RETAIL sales accelerated much more than expected in February, suggesting that the expected slowdown in consumer spending may not be as severe as feared and lifting gloom over the growth outlook.

The residential property market survived 2012 with a few nicks and bruises but, generally it remained stable with positive signs; like the banks relaxing their loan requirements and the historically low repo rate to help matters along. 

Although it has not yet regained its shine as an investment, the attractiveness of residential property as an investment does appear to be gradually improving.

A recent FNB Property Barometer Survey of Estate Agents from John Loos reports a sign of improved confidence in the African economy, with an estimated 20% of foreign investment into SA real estate coming from Africa

It should not come as too much of a surprise that growth in residential property transactions broadly slowed as 2011 progressed, as did growth in residential mortgages registered.

No one could claim that the South African property market has done well in 2011. Sellers are finding that their estimated prices need to be lowered; buyers are eager but struggle to buy with banks hesitant to approve home loans

The third quarter has shown mild improvement on the previous quarter in terms of the growth in building completions.

The current outlook on the rental property market has been stable, however, this does not mean that there are no concerns for property owners and managers alike

Speculators have been knocked out of the residential market, according to estate agents. The proportion of properties sold to buy-to-let investors has fallen from over 25% at the peak of the boom in 2006 to 7% today

Buy-to-let purchases fell to a new low of 7% of total property buying in the second quarter of this year, down from the previous quarter's 9%.