Latest news with #REMAXSouthernAfrica
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
How women are reshaping South Africa's property market
In celebration of National Women's Day this August, REMAX Southern Africa is taking a closer look at how women are shaping the property landscape in South Africa. The face of the average homebuyer is changing and increasingly, it is female. From single professionals to entrepreneurial mothers and retirees, women are stepping into the property market with financial independence, clear goals, and a growing influence over how, where, and why homes are being bought. 'Women are not just entering the property market – they are transforming it. Their influence is driving change across buyer priorities, development planning, and agent strategy across the country,' says Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO of REMAX Southern Africa. Looking at the Gqeberha market, Kobie Potgieter, Broker/Owner of REMAX Independent Properties, observes this shift first-hand. 'There has certainly been a rise in multi-generational purchases, often led by women who are buying with both current and future family needs in mind, whether it be raising children or caring for aging parents. But, we are also seeing a rising number of financially independent women, particularly professionals, entrepreneurs, and single mothers, entering the market with confidence and clarity around what they want from a property. They're driving demand for homes that offer security and peace of mind, such as access-controlled estates; low-maintenance living, like sectional title homes; community connection; and proximity to family, work, and essential services,' she says. 'Developments like Westbrook, for example, are catering to these priorities exceptionally well. With a master-planned approach that will include walkable communities, schools, retail spaces, and 24/7 security when the project is completed, the appeal to female buyers is strong. These estates offer the balance of independence, lifestyle, and safety that many women seek.' This sentiment is echoed by Kim Peacock, Broker/Owner of REMAX Dolphin Realtors. 'At REMAX Dolphin Realtors, we've seen a notable rise in single professional women, mothers, and even retirees independently purchasing property. These buyers are prioritising security, access to amenities, and lifestyle estates while simultaneously ensuring that they make emotionally intelligent and financially informed decisions.' She adds that this trend is particularly evident on the North Coast, where women are driving demand in developments such as Simbithi, Dunkirk, Zululami, and Elaleni. 'Female buyers are no longer a niche in our market. Instead, they are a market-shaping segment.' The demand for living in lifestyle estates is also strong within the Gauteng market. Nadia Aucamp, Broker/Owner of REMAX All Stars, adds: 'Security is a top priority for female buyers, with many preferring homes in secure complexes or estates. These buyers also value convenience and modern living, often looking for low-maintenance properties in central locations. While safety comes first, aesthetic appeal still holds strong. Stylish finishes, modern kitchens, and well-designed spaces remain key decision factors.' In the Western Cape, where average property prices are far higher than the national average, women are embracing innovative approaches to enter the market. Barbara Larney, Broker/Owner of REMAX Wine and Whales, points out that property investment is becoming increasingly accessible through collective financial models. 'In our area women are becoming a major driving force in the property market. The stokvel model is increasingly being adapted for property investment among women. This collective approach not only makes property investment more accessible but also builds financial empowerment and wealth within the community.' As South Africa celebrates National Women's Day, it's clear that the role of women in the housing market is not only growing but transforming the very nature of how properties are developed, marketed, and sold. 'We're proud to support and serve this powerful segment of buyers who are redefining what homeownership looks like in South Africa,' Goslett concludes. Issued by: Kayla Ferguson
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
The rise of woman homebuyers: Transforming the South African property market
Woman buyers have become a major component of the overall South Africa residential property market, in line with a steady rise in their overall income levels. Image: AI Ron The face of the average homebuyer in South Africa is changing, and increasingly, it is female, from single professionals to entrepreneurial mothers and retirees, and they are transforming the market, said REMAX Southern Africa regional director and CEO Adrian Goslett. Their influence is driving change across buyer priorities, development planning, and agent strategy across the country,' he said on Wednesday. Standard Bank head of Home Services Toni Anderson said their home loan data showed women had consistently made up 70% of all home loan clients in the past 19 years, whether as joint or sole applicants. However, in a noteworthy shift, nearly 40% of all main applicants for home loans today are women. 'Even more compelling is the independence with which women are now entering the market. In the past two years, 66% of female main applicants bought homes without a co-applicant, signaling a shift in the housing markets,' said Anderson. The average price of the properties purchased by female main applicants at Standard Bank has increased by 48.2% from R800 000 in 2015 to R1.3m in 2025. This was supported by the 74.3% growth in the average gross income for female main applicants over the last ten years. Their average income grew from R38 000 in 2015 to R57 000 in 2025, said Anderson. