Bhubaneswar: Realtors and homebuyers in Odisha welcomed the Reserve Bank of India’s decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%. They say the move will provide stability to the housing sector and help sustain housing demand amid global economic uncertainties.With inflation remaining within the RBI’s target range and concerns over geopolitical developments and crude oil price fluctuations persisting, stakeholders said the RBI’s status quo on rates offers greater certainty for both buyers and developers.Rajat Bokolia, CEO of a real estate firm, said the decision would help keep home loan repayments predictable for buyers. “The RBI holding the repo rate steady at 5.25% keeps EMIs predictable at a time buyers need that certainty. For a homebuyer with a Rs 50 lakh loan over 20 years, even a small increase in lending rates can significantly raise the repayment burden over the loan tenure. This decision ensures more money stays in buyers’ pockets instead of going toward interest payments,” he said.Bokolia also said the extension of project completion timelines for developments affected by West Asia-related supply disruptions would help developers plan procurement and construction schedules more effectively without compromising quality.Abhay Mishra, president of a leading real estate company, said the rate pause offers continuity at a crucial time for the sector. “It reassures homebuyers by keeping borrowing costs stable and helps sustain demand momentum. For developers, it provides clarity for planning and execution. Going ahead, policy support and improved liquidity will be key to unlocking the sector’s full potential and ensuring steady, inclusive growth across markets,” he said.Manik Malik, president of another city-based firm, said residential demand has remained resilient due to strong end-user interest, improving infrastructure and growing confidence in the sector. “A stable monetary environment allows both homebuyers and developers to plan with greater certainty and should help sustain healthy momentum across key residential markets,” he said.Among homebuyers, the decision was equally welcomed. “Stable interest rates make it easier for families to plan home purchases without worrying about rising EMIs. The RBI’s move provides confidence to buyers who were waiting for clarity on borrowing costs,” said city-based homebuyer Sourav Pradhan.Reeza Sebastian Karimpanal, a real estate expert, said that with the RBI opting to hold rates steady in its Aug review, the real estate sector gets another quarter of policy predictability to work with. “It provides a meaningful anchor given the crosscurrents in global growth and inflation. On the ground, we are seeing that homebuyers today are looking well beyond the interest rate cycle; the real decision drivers are quality, community design, and the long-term value a project can hold,” Reeza said.
