South African homeowners are increasingly looking to part ways with their properties as they grapple with the persistent challenge of inadequate service delivery across the nation. The latest findings from the FNB Property Broker Survey for the first quarter of 2024 shed light on this ongoing trend, revealing a continued desperation for improved utility and municipal services as the primary reason for selling properties.
The survey, which canvasses commercial property brokers in major metros including Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, eThekwini, Cape Town, and Nelson Mandela Bay, aims to gauge sentiment and influencing factors in the property market. One of the recurring themes highlighted by respondents is the dire need for enhanced service delivery, particularly concerning utilities like electricity and water, as well as well-maintained infrastructure.
According to the survey’s results, the desire for improved services has been the predominant motive driving property sales since the first quarter of 2023. The current quarter records a notable 43.7% of transactions citing this reason, representing an increase from 37.5% in the previous quarter. While slightly below the peak of 49.3% observed in Q1 2023, the upward trajectory underscores the gravity of the situation.
John Loos, FNB property strategist, attributes this trend to various infrastructure and service deterioration in different regions, with the surge in load shedding during late 2022 serving as a catalyst for the heightened demand for reliable services. However, it’s not just load shedding that’s fueling this trend; mounting water issues and other infrastructure shortcomings are also contributing factors.
In addition to service concerns, financial pressure remains a significant driver of property sales, albeit showing a slight decline from the previous quarter. Loos suggests that while financial constraints have intensified over the years, the focus on service-related issues might be overshadowing this motive to some extent.
Another noteworthy trend is the slight decline in the percentage of sellers looking to relocate to “bigger and better premises,” indicating a possible shift in sentiment influenced by economic factors such as interest rate fluctuations.
Looking ahead, FNB anticipates some relief with potential mild interest rate cuts later in 2024, which could alleviate financial pressures and possibly prompt an uptick in property sales for upgrading or relocating purposes.
Overall, the survey reflects a complex interplay of factors shaping the South African property market, with service delivery concerns and financial pressures driving homeowners to seek alternatives. As the nation navigates these challenges, the quest for improved living standards remains a paramount concern for property owners across the country.
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