FIRZT Property Group - Centurion

On Youth Day, we honor the courage and determination of past generations while recognizing the important role today’s youth play in driving positive change.

𝗦𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗔'𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁

South Africa’s improved standing with the world’s three major credit rating agencies is of course positive news for the economy as a whole, but also promises to have meaningful benefits for ordinary consumers, homeowners and residential property buyers, says the FIRZT Property Group.

The latest vote of confidence in the country came a few days ago, when Fitch Ratings upgraded SA’s sovereign credit rating from BB- to BB, the agency’s first rating upgrade for the country in nearly 21 years. Fitch cited improved fiscal management, stronger public finances and growing confidence in South Africa’s debt trajectory as reasons for the upgrade.

Earlier, Moody’s revised its outlook on SA to positive while maintaining its Ba2 rating, and S&P Global Ratings announced it would maintain its positive outlook on the country following its rating upgrade to BB in late 2025.

"Taken together, these moves suggest growing confidence in SA’s economic reform path, and especially the determined reduction of its sovereign debt. They point to the possibility of further upgrades over the next 12 to 18 months, and the implications for the residential property market could be significant,” says FIRZT MD Stephen Whitcombe.

“Credit ratings may sound like something that only affects government borrowing or international investors, but they have a very real impact on everyday South Africans. When ratings improve, risk perceptions are reduced and investor confidence improves, so that more capital flows into the country or is retained here. Government is also able to borrow the money it needs for major projects at lower interest rates.”

In the property market, this all translates into more employment creation, more buyer confidence in the economy, higher housing demand, improved confidence among banks when assessing home loan applications and more homes sales, he says...

Click the link to read more https://www.firzt.co.za/news/sovereign-ratings-boost-will-benefit-sas-housing-market/

New House listed on https://www.firzt.co.za/results/residential/for-sale/pretoria/philip-nel-park/house/3297153/

R1,199,000 | 3 Bedroom House For Sale in Philip Nel Park Contact Meghann Kroukamp on 072 828 6818 for listing reference RL22181

New Apartment listed on https://www.firzt.co.za/results/residential/for-sale/pretoria/pretoria-west/apartment/3287438/

R399,000 | 1 Bedroom Apartment For Sale in Pretoria West Contact Meghann Kroukamp on 072 828 6818 for listing reference RL22153

New Townhouse listed on https://www.firzt.co.za/results/residential/for-sale/pretoria/annlin/townhouse/3287841/

R850,000 | 2 Bedroom Townhouse For Sale in Annlin Contact Meghann Kroukamp on 072 828 6818 for listing reference RL22157

New Apartment listed on https://www.firzt.co.za/results/residential/for-sale/pretoria/zwartkoppies/apartment/3280087/

R1,780,000 | 3 Bedroom Apartment For Sale in Zwartkoppies Contact Meghann Kroukamp on 072 828 6818 for listing reference RL22148

New Townhouse listed on https://www.firzt.co.za/results/residential/for-sale/pretoria/montana/townhouse/3278497/

R1,900,000 | 3 Bedroom Townhouse For Sale in Montana Contact Lerato Letsoalo on 072 609 4330 for listing reference RL22141

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀

The Reserve Bank’s decision this week to increase the repo rate by 25 basis points and effectively push the prime lending rate up to 10,50% will clearly place additional pressure on household budgets – but should not cause prospective buyers to abandon their home ownership plans.

That’s the word from Stephen Whitcombe, MD of the FIRZT Property Group, who says that the increase underlines the need for home buyers to approach the market strategically, particularly if economists are correct in saying that rates may not start declining again until next year.

“The reality is that if rates continue to edge upwards, or even if they stay the same now, it becomes even more important than before to secure the most competitive home loan, and for prospective buyers to engage with a reputable mortgage originator such as BetterBond before signing an offer to purchase.

“A good originator will negotiate aggressively with multiple banks on a buyer’s behalf and can often secure a more favourable lending rate than a buyer may obtain independently. And even a modest rate concession can result in meaningful savings over the life of a home loan.”

He says the latest increase also provides an opportunity for existing homeowners to reassess their financing arrangements. “If you have been servicing your home loan consistently for several years and have built up a strong payment history, now may be a good time to speak to your bank about renegotiating your interest rate. They may well be willing to offer improved terms to retain a good client.”

For homeowners with a 20-year bond of R1m, the 0,25% increase translates into an approximate monthly repayment increase of around R165 to R175, while a R2m bond could see repayments rise by roughly R330 to R350 per month.

Click the link to read more https://www.firzt.co.za/news/get-help-to-defend-your-property-goals/

New Apartment listed on https://www.firzt.co.za/results/residential/for-sale/boksburg/witfield/apartment/3251080/

R470,000 | 2 Bedroom Apartment For Sale in Witfield Contact Jay Mahoa on 083 884 1238 for listing reference RL22131