As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares for the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Samuel Seeff, chairman of the Seeff Property Group says the property sector will be looking for signals that will sustain the "green shoots" seen in early 2026.
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With interest rates already on a downward trend and buyer confidence returning, he says the real estate industry will focus on five key aspects:
1 - Tax relief for the property sector
No further property tax hikes, and additional relief for first-time buyers by raising the transfer duty exemption threshold to R1.3-R1.4 million (from R1.21m).
We would also like to see an update on the First Home Finance (formerly FLISP) subsidies such as raising the income ceiling for applicants (currently R22,000) to reflect inflation, says Seeff.
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Transfer duty is a government tax paid when purchasing property above a certain threshold and is calculated on a sliding scale based on the purchase price. According to Quay 1 International Realty. first-time buyers and those purchasing below the minimum threshold may be exempt, which can make a meaningful difference to upfront costs.
In addition to transfer duty, buyers should budget for transfer fees (paid to the conveyancing attorney), bond registration fees if a home loan is involved, deeds office fees, and sometimes initiation or clearance fees required by municipalities or estates. These costs are often overlooked, but they can add a significant amount to the total purchase price.
The key advice for buyers is to request a full cost estimate from a conveyancer early in the process. Understanding these fees upfront helps avoid surprises and ensures buyers are financially prepared to proceed with confidence.
2 - Deeds Office and planning approvals
The "time-to-sell" has improved, but administrative bottlenecks remain, he says. The industry is looking for a commitment to fully digitise the Deeds Office, and speed up zoning and sub-division approvals. Reducing the red tape that currently keeps developers in "holding patterns" for years would unlock billions in new construction investment.
READ: How long does it take for a seller to receive payment after a property is registered?
3 - Municipal reform and improved service delivery
Property value is inextricably linked to service delivery as reflected in major property markets such as Johannesburg, Tshwane and elsewhere which, Seeff says, continue to lag the Cape due to infrastructure deterioration and lack of service delivery. This impacts investment and growth. The value growth is just not there to entice more buyers and investors, especially at the top end of the market which generates significant property taxes.
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4 - Infrastructure repairs and development
The president has signalled major infrastructure investment. We hope that it will include critical water, electricity, and roads in high-growth urban areas, to unlock higher economic growth. We would urge the president to include infrastructure grants for Western and Eastern Cape coastal towns, given the infrastructure pressure from the semigration influx of people.
5 - Stability of the Government of National Unity (GNU)
South Africa’s property market and economy are sentiment-driven, making political and policy certainty, a stable Rand, and foreign investor confidence vital prerequisites for growth. The President’s assurance that the governing coalition remains stable, and focused on economic growth and jobs is perhaps the most important point for this year.
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