with good reason. With strong long-term prospects, a good quality of life, and burgeoning connectivity at not-too-crazy prices, it is a sensible pick for families and individuals. 

But what are the factors underpinning its rise as a real estate growth destination? To find out, we catch up with R Nagaraj Reddy, Founder & Managing Director of Abhee Ventures, in a freewheeling chat. 

Bengaluru’s residential market has seen strong price appreciation over the past few years, yet demand has remained resilient. What does this tell us about the homebuyer’s current mindset? 

The fact that demand remains strong even at high prices reflects a more mature and informed homebuyer. A few years ago, it was mostly about price. Today, buyers are looking at the bigger value proposition.  

Many buyers understand that Bengaluru is still one of the strongest job markets and that infrastructure investments are transforming many residential corridors. As a result, the long-term perspective on buying is now more in line with the medium term. What’s also changed is the level of diligence. Buyers are much more concerned with developers, location fundamentals, and future growth prospects.  

In an age of high prices, there is much less of the question of “Is this the cheapest option?” but rather “Will this home create value for my family in the coming decade?” That change reflects the market’s evolution. 

Infrastructure connectivity seems to have emerged as the single biggest driver of residential demand. Which corridors in Bengaluru are you watching most closely, and why? 

Infrastructure has become one of the strongest drivers of housing demand because it directly impacts everyday life. Commute times, accessibility to employment hubs, social infrastructure, and long-term appreciation are all influenced by connectivity. 

In Bengaluru, we continue to closely watch growth corridors in East Bengaluru, particularly locations connected to Whitefield, Varthur, Gunjur and Sarjapur Road, as well as emerging opportunities in North Bengaluru. These locations are benefiting from a combination of metro expansion, road infrastructure upgrades, and proximity to major employment centres. 

What is interesting is that buyers are increasingly evaluating where a location is headed rather than where it stands today. Corridors that are seeing sustained infrastructure investments often attract demand well before the full benefits become visible on the ground. Buyers recognise this and are making decisions accordingly. 

Buyers today appear to be doing considerably more research before committing. How has that changed the way developers like yourself approach product design, location selection, and communication with prospective buyers? 

The difference is visible in almost every buyer interaction today. It is no longer uncommon for prospective homeowners to walk into a discussion having already compared multiple projects, reviewed RERA information, tracked infrastructure developments, and spoken to residents in completed communities. 

This has pushed developers to become far more transparent and accountable. Buyers expect clear communication around project timelines, specifications, approvals, maintenance frameworks, and long-term development plans. 

It has also influenced product design. There is far greater emphasis today on open spaces, community living, wellness amenities, efficient layouts, and future-ready infrastructure. Buyers are looking beyond the apartment itself and evaluating the overall quality of life a development can offer. That has fundamentally changed how residential projects are conceptualised and delivered. 

There is a growing conversation around affordability as prices rise. How do you balance the premium positioning of your developments with the reality that homeownership still carries deep financial and emotional weight for most Indian families? 

For most Indian families, purchasing a home remains one of the most important financial decisions of their lives. It represents years of planning, savings, and aspirations for the future. 

That is why premium positioning should not be confused with higher pricing alone. Buyers are willing to invest more when they see meaningful value in return. This could be better connectivity, superior design, stronger community infrastructure, higher construction quality, or a location with long-term growth potential. 

Developers’ responsibility is to ensure that a tangible benefit to the homeowner supports every premium charged. Ultimately, buyers are not evaluating cost in isolation. They are evaluating whether the home justifies the investment over the long term, both financially and from a lifestyle perspective. 

If the next phase of Bengaluru’s residential growth is going to be infrastructure-led, what does well-planned urban expansion actually look like in practice, and where does the private developer’s responsibility begin and end in that story? 

Well-planned urban expansion is not simply about adding more housing stock. It is about creating complete and sustainable ecosystems where people can live, work, access services, and build communities. 

Infrastructure and housing must evolve together. When residential development outpaces roads, public transport, schools, healthcare facilities, and civic amenities, the pressure on the city eventually becomes visible. 

While large-scale infrastructure remains the responsibility of public authorities, developers also play an important role. The responsibility extends beyond constructing homes. It includes thoughtful master planning, preservation of open spaces, creation of pedestrian-friendly environments, investment in community infrastructure, and the design of developments that remain functional and relevant years after possession. 

The most successful growth corridors in Bengaluru will be those where public infrastructure investments and responsible private development advance in tandem. That is what creates long-term value for both cities and residents.