South Africa’s listed property market declined by 1.5% last week, despite a strong finish on Friday, 12 October 2012. After the markets closed on Friday, Standard & Poor’s downgraded South Africa’s sovereign credit rating to BBB from BBB+ and kept its negative outlook in place. 

Funding via the bond market is considered as more transparent than conventional debt, with listed property funds accessing capital at more attractive rates

Growthpoint Properties Limited (GRT) has issued a R500 million senior unsecured corporate bond issue of five-year maturity. 

Banks are now almost too aware of possible difficulties faced by bond applicants, are too stringent in applying the NCA and far too concerned about shareholders’ reactions.

Total returns for SA commercial property accelerated to 23.4% in 2004, up from 15.3% in 2003, breaking the previous record of 17.4% set in 1997

Growthpoint Properties, the largest listed property fund on the JSE Securities Exchange SA, is set to further consolidate this position

The National Treasury and Nedbank (NED) have confirmed that Nedbank Internet clients will be able to buy bonds