Why More NRIs Are Investing in India’s Wellness-Focussed Luxury Homes

With the increasing importance of wellness solutions in modern lifestyles, the real estate sector is experiencing a similar trend.  Properties built as per the latest developments in the health and wellness industry have undergone significant growth. The global wellness real estate sector has registered an impressive average annual growth rate of 18.1% between 2019-2023 compared to a mere 5.1% for overall construction projects.  As a result, NRIs looking to settle in India are increasingly seeking wellness-focused properties that promote a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle. To explore the key factors driving this trend, let’s dive into this blog post.

Key Features of Wellness-Focussed Homes

Green & Sustainable Building Materials

Green construction emphasises decreasing environmental footprint while increasing efficiency throughout the lifecycle of any building. It encompasses smart practices such as the use of sustainable materials, water conservation, and reduced use of fossil fuels. 

• Use of Eco-Friendly, Non-Toxic Materials: While eco-friendly materials have a positive effect on the environment, they help enhance the air quality indoors through lowered emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

Also, such materials promote better air quality by means of improved ventilation, removing pollutants and circulating fresh air in indoor spaces. 

• Switching to Solar Energy: The use of solar systems in modern homes facilitates the application of solar power in vital areas such as electricity and cooking. As a result, you can lower carbon emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuels to a large extent. 
• Use of Bamboo and VOC-Free Paints: Bamboo is a renewable and strong alternative to wood that can be used in cabinets and floors. It contributes to the overall sustainability of a building and promotes a healthier environment. 

Similarly, the use of paints free from VOC that are emitted as harmful gases helps improve air quality and prevent adverse health conditions.  Read Also: Investing in Eco-Friendly Luxury Residences in India

Smart Home Features for Health & Wellness

• Advanced Purification Systems

The air that you breathe in indoors is likely to contain more pollutants compared to the fresh air outdoors. Through smart air purifiers that can clean the air from harmful particles and make you aware of the changing conditions of indoor air, you can stay protected from airborne diseases.  The air purifying systems that you get nowadays also come with different options to optimise the air quality as per your choice and expel unwanted odours. 

• Advanced Water Purifiers

Water quality constitutes a part of healthy living, which is why there needs to be proper arrangements for preventing water contamination within a household. With the smart water filtration systems available nowadays, it becomes easy to maintain the right quality of water for all purposes.  Purification technologies such as reverse osmosis (RO) and ultraviolet (UV) systems are the most popular choices nowadays, as they address a variety of contaminants, including viruses, chemical pollutants and bacteria.  While these systems ensure the availability of safe drinking water, they also help enhance the taste and eliminate odours.            

• Circadian Lighting Systems

Circadian rhythms refer to the internal natural processes in the body that regulate the sleep-wake cycles and psychological functions operating on an internal clock based on natural light cycles. When you’re exposed to blue-toned bright light during the morning, it helps boost your alertness.  On the other hand, dim light sends signals to wind down the body. Circadian systems of lighting in luxury homes replicate this process— they sync with these rhythms to enhance the well-being of the inhabitants.  Thus, these systems can help mitigate the adverse effects of reduced sunlight exposure due to high-rise living and urban pollution.

Wellness Amenities in Luxury Communities

• Private Spas: 

Most of today’s luxury homes that prioritise wellness have a dedicated spa with all the arrangements needed for residents to unwind and relax after a tiring day. These include a cold-dip step-in plunge pool, a steam room or steam shower, a massage table, and an outdoor or indoor hot tub. 

• At-Home Saunas

A traditional steam sauna is another highly sought-after amenity for wellness-focused luxury homes. These are perfect spots for relaxation and come with features such as essential oil diffusers, sound systems, and chromotherapy lighting.  These saunas have several benefits, such as enhanced blood circulation, faster muscle recovery, detoxification and stress reduction. 

• Meditation & Mindfulness Zones

Premium homes are increasingly embracing mindfulness, with dedicated areas being designed to protect and preserve mental health.  For these zones, designers and architects are using principles from psychology and neuroscience to create a relaxing and stress-reducing environment. Incorporating soft lighting and soundproofing, such spaces can be digital detox rooms, sensory areas with calming fragrances, and therapy tanks. 

Therapeutic Landscapes & Wellness Retreats

Living in a premium wellness-focused home also provides a flavour of residing in a farmhouse or garden house. Here are some features of wellness retreats that let you enjoy farmhouse living in a premium luxury home: 

• Organic Gardens & Herbal Farms: If you’re looking to switch to more healthy eating habits, setting up an organic garden or herbal farm of your own at home is the best answer. 

The ability to use home-grown organic vegetables and fruits for cooking ensures a lesser intake of preservatives, provides an authentic flavour and improves nutrition. 

• Unconventional Farming Techniques: Organic gardening or herbal farming involves the use of techniques that enrich soil quality, sustain ecosystems, and promote biodiversity. It rejects the application of pesticides and fertilisers and instead requires using natural compost to promote plant growth. 

What’s more, tending to these organically grown plants and witnessing their development has a therapeutic effect, infusing a relaxing element into your daily routine. 

