By Grant Smee
It appears the recent repo rate hike wasn’t enough to deter residential property demand. The momentum gained over the past two years has not been experienced in decades.
Despite the highest unemployment rates in South Africa’s history (currently at 44.4 percent), there is still high demand for residential property – particularly amongst first-time homebuyers,
The repo rate rise (up by 25 basis points, to 3.75 percent) will not slow current demand among certain home-buying categories. Buyers in the LSM 8 – 10 bracket and those with a steady income are less likely to be swayed by this increase.
What the statistics say:
The latest Oobarometer figures, released by Ooba Group, echo this sentiment. According to recent data, homes in the R1.3 million price bracket – currently the most sought-after price tag in the country – will see a monthly repayment increase of under R200.
The excess demand for properties at certain price points (R2 million-plus) will see a prolonged buyers’ market – expected to last well into 2022. On the other hand, sellers in sought-after areas now have the upper hand.
The sellers’ market seeing the most activity is for properties ranging from R700 000 to R2 million in areas with convenient access to schools, public transport, fibre and retail centres.
Investors: You have been warned.
The "honeymoon" period of affordable home-buying will eventually draw to a close. The residential property sector is not immune to major cyclical changes, so I’d advise any investors to "cash in" and bargain hunt in 2022 before the "cooling period" begins.
Predicted trends for 2022:
- Semigration continues: The demand for coastal homes – particularly in the Eastern and Western Cape – is set to continue. Uncertainty around work-from-home policies and how long these would last has now subsided, with many companies implementing a long-term hybrid or work-from-home model. This is also evident in the number of commercial properties up for sale, as companies work towards reducing their office footprint. This move gives homebuyers the freedom to buy where they want and to upgrade their homes to accommodate more office space.
- Inland properties in demand: Recent home-buying activity in provinces such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga, the Free State and Northern Cape indicate a surge in demand. Properties in these provinces offer value for money and bring a sense of solace to ex-city slickers.
- Buy-to-let: The latest Oobarometer Q3 statistics indicate a rise in buy-to-let homebuyers. Over this period, buy-to-let investments increased by more than three times, from 2 percent to 7 percent (compared to the same period in 2020). This is a testament to an ongoing change in buying behaviour. Homes are still viewed as a stable asset class by many investors. Rather than covering their own monthly home repayments, homebuyers are finding suitable tenants or are renting out a room to reduce costs.
- Security – above all else: As crime continues to rise, we are seeing high demand for gated estates and homes in boomed off areas. Off-plan developments also continue to drive demand as more of these pop up around the country. Developers know where to build and exactly who their audience is.
- Saving and credit records: With many first-time buyers still looking to enter the property market, some will be focusing on a healthy bank balance and a healthy credit score (of 600-plus) in 2022. An increase in inflation and the repo rate will see first-time buyers in particular focusing on improving their finances to secure the best possible interest rate on a home loan. Those with a poor credit rating are advised to work with a home loan originator to improve their chances of being approved. It’s also good to be pre-approved for a home loan before you start shopping around.
- Notable areas on the rise: In 2022, coastal areas such as George, Knysna, Mossel Bay, Ballito, the Atlantic Seaboard and West Coast are expected to “score big”.
- Eco-living upgrades: South Africa still lacks in areas such as eco-living and infrastructure to support smart homes. However, more savvy South Africans are moving towards sustainable, eco-friendly living (and smart homes). Measures such as solar power, building with sustainable materials to reduce their carbon footprint, building homes with more natural light and growing vegetable gardens are just some of the trends that will continue (and grow in popularity) in 2022. Features such as these justify a higher price tag due to high demand by homebuyers.
- Upgrades for first-time buyers: Homebuyers who purchased their first property may now be looking to upgrade. The interest rate remains low and these homeowners are moving into the next phase of their life. They might be looking for more space to accommodate a family or to accommodate a bigger home office. Based on this, we anticipate high levels of activity amongst second homebuyers.
- Home auctions increase: Auctions are popping up in every suburb. While this is a traditional method of sale in places such as Australia, it has long been viewed in a negative light in South Africa. However, today, sellers are embracing this as a quick, transparent way to sell a property and the upturn is set to continue long past 2022. In my view, this is only the beginning.
Grant Smee, managing director of Only Realty.
*The views expressed here are not necessarily those of IOL or of title sites.
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