Latest Property News on 'Banking and Finance'

HDFC Increases its Retail Prime Lending Rate (RPLR)

After a gap of two years, mortgage leader HDFC has increased its retail prime lending rate (RPLR) by 50 basis points to 14.25 per cent.
Significantly, the lender has not said anything on the continuation of its “teaser rates loans”, launched late last year and which was supposed to end yesterday.

“This (the hike) is in line with the current rates of interest in the economy, which have hardened in the last few months due to rising inflation and tightening of liquidity in the domestic market,” HDFC said in a statement, adding that the new rates will be effective from tomorrow.
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Realtors Express Satisfaction on Tax Exemption in Housing Loan Segment

Realty firms and consultants have expressed satisfaction on the proposal to retain income tax exemption on interest up to Rs 1.5 lakh a year on housing loan, but said the government needs to enhance the limit. “It is a very good thing that the government has retained the exemption. It will have a feel-good sentiment in the market,” said Anuj Puri, country head, Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj (JLLM).

He said the move will not dishearten the low and mid-income group from going ahead with their buying decisions. The first draft of Direct Tax Code (DTC) was silent on exemption on interest paid on housing loans. However, after adverse feedback from various quarter, the second draft proposed to retain this exemption, which is also incorporated in the bill.
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Hoteliers Planning to Increase Room Tariff by 10-15%

In an attempt to cash in on the peak winter season and the improved economic scenario, “Hoteliers are planning to increase the average room rates (ARRs) by 10-15 per cent from September 2010 as they expect tourist traffic to improve,” says a report by domestic brokerage Angel Broking.

Although, the report didn’t talk about their plans for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, it is expected that tariffs will increase from October 3-14 on the back of strong demand. Last two years proved dull for the hotel companies as they were forced to slash average room rates by 25-30 per cent due to terrorist attacks in the country that led to lower occupancy levels as people were apprehensive to travel, the report said. Read More »

RBI Proposes changes in Private Bank Provisions- Makes it Difficult for Banks with Insurance Ventures to Attract FDI

In an indication of continuing differences over the new foreign direct investment policy, the central bank has proposed changes in the provisions relating to private banks that will make it difficult for them to attract foreign investment if they have insurance ventures. Also, private banks that have sizeable foreign investment will find it difficult to float insurance ventures with foreign partners.

The Reserve Bank of India has proposed that foreign direct investment, or FDI, proposals of private banks that have an insurance joint venture or subsidiary should seek approval of the RBI and insurance regulator IRDA. The central bank has suggested these changes to ensure that 26% foreign investment limit in insurance sector is not breached even indirectly. Read More »

FDI in India’s Booming Real Estate Jumps 80 Folds

It’s not Indians alone who are monitoring the real estate market here. More and more money is being pumped into India’s housing sector from abroad. And this, despite the recent downturn. Foreign direct investment (FDI) in India’s booming real estate and housing market jumped 80 times between 2005 and 2010. Figures obtained by TOI show that in 2005, FDI in real estate was a mere Rs 171 crore. That soared to Rs 13,586 crore in 2009-10. In April and May this year, Rs 737 crore in FDI was pumped into the sector.

It is no surprise that the largest number of building projects where FDI is in play are in the country’s commercial capital, Mumbai. Of the total 1,614 projects in which foreign investors have put in money since 2005, 422 were cleared by the Reserve Bank of India’s Mumbai office, followed closely by 316 in Delhi. Other big cities like Bangalore (225 projects), Hyderabad (105 projects) and Chennai (68 projects) also enjoyed considerable attention of foreign real estate developers. Read More »

Property Oversupply can Lead to another Real Estate Bubble

With India’s real estate market brimming with new launches, investors need to exercise caution while choosing projects. Leading private equity investor Gaurav Dalmia , founder chairman of realty-focussed Landmark Holdings that is investing $225 million in specific projects, feels speculative buying can act as a downtrend. In an interview Dalmia tells why he feels some pockets of real estate market may tumble in the coming months.

Developers continue with new projects even as prices remain high. Do you see demand taking a dip? Read More »

Embassy Property Developments Ltd in Talks with Temasek and HDFC Property Ventures for Private Equity Placement

Southern real estate major Embassy Property Developments Ltd is holding talks with Singapore’s Temasek and HDFC Property Ventures for private equity placement topping $100 million even as the Bangalore headquartered developer is working on an initial public offer (IPO) in 2011.

Temasek could be co-investing with HDFC Property Ventures, which has made three large project level investments with Embassy in the past. Temasek is an investor in the $800-million HDFC fund and has the option of investing along with it, VCCircle has reported, citing banking sources.
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Andhra Pradesh State Govt Increases Property Registration Charges

In a move to offset losses due to reduction in stamp duty charges to a uniform 5 per cent across the State, the Andhra Pradesh Government has effected upward revision of the registration charges and market prices for properties from August 1.

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HCC Announces Rs 2,000 crore IPO

Hindustan Construction Company has announced that its subsidiary Lavasa Corporation, obtained board approval for an IPO of up to Rs 2,000 crore of fresh equity shares, subject to market conditions and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals.

Lavasa’s revenues during the quarter reached Rs 181 crore which has increased by 94 per cent. Its net profilt went up by 87 per cent to Rs 49 crore.
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No Change in Home Loan Rates for Now

Retail bank customers need not worry about any rise in the equated monthly installments (EMIs) on their home loans with banks expected to absorb the rate hikes by Reserve Bank of India. The special home loan rates of banks will continue for now. OP Bhatt, chairman and managing director of State Bank of India, said their special home loan rate of 8 per cent is open till September 30. “We will take a call at that time,” Bhatt said.

Private banks, which had a special home loans scheme of 8.25 per cent, may continue for a while as CEOs of all large banks agreed that raising lending rates is not immediate on their agenda. If banks keep their rates static, housing finance companies like HDFC and LIC Home Finance will also follow suit to keep the rates at present levels. Read More »