Real Estate Market in South Africa Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

The Report on Housing Market South Africa is segmented By Type (Villas and Landed Houses, Condominiums, and Apartments) and By city (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Pretoria, and the Rest of South Africa). The report offers the market size and forecasts in values (USD billion) for all the above segments.

South Africa Real Estate Market Size

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Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

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South Africa Real Estate Market Analysis

The South Africa Residential Real Estate Market size is estimated at USD 19.89 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 32.71 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 10.46% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Despite the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdowns, the residential property market has become one of South Africa's more robust sectors.

• The country's demographics show that 15.6 million South Africans are aged 20 to 34. With the right economic opportunities, many first-time buyers are entering the market. Others who already have a home are discovering property's potential to create wealth. The good news for new investors is that interest rates are favourable, and the current slow rental growth will likely improve over time. Several factors have fuelled the housing market, like low-interest rates, the rise of working-from-home trends, and the appeal of more space in the event of lockdowns are among them.
• The slow recovery in the labour market, combined with rising interest rates, suggests a less supportive medium-term environment for home-buying activity. However, if sustained, the ongoing shifts in housing needs, which have lent support to homeownership, could mitigate the impact. Residential real estate in South Africa can cost up to 1.6 million South African rands on average, depending on location. One of South Africa's three capital cities and the second-largest metropolis in the nation after Johannesburg, Cape Town is located in the West Cape province.
• Even though housing prices in Johannesburg were reduced, they were still above the one million South African rand threshold. Even though costs vary greatly based on location and property type, the majority of residential property deals cost over 1.2 million South African rands. This was a little bit more than what was typical for mortgage loans to first-time buyers. In terms of the rental market, Mpumalanga saw the greatest growth in rents, but the Western Cape saw the highest rents.

South Africa Real Estate Market Trends

This section covers the major market trends shaping the South Africa Residential Real Estate Market according to our research experts:

Increasing Demand for Sectional Title Living in South Africa

The purchase of freehold homes by South Africans has been steadily decreasing, with buyers opting for sectional title and estate homes instead. Increased security, affordability, and the communal lifestyle are attractive aspects when considering sectional title properties. A sectional title unit is a property in an undivided share of common property. These units are called townhouses, flats or apartments, and duet houses. Estate purchases remained consistent, with the growth of sectional title property of up to 5%.

An intriguing case study for the sectional title market is the emergence of Midrand, one of the fastest-growing growth centres in the nation. While Midrand's population has risen since 2000, the area has experienced a significant 550% increase in the number of sectional title homes, according to residential property analysis firm Lightstone. It illustrates how widespread this type of property ownership has become. Additionally, many people want to enter the real estate market while still having access to homes. Sectional title homes are a good entry point into the residential real estate market for first-time homebuyers because of their affordability.

Rental Prices Growth in South African Provinces

The South African housing market has been expanding ever since the market collapse in 2008 and 2009. The increase in home prices has stayed constant throughout the coronavirus pandemic while being lower than levels seen before the market meltdown. Rental growth has lagged behind the home price increase by less than 1% as of the fourth quarter of 2021.

Lower-than-normal demand in 2021 has fueled the high vacancies and low escalations across South Africa. Historically, the rental demand increased during tough economic times, which is not the case in the present scenario. The data show that few people are entering the rental market, and most of those rents are for less than ZAR 7,000 (USD 465.24) per month. Most provinces saw low rental growth and a deterioration in the average tenant's financial situation from Q2 2020 to Q2 2021. Below-inflation income growth has made it increasingly difficult to keep up with debt and other costs.

The average rent in Western Cape surpassed the ZAR 9,185 (USD 598.21) mark in Q2 2021, making it the most expensive province to live in. This rent has an average price differential of nearly ZAR 1,000 (USD 65.13) compared to the second-most costly region. In Gauteng, the average rent reached ZAR 8,292 (USD 540.05) for the first time in 2021, 4.84% more than the 2020 rent and the third-highest growth rate in the country for the quarter. While this rate was lower than the previous year, it was the province's first increase in quarterly growth in two years, implying the beginning of a recovering rental market in the area.

