The first three months of 2016 saw growth in the average value of middle-segment homes in the South African residential property market remaining relatively stable at a nominal 5,7% year-on-year (y/y).

ABSA Home Loans Property Analyst, Jacques du Toit, notes further uptick in household credit and mortgage balances growth.

Adjustments to transfer duty on property in the 2016 national Budget are to impact only the upper end of the residential property market.

According to Jacques du Toit, Property Analyst at Absa Home Loans, the first nine months of 2015 saw the value of outstanding credit balances in the South African household sector rising by 4,3% year-on-year (y/y).

Residential building activity levels down in early 2015 from a year ago.

Growth in household credit and mortgage balances slows down further.

The FNB/BER building confidence index gains four points to 45 in the third quarter‚ indicating the sector is starting to turn itself around.

Planning phase of residential building activity showed double-digit growth in the first half of 2014, while construction contracted.

Confidence levels in the construction and building industry rise to 52 points in the first quarter of 2014 from 48 in the fourth quarter of 2013. 

SA’s big banks are taking longer to deal with home loan defaulters even though they are continuing to reduce their non-performing home loan books from 2009-10 peaks.