How To Invest In Properties In South Africa

For those considering investing in property, the time is now, as the lower property prices make for a buyer’s market. If you’re new to the game, here are some helpful property investment tips.

Below is How To Invest In Properties In South Africa

Buy-to-let is the bread and butter of property investment

Buy-to-let is the go-to option for investors, allowing you to generate monthly income from properties in your portfolio. That’s not to say there are no risks involved, but with careful planning, buy-to-let provides a reliable source of revenue in the long term.

If the property is bonded, in the beginning, you’ll be using the rental income to pay off the bond on the property, as well as whatever other expenses go along with it, such as maintenance costs. As such, the potential rental yield will be your primary concern when determining whether to invest in a property.

“It’s an important figure and it’s simple to calculate,” says Rhys Dyer, CEO of ooba Home Loans, South Africa’s largest home loan comparison service. “The yield is simply the annual rent you’re earning on the property divided by its value, expressed as a percentage. So a house worth R1 million, on which the annual rent is R120 000 (R10 000 a month) would be yielding 12%.”

You can get an idea of prospective rental yield on a property by looking at rental prices for other properties in the area. Generally, one-bedroom and studio apartments make for a good buy-to-let investment, as those property types have delivered consistently over the course of 12 years.

2. Consider buying and renovating properties to boost value

Purchasing older properties and conducting smart renovations to boost their value is another shrewd investment strategy and one that happens to be quite fulfilling as well, as you are able to apply your own creative talents to the task.

As a general rule, kitchen renovations are most effective at boosting property value, as it’s often said that kitchens sell properties. They can get expensive though, whereas bathroom renovations provide a relatively cheap way to enhance the property’s aesthetic appeal.

3. Shop around for the best deals on bonds

In most cases, you’ll need to obtain funding before investing in a property, which usually comes in the form of a home loan granted by the bank. However, each bank has different lending criteria, some of which may result in more favorable interest rates for you.

It pays to shop around for the best deal. This is made easier if you acquire the services of a home loan comparison service such as ooba Home Loans, which can apply to multiple banks on your behalf.

Take note of property types that are performing well in the market

Property investors need to stay abreast of trends in the property market, which can be affected by political and economic factors. For example, sectional title properties generally perform well in South Africa due to their popularity with students and first-time home buyers. Properties in gated communities are also expected to perform well, due to security concerns.

Trends also vary by area. The current price deflation in the Cape Town market has been especially prevalent in upmarket areas like Sea Point and Camps Bay. This makes those districts ripe for investment.

but also diversify

That said, don’t allow yourself to become too fixated on certain property types or areas. Investing in a broad range of properties, spread across different areas, will make your portfolio less susceptible to market fluctuations.

Take it slow

Remember that property investment is an extended game; the slow and steady alternative to playing the stock market. You shouldn’t be in this industry if you’re looking to get rich quickly.

It requires long-term strategy and planning. Selling properties is generally not advised, not even to fund the purchase of another property. The various legal costs, fees, taxes, and so on can take a sizable chunk out of the profits, so the smarter option is almost always to keep the property and use it to generate income in the long term.

When you’re ready to try your hand at property investment, ooba Home Loans offers a range of tools that can make the home buying process easier. Start with their Bond Calculator, then use the ooba Home Loans Bond Indicator to determine what you can afford. Finally, when you’re ready, you can apply for a home loan.

Is property the best investment in South Africa?

Property investment in South Africa is an excellent long-term investment strategy and one of the best ways to start off your property portfolio. Investment properties are purchased with the intention of earning a return through the rental of the property, the future resale of the property or both.

What is a good property yield in South Africa?

South Africa offers good rental yields in its large cities, especially on smaller apartments. Gross rental yields for Johannesburg apartments, i.e., the gross rental return on a property if fully rented out, are good, ranging from 6.5% to 9.3%. Gross rental yields on apartments in Cape Town range from 5% to 8.3%.

How can I make money from property in South Africa?

Below is outlined some of the lucrative opportunities for increasing one’s wealth through real estate in South Africa.

Purchase an investment property.

Buy a fixer-upper in a good area for reselling purposes.

Short-term rentals for holidaymakers