Alta Dannhauser

First-time homeownership remains a challenging goal for many South Africans, particularly the youth. Despite a brief period in 2020/21 when interest rates were cut to record lows, participation by young buyers, defined as those under 35 years old, has continued to decline steadily since 2010. This is according to insights from the latest FNB Estate Agents Survey that looks at understanding how first-time buyers are navigating a tight monetary policy environment.

When homeowners decide to sell their property, one important question arises: should you buy a new home before selling your current one, or sell first and then buy? This decision depends on various factors, such as whether you’re moving locally or to another province or country, whether you have children in school, and the need for a deposit.

Rental growth in South Africa surged in Q2 2024, reaching its highest post-pandemic levels. The PayProp Rental Index shows year-on-year growth peaked at 5.2% in June, outpacing inflation for the first time in five years. While tenants face rising debt burdens, landlords and rental agents are seeing real-terms returns improve, signaling a potential recovery for the sector. Provinces like the Western Cape are leading the way, with rental growth hitting 11.7% – the fastest since 2017.