Reactions from the real estate industry on RBI Repo Rate announcement

Dhruv Agarwala, Group CEO, Housing.com, Makaan.com and Proptiger.com

The status quo on the repo rate was expected as inflationary pressures made it difficult to cut rates further. Rationalising risk weightage on home loans and linking it to Loan to Value (LTV) ratio will effectively result in higher credit flow to the real estate sector, which is positive news for the sector. Also, the hike in credit limit for retail exposure by a single lending entity from Rs. 5 crores to Rs 7.5 crore is a welcome move that will immensely help both retail as well as small businesses.

Ashish Bhutani, MD & CEO, Bhutani Infra

This decision of the RBI to keep the repo rate unchanged was taken due to the signs of revival that the MPC has observed recently. However, the bank should have taken into consideration the need for liquidity. The apex bank has also talked about improving liquidity in the market, which will have a direct bearing on the real estate too.

Like the RBI we too are optimistic about the economic growth. Having said that we were hoping for announcements that can specifically talk about various sectors and how banks are going to help improve the growth. However, we are upbeat as the consumer sentiment is high, especially after they witnessed the brittle nature of other investment vehicles as against real estate.

Ankit Kansal, Founder & MD, 360 Realtors

The recent decision by RBI to keep the repo & reverse repo rate unchanged underpins the accommodative policy by the government alongside reining the inflation rate.  This should have an overall positive impact on the recovering Indian Real Estate industry as an accommodative stance should plug-in the liquidity crunch in the market. Likewise, managing inflation will control the cost. At the same time, the RBI has announced a sharp GDP decline of 9.5% for FY 21, which is in line with what has been predicted by most of the major international & domestic rating agencies. Now all eyes would be on how the government plans to combat the economic slowdown and boost demand. A host of steps in the form of capital injection, refinancing of banking institutions, policy impetus, subsidies, and discounts are required to see a faster recovery.

Uddhav Poddar, MD, Bhumika Group & Founding Member, SCAI

“The real estate sector is badly affected due to the pandemic, and it needs support from the banks. One of the biggest issue with some of the realtors is the liquidity issue, and we hope RBI will address it as it has announced to take steps to ease liquidity.  One of the announcements that are beneficial for the sector is that the new housing loans to be linked to LTV only. We hope that the buyers will take advantage of the situation and realize their dream of owning a home.”

Amit Modi, Director, ABA Corp & President (Elect) CREDAI Western UP

Even though the apex bank has kept the rates unchanged, but we still believe that there is room for financial institutions to cut down on their lending rates for their customers. During the lockdown, the RBI reduced the repo rate which failed to bring cheer to the market, however now the stagnant rates today might have helped smooth the economy to some extent and the benefits of which are yet to be fully passed on to the customers.

Manoj Gaur, MD, Gaurs Group and Chairman, Affordable Housing Committee, CREDAI (National)

With inflation remaining above the targeted level, the status quo on the policy was expected. But it is indeed heartening to note that despite not much room available for lowering of rates, the apex has yet ensured some relief for the real estate sector. The lower risk weightage on home loans and linking it to LTV only will ensure more credit to customers and thereby to the sector. Also, by announcing that accommodative policy stance, RBI has indicated that interest rate is unlikely to harden anytime soon, which again augurs well for the sector”.

Pradeep Aggarwal, Founder & Chairman – Signature Global Group & Chairman – ASSOCHAM National Council on Real Estate, Housing and Urban Development

“It was an expected move by the RBI to keep the repo rate unchanged, and it is commendable that it is doing its part to ensure that the economy stays on the right path. Loan on LTV will be helpful for the real estate sector, and it will help them get more loan amount.” 

Abhishek Bansal, Executive Director, Pacific Group

It was an expected move, as we all understand that the repo rate is already low. The real estate market has started picking up as people are enjoying the low-interest rates and subdued pricing. The sector is also enjoying the fruits of the changed mindset of people towards owning a real estate asset, be it for living or earning extra income. The safety of real estate investment that came to the fore will gain steam during the festival season as fence-sitters too will come out in great numbers.

Deepak Kapoor, Director, Gulshan

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das announced that the repo rate would remain unchanged at 4 per cent and reverse repo rate at 3.35 per cent. The apex bank has also announced that it is ready to take steps that will infuse liquidity to improve financial conditions. The market will eagerly wait for these steps as improvement in economic conditions of other industries will have a direct bearing on the real estate sector.  The realty sector is already reaping rewards of the multiple steps taken by the government and low home loan interest rates extended by banks. RBI should have made some announcement to improve liquidity in the real estate sector, as many developers are facing the heat after COVID-19 led to a complete shutdown of operations. The optimism of RBI regarding economic growth is welcome, and we hope that the government pays attention to the requirements of the sector, which is the largest employer in the country.”

Achal Raina, COO, Raheja Developers

The extension of lending limit for retail exposure from Rs 5 crore to Rs 7.5 crore along with the reduction of risk weightage on home loans and linking it with LTV ratio augurs well for the real estate sector.

Yash Miglani, MD, Migsun Group

The real estate sector is enjoying the fruits of high consumer confidence for the past few months, and it will attain newer heights in this festive season. We were expecting the repo rate to remain unchanged, and the decision of the RBI it will have no impact on the sector in the current scenario. In the latest announcement, the provision of housing loan to be linked with LTV is going to help the buyers, and hence the sector will see more sales.

Harvinder Singh Singh Sikka, MD, Sikka Group

We understand the reasons for keeping the repo rate unchanged. However, one favourable measure for the real estate is that the new housing loans will be linked on to loan to value (LTV). It will help the buyers get loans easily and realize their dream of buying a home. The buyers are already coming back to the sector and the coming festival season would be a lot better than the previous years.

Rajat Goel, JMD MRG World

RBI has kept the repo rate unchanged at 4% and reverse repo rate at 3.35%, during its recent announcement with the prediction of GDP decline about 9.5% for FY 21, which is on similar lines with the prediction from rating agencies.

Affordable housing segment has seen a good number of enquiries from end-users amid the uncertain market conditions which is a sign of positivity. Apart from this, RBI’s decision to take steps for infusing liquidity remain awaited, which will prominently affect the overall sentiment of the real estate sector.

Amit Jain, Managing Director, Mahagun Group

The announcement was on the expected lines; the good thing is that the RBI looked optimistic about the economic growth, which is a good sign. Real estate sector has already started witnessing positive growth and is speedily recovering from the loss of lockdown. The momentum is picking up pace in this festival season as buyers are enjoying low home loan interest rates.