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'There certainly has been a rise in multi-generational purchases, often led by women who are buying with both current and future family needs in mind. But we are also seeing a rising number of financially independent women, particularly professionals, entrepreneurs, and single mothers, entering the market,' said REMAX Independent Properties broker/owner Kobie Potgieter, who was referring to the housing market in Gqeberha. She said these women were driving demand for homes that offered security and peace of mind, such as access-controlled estates, low-maintenance living, community connection, and proximity to family, work, and essential services. Meanwhile, MortgageMarket CEO Tim Akinusi said recently that women aged between 28 and 40 were emerging as the leading buyers in Soweto due to the recent boom in lifestyle developments. Akinusi said Orlando Towers Estate was popular with young families—especially single mothers—who valued the estate's high-tech security and peaceful environment. According to MortgageMarket, the financing partner for the development, 56 percent of the buyers were women, predominantly from suburbs such as Pimville, Diepkloof, and Protea Glen. Buyers included skilled workers, people in management, junior and supervisory roles. Common professions included managers, teachers, nurses, administrators, and consultants, with employment spanning manufacturing, finance, education, healthcare, and civil service. Kim Peacock, broker/owner of REMAX Dolphin Realtors, said women were driving demand in KwaZulu-Natal north coast developments such as Simbithi, Dunkirk, Zululami, and Elaleni. 'Female buyers are no longer a niche in our market. Instead, they are a market-shaping segment,' said Peacock. BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
31-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Consumers and homeowners get boost after MPC cuts rates
The rate cut will make home loans more affordable and property buyers will find it slightly easier to qualify. Image: File The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announced on Thursday that interest rates will drop by 0.25%, bringing the repo rate to 7% and the prime lending rate to 10.5%, which property companies say is a welcome boost for consumers and homeownership. Samuel Seeff, the chairman of the Seeff Property Group, said the rate cut is welcome news for the economy and property market. REMAX Southern Africa said it views the announcement by the MPC as a welcome step towards reinvigorating economic activity and restoring consumer confidence. This is the third interest rate cut this year (fifth since September last year). Seeff says it is the correct decision given that inflation (at 3% for May) is below the Bank's target range, and the currency has been stable, trading at times below R18/USD. Regional Director and CEO of REMAX Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett, said 'This cut is likely to serve as a much-needed catalyst for transaction volumes, particularly in the affordable and mid-market sectors. The market is still price-sensitive, but this rate cut could re-energize interest in property acquisitions." 'While this 0.25% cut may seem modest, it does mark a positive step toward restoring the rate environment we saw before the pandemic. Back in January 2020, the repo rate stood at around 6.5%, and although we're still well above that, today's decision brings us incrementally closer. It's an encouraging signal that the Reserve Bank may be pivoting towards a more growth-friendly stance, which could help unlock pent-up demand in the housing market,' said Goslett. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Despite broader economic challenges, the housing market has retained a degree of buoyancy. House prices have strengthened and sales volumes continue to surpass expectations, especially within the REMAX SA network. REMAX Southern Africa reports that its registered sales figures have increased by 12.5% compared to last year (as at end June), and their total units sold increased by 6.5%. 'I remain optimistic about how this latest interest rate cut will impact the local housing market and expect to see activity strengthen further in the months to follow,' Goslett said. However, while this cut brings welcome relief for consumers by reducing borrowing costs and putting more money back into their pockets to spend in the economy, Seeff said it is still not enough. More needs to be done to really give the economy the rocket boost that it needs. Nonetheless, the rate cut will make home loans more affordable and property buyers will find it slightly easier to qualify, thus opening more doors to homeownership. The total rate cuts since September means that the interest rate will now be 1.25% lower compared to last year. The repayment on a bond of R1 million (over 20-years) will therefore now be reduced by around R853 per month. Higher demand and improved house price appreciation at around 3.7% nationally (topping inflation for the first time in two years) also provides incentive for sellers, especially since many areas are in need of more property listings. While the rate cuts have been well received, Seeff said the economy and property market have not yet felt any notable impact from the rate cuts. The first quarter GDP growth was disappointing. After an initial surge, the overall property transaction volumes for the first half of this year are about 16% below the same time last year. Seeff said, "Bolder rate cuts are needed. Since the interest rate (even after the latest cut) is still higher compared to January 2020 before the onset of the Covid-pandemic, we continue to urge the Bank to step up with more cuts now while inflation is contained, and the currency stable." As a result of the 25 basis points rate cut, mortgage repayments will reduce by: R750 000 bond – from R7 614 to R7 488 – saving R126 (Based on a 20-year repayment period at the prime rate) R900 000 bond – from R9 137 to R8 985 – saving R152 R1 000 000 bond – from R10 152 to R9 984 – saving R168 R1 500 000 bond – from R15 228 to R14 976 – saving R252 R2 000 000 bond – from R20 305 to R19 968 – saving R337 R2 500 000 bond – from R25 381 to R24 960 – saving R421 R3 000 000 bond – from R30 457 to R29 951 – saving R506 R5 000 000 bond – from R50 761 to R49 919 – saving R842 BUSINESS REPORT
The Citizen
27-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Renovate vs relocate: What's best for your home's value?
