The current, exceptionally low interest rates in South Africa have sparked off a sudden and unexpected call for residential property bonds.

The residential property market in the Eastern Cape has remained surprisingly resilient during the unprecedented times the economy currently faces, says Pam Golding Properties.

The further reduction of the repo rate by 25 basis points to an all-time low of 3.5% takes the prime interest rate down to 7%, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

A new mixed use development is being planned near the landmark Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie, with the public participation process being undertaken as part of the required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process set to commence in mid-July.

Against the backdrop of ongoing measures to address the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa, the Supplementary Budget 2020 highlighted several key aspects, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

JSE REIT Stor-Age, South Africa’s leading and largest self storage property fund, continued outperforming sector and JSE indices for the year to March 2020, with robust results and a 5% higher dividend of R1.12 per share reflecting the resilience of the self storage product.

Initial predictions regarding the future of the residential property market as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown have painted a sombre picture: significant drops in house prices, more supply than demand, and people unable to afford their home loans. 

“The COVID-19 Crisis has changed the world a lot, perhaps less through introducing new trends and more through speeding up old trends,” said John Loos, FNB Economist at an FNB Commercial Property Finance (CPF) webinar earlier today.

The Covid-19 pandemic and South Africa’s lockdown regulations are impacting all aspects of our lives.

In the midst of a rapidly contracting economy in limbo under an extended lockdown, today’s (21 May 2020) announcement of a further reduction of 50 bps in the repo rate will have a positive effect on the residential property market, albeit deferred until potential buyers can begin transacting in earnest, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.