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Spring Surge: Why Joburg’s Property Market Is Booming in 2025
A season of growth, at last
After years of sluggish growth and cautious buyers, Johannesburg’s property market has finally come alive this spring. Not only are house prices rising, but for the first time since the pandemic, they’re rising faster than inflation.
It’s the kind of shift estate agents dream about. And this year, it’s real.
Buyers are showing up in numbers not seen since the short-lived mini-boom of 2021. Show houses are busier, offers are stronger, and sales are moving faster. According to FIRZT Realty, one of Joburg’s top property groups, sales have increased every single month since January. There’s momentum in the air, and for once, it’s not just talk.
What’s driving the comeback?
There are a few major forces behind this unexpected surge. The biggest? Falling interest rates. With five rate cuts in the bag, monthly home loan repayments have become more manageable, giving everyday South Africans room to breathe and buy.
But it’s not just about cheaper credit. Buyer sentiment is soaring, now sitting at 86% positive according to market analysts. Johannesburg, often overlooked for Cape Town or Durban, is gaining serious traction with both local families and international investors.
The city’s property values are still competitive, yet the lifestyle benefits, access to top schools, and emerging job hubs are drawing people back. Add in the buzz around the upcoming G20 Summit, and Joburg’s profile is climbing fast.
Sectional titles are leading the race
If you’re wondering where the real heat is, look no further than sectional title homes, townhouses, flats, and apartments. According to FNB’s latest data, sectional title prices jumped 3.8% this year, beating the 3.5% inflation rate and even edging out freestanding homes.
Young professionals, first-time buyers, empty-nesters, and even foreign investors are all going after this type of property. The appeal? Lower maintenance, security, and lifestyle convenience in central locations.
This shift is also tied to changing work habits. With more companies calling staff back to the office, the demand for sprawling, outlying properties has dipped slightly. In contrast, urban living is back in fashion.
A hot market meets short supply
Here’s the twist: while demand is surging, supply is shrinking.
Despite over 5,400 new flats and townhouses being completed nationally in the first half of 2025, Gauteng’s building approvals have dropped by nearly 40%. That means fewer developments are coming down the line, which usually spells one thing for prices: up.
It’s a classic case of supply not keeping up with demand, and according to economists, this mismatch could keep the property market hot well into next year.
Bigger deposits, bigger dreams
If you’re in the market, prepare to dig a little deeper. BetterBond reports that the average deposit now sits at R311,000, a 14% jump from the previous quarter. That’s no small feat, but it hasn’t dampened enthusiasm.
In fact, the average home purchase price in Johannesburg hit a record R1.6 million in July, proof that buyers are willing to invest in what they see as a safe and promising market.
What it means for the months ahead
Traditionally, spring has always been a strong season for property. Families start planning moves ahead of the new school year, corporate relocations pick up, and people are simply more likely to get out and explore show houses in warmer weather.
But this year feels different. It’s not just seasonal. It’s structural.
Lower inflation, higher confidence, and a clear supply crunch suggest we may be entering a new phase in Johannesburg’s residential market. As one economist put it, this could be the beginning of a broader price cycle, one that benefits sellers and challenges buyers in equal measure.
For now, Joburg’s on the move. And it’s moving fast.
Also read: South Africa’s Digital Licence Dream Stalls as Reality Bites
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Moneyweb
