Lightstone\u2019s data reveals that in the first quarter of 2026, affordable properties priced under R500,000 took the longest to sell in Johannesburg, with a median selling time of 132 days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By contrast, properties in Cape Town sold much faster, taking only 49 days, compared with the national median of 85 days.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This suggests that challenges in securing mortgages might be hindering housing affordability in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Johannesburg, homes priced between R4 million and R6 million sold relatively quickly, at a median of 45 days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, in Cape Town, homes priced between R1.5 million and R2 million sold in just 16 days.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, homes above R6 million were slower to sell in Cape Town, averaging 49 days, while in Johannesburg, it took 93 days and 67 days nationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking at the period from Q1 2024 to Q2 2026, properties priced between R3 million and R4 million in Johannesburg showed a spike in selling time in Q1 2026, similar to a trend in Q1 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conversely, Cape Town experienced a steady decrease in selling time for the same price range, going from 48 days in Q1 2024 to 20 days in Q1 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Johannesburg homeowners are in a challenging situation. They are connected to a city struggling with significant infrastructure and governance issues.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n When they attempt to sell their homes, they encounter a lengthy process and lack negotiating power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Properties priced between R1 million and R4 million sold the fastest in the first half of 2026, while those priced between R500,000 and R1 million took the longest to sell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In early 2024, listings under R500,000 were the slowest, but their selling time improved from 92 days in late 2025 to 59 days in mid-2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cape Town had better results overall, but in one price range, Johannesburg performed slightly better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Specifically, 20% of sellers in Cape Town with listings over R6 million reduced their asking price, while 19% did so in Johannesburg. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lightstone said that this might be because Cape Town sellers often set higher initial prices to attract buyers in a strong market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Johannesburg, sellers of properties priced between R500,000 and R1 million were most likely to lower their prices, with 40% doing so compared to 24% in Cape Town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Screenshot-2026-09-04-at-18.03.42.png\")
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