Proposed tax increases puts pressure on households
The ratings agencies have been circling for months with many fearing a downgrading to junk status, and South Africa’s economic growth rate has been narrowed from 0.8% in February to 0.5%.
Is it time to move towards a more attracive buy-to-let opportunity? Yields start to rise as the residential market slows
In the 2nd Quarter of 2016, the TPN-FNB National Average Gross Residential Yield rose slightly for the 1st time since the 1st quarter of 2014.
Building sector confidence regains some ground in Q3
After falling to 34 in 2Q2016, the FNB/BER Building Confidence Index increased by 4 points to 38 in 3Q2016.
Real Retail Sales growth slows further in July to 0.8% year-on-year, and it looks like a stagnant economy is finally starting to bite
July Real Retail Sales growth numbers show still slower year-on-year growth, and the sharp negative growth in the highly cyclical Household Furniture, Appliances and Equipment segment of Retail may be a leading indicator of more growth slowing to come.
The value of new mortgage lending continued its year-on-year decline in Q2, but at a slightly slower pace
2nd Quarter 2016 SARB New Mortgage Lending data showed a 2nd consecutive quarter’s year-on-year decline.
Economic growth improves in the 2nd quarter, but probably not enough to prevent further labour shedding and Consumer Confidence weakness just yet
Gross Domestic Product for the 2nd Quarter of 2016 showed some mild improvement, returning to positive growth after a 1st Quarter contraction.
Property Barometer - August FNB Valuers Market Strength Index rises, but demand growth may be starting renewed slowing
In recent months, the FNB Valuers’ Residential Market Strength Index (MSI – see page 2 for description) has been through a short bout of mild demand-driven strengthening. However, month-on-month demand growth started to slow once more in August, which possibly means a near term weakening coming in the MSI.
July CPI inflation slows, but the low income groups are still being hit hard by rampant food price inflation
The July Consumer Price Index (CPI) year-on-year inflation rate slowed from a previous month’s 6.3% to 6.0%, thus sitting virtually in the 6% upper limit of the SARB’s (Reserve Bank) 3-6% inflation target range.
Retail Property still being built at a brisk pace, but signs of slowdown have begun to emerge
June Retail Building Statistics complete the 2nd quarter building picture, and pointed to a still-brisk pace of Retail Space building activity for the 2nd quarter as a whole.
How common are 100% home loans?
A question often asked is to what extent mortgage lenders still provide “100% loans”, meaning mortgage loans that amount to 100% of the value of the home being purchased.
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