Absa: Real property prices fall

House prices, in real terms, i.e. after adjustment for the effect of inflation, are set to deflate further in 2012, based on expected low nominal price growth and headline consumer price inflation to remain above the 6% level according to Absa Home Loans.

Posted at 08:41AM Feb 03, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[2]

FNB: Real house prices to fall

Despite mild improvement in year-on-year growth for January, FNB still expects further real house price decline.

Posted at 08:39AM Feb 02, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[1]

'Title deeds can unlock bank loans for business'

In 2001 Hernando De Soto estimated that the worldwide value of the property of the poor was about $93 trillion (R723 trillion at yesterday's exchange rate). The main characteristic of this property is that those who live on it, or anyone else for that matter, has claim to the title deeds of ownership of this land.

Posted at 08:36AM Feb 02, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[0]

Property price remarks misleading - agents

Residential property agencies this week scorned comments by economist Erwin Rode that house prices were still 25 percent overvalued and a downward adjustment in real house prices was inevitable.

Posted at 09:49AM Feb 01, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[10]

Constitutional Court ruling on squatters impacts on property developers

Although he applauds the fairness and compassion with which SA courts now judge matters when homeless and evicted people try to find a place to live, it has to be admitted, says Paul Henry, MD of Rawson Developers, that their rulings can make life difficult for property developers.

Posted at 08:08AM Jan 31, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[1]

Hilton College sells off land for housing

Deemed one of Africa's most expensive schools, Hilton College is selling off a slice of its extensive estate for a housing development.

Posted at 10:09AM Jan 30, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[15]

Property values 'still 25% too high'

House prices in South Africa were still at least 25 percent overvalued despite the economy being three years into "the great recession", property economist Erwin Rode said yesterday.

Posted at 08:57AM Jan 27, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[14]

'The hurdles to a property recovery'

If you're a home owner these days, and almost 10 million South Africans are, the beleaguered housing market doesn't generally fall into the realm of pleasant chit chat around the braai.

Posted at 08:55AM Jan 27, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[1]

Joburg's qualified audit raises eyebrows

Question marks over the financial statements of the City of Johannesburg, for the second year running, could attract the attention of rating agencies.

Posted at 08:54AM Jan 27, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[0]

Advice on property buying as an investment

Given the flood of advice from a whole host of residential property spokespeople that now is the right time to buy property, can this be seen as valid or is it simply simply self-serving?

Posted at 07:59AM Jan 26, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[2]