• Blending Natural Beauty with Premium Luxury: The presence of lush greenery alongside the latest amenities lets you reconnect with nature at a different level while not compromising on luxury living. 

By spending time in an environment filled with greenery, you can experience reduced stress levels, achieve better immunity and free the mind to enhance productivity. 

• Forest Bathing: Introduced in the 1980s, it is a form of eco-therapy which involves immersing oneself in a forest-like environment for improved emotional, physical and mental well-being. 

Nature trails are scenic paths in natural environments located around premium homes to offer residents the chance to unwind and embrace solitude for mental peace and tranquillity. 

Best Locations for Wellness-Focussed Luxury Homes

Goa & Kerala – Ayurvedic Retreats & Beachfront Villas

• Sea-Facing Views and Private Wellness Spaces: Kerala and Goa are two of the most popular coastal states that offer an excellent escape from mundane everyday life. 

With a series of palm-lined beaches, these states have a host of beachfront villas and Ayurvedic retreats which offer a chance to enjoy mesmerising sea views and pristine sands. What’s more, you get to indulge in wellness activities like forest bathing and refreshing spa sessions in your private space. 

• Ideal for Retirement and Stress-free Second Homes: If you’re planning to shift base to a different state post-retirement or simply prefer to escape the chaos of the city for a while, Kerala and Goa are worth considering. 

You can find several premium villas and residential projects that provide natural surroundings and scenic coastal views. These can be suitable both as post-retirement homes for elderly people and second homes for occasional stays. 

Bangalore & Pune – Eco-Friendly Gated Communities

• Smart Luxury Homes with Tech-Driven Wellness Solutions- Amid the rapid expansion underway in the bustling cities of Pune and Bangalore, gated communities provide a tranquil retreat with their host of wellness solutions. The integration of wellness principles with cutting-edge technology results in the creation of smart homes that embrace wellness tech. 

The presence of circadian lighting systems, personalised systems for workout tracking and advanced air purifiers enhance the health and well-being of the residents. 

• Sound Connectivity to IT Hubs: Such wellness-focused premium homes are positioned strategically for better connectivity to IT hubs, such as Koramangala in Bengaluru and Hinjewadi in Pune. 

Following the influx of technology companies from across the world in these cities, developers have built a variety of properties close to the tech parks. These include luxury and mid-segment apartments, villas and premium gated communities. 

• Best for NRIs Seeking to Balance Career and Wellness: NRIs seeking to relocate to India prefer premium homes with integrated wellness features besides efficient connectivity to business centres and IT hubs. 

Thus, they are willing to strike a balance between professional advantages and mental and physical well-being. This makes Pune and Bangalore ideal options for relocation for such individuals. 

Rishikesh & Himachal – Nature-Centric Luxury Real Estate

• Riverfront Homes & Mountain Retreats: Himachal Pradesh and Rishikesh in Uttarakhand are the best spots if you're seeking a villa or an estate perched in the hills. Many of such properties are even located near riverfronts, offering stunning postcard-perfect views of the surroundings. 

For those of you who find calmness in the mountains, these properties also offer a host of wellness activities and programmes for an ideal respite away from the cacophony. 

• Proximity to Yoga & Meditation Centres: Rishikesh is also known as the Yoga capital of India owing to its profound spiritual heritage and the fact that it’s situated in the foothills of the Himalayas. 

The region houses yoga centres renowned in India and abroad, such as the Patanjali International Yoga Foundation (PIYF), which offers a range of yoga and meditation programmes for all age groups. 

• High Potential for Appreciation & Rental Income: The abundance of tourist spots in Rishikesh and Himachal makes them ideal destinations for wellness tourism. Moreover, the latest data reveals that there has been a 20% rise in the residential demand for holiday homes or second homes in hill stations from 2023 to 2024. 

Read Also: What NRIs Need to Know About Luxury Property Appreciation in India 

Conclusion 

Urban living focused on wellness has gone on to become a standard in the real estate sector. This reflects the evolving priorities of the real estate buyers of today, including high-net-worth NRIs.  With the growing demand for wellness real estate, developers are responding by designing homes that offer the right balance of physical and mental well-being. With mindful designs, green spaces, and the latest wellness solutions, the future of the real estate sector seems to be focused on ensuring the wellness of all residents.  Rustomjee offers a range of wellness-focused luxurious residential properties integrated with world-class amenities. To know more about our offerings, contact us today. 

FAQs

• What financing options do NRIs have for real estate purchases in India? 

NRIs can finance real estate purchases in India through home loans from authorised banks and financial institutions registered with the RBI. These loans are typically offered in Indian Rupees, and repayment must be made using NRE/NRO accounts via inward remittances.

• What is RERA, and what benefits does it have for NRIs?

The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act (RERA) ensures transparency and accountability in the real estate sector. For NRIs, RERA offers protection against project delays, mandates clear builder commitments, and provides a structured grievance redressal mechanism.

• Are there any taxation benefits for NRIs purchasing real estate properties in India? 

Yes, NRIs can claim tax deductions under Section 80C for home loan principal repayment and under Section 24(b) for interest payments. Additionally, capital gains tax exemptions may apply if the proceeds are reinvested in specific assets under Sections 54 and 54EC of the Income Tax Act.