Listed real estate had come of age internationally over the last 10 years, and South Africa is actively following this trend, he told a Johannesburg conference hosted by Catalyst Holdings on property trends.

He said market capitalisation of listed property in North America, Europe and Asia had grown to $288 billion. Internationally property had held up well in the face of equity market downturns. 

'Market capitalisation of South African securitised property has doubled to R14 billion in the last two years. We expect the underlying trend to continue despite high interest rates.

'Liquidity levels of SA property stocks have improved dramatically, with the annual value traded around R3.5 bn, which is equivalent to a quarter of the market capitalisation. And property shares continue to outperform other sectors.'

Stadler said property income was relatively predictable, given contracted leases normally over three to five years.

'Listed property has the advantage of giving easy access to assets worth millions through the purchase of shares or units in trusts rather than the time-consuming and costly process of direct investment.'