During the third quarter of 2020 (Q3 20), South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdown moved from Alert Level 3 through to Level 1.

The second quarter of 2020 (Q2 20) commenced with two months of lockdown for the real estate industry.

With the first quarter of 2020 (Q1 20) ending only five days into the Covid-19 national lockdown, the statistics and trends analysis released by ooba home loans, South Africa’s foremost home loan comparison service, depicted an ideal environment for homebuyers.  

Fourth quarter (Q4 19) statistics released by ooba, South Africa’s leading home loan comparison service, show minimal growth of 1.8% in the Average House Price year-on-year from Q4 18 to Q4 19. The Average Purchase Price of First-time Buyers performed marginally better, up 2.5% for the same period.

Despite weak economic fundamentals resulting in negative real house price growth, the banking industry continues to show confidence in South Africa’s property market by further relaxing their lending criteria and approving home loan finance at levels last seen 12 years ago.

Buying a new home continues to become more affordable as weakening housing demand results in ongoing negative real price growth (after inflation) in the residential property market.

2018 was a challenging year for the South African property market, with negative real price growth in the residential property market and slowing market activity.

Third quarter (Q3 18) statistics released by ooba, South Africa’s leading home loan originator, show that year-on-year from Q3 17 to Q3 18, the growth in the Average Purchase Price effectively remained static with a 0.1% increase. This continues the trend of negative real price growth (growth less inflation) in the residential property market.

Property statistics for the second quarter (Q2 2018) released by ooba, South Africa’s leading home loan originator, indicate that banks remain positive about the home loan lending environment despite continuing negative real growth in average property prices nationally.

Banks are showing an increased appetite to lend according to first quarter (Q1 2018) property statistics recently released by ooba, South Africa’s leading home loan originator.