The announcement by the Monetary Policy Committee meeting that the repo rate remains unchanged is surely what is needed to help fuel increased activity in the residential property market, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

While political and economic uncertainty is likely to continue across the globe next year (2017), it is hoped that local economic growth will be modestly stronger, which will be more supportive for the South African housing market, says Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property group.

Holding the repo rate steady at today’s Monetary Policy Committee meeting today (24 November 2016) was the right decision and one which is expected to help boost consumer confidence at a time of the year when many are planning and making career and lifestyle decisions for the year ahead, says Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property group.

Cash-strapped homeowners with mortgages, who are faced with inexorably rising consumer costs across the board, will be relieved at the Monetary Policy Committee’s decision today (21 July 2016) to keep the repo rate steady, says Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property group.

Dr Andrew Golding comments on the impact of Brexit on the property market

While it appears South Africa’s repo rate still remains in a rising cycle, today’s decision by the Monetary Policy Committee to pause and keep the rate stable makes sound economic sense given the stagnant economy and ongoing cost pressures exerted on consumers, says Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property group.

In a strategic move to expand its footprint and service offering in Zimbabwe, Pam Golding Properties Zimbabwe has announced a merger with Donavans Property Consultants.

Ooba says the decision today by the South African Reserve Bank to increase interest rates by 0.5% from 6.25% to 6.75% will negatively impact the residential housing markets as many consumers are already facing increasing financial strain through dealing with elevated levels of debt and the rising cost of living expenses.

Following a year which was saw South Africa’s housing market rise to the challenge amid tough economic conditions, a number of positives stand out, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

With inflation within the target range and a sluggish economy struggling to regain impetus while the country experiences the worst drought in decades, the Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to further increase the repo rate by another 25bps was ill-timed, as a stable rate would have helped boost business and consumer confidence at a time when it is needed most, says Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property group.