Slight improvement in transaction volumes alongside mortgage advances.

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.

A few months on from the May general election, a somber mood is once again settling in in the country, and one senses that there is a feeling that structural policy reforms that had been hoped for under a new presidency are not easily going to be forthcoming.

South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Governor Lesetja Kganyago has announced that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has maintained the repurchase (repo) rate at 6.75%.

Brainworks – a Mauritian-based JSE-listed holding company with a Zimbabwean hotel and real estate investment portfolio –– released annual results for the year ended 31 December 2018, reporting revenue up by 35% to US$79.3 million from US$58.6 million in the prior year.

Levels of building activity in the South African market for new housing remained subdued in 2018, which were much in line with trends since 2010 after the economy emerged from recession in 2008/09.

Rental growth affects values within the industrial property sector, plus is a large determinant of business costs.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has increased the repurchase rate (repo) by 25 basis points, effective 23 November, Governor Lesetja Kganyago announced on Thursday. 

The Firstrand economic team expects a 25 basis point interest rate hike this week when the SARB (South African Reserve Bank) MPC (Monetary Policy Committee) meets to deliberate on interest rates.

The budget deficit for the 2018/19 financial year is expected to widen to 4.3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – which is higher than the 2018 Budget estimate of 3.8%.