Inland housing markets stage strong post-lockdown comeback

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The housing markets of inland provinces such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West, the Free State and Northern Cape have staged a strong comeback after the hard Covid lockdown during late March to end of June 2020 according to the Seeff Property Group.

House price growth in inland areas such as the Free State (7.5%), North-West (6.3%), Mpumalanga (6%), Limpopo (5.8%) and Northern Cape (5.7%) also continue to outperform the national average of 4.89% according to Lightstone.

This is often attributable to the lower price points and affordability still to be had in terms of house prices in these inland provinces. The Lightstone data in fact shows that lower price bands continue to outgrow higher price bands.

Carien Brink, residential sales manager for Seeff Nelspruit, the capital town of Mpumalanga, says their market has not only recovered to pre-pandemic levels, but demand is higher this year compared to last year and the outlook remains strong, especially from first-time homebuyers. Supply is low.

The average selling price in Nelspruit is R1,3 million which is extremely popular with first-time homebuyers, and she says many have used the low interest rate to get out of rental houses and into their own homes since the bond repayments are often similar to the rents payable.

The most active price band is R850 000 to R1,8 million and these properties can sell within a month if correctly priced. The highest demand is for full title homes with a yard for children to play and these must be pet-friendly.

While there are always people looking to semigrate to the bigger commercial provinces for better employment prospects, she says Nelspruit remains a growth centre and there are quite a few new developments. Seeff Nelspruit is for example marketing a new sectional title development priced at R950 000 for a two-bedroomed townhouse and R1,25 million for three bedrooms.

Meanwhile Secunda, also in Mpumalanga reports their market as active and alive. Billy Fick, licensee for Seeff Secunda says the market has more than recovered to the pre-pandemic levels and the outlook into next year is positive, driven predominantly by the low interest rate.

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Sasol keeps the town steady, says Fick. Although people come and go in the normal course of life, they are not really seeing a major exodus of people at all. Properties under R1 million are selling like “hotcakes” if priced right. New modern developments are also in demand.

There are sufficient stock levels in the higher price ranges above R1,4 million, but stock is needed below R1,2 million which means it is a great time to sell and move up if you are in the lower price bands.

Meanwhile, Willemien Badenhorst, licensee for Seeff Middelburg says their market has not yet recovered. The most active price band is R1 million to R1,5 million, but agents continue experiencing challenges with stock and high asking prices. Many are also opting not to move right now, but are staying in their properties, preferring to renovate and upgrade their existing homes.

Seeff’s agents in Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo still find that the market is not quite back to pre-pandemic levels. After the spike in activity following the hard lockdown of last year, the market has tapered off again.

Property deals are often held up by high expectations on the part of sellers as current asking prices are at least 10% overpriced, which has a negative impact on the property market.

Accurately priced stock is needed across all price ranges. There is strong demand for property below R1,5 million. Any type of property in security estates or properties with good security (freehold or sectional title) are always in demand. There is also a high demand for properties with new modern finishes.

Seeff Polokwane reports further that there is a trend of people semigrating from old "township" areas specifically the Bendor area in Polokwane, mostly as it is a new area (Bendor Meadows) which falls in the affordable R850 000 to R1,5 million price band.

Elize van der Merwe, sales principal for Seeff Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp in the North-West Province says while not quite back to pre-pandemic levels as yet, the market is improving in the area as is evident from the high volume of property enquiries coming through over the last month.

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That said, the pandemic continues to be a challenge with Deeds Office closures and delays and Municipality efficiency in terms of Clearance Certificates being processed at a slower rate.

The outlook ahead remains positive as can be seen with growing suburbs and residential developments, she says, adding that Seeff’s exclusive development mandates continue to see excellent sales growth.

The most active price band is R800 000 to R1,2 million, especially for first time homebuyers. There is high demand for secure estates and in Potchefstroom specifically, for student accommodation.

Stock levels are well balanced and Seeff has a large amount of stock. First-time buyers tend to look at properties below R1 million.

Seeff anticipates further growth potential due to a new medical faculty launching in 2022 in Potchefstroom. Students and faculty staff will also be back on campus next year in the town. They are also seeing rural farmers as well as big city dwellers looking to move to smaller cities and towns such as Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp and Fochville.