Despite the uncertainties surrounding the pandemic, the market for prime global residential property is expected to remain active as the long-term appeal of this sector holds strong - as sentiment improves amidst the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine across the globe, and as the Biden administration plans a massive stimulus package to revive growth in the US, according to Savills World Cities Prime Residential Index.

While a further reduction to the interest rate would have been a bonus for aspirant first-time home buyers and existing homeowners with mortgages, the Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to leave the repo rate unchanged at 3.5% was anticipated by the majority of market commentators, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

The Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown has been a catalyst for highlighting the different characteristics – as well as the commonalities of preference – among various generations of home buyers, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

Further repo rate cut would have provided relief for economy and boosted housing market, says Dr Andrew Golding.

So asks Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

While retirement in its broadest sense represents a change in lifestyle in one way or another, the fact is, the traditional concept of retirement has changed significantly over the past few decades, with, for example many people in their 60s still very active and in their 70s still working, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

The further reduction of the repo rate by 25 basis points to an all-time low of 3.5% takes the prime interest rate down to 7%, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

Against the backdrop of ongoing measures to address the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa, the Supplementary Budget 2020 highlighted several key aspects, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

In the midst of a rapidly contracting economy in limbo under an extended lockdown, today’s (21 May 2020) announcement of a further reduction of 50 bps in the repo rate will have a positive effect on the residential property market, albeit deferred until potential buyers can begin transacting in earnest, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

“In an unexpected but welcome announcement, the Monetary Policy Committee today (14 April 2020) announced a further 100bps cut in the repo rate, reducing it to just 4.25%.