y find great value in many unknown pockets in the South African property market, ensuring solid investment return, but will find that there are many property propositions that offer spectacular views with other attractions like world class golf courses in abundance nearby.

The currency play in the consideration to buy property is another important factor. Should the South African Government be serious (and it sure looks like it) in continuing to build a strong economy, the rating of the Rand could be adjusted and investors will always follow where there is investment potential. A solid economy will not only bring in the corps of investors but also the general public who will come touring, and will also help them to the best property opportunities that will be availa

Investors know that, like the economic cycle, there is also a property cycle. There is a growth phase when property prices on the back of a growing economy and low interest rates, continue to increase ahead of the inflation rate. After a while, the momentum becomes feverish, consumers/buyers forget completely about a previous time when their financial limits were stretched and in a spirit of almost invincibility they take on more risk, being it investing on the stock market or speculating with property. During much of an upswing things normally work out well and one may well get the perspective that you are really in charge and that these swell times will continue indefinitely.

Authorities will start acting to deflate the inflatedness of an economy by raising interest rates and thus driving inflation down. The same people that previously oozed confidence and knew only great success will now become uneasy, then depressed and then despondent. Prices of property that previously kept on rising, will now start to stagnate or drop and at some point the authorities will start to activate the economy again by lowering interest rates and so the cycle turns again.

The South African economy has been on a growth curve for quite some time now. The Reserve Bank has increased the interest rate a few times and has recently (April 2007) decided not to change the existing rate. It looks like the upward trend is nearing it’s end, although upward surging oil prices and food prices might turn the view over once again. Even if there is another interest rate hike in the next month or two, it seems clear that the upward trend is in a mature phase and ready to pursue a downward curve, starting within the next 12 months.

South African property values, like property in many other countries, have been rising and yielded great returns for investors. The increase in property prices have also started to calm down in recent months, but growth still provides returns above inflation in many market segments.

How should one view the present property scenario in South Africa?

The economy is expected to continue growing and the growth curve is expected to increase. The economy in 2007 will for sure be slower but turn more positive during 2008. A setback in the USA economy, for one, could however have a detrimental effect, but with China and India in a solid position, the pain could be contained.

There is a growing middle class in the making in South Africa that adds momentum to the demand for property ownership and this upward mobility should continue for quite some time. The demand will be there, the supply side will struggle to keep up.

The South African Government is streamlining the various departments in order to become more effective and the preparations for the Soccer World Cup in 2010 have already started. This huge event could have a great effect on the property market because tourists will realize that they can, on the back of a favourable exchange rate, afford property in South Africa that they can in no way afford in their own countries. They will not only find great value in many unknown pockets in the South African property market, ensuring solid investment return, but will find that there are many property propositions that offer spectacular views with other attractions like world class golf courses in abundance nearby.

The currency play in the consideration to buy property is another important factor. Should the South African Government be serious (and it sure looks like it) in continuing to build a strong economy, the rating of the Rand could be adjusted and investors will always follow where there is investment potential. A solid economy will not only bring in the corps of investors but also the general public who will come touring, and will also help them to the best property opportunities that will be availab

st rates and thus driving inflation down. The same people that previously oozed confidence and knew only great success will now become uneasy, then depressed and then despondent. Prices of property that previously kept on rising, will now start to stagnate or drop and at some point the authorities will start to activate the economy again by lowering interest rates and so the cycle turns again.

The South African economy has been on a growth curve for quite some time now. The Reserve Bank has increased the interest rate a few times and has recently (April 2007) decided not to change the existing rate. It looks like the upward trend is nearing it’s end, although upward surging oil prices and food prices might turn the view over once again. Even if there is another interest rate hike in the next month or two, it seems clear that the upward trend is in a mature phase and ready to pursue a downward curve, starting within the next 12 months.

South African property values, like property in many other countries, have been rising and yielded great returns for investors. The increase in property prices have also started to calm down in recent months, but growth still provides returns above inflation in many market segments.

How should one view the present property scenario in South Africa?

The economy is expected to continue growing and the growth curve is expected to increase. The economy in 2007 will for sure be slower but turn more positive during 2008. A setback in the USA economy, for one, could however have a detrimental effect, but with China and India in a solid position, the pain could be contained.

