Why South Africans are increasingly opting for smaller homes

One thing is certain, apart from the overall inflationary impact, the spiralling cost of fuel directly impacts on the demand for conveniently situated, sectional title property in key economic hubs - close to the workplace, schools and all amenities.

This north-facing two bedroom, one bathroom apartment in Claremont Upper, Cape Town, offers an open-plan living area flowing onto a balcony with stunning mountain views, and is close to amenities. It is on the market for R2.695 million - click here to view.

This is according to Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group, who says, “due to rising global oil prices, this month (March) sees yet another significant rise in the price of fuel, while next month (April) there will be further increases as announced in the National Budget in the general fuel levy and Road Accident Fund levy, and in June motorists will have to cough up even more at the pumps as a new, additional tax - a carbon tax - takes effect”.

The high cost of fuel in South Africa, coupled with increased traffic congestion in major centres and the ever-rising cost of utilities and property rates has already seen the emergence of a trend towards sectional title living in easily accessible locations as people sacrifice space for location, says Dr Golding.

This two bedroom, one bathroom apartment in Fourways, Sandton, offers access to a clubhouse with pools, tennis court and play area. It is selling for R1.65 million - click here to view.

“Now, with this triple whammy, we anticipate the growing demand in this property segment will increase exponentially as consumers do their utmost to avoid the cost of fuel and transport eating away at their disposable income.”

According to Lightstone statistics, sectional title properties account for a growing percentage of total residential sales in South Africa - rising from around 21% in 2010 to an average of 26.5% during the third quarter of 2018.

In Gauteng, sectional title sales as a percentage of total sales has risen by 6.8% from an average of 27.4% during the first half of 2010 to 34.2% during the first half of 2018, while in the Western Cape, sectional title sales have risen by 5.7% from an average of 14% during the first half of 2010 to 19.7% during the first six months of 2018.

This two bedroom, one bathroom apartment in Ferndale, Randburg, has a study and lovely garden. It is on the market for R875 000 - click here to view.

Referring to the Pam Golding Residential Property Index, the company’s senior research analyst, Sandra Gordon, points out that although house price inflation for sectional title properties is not outperforming freehold overall, smaller sectional title properties such as two bedroom units are marginally outperforming large, three bedroom freehold properties.

“In January (2019), two bedroom sectional title properties were experiencing house price growth of 3.99% while three bedroom freehold properties saw prices increase by 3.12% from year-earlier levels,” says Gordon.

“Consumers’ appetite for more compact, lock-up and go, hassle-free living is further driving the demand for sectional title homes across all sectors of the market. This includes first-time buyers, who are further encouraged by the banks’ increased willingness to lend and compete for mortgage business, as well as those opting to downscale earlier than they would otherwise have done.”

Set in park-like gardens, this two bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom apartment in Claremont Upper, Cape Town, is close to amenities. It is selling for R2.45 million - click here to view.

According to ooba’s statistics, in January this year first-time buyers accounted for nearly 53% of all mortgages extended - continuing the rising trend evident since mid-2017.

Gordon says some interesting trends evident in Cape Town, and probably other major centres, include:

• Feehold homes being demolished with small sectional title developments rising out the ground in conveniently located areas, such as the Southern Suburbs, resulting in increased densification.
• An increase in the number of mixed-use developments in prime business nodes, such as Claremont Upper, Tyger Valley Waterfront - popular among young professionals working in the area, and Century City, and even further afield such as Simon’s Town - a trend also evident in Umhlanga on the KZN North Coast.
• A growing number of sectional title apartments located in security estates as developers realise that apartment living is a lifestyle choice, a question of affordability and a means of achieving greater diversity of homeowners within estates.

This two bedroom, two bathroom north-facing apartment in Midrand, Gauteng, has a verandah and offers stunning city and garden view. It is on the market for R3.1 million - click here to view.

“In the economic hub of Claremont, we are seeing more boutique developments that offer the security of estates, but are conveniently located to Cavendish Square, the M3 and schools, as well as numerous businesses in the area,” says Gordon.

“In Johannesburg, sectional title living is popular in areas such as Fourways, Randburg - including Montgomery Park, as well as Midrand, North Riding and Honeydew, while the Menlyn Maine mixed-use precinct in Pretoria offers the best of convenient sectional title living with a live, work, play lifestyle.”