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.

Growth in the value of outstanding credit balances in the South African household sector (R1 660,9 billion) remained relatively stable in the first four months of 2019, recorded at 6% year-on-year (y/y) at the end of April this year.

Bellevue East, located on the border of the upmarket suburbs of Observatory and Upper Houghton, emerged as one of the top performing suburbs in Johannesburg in terms of property price growth.

Residential property market sentiment in South Africa increased over a wide front in the final quarter of 2018 on the back of an improved economic performance.

The Firstrand economic team expects a 25 basis point interest rate hike this week when the SARB (South African Reserve Bank) MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) meets to deliberate on interest rates.

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.

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.