Gauteng government is preparing to sell all of its residential properties, including the premier's official residence, in a vast portfolio that may include as many as 29,000 properties.

Owning a home is a dream-come-true for many young people, but being a first-time buyer wrapped up in finding just the right property could mean that the thought of what it will cost to run and maintain that property hasn’t crossed your mind.

Welcoming today’s decision by the Monetary Policy Committee meeting to again hold the repo rate steady, Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property group, said that South Africa’s housing market continues to demonstrate maturity and ongoing resilience.

According to the quarterly PayProp Rental Index, the average South African rental for Q2 2016 was R6 570.50, a 6.4% increase from the same period in 2015.

Much has been said about the attributes of living on a residential estate, and while lifestyle appeal is a crucial component, the fact is the sound investment value both in terms of capital appreciation and potential rental income also speaks volumes to property buyers across the country, says Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property group.

A mere three hours from Cape Town and 90 minutes from the Garden Route, Prince Albert, an exceptionally beautiful Karoo town set against the backdrop of the Swartberg Mountains of the Western Cape, has over the years established itself as a leading country town.

Construction has commenced at The Yacht Club, a unique R1.3bn mixed-use iconic development by the Amdec Group, South Africa’s leading developer of New Urban lifestyles.

Established just over 60 years ago to provide housing, schools and other amenities for the employees of Sasol’s first coal-to-oil refinery, Sasolburg is still a “company town” in the sense that its economic wellbeing is still largely dependent on a few big manufacturing plants.

Relocating for a better lifestyle which includes living off the grid in a more self-sustainable manner is catching on fast in the coastal Garden Route areas of Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Sedgefield.

Following the uncertainty prior to the elections, the second half of the year should be much more positive for the property sector, according to Norman Raad, CEO of Broll Auctions and Sales.