New Delhi: The Reserve bank of India today reduced the Repo Rate for a fourth straight time by 35 basis points. The move will be advantageous to the real estate sector across the country, say Delhi NCR based developers.
Here is a look at what they have to say about the Repo Rate cut:
Manoj Gaur, MD, Gaurs Group
The repo rate cut by 35 basis points to 5.4 per cent is a constructive move for the real estate sector. With the fourth consecutive rate cut, we expect the demand of housing to rise marginally. The rate cut is expected to further bring down interest rates on home loans and auto loans as the monetary transmission of previous policy easing have been limited. It will also help boost credit growth in the banking system.
Mohit Goel, CEO, Omaxe Ltd
With inflation well within the RBI range and economy showing signs of slowdown, the repo rate cut of 35 bps to 5.4% is on expected lines. Despite repeated cuts in policy rates by the RBI, fourth since January 2019, commercial banks have not passed on the cut to borrowers. As a result, lending rates continue to remain high. The slowdown in economy coupled with high lending rate has accentuated the slump in housing demand.
Amit Modi, Director, ABA Corp
This is the fourth straight rate cut from the RBI and it results in an overall decline of 110 basis points or 1.1 percentage point in the key lending rate, not just that the benchmark rate is now at the lowest since April 2010, but unfortunately there is still no major effect on the ground, and this is mainly due to the fact that despite the repeated reductions, the majority of banks are not passing the benefits of the rate cuts to end consumer. Rather than making sure that consumers are offered reduced interest rates on home loans which will result in lower EMIs, there is still an ongoing tendency of cushioning the bottom lines by the banks, which ultimately turns out to be counterproductive to the move itself. The Monetary Policy Committee has once again maintained an accommodative stance; we hope that the banks are also more accommodative in their stance towards the home buyers aspirations.
Ashish Bhutani, CEO, Bhutani Infra
The rate cut by 35 basis points is a positive move thus providing the required impetus to the economy of the country. The much needed step taken by the Apex Bank aims to curb the liquidity situation. However, we expect the banks to transmit the rate cuts to the borrowers to get the desired results of this constructive move.
Dhiraj Jain, Director, Mahagun Group
With the fourth cut in a row, the repo rate stands the lowest level in the past nine years. This is good news especially for home loan borrowers with the RBI bringing down the key policy rate for the 4th time in its monetary policy review, signalling lower interest rates. Now, we are eying on banks to pass on the benefit of this rate cut to the respective borrowers of home loan. Once banks reduce the level of interest rates, it will eventually witness the increase of demand for homes in real estate sector.
Deepak Kapoor, Director, Gulshan Homz
The liquidity situation might see a change as RBI has enhanced exposure limit of a bank to a single NBFCs to 20% of the Tier 1 capital of the bank from 15% earlier, which will mean that banks can increase their lending to NBFCs. We hope that banks will give the benefits to the buyers and there will be reduction in EMIs. Sales, launches and delivery will likely improve in near future. With festive season around the corner, the impact of the move may be visible in the upcoming months especially in the affordable and mid-segment category.
Pradeep Aggarwal, Co-Founder & Chairman, Signature Global
With RBI reducing the repo rate 4 times in a row, shows a softer stand towards lending. A few banks have passed the benefits to the customers and I am sure they will surely reduce the lending rates, though marginally, which can boost the sentiments in the market. Also with the push which the government showed towards affordable segment in the Union Budget 2019. I am sure end users would now be more motivated, to purchase their homes, post the repo rate cut.
Enhancing exposure limit of a bank to a single NBFCs to 20% of the Tier 1 capital of the bank from 15% earlier means banks can increase their lending to NBFCs and the limit of Priority sector lending through NBFCs has been to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 10 lakh earlier will further boost the affordable housing sector in country.
Vikas Bhasin, CMD, Saya Group
Four consecutive repo rate cuts this year is a positive outcome for the economy. Real estate sector welcomes the move by the RBI and hope that this will solve the liquidity problem and increasing EMI burden of people. The sector flourishes in a positive economic environment and the constant effort by the RBI is a clear indication that the authorities are serious towards tackling the issues that are affecting the real estate sector. For now affordable housing will get a big boost especially at a time when festival season is around. Mid-segment housing too may also witness an increase in sales but the scale of effect on sales might be a little less than the affordable segment. Peripheral towns, Tier II and Tier III might see a good response to real estate project where prices are under check and with latest rate cuts there is more likelihood of increasing affordability and hence conversion into good sales.
Ashok Gupta, CMD, Ajnara India Ltd
The reduction in policy rates, while on the expected lines, is a welcome step. We hope commercial banks also do their bit. Also, important is the enhanced exposure limit of banks for a single NBFC. The move will ensure greater funds for NBFCs and it would help realty sector a great deal.
Parveen Aggarwal, Founder and Chairman, Signature Sattva
Four consecutive repo rate cuts are not only a positive outcome for the real estate sector but also for the eligible new home borrowers who can take advantage of the subsidies scheme under PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana). More money available in banks at a lower cost will result in increased purchasing power as there will be a lower EMI burden on the buyers. It will also lighten the liquidity crunch and lower the cost of finance for the developers.
Anupam Gupta, Sales and Marketing Director, GBP Group
The cutting down of repo rate of 35 bps to 5.4% by the central bank is an encouraging step to boost the economy of the country. The positive move is in line with the market’s expectations and will certainly smoothen up the liquidity crunch to a great extent.
It has come as a good news for the home loan borrowers and will boost the real estate sector. Now, we are eying on banks to pass on the benefits of this rate cut so the home loan borrowers can avail the advantages and utilize it realize their dream of buying a house.
Rajat Goel, Joint Managing Director, MRG World
Seekers of Affordable housing get a lot of benefits and now with this rate cut they will be able to cut down on EMIs. This is a positive step for the segment, which has the maximum demand. Affordable housing projects were already getting good response but now with the latest rate cut, the people will get more benefit. It is always heartening to see the EMI burden coming down as we want our buyers to enjoy their dream home with relaxed mind. We welcome the rate cut by the RBI, which is a fourth one this year, and shows the positive intention of the premier body to work towards the solutions.
Dhiraj Bora, Head Corporate Communication, Paramount Group
The fourth consecutive repo rate cut from the RBI is in lines with the expectations. We hope that the reduction is passed on by the banks to the home buyers. Lower interest rates, along with the recent reduction in GST rates for under construction properties, should provide the fillip to end-user demand. On top of it the upcoming festival season might turn out to be a good one for real estate.
Amit Raheja, CMD, Wealth Clinic
The benchmark lending rate cut by 35 bps to 5.4 percent is a positive move for real estate sector after the budget and before the start of the festive season. The move, which is fourth rate cut this year, will surely give boost to the price sensitive affordable housing segment as they will get to pay lower EMIs along with other incentives that they get in affordable segment. Also, tier II and Tier III cities will benefit as the houses there will witness more sales after the expected cut in EMIs. It is also expected that banks will increase their lending to NBFCs and hence the liquidity situation in real estate sector will improve. If this happens then the sector will be back on fast track. We might see more project launches and deliveries of projects that are stuck. However, all of it depends on the transfer of benefits to the borrowers.