Curation Team
BENGALURU: Plotted developments are rapidly gaining prominence among second- and third-home buyers, lured by strong appreciation potential, greater flexibility, and the long-term asset value of land.
With land prices rising in double digits across major cities in the last four years, plotted layouts, once viewed as a niche segment, are emerging as a mainstream investment avenue, especially among affluent and upwardly-mobile buyers.
Developers are responding to this surge in demand with branded, fully-serviced plotted communities with amenities, clear land titles, and integrated infrastructure. Second-home buyers, in particular, are seeking land as a future-ready asset-one that offers the freedom to build when they wish, avoid depreciation risks of built-up apartments, and benefit from land’s natural capital appreciation.
“Plotted developments help real estate developers to diversify risk and take advantage of lower development costs, faster construction timelines and increased cash flows,” said Samantak Das, chief economist and head of research at JLL India. “Developers are diversifying into this format due to faster turnaround times, quicker cash flows, and growing investor confidence.”
He said around 944 acres were acquired in the March quarter with 20% marked for plotted developments. According to JLL India, developers acquired more than 2,300 acres across 23 cities in 2024 alone, with more than 38% of the land earmarked for plotted or low-rise residential developments.
Several national realty firms are actively scaling their plotted development portfolios.
Sumadhura and Assetz Group, known for its large-format township projects, is betting big on this segment.
“Land appreciates faster than built-up units especially in the outskirts of a city, and with today’s buyers looking for sustainability, long-term wealth creation, and freedom in design, plotted developments are gradually becoming a natural alternative choice,” said Sunil Pareek, executive director at Assetz, which has plotted development projects in Bengaluru.
In cities such as Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and the periphery of NCR, plot prices have doubled in the past four years, according to market data. In Bengaluru’s Sarjapur and Devanahalli belts, plotted land prices are currently at ₹5,000-₹8,000 per sq ft, depending on the location, developer, and infrastructure.
While land has traditionally been harder to buy or get financing compared to apartments, the entry of credible developers with Rera-compliant projects has boosted transparency, and improved legal diligence, helping attract more institutional and retail buyers.
From a buyer’s perspective, plotted developments offer several advantages beyond appreciation. There are no maintenance charges until construction begins, no shared liabilities with other unit owners, and total freedom in planning one’s own home.
