Housing market recovery builds momentum says Dr Andrew Golding.

The Pam Golding Residential Property Index highlights some ongoing shifts in the national housing market. These include the fact that the Covid-induced boom in freehold residential property price inflation continues to fade when compared with sectional title, with the gap narrowing to a revised 2.4% in April 2022, having peaked at 3.9% in March 2021.

Today’s repo rate reduction of 25bps (to 6.5%), coupled with early indicators of recovery in the South African residential property market augur well for the balance of the year and underscore the opportunity for home buyers to capitalise on the current favourable market conditions before the market enters a decisive upturn.

As anticipated, the MPC kept the repo rate steady, taking a conservative approach against the backdrop of rising fuel prices, and with a wary eye on CPI inflation, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

The generally market-friendly election outcome will in all likelihood create a degree of certainty and stability and go some way towards addressing the issues currently affecting  confidence in the South African economy - and as a consequence have a positive effect on the South African residential property market, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

One thing is certain, apart from the overall inflationary impact, the spiralling cost of fuel directly impacts on the demand for conveniently situated, sectional title property in key economic hubs – close to the workplace, schools and all amenities.

With inflation still within the target range, but with concerns following a round of fuel price increases and other potential inflationary impacts, as was anticipated, the Monetary Policy Committee kept the repo rate unchanged following this week’s meeting, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

House prices in the Northern Cape are reflecting robust growth as the demand for residential accommodation outstrips supply.

With much still riding on the outcome of the ANC elective conference later this month (16-20 December 2017) which, coupled with the Budget Speech in February next year (2018), will impact on business and consumer confidence and market sentiment in general.

Much has been said about the semigration of buyers – notably Gauteng buyers – to the Western Cape.