With inflation currently well below the lower end of the 3-6% target range at 2.85% in October 2024, and electricity supply seemingly under control, the economic outlook for 2025 appears increasingly positive, with a further 25bps repo rate cut most likely on the cards for January (2025), says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.
Given the vulnerability of South Africa’s economy in the wake of last week’s unrest, as anticipated, the Monetary Policy Committee adopted an accommodative approach by deciding to keep the repo rate steady at 3.5%, which leaves the prime rate at 7%, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.
Over the past 15 years, the sectional title market in South Africa has become entrenched as a significant component of real estate sales, rising from 13% of total sales in 2005 to nearly 28% in 2020, says Pam Golding Properties.
Sentiment is a key driver of investor confidence and the residential property market is no different in this regard.
A fervent desire to reduce both monthly costs and traffic-congested travel times while residing in conveniently situated nodes has given rise to the ongoing success of the live-work-play lifestyle in South Africa.
The surge in first-time buyers entering Cape Town’s property market – a notable 3.3 times more than this time last year – augurs well for a gradual house price recovery in the next few months, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.
Today’s repo rate reduction of 25bps (to 6.5%), coupled with early indicators of recovery in the South African residential property market augur well for the balance of the year and underscore the opportunity for home buyers to capitalise on the current favourable market conditions before the market enters a decisive upturn.
As anticipated, the MPC kept the repo rate steady, taking a conservative approach against the backdrop of rising fuel prices, and with a wary eye on CPI inflation, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.
With inflation currently below the mid-point of the Reserve Bank’s inflation target and economic growth remaining sluggish, the Monetary Policy Committee kept the repo rate steady at 6.75%, as expected.
One thing is certain, apart from the overall inflationary impact, the spiralling cost of fuel directly impacts on the demand for conveniently situated, sectional title property in key economic hubs – close to the workplace, schools and all amenities.
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