Delhi Tops 15-City Survey With 95.9% Ready-to-Move Properties; Mumbai Records the Highest Number of Residential Listings
India's residential property market is offering homebuyers a substantial selection of completed homes, with approximately 88% of residential properties advertised for sale classified as ready to move in. Delhi recorded the highest proportion of such properties among 15 cities analysed, followed by Kanpur and Jaipur, according to research by eXp India based on listings available on 99acres.
The analysis covered 7,52,978 residential properties listed for sale across the country. Of these, 6,63,456 were classified as ready to move in, representing approximately 88.1% of the advertised inventory. The data was collected on October 10, 2026.
The findings indicate that buyers looking for completed homes have a wide range of options across major Indian cities. However, the figures represent online listings rather than completed transactions or the entire residential housing stock. They also do not establish whether every listed property is immediately available for possession.
Delhi Leads With 95.9% Ready-to-Move Homes
Delhi ranked first among the 15 cities covered by the analysis, with 95.9% of its advertised residential properties classified as ready to move in.
The capital had 72,768 residential listings, of which 69,810 were categorised as completed homes. This means that only a relatively small proportion of the advertised properties fell outside the ready-to-move category.
Kanpur ranked second, with 94.5% of its 3,140 listed properties classified as ready to move in. Jaipur followed with a share of 92.9%, representing 14,759 ready-to-move homes out of 15,885 residential listings.
Kolkata was another strong performer, recording a ready-to-move share of 90.8%. The city had 29,174 completed properties among 32,141 listings.
These figures suggest that buyers in these markets may find a comparatively large selection of completed properties when searching online. Nevertheless, the actual availability, condition and legal status of individual homes must be verified before a purchase.
Mumbai Has the Highest Number of Residential Listings
Although Delhi recorded the highest percentage of ready-to-move homes, Mumbai had the largest total number of residential properties listed for sale among the cities analysed.
Mumbai recorded 86,793 residential listings, including 74,816 properties classified as ready to move in. This represented 86.2% of its advertised inventory.
The city's large housing market offers buyers a wide variety of property choices across different neighbourhoods, budgets and residential formats. However, the suitability of a property depends on more than its completion status. Buyers also need to consider affordability, connectivity, maintenance expenses, building quality and the availability of essential amenities.
Navi Mumbai recorded a ready-to-move share of 87.5%, while Ahmedabad stood at 86.8%. Both markets were slightly below the national average of 88.1%.
The data highlights the availability of completed housing across several important urban markets, although the number of listings should not be confused with the number of properties actually sold.
Bengaluru and Hyderabad Record Shares Below the National Average
India's major technology and employment centres also recorded substantial ready-to-move residential inventories, although their proportions were below the national figure.
Bengaluru had 45,746 ready-to-move properties out of 54,276 listings, translating into a share of 84.3%.
Hyderabad recorded 28,962 ready-to-move properties among 34,223 listings, representing 84.6%.
Chennai's share stood at 82.8%, with 28,043 completed properties out of 33,883 listings. Nagpur recorded the lowest proportion among the 15 cities, at 79.4%, with 5,885 ready-to-move homes among 7,416 listings.
Despite these differences, ready-to-move properties accounted for more than three-quarters of advertised residential inventory in every city included in the analysis.
The figures suggest that buyers in employment hubs can consider completed homes alongside under-construction projects. However, differences in housing supply, local demand, pricing and the types of properties listed may influence the composition of online inventory.
Ready-to-Move Homes: Why Are Buyers Showing Interest?
A ready-to-move property allows buyers to inspect the actual home before making a final purchase decision. This can reduce some of the uncertainty associated with purchasing a property that is still under construction.
For buyers planning to occupy a home soon, completed properties may offer several practical advantages.
1. Immediate or earlier possession: A completed home may allow buyers to move in sooner, subject to the seller's arrangements, documentation and legal requirements.
2. Physical inspection: Buyers can assess the layout, construction quality, ventilation, natural light and condition of the property before committing their money.
3. Better visibility of the surroundings: A completed residential project makes it easier to evaluate access roads, transport links, nearby schools, hospitals, shopping facilities and other amenities.
4. Reduced construction-related uncertainty: Buyers are less exposed to delays associated with the completion of an unfinished building, although legal, maintenance and possession-related issues can still arise.
5. Easier relocation planning: Families moving for employment, education or personal reasons may find it easier to plan their transition when the property is already completed and available for inspection.
These benefits can be particularly relevant for people returning to India after living abroad or relocating from another city.
