Mr Berkeley says the slow economic growth could present a "significant" risk for those who take their eyes off the longer-term nature of the industry.
"During protracted economic down cycles, a main risk facing many property businesses — whether involved in finance or development — is giving in to the temptation of chasing after risky deals that can so often come along disguised as opportunities," Mr Berkeley says.
He says that is why challenging times such as these typically highlight the importance of experience, market knowledge and a long-term view.
As the head of the country's leading property finance organisation that consistently holds close to 40% of the country's commercial and industrial property market, Mr Berkeley says he speaks from experience.
He attributes the success of Nedbank Corporate Property Finance, as well as its sustainability through all market cycles, to a combination of experienced and insightful people, a long-term lending philosophy that transforms clients into business partners, and a commitment to continuous self-examination.
It is thanks to these factors that Nedbank Corporate Property Finance has bucked the economic trend for much of the year, disbursing more than R15bn in finance so far this year, he says.
He says this success, even in the face of apparently overwhelming economic challenges, underpins his confidence that while most areas of SA's commercial and industrial property industries are likely to continue marking time for the foreseeable future, there will still be opportunities for developers and financiers who know where to look for them.
Mr Berkeley also says that appetite for listed property funds is likely to remain.
"Despite the fact that there are definitely fewer cranes dotting most of South Africa's city skylines, property stocks are, and probably always will be, a fairly reliable means of investment preservation and steady, albeit marginal, growth because they offer access to a diverse range of established properties instead of the single building exposure and volatility risk of direct property ownership or investment."
