The momentum gained over the past two years in South Africa’s residential property sector has not been experienced in decades and Grant Smee, managing director of Only Realty, predicts that this uptick will continue well into 2022.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the highest unemployment rates experienced in our country\u2019s history – currently sitting at 44.4% – there is still high demand for residential property \u2013 particularly amongst first-time homebuyers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Smee speculates that the repo rate hike (up by 25 basis points to 3.75%) will not slow current demand amongst certain homebuying categories. \u201cBuyers in the LSM 8 \u2013 10 bracket and those with a steady income are less likely to be swayed by this increase.\u201d<\/p>\n
The latest data published by Ooba Group echoes this sentiment. \u201cAccording to recent data, homes in the R1.3 million price bracket \u2013 currently the most sought-after price tag in the country \u2013 will see a monthly repayment increase of under R200.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smee added that the excess demand for properties at certain price points (R2 million-plus) will see a prolonged buyers\u2019 market \u2013 expected to last well into 2022. \u201cOn the other hand, sellers in sought-after areas now have the upper hand.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sellers\u2019 market seeing the most activity is most prominent amongst properties ranging from R700,000 \u2013 R2 million in areas with convenient access to schools, public transport, fibre and retail centres, he said.<\/p>\n
Smee does however caution that the \u2018honeymoon\u2019 period of affordable home-buying will eventually draw to a close. \u201cThe residential property sector is not immune to major cyclical changes, so I\u2019d advise any investors to \u2018cash in\u2019 and bargain hunt in 2022 before the \u2018cooling period\u2019 begins.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smee shares the following predicted trends for 2022:<\/p>\n
Semigration continues<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe demand for coastal homes \u2013 particularly in the Eastern and Western Cape \u2013 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 working model. This is also evident in the number of commercial properties up for sale as companies work towards reducing their office footprint,\u201d says Smee.<\/p>\n \u201cThis move gives homebuyers the freedom to buy where they want and to upgrade their homes to accommodate more office space.\u201d<\/p>\n In-land properties in demand<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cRecent homebuying 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Buy-to-let<\/strong><\/p>\n The latest Oobarometer Q3 statistics indicate a rise in buy-to-let homebuyers. \u201cOver this period, buy-to-let investments increased by more than three times from 2% to 7% – from the same period in 2020,” he said.<\/p>\n Smee added that this is a testament to an ongoing change in buying behaviour. \u201cHomes 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Security \u2013 above all else<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAs crime continues to rise, we are seeing high demand for gated estates and homes in boomed-off areas,” said Smee. Off-plan developments also continue to drive demand as more of these pop up around the country. \u201cDevelopers know where to build and exactly who their audience is,\u201d said Smee.<\/p>\n Saving and credit records<\/strong><\/p>\n 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. \u201cAn 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,” said Smee.<\/p>\n “Those with a poor credit rating are advised to work with a home loan originator to improve their chances of being approved. It\u2019s also advised to be preapproved for a home loan before you start shopping around.\u201d<\/p>\n Notable areas on the rise<\/strong><\/p>\n In 2022 Coastal areas such as George, Knysna, Mossel Bay, Ballito, the Atlantic Seaboard and West Coast are expected to score big, he said.<\/p>\n Eco-living upgrades<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cSouth Africa still lacks in areas such as eco-living and infrastructure to support smart homes, however, more savvy South Africans are making in-roads towards sustainable, eco-friendly living (and smart homes),\u201d said Smee.<\/p>\n \u201cMeasures 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,” he said.<\/p>\n Upgrades for first-time buyers<\/strong><\/p>\n Homebuyers who purchased their first property may now be looking to upgrade. \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Home auctions increase<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAuctions are popping up in every suburb. While this is a traditional method of sale in the likes of Australia, it has long since 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n