Renovate vs relocate: What's best for your home's value? For South African homeowners caught between staying put or starting fresh, the decision to renovate or relocate is more than just personal preference; it's a question of smart investment. According to property experts at REMAX Southern Africa, the answer lies in understanding which option offers a better return on investment (ROI) and holds the most potential for future house price appreciation. 'The choice between renovating and relocating hinges on a homeowner's financial goals, the state of their current property, and market conditions in both the current and potential new neighbourhoods,' says Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa. For example, he explains that in an area with slow house price appreciation, selling and upgrading could yield a better price than investing in a stagnant area. In high-demand suburbs with little stock, he recommends that homeowners upgrade their current home to ride the property value wave. Another aspect to consider when weighing up whether to renovate or relocate is the transactional costs of buying a home, such as transfer duties, legal fees, and commissions. These can typically total around 7 to 10% of the purchase price. 'These costs can offset short-term gains unless the buyer is upgrading to a home with greater long-term value potential,' Goslett cautions. Home renovations can be a strategic move, especially in an area with stable or rising property values. Updates to kitchens, bathrooms, and open-plan living spaces can significantly increase the appeal and value of a home. However, Goslett warns against overcapitalising – spending more than the area's resale values can support. Spending more than the neighbourhood can support in resale value may mean losses down the line. 'Homeowners should also consider the cost of temporary accommodation during extensive renovations and the unpredictability of construction timelines, which may erode ROI if not carefully managed,' he notes. Beyond financial returns, homeowners must consider how well their current property supports their day-to-day life, and whether they can afford to buy a new home if they wish to remain in the same suburb (perhaps because of schooling, work commutes, or family). When a home's footprint cannot accommodate the household's evolving needs, Goslett says relocating may be the more practical and cost-effective solution. Similarly, if homeowners must remain in their current location, then renovating may be the best solution. ALSO CHECK: Rotary Clubs unite for high-energy wheelchair relay
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
3 property investment strategies to build wealth in uncertain times
In today's unpredictable economic landscape, property investment remains one of the most reliable methods for building and preserving wealth. Whether it's VAT hike reversals, interest rate changes, or global political tensions, savvy investors know how to navigate volatility to their advantage. The secret lies in adopting the right strategies tailored to uncertain times. 'The current climate of uncertainty is being felt universally, with geopolitical tensions contributing to economic volatility not just here in South Africa, but across the globe. While challenges exist, we have always seen that the South African property market shows remarkable resilience when approached with the right strategy,' says Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO of REMAX Southern Africa. Focus on Cash Flow–Positive Properties 'In uncertain times, liquidity and stability become paramount. Cash flow–positive properties (those that generate more rental income than their monthly expenses) can offer a steady income stream, acting as a buffer against broader financial shocks,' says Goslett. For those who would like to put this advice into practice: Avoid maxing out your credit. If interest rates increase, this could put you under strain. Before making a purchase, analyse all costs, including mortgage repayments, maintenance, property management, and vacancy rates. Use conservative estimates when calculating expected rental income to ensure the property remains cash flow positive even in downturns. Diversify Your Portfolio Geographically 'Market conditions vary from region to region. What might be a buyer's market in one city could be a seller's market in another. Geographic diversification helps spread risk and reduces exposure to localised downturns,' says Goslett. For those who would like to put this advice into practice: Don't overlook secondary or emerging markets just outside city centres. They often offer better value and growth potential than saturated urban centres. Monitor regional economic drivers such as job growth, infrastructure development, and population trends. Adopt a Long-Term Mindset 'Property values generally appreciate over time despite short-term fluctuations. A buy-and-hold strategy enables you to ride out volatility while building equity,' says Goslett. For those who would like to put this advice into practice: Invest in low-maintenance properties to reduce long-term upkeep costs. Choose locations with strong fundamentals like employment opportunities, school zones, and transport. 'Uncertain times often bring the best opportunities for those who are well-prepared. By focusing on smart, resilient property investment strategies, you can not only weather the storm but also position yourself to thrive when stability returns. Remember, the key is not to fear uncertainty but to understand how to leverage it to your financial advantage,' says Goslett. Issued by: Kayla Ferguson
