Key Market Trends Every Buyer Should Know
- cryptoinvestments
- Sep 1
- 2 min read
August Property Brief: Key Market Trends Every Buyer Should Know
South Africa’s property market continues to show resilience and growth, with some notable shifts in buyer behavior and regional performance. Here are the key highlights from this month’s Property Brief—and what they mean for buyers, sellers, and investors.
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🏡 Average Home Prices Continue to Climb
• The average home price now sits at R1.6 million, up 2.1% year-on-year.
• For first-time buyers, the average price has risen to R1.3 million.
What’s interesting is that these increases outpaced July’s 3% inflation rate, showing that real estate continues to perform as a strong, appreciating asset.
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💰 Deposits Are Rising Again
• The average deposit for all buyers is now R311,000, up 14% from Q2.
• For first-time buyers, deposits climbed to R188,000, a 5.8% increase.
While still below early-2024 highs, this upward trend suggests greater financial commitment from buyers as the market heats up. It may also reflect banks becoming more selective with lending, making strong savings an advantage.
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🔄 Shifts in Buyer Demand
• Loans for properties over R3 million are up 7% year-on-year.
• Meanwhile, loans for homes under R500,000 dropped 5.7%.
This shift shows growing confidence in the upper-end of the market, while affordability pressures may be slowing demand in entry-level segments.
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🌍 Regional Standouts
• Western Cape leads the country, with R4.4 billion worth of new houses and flats completed by July.
• Greater Pretoria has emerged as a growth hotspot, recording a 27% jump in building approvals over the past year.
These numbers highlight regions where both developers and buyers see long-term opportunity—making them ones to watch closely.
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✅ What This Means for You
• Buyers: Rising deposits and prices mean planning ahead financially is more important than ever. Getting prequalified can give you the edge.
• Sellers: With average home values climbing and demand strengthening in certain markets, it’s a favorable time to list.
• Investors: The shift toward higher-end properties and strong regional growth areas like Pretoria and the Western Cape point to where the smart money is going.
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📌 Final Takeaway:
South Africa’s property market remains dynamic, with steady growth in values, deposits, and regional development. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or invest, staying informed about these trends can help you make the best move at the right time.
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