South Africa Real Estate Industry Overview

The South African residential real estate market is fragmented, with various indigenous players. Most real estate companies have registered some of their most significant sales from properties in the Western Cape. Major players in the residential real estate sector are Pam Golding Properties, RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Seeff Property Services, and Harcourts Real Estate, as well as RDC Properties, WBHO, and Renprop. Though property development is not showing signs of slowing down, developers are struggling to increase occupancy rates due to oversupply.

South Africa Real Estate Market Leaders

1. Pam Golding Properties
2. RDC Properties
3. Renprop (Pty) Ltd
4. Kaan Development
5. Pipilo Projects

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

South Africa Real Estate Market News

• July 2022- To improve access to affordable and sustainable housing in South Africa, IFC (International Finance Corporation) announced an investment to help South African residential property developer Alleyroads build over 1,000 rental apartments in the Johannesburg area.
• June 2022- Construction of a new mixed-use building, Rubik, began in Cape Town's CBD. The building will complement the city's growing skyline. Located on the corner of Roop and Rybeek Streets, the Rubik consists of luxury residential apartments above prime office and quality retail space. The architects have designed it in a very characteristic modern glass 'layered' building.

South Africa Real Estate Market Report - Table of Contents

1. 1. INTRODUCTION
   1. 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
   2. 1.2 Scope of the Study
   1. 4.1 Current Economic Scenario and Consumer Sentiment
   2. 4.2 Market Dynamics
      1. 4.2.1 Drivers
      2. 4.2.2 Restraints
      3. 4.2.3 Opportunities
      1. 4.3.1 Bargaining Power Of Suppliers
      2. 4.3.2 Bargaining Power Of Buyers/Consumers
      3. 4.3.3 Threat Of New Entrants
      4. 4.3.4 Threat Of Substitute Products
      5. 4.3.5 Intensity Of Competitive Rivalry
      1. 5.1 By Type
         1. 5.1.1 Villas and Landed Houses
         2. 5.1.2 Condominiums and Apartments
         1. 5.2.1 Johannesburg
         2. 5.2.2 Cape Town
         3. 5.2.3 Durban
         4. 5.2.4 Port Elizabeth
         5. 5.2.5 Bloemfontein
         6. 5.2.6 Pretoria
         7. 5.2.7 Rest of South Africa
         1. 6.1 Market Concentration
         2. 6.2 Company Profiles
            1. 6.2.1 Pam Golding Properties
            2. 6.2.2 Kaan Development
            3. 6.2.3 RDC Properties
            4. 6.2.4 Renprop (Pty) Ltd
            5. 6.2.5 Pipilo Projects
            6. 6.2.6 Harcourts International Ltd
            7. 6.2.7 The Amdec Group
            8. 6.2.8 Legaro Property Development
            9. 6.2.9 Devmark Property Group
            10. 6.2.10 Reeflords*
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            South Africa Real Estate Industry Segmentation

            Residential real estate is an area developed for people to live in. As defined by local zoning ordinances, residential real estate cannot be used for commercial or industrial purposes. A complete background analysis of the South Africa Residential Real Estate Market, including the assessment of the economy and contribution of sectors in the economy, market overview, market size estimation for key segments, and emerging trends in the market segments, market dynamics, and geographical trends, and COVID-19 impact is included in the report. The South Africa Residential Real Estate Market is segmented By Type (Villas and Landed Houses, Condominiums, and Apartments) and By city (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Pretoria, and the Rest of South Africa). The report offers the market size and forecasts in values (USD billion) for all the above segments.

            By Type
            	Villas and Landed Houses
            	Condominiums and Apartments

            By Key Cities
            	Johannesburg
            	Cape Town
            	Durban
            	Port Elizabeth
            	Bloemfontein
            	Pretoria
            	Rest of South Africa