The value of outstanding credit balances in the South African household sector increased by 5,7% to R1 630,2 billion in 2018 after rising by 3,8% in 2017.

Four property industry experts share their insight into thriving in the property investment arena.

The Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) has awarded a 4-star Green Star Sustainable Precincts certification – the first in Africa – to a project that will be built by historic Cape Town development company, Garden Cities NPC (RF), as a further phase of its flagship Cape West Coast suburb, Sunningdale.

RDI, the income focused UK-REIT, has agreed three new high quality lettings at two of its retail parks delivering an average uplift of 40% on gross annualised rents reported for the year ending 31 August 2018.

Morningside Shopping Centre is ringing in 2019 with 10 new shops from great brands specially chosen for its style-savvy shoppers.

2018 was a challenging year for the South African property market, with negative real price growth in the residential property market and slowing market activity.

After an unexpectedly tough 2018, but with the welcome announcement that the repo rate remains unchanged following this first MPC meeting of the year, the outlook for 2019 is somewhat brighter.

Residents in and around Palm Ridge, Katlehong and Sky City can soon expect to visit an exciting new retail venture in the South of Johannesburg.

Private sector-financed building activity (see explanatory note) in the South African market for new housing remained subdued in the first eleven months of 2018, based on data released by Statistics South Africa.

JSE-traded EPP, the pure Polish retail property fund, delivered a total return of 21% in 2018 to significantly outperform the market, making it the top performing listed property company of the year. This is a significant difference from the benchmark index (SAPY) total return of -25%.