Michael van Riel agent profile

Estate Agent Property News Articles

The legal steps to selling a property in South Africa

30 Aug 2024

Selling a property in South Africa can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor, whether you're aiming to capitalize on your investment or seeking to finance the purchase of a new home. However, understanding the legal steps involved is crucial to ensure everything runs smoothly. Failing to comply with the necessary legalities can lead to costly delays, disputes, and complications.

Technology

How AI is being used to scam property buyers and sellers

20 Nov 2024

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in real estate has revolutionised property transactions, offering tools for better property analysis and customer engagement. However, criminals are exploiting these advancements to perpetrate sophisticated scams that can be used to target property buyers and sellers in South Africa.

Market & Opinion

Housing Affordability: How First-Time Buyers are Coping

09 Jul 2024

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.

Market & Opinion

Rental growth surges in Q2 2024

03 Sep 2024

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.