Here's how long it's taking properties to sell in South Africa
Gerhard Kotzé, MD of the RealNet estate agency group, says the average listing time is a useful measure of whether the market generally is moving in favour of buyers or sellers.
"The listing time of a property refers to the number of days between the time that it is first listed as being for sale, and the time that an offer to purchase is accepted or the owner decides to take the property off the market again. And of course that period tends to be shorter when there is high demand and lots of buyers keen to snap up any well-priced properties that become available - and longer when there is low demand and an oversupply of properties for sale relative to the number of potential buyers.
In short, Kotzé says when the national average listing time gets longer, it is an indication that a 'buyers' market' is developing and that sellers may need to become increasingly accommodating with regard to both price and terms in order get their properties sold.
According to Leadhome's data, the average days to sell has been steadily increasing quarter on quarter. Lockdown increased the average time it took to sell, as people couldn't go and view properties that were on the market in order to make offers to purchase.
There was a recovery after markets opened up in the latter half of 2020, indicating that properties were in hot demand, with some listings selling very quickly.
Leadhome has seen a further increase for the first month of 2021, which is expected following the December holiday period. It does seem to be a buyers' market at the moment - indicated by the increase in the average days to sell over the past 2 years. Therefore, sellers who wish to sell quickly will need to price their properties accordingly.
The latest statistics from First National Bank also shows that the national average listing time fell to 67 days in the fourth quarter of last year from 76 days in the third quarter. In addition, the figures show that the average differential between asking prices and actual selling prices has declined to 10% currently from 13% at the beginning of 2020, while the average home price increased by 2,1% last year.
When the national average listing time becomes shorter, it indicates an overall market shift in favour of sellers - and also the likelihood of home prices becoming less negotiable and possibly even starting to rise if the supply of homes for sale continues to shrink in the face of high buyer demand he says.
"In the latter set of circumstances the average home loan size will also tend to rise and it will become even more advantageous to be pre-qualified for a home loan, especially if you are one of a number of buyers making competing offers for the same property."
But Kotzé warns that the property market is never homogenous, and that national averages can mask very big differences between various segments of the market.
"At the moment, for example, we are seeing much shorter listing times and greater price growth in the lower price categories than in the higher categories. There are also always variations between different suburbs, and this is where the knowledge and expertise of a reputable local agent can be of enormous help to the individual buyer or seller.
As an owner that wants to sell your property within the current average listing time in your specific area, you will need your agent's help to fine tune your asking price and get it as close as possible to what buyers in that area are currently paying for similar homes - and then to market the property as soon as possible to the biggest possible audience of potential buyers.
"Without such help, the chances are that your property will languish on the market for much longer than the average listing time, that potential buyers will start to think that there is something wrong with it, and that you will end up either selling for much less than you hoped or withdrawing the property from the market."
Alternatively if you are a buyer, Kotzé says, a shortage of stock in any segment of the market means that it will become increasingly challenging to find 'bargain' purchases and /or sellers who are prepared to consider offers that are not close to their asking prices.
"But asking a local agent to help you identify any properties that may have been listed for a long time is a good move - especially if the owners have already relocated to their new homes. If they are still paying off a bond and carrying the running costs of an empty property, they will probably be more motivated to accept a lower offer."
https://www.property24.com/articles/heres-how-long-its-taking-properties-to-sell-in-south-africa
16 Feb 2021
Author Property24
Author Property24