There is gradual but substantial change going down in the Indian urban setting. As the commonplace of living improves and cities change into extra congested, homebuyers — particularly in the Indian context — search smarter and extra adaptable, versatile housing options. The 2.5 BHK configuration appears to be gaining recognition amongst working professionals, nuclear households, and even traders.
The change has solely accelerated in the final twenty years due to socio-economic elements corresponding to the rising availability of distant work, urban migration, nuclear households, dual-income households, and a necessity for better privateness. In the given context, the 3 BHK may be financially daunting, whereas a 2 BHK on this scenario turns into suffocating. With its “half” room, the 2.5 BHK affords the better of each worlds — and that is exactly the place its benefit lies.
What makes the 2.5 BHK tick?
The fundamental distinction between the 2 BHK and the 2.5 BHK is the addition of a small room — often round 8×10 toes or smaller. Though not ample for a full-sized bed room, this small space can be utilized for a variety of issues. It may be crafted right into a comfortable workplace, research, prayer room, interest space, or perhaps a tiny visitor room. Changes to fashionable life may be attributed to the rising recognition of this format. Noteworthy elements embody:
Remote and hybrid work fashions: There has been a sustained want for residence workplaces or quiet zones ever since the pandemic, which permits for productive distant or hybrid work. The “half” room serves as an expert house that doesn’t intrude with family routines.
Growing kids: There are households with toddlers or school-aged kids who typically want an extra research or playroom, however can’t be comfortably accommodated inside a normal 2 BHK.
Frequent guests or aged mother and father: A big a part of the Indian inhabitants continues to accommodate visiting mother and father or prolonged household for lengthy durations of time. These households can readily home them with none lack of basic on a regular basis consolation in a 2.5 BHK.
Cost-effective improve: The 2.5 BHK is comparatively cheaper in comparison with a 3 BHK and comes with decrease EMIs, upkeep, and tax implications — making it a sensible alternative for middle-income earners.
Buyer behaviour and market response
Recent developments in the urban housing markets point out a pointy improve in the demand for 2.5 BHK items in Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, and sure areas of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
These cities are well-connected and function hubs for younger professionals and IT sector workers, thus serving as a sizzling marketplace for first-time householders who’re value-conscious. This demographic tends to view this format as a long-term funding that is versatile sufficient to cater to persisting household wants, thus permitting much less urgency to improve to bigger houses in a while.
Developer methods and design improvements
Now, actual property builders are contorting ground plans to utilise the new “half” room. Some are offering modular choices that allow the house to both be opened up or enclosed relying on the purchaser’s preferences. In some circumstances, the 0.5 room is now being strategically positioned to seize pure gentle, improve air flow, or present higher acoustic separation — the room is extremely useful even inside restricted house.
A glimpse into the future
Aside from a room, the 2.5 BHK affords myriad alternatives. For {couples} simply beginning a life collectively, it may translate into an area wanted to allow a brand new enterprise concept.
For kids, it may imply targeted educational consideration. For professionals, it permits for better separation between work and residential life.
This configuration enhances these purchasers’ worth propositions. Even primary housing items are extra interesting to actual property traders, as they will perceive the performance for a broader goal market.
Having an additional room, nevertheless small, improves rental worth, resale potential, and even catches the curiosity of tenants who need multi-use residential properties.
The author is Director, RPS Group.
