Lisbon, Sydney and Moscow set to lead residential price growth in 2020.

Against the backdrop of a persistently sluggish economy, subdued market confidence and lower-than expected inflation.

Signs that the residential property market is beginning to stabilise.

Sentiment is a key driver of investor confidence and the residential property market is no different in this regard.

A fervent desire to reduce both monthly costs and traffic-congested travel times while residing in conveniently situated nodes has given rise to the ongoing success of the live-work-play lifestyle in South Africa.

The surge in first-time buyers entering Cape Town’s property market – a notable 3.3 times more than this time last year – augurs well for a gradual house price recovery in the next few months, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

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.

With inflation currently below the mid-point of the Reserve Bank’s inflation target and economic growth remaining sluggish, the Monetary Policy Committee kept the repo rate steady at 6.75%, as expected.