HEIBERG ESTATES NEWSLETTER: OCTOBER 2025
Dear Property Partners
We all know that buying or selling a home is more than a mere transaction. So much emotion is involved, especially when selling and having to leave behind treasured and many happy times experienced with our loved ones, family and friends at home. And those special moments are priceless and everlasting. Please be assured that your Heiberg Estates , always aspire for excellence, accountability, dedication, understanding, respect and sharing the big responsibility of assisting our treasured clients, doesn’t matter whether you are a Buyer or a Seller! We are success-driven and always happy to share more than 50 years of collective experience with you and to your advantage!
Excellent news is that South Africa, that has been on the grey listed since February 2023, has been removed due to now adhering to strict international criteria with systems in place to combat and prevent financial crimes, money laundering and terrorism. It will unlock new economic possibilites, especially looking at foreign trade and foreign investments, but also in fostering new trust in doing business with our country, especially in the financial sectors. Our property will benefit since a huge percentage of investments do come from abroad and looking at our commercial-, development and residential sectors.
We are further happy to report back to you that there is a continued increase in property sentiment and activities across the board, in all regions and in all price segments. There is definitely renewed Buyer confidence, whilst demand exceeds supply for the first time in a very long time. Owning a home provides financial stability, security, and is a hedge against rising inflation and economic instability. We are also observing that lately, our banking institutions have become much more accommodating and supportive by easing their strict lending criteria and offering discounted interest rates as well as reduced deposit requirements. This in turn, stimulating more Buyer’s interest and resulting in increased sales.
A recent interesting article published in Property 24, points out that Waterkloof in Pretoria and Bishopscourt in Cape Town, are South Africa’s top ambassadorial suburbs, favoured by ambassadors and senior diplomats. Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa with its rich tapestry of history, culture and natural beauty, has recorded a 38% increase in population between 2011 and 2022 whilst being South Africa’s fastest-growing metro. The most popular “Safe Waterkloof” area, is highly favoured amongst high-profile property investors, accomplished business executives, politicians and others. Waterkloof as well as Waterkloof Ridge, are not only regarded as the most exclusive suburbs in Pretoria, but also known as the top “ambassadorial belt”, with an estimated over 100 properties owned or leased by foreign embassies. One of these high-profile and unique, upmarket exclusive properties just listed in Waterkloof for sale, can be viewed on the following link: Wat182-EXCLUSIVE MANOR HOUSE IN THE HEART OF “SAFE WATERKOOF” SECURITY ESTATE WITH PARKLIKE GARDENS (2 552m²). – Heiberg Estates
As mentioned, there are many noteworthy factors energising and influencing property interest, also resulting in more sales. We are positive that with the firmer rand exchange rate, coupled with a basic stable inflation rate that has been staying well inside the SA Reserve Bank inflation target band of 3%-6% for some time now, that another interest rate cut could still be on the horizon in November at the next SARB meeting. If materialising and ahead of the Festive Season, it could provide financial relief over a broad front and revitalise our construction sectors, all so important for creating much-needed jobs and stimulating economic growth. The five repo cuts so far, revived market activity and renewed property investment interest as e.g. illustrated by an increase of 26% in BetterBond home loan applications since 2023 and just observing quarter-on-quarter, a heartwarming 11.6%.
Some of the latest interesting property-related facts and statistics, as follows:
- The market is very favourable for first-time buyers (who focus on the lower price ranges), as home loans are becoming more affordable, financial institutions being more negotiable to grant discounts on their interest rates, and with the transfer duty exemption level increased and now standing on R1.21million.
- A recent report from ooba Home Loans points out that the average national concession relative to prime this year up to August, was recorded at -0.66% in comparison to -0.55% last year. Deposit requirements also dropped to 14.2% nationally versus e.g. the 16% requested in February. Loan applications were the most prominent amongst first-time buyers, who were representative of 47.7% of all home loan applications received during July and August this year. The average ooba Home Loans approval rate increased to 83.9% during the third quarter.
- BetterBond reports a 14.6% year-on-year increase in home loan applications, and the average home purchase price was R1.6m.
- Nationally for all regions combined, bond approvals increased year-on-year by 17%.
- The September FNB Property Barometer Report points out that during the 3rd quarter of this year, the house price increase averaged 4.8% which compares very favourably with the 3.3% recorded during the previous quarter.
- Over the last 5 years home prices have increased by 10.7% and by 8.7% for first-time buyers, that underscores the confidence in property as a sound and versatile investment.
- The FNB House Price Index shows average growth in selling prices has increased to 4.5% year-on-year as recorded in August and is noticeably up from the 1.2% recorded in January.
- Our commercial properties are also showing signs of more activity where the average time on the market prior to properties selling, have declined in all commercial segments. Since 2019 for the first time, demand exceeds supply in the Industrial, Office as well as Retail segments. All of these indicators towards a more active commercial sector all around whilst for some prolonged period now, the Industrial sector has been outperforming its counterparts.
We all know that the stock markets, crypto-currencies and forex markets can be exciting, but they also can be volatile, especially in the worldwide challenging uncertain economic- and political times we have been experiencing for the past few years. Although a property investment is something that has to be considered for the longer term, it has proven itself as a reliable long-term wealth builder. Our buy-to-let market has the added value of passive income and in the present market conditions, the fundamentals are strong with ongoing rental demand, stabilising interest rates, high-growth urban areas and renewed confidence in the property market. Economists are reporting that for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, South African house prices have begun to outpace consumer inflation again.
The time is right to buy now and to drop the wait-and-see approach. The financial institutions remain highly competitive in their interest rate discounting in order to attract more home loan business. With visible renewed Buyer confidence, there are definite signs of the residential market recovering and gaining momentum as noted above. It is important to start looking seriously NOW as demand is exceeding supply, sellable and good investment properties are declining rapidly, whilst property prices are increasing in all sectors.
Make use of your Heiberg Estates Team that remains to be on 24/7 standby for you! We await your calls with excitement and once again it will be a privilege to assist you to find your dream home or investment property! Kindly scan the QR-code to visit our website:
With best and warm wishes.
Bambie & your Heiberg Estates Team.
