Kim Pfaff-Karg, BSc Property Studies (Honours) is the Chief Investment Officer at Spear REIT Limited, a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

With the South African Reserve Bank’s announcement of interest rates cut of 100 basis points and earlier transfer duty exemption for properties below R1 million by the Minister of Finance, local regulations have made it attractive for first-time home buyers to enter the market.

Against the backdrop of the unprecedented times we find ourselves in, today’s (19 March 2020) decision by the Monetary Policy Committee to reduce the repo rate by 100bps is a critical step towards financial survival.

Indluplace Properties, the first and largest rental residential REIT, listed on the JSE, with a portfolio in excess of 9 500 units reaffirmed the position of its portfolio in an investor update published to the market today.

JSE-listed REIT Texton Property Fund announced its results for the half-year ended 31 December 2019 and expects distributable earnings to be in line with guidance for the full year.

Fairvest Property Holdings Limited (“Fairvest”) today again announced solid results for the six months to December 2019, with above market distribution growth of 5.1%, net property income growth of 2.2%, 5-year lows in vacancy rates and consistently low arrears.

South Africa’s economy is expected to grow by 0.9% in 2020, National Treasury said on Wednesday.

The Joe Singh Group, which acquired One Vision (Pty) Ltd in 2013, today announced that the High Court has ruled in its favour regarding the Lahleni Lakes Golf Estate case brought by Mr Singh against former One Vision director, Mr Ralston Smith.

A number of significant amendments to the City of Cape Town’s Municipal Planning By-laws of 2015 were promulgated this month (3 February), impacting both home owners and property owners in the hospitality industry who offer short-term and holiday accommodation.

While the overall risk environment has heightened since last year, a strategic focus on balance sheet management and a relentless pursuit on delivering sustained value is providing Redefine with a buffer against the economic challenges.