The Helderberg property market will during 2011 show further signs of changing to a market where the buyers and sellers are on an equal footing. Like the rest of the South African property market, this positive trend is created by a growing demand for homes and especially rental property. It is unfortunately fully dependent on the availability of credit from the banks - which again are influenced by the risk inherent to a market with a fairly large percentage of distressed bond holders the banks need to discount into their calculations. The lack of any big developments in especially the affordable categories – i.e. apartments priced up to R400 000, townhouses priced up to R500 000 and family homes priced between R800 000 and R1,2 million, should stimulate the local market to same level as other metropolitan areas in the country.

The property market in the Helderberg are linked much more closely to a metropolitan property market than to the so-called lifestyle second home markets found along the South African coastline.

This brings much more stability in capital growth – or rather less depreciation in capital growth in downward cycles such as the one which has been experienced during the last 3 years nationally. The close proximity to the business or industrial centers of Cape Town and even Stellenbosch (to a lesser degree) guarantees a supporting buyer and rental pool, whilst the big percentage of retirement property and amenities catering for buyers in such a phase of their life, also cushioned the Helderberg property market to a large extend during the last 3 years.

Despite a fairly big drop in sales volumes during 2010 in the more expensive suburbs against the Helderberg, average and median prices did not dropped as has been experienced nationally in some areas and property types where distressed sellers’ property have been sold off for up to 50% on 2007 price levels. It is to be expected that owners of high end property will continue this trend to await the return of a sellers market – before selling their properties.

2011 will however not be much different for the distress sellers and the big supply of such property in especially the buy-to-let sectional title market, will keep suppressing prices obtain. A very positive sign is the big rental demand in the Helderberg – and especially in the Strand and Somerset West. Very low rental stock levels and the possibility that the banks might relax their strict loan criteria during 2011 bode well for this market.

The only grey area is the unknown effect the new Consumer Credit Act will have on the rental market. The so-called 5-D’s market stimuli (death / divorce / depart / downscale / debt) have always been and will also be in 2011 quite prevalent in the local market. The total lack of bank support for real estate transactions during 2009 (only 29% bond approvals) has been gradually changing towards the end of 2010 – with up to more than 60% bonds approvals. This trend signals a return to normality - albeit still early days!