There is a growing middle class in the making in South Africa that adds momentum to the demand for property ownership and this upward mobility should continue for quite some time. The demand will be there, the supply side will struggle to keep up.

The South African Government is streamlining the various departments in order to become more effective and the preparations for the Soccer World Cup in 2010 have already started. This huge event could have a great effect on the property market because tourists will realize that they can, on the back of a favourable exchange rate, afford property in South Africa that they can in no way afford in their own countries. They will not only find great value in many unknown pockets in the South African property market, ensuring solid investment return, but will find that there are many property propositions that offer spectacular views with other attractions like world class golf courses in abundance nearby.

The currency play in the consideration to buy property is another important factor. Should the South African Government be serious (and it sure looks like it) in continuing to build a strong economy, the rating of the Rand could be adjusted and investors will always follow where there is investment potential. A solid economy will not only bring in the corps of investors but also the general public who will come touring, and will also help them to the best property opportunities that will be availa

terest rate hike in the next month or two, it seems clear that the upward trend is in a mature phase and ready to pursue a downward curve, starting within the next 12 months.

South African property values, like property in many other countries, have been rising and yielded great returns for investors. The increase in property prices have also started to calm down in recent months, but growth still provides returns above inflation in many market segments.

How should one view the present property scenario in South Africa?

The economy is expected to continue growing and the growth curve is expected to increase. The economy in 2007 will for sure be slower but turn more positive during 2008. A setback in the USA economy, for one, could however have a detrimental effect, but with China and India in a solid position, the pain could be contained.

There is a growing middle class in the making in South Africa that adds momentum to the demand for property ownership and this upward mobility should continue for quite some time. The demand will be there, the supply side will struggle to keep up.

The South African Government is streamlining the various departments in order to become more effective and the preparations for the Soccer World Cup in 2010 have already started. This huge event could have a great effect on the property market because tourists will realize that they can, on the back of a favourable exchange rate, afford property in South Africa that they can in no way afford in their own countries. They will not only find great value in many unknown pockets in the South African property market, ensuring solid investment return, but will find that there are many property propositions that offer spectacular views with other attractions like world class golf courses in abundance nearby.

The currency play in the consideration to buy property is another important factor. Should the South African Government be serious (and it sure looks like it) in continuing to build a strong economy, the rating of the Rand could be adjusted and investors will always follow where there is investment potential. A solid economy will not only bring in the corps of investors but also the general public who will come touring, and will also help them to the best property opportunities that will be availa

al effect, but with China and India in a solid position, the pain could be contained.

There is a growing middle class in the making in South Africa that adds momentum to the demand for property ownership and this upward mobility should continue for quite some time. The demand will be there, the supply side will struggle to keep up.

The South African Government is streamlining the various departments in order to become more effective and the preparations for the Soccer World Cup in 2010 have already started. This huge event could have a great effect on the property market because tourists will realize that they can, on the back of a favourable exchange rate, afford property in South Africa that they can in no way afford in their own countries. They will not only find great value in many unknown pockets in the South African property market, ensuring solid investment return, but will find that there are many property propositions that offer spectacular views with other attractions like world class golf courses in abundance nearby.

The currency play in the consideration to buy property is another important factor. Should the South African Government be serious (and it sure looks like it) in continuing to build a strong economy, the rating of the Rand could be adjusted and investors will always follow where there is investment potential. A solid economy will not only bring in the corps of investors but also the general public who will come touring, and will also help them to the best property opportunities that will be availa

y find great value in many unknown pockets in the South African property market, ensuring solid investment return, but will find that there are many property propositions that offer spectacular views with other attractions like world class golf courses in abundance nearby.

The currency play in the consideration to buy property is another important factor. Should the South African Government be serious (and it sure looks like it) in continuing to build a strong economy, the rating of the Rand could be adjusted and investors will always follow where there is investment potential. A solid economy will not only bring in the corps of investors but also the general public who will come touring, and will also help them to the best property opportunities that will be available. It makes even more sense for people living in countries where their currency, for economical/political reasons, is expected to weaken over the next few years to consider investing in South African property.

Lastly, apart from the fact that South African property offers good value to the international investor, an investment property could also be used to explore the great beauty of South Africa during annual holidays.