According to Catalyst Fund Managers, the SA Listed Property Index (SAPY) recorded a negative total return (-2.98) for the month ended 31 January 2016.

Ooba says the decision today by the South African Reserve Bank to increase interest rates by 0.5% from 6.25% to 6.75% will negatively impact the residential housing markets as many consumers are already facing increasing financial strain through dealing with elevated levels of debt and the rising cost of living expenses.

The country’s seasonally adjusted real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market prices has increased by an annualised rate of 0.7% in the third quarter of 2015.

The South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) raised the key monetary policy interest rate – the repurchase, or repo rate – by a further 25 basis points from 6% to 6,25% per annum. Due to this hike in the repo rate, Absa announced that its prime lending and variable mortgage interest rates will rise from 9,5% to 9,75% per annum, effective from 20 November 2015.

With a 25 bases points increase in interest rates, consumers can expect tough times ahead with overall retail sales growth to range between 2% to 2.75% for the remainder of 2015.

The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) raised the key monetary policy interest rate – the repurchase, or repo rate – by 25 basis points from 5,75% to 6% per annum.

The cost of living in the country's economic hub will rise substantially as of July 1.

Well-established property counters have posted strong annual results over the past few weeks.

Property leaders, Hyprop Investments Limited ("Hyprop") and Attacq Limited ("Attacq") have restructured their investment in African Land Investments ("African Land"), whereby Hyprop, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hyprop Mauritius,willhold 50% in Manda Hill, African Land's only asset.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate rose to 5.9% in February, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Wednesday.