However, ready-to-move status alone does not guarantee that a property is free from legal disputes, structural defects or outstanding dues. Buyers should conduct appropriate checks before finalising a transaction.
Under-Construction Properties Can Still Offer Opportunities
The strong representation of ready-to-move homes in online listings does not mean that under-construction properties are necessarily a poor choice.
Some buyers prefer newly launched or developing residential projects because they want access to newer amenities, a particular location or a project that aligns with their longer-term investment plans.
Depending on the project and payment structure, under-construction homes may also offer different payment schedules. However, buyers need to evaluate construction progress, developer credibility, project approvals, contractual terms and the possibility of delays.
The financial comparison should include the total purchase cost, applicable taxes and charges, potential rental income, maintenance expenses and the expected time before occupation.
For investors, projected appreciation should not be treated as guaranteed. Property prices and rental yields can vary significantly between neighbourhoods and market cycles.
The appropriate choice between a completed home and an under-construction property therefore depends on the buyer's budget, intended use, risk tolerance and investment horizon.
What Homebuyers Should Check Before Purchasing a Ready-to-Move Property
Although completed homes provide an opportunity to inspect the physical property, buyers should not rely exclusively on photographs, online descriptions or the seller's claims.
Several checks are essential before paying a booking amount or signing a purchase agreement.
Verify legal ownership: Review the title documents and establish whether the seller has the legal right to transfer the property. Obtain professional legal assistance where necessary.
Check approvals and completion documents: Confirm the applicable building approvals, occupancy certificate or completion certificate, where required, and other relevant local-authority permissions.
Inspect the property's condition: Examine structural quality, plumbing, electrical systems, seepage, ventilation, lifts and common areas. An independent technical inspection may help identify problems.
Review outstanding dues: Check maintenance charges, property tax payments, utility bills and any other liabilities associated with the property.
Assess the total cost: Include registration charges, stamp duty, maintenance deposits, brokerage, repairs and furnishing expenses in the overall budget.
Compare market prices: Examine comparable properties in the same locality instead of relying solely on the advertised asking price.
Evaluate home-loan affordability: Buyers using a mortgage should consider the interest rate, repayment period, monthly instalment and the effect of the loan on their other financial commitments.
These steps can help buyers make more informed decisions and reduce the risk of unexpected expenses after the purchase.
Ready-to-Move Homes Appeal to Buyers Relocating to India
The availability of completed homes may be particularly relevant for people relocating to India from overseas.
Returning professionals, non-resident Indians and families moving for employment or personal reasons may have fixed timelines for settling in a new city. A completed property can make it easier to inspect the home, assess the neighbourhood and coordinate the move.
Sam Chopra, President of eXp India, highlighted the importance of timing for people making significant relocation decisions. He also noted that buyers should understand the practicalities of possession, since a property classified as ready to move in may not necessarily be available for immediate occupation.
For buyers living abroad, additional considerations can include appointing a trusted representative for property inspections, verifying documents independently and understanding the applicable rules for property purchases and payments.
The final decision should be based on the property's legal status, condition, location and affordability rather than its advertised construction status alone.
What the Housing Listing Data Means for India's Property Market
The findings provide a snapshot of the composition of advertised residential inventory across selected Indian cities. The fact that 88.1% of the listed properties were classified as ready to move in suggests that completed homes form a significant part of the online supply available to buyers.
However, the data does not establish whether demand for completed properties is increasing, whether prices are rising or falling, or how quickly these homes are being sold. Those questions would require additional information on transactions, new launches, unsold inventory, property prices and sales volumes.
The proportion of ready-to-move listings can also vary depending on the cities covered, the type of properties advertised and how listings are categorised by the platform.
For a more complete assessment of the housing market, buyers and investors should consider local price trends, rental yields, affordability, employment growth, infrastructure development and the supply of new residential projects.
Market Outlook
India's residential property market continues to offer buyers a substantial selection of completed homes, with ready-to-move properties accounting for 88.1% of the residential listings covered in the eXp India analysis. Delhi led the surveyed cities with a 95.9% share, while Mumbai recorded the largest total number of listings.
The availability of completed homes could benefit buyers who prioritise possession certainty, physical inspection and a quicker relocation. At the same time, the high share of ready-to-move listings should not be interpreted as proof of stronger demand or an imminent rise in property prices.
For prospective homebuyers, the focus should remain on affordability, legal verification, construction quality, location and the total cost of ownership. Investors should additionally examine realistic rental yields, vacancy risks, maintenance expenses and the potential for long-term capital appreciation.