2025’s Big property wake-up call: 3 Lessons you can use now

• Affordability tailwinds reward early movers in the cycle
• Western Cape demand has cooled, price realistically
• Don’t over-gear, macro risks can still bite hard

What 2025 actually taught us

2025 wasn’t quiet, it was a reset year. Lower rates brought buyers back in, but not evenly. Gauteng and KZN surprised on searches and activity, while the Western Cape hit a ceiling on “premium pricing” tolerance.

The 3 Lessons that matter

1. Affordability plus financing = the hardest edge in the game
Interest-rate cuts unlocked fresh demand and those who acted early banked the biggest advantage.

2. Western Cape demand has limits, sentiment shifted
For the first time in years, it wasn’t automatically the most searched. Gauteng and KZN took a slice back.

3. Macro risk never sleeps, don’t gear blind
Low growth, inflation caution, global tension, leverage must be handled with discipline.

Adrian Goslett , CEO RE/MAX SA on the path forward
“For the well-informed buyer, seller or investor, the near-term window offers opportunity, but with measured growth into 2026.” Momentum is back, but it’s not a blind bull market.
2025’s winners were those who priced smartly, financed early, and didn’t chase hype.

2026 will reward the same discipline.

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