What is First Home Finance and how does it work?

One of SA’s most respected economists – Dr Roelof Botha – joins BetterBond

Property Brief – September 2026

BetterBond home loans: the journey just got better

Joint home loans: shared risk, shared reward

SA property market demographics: the twin wave phenomenon

How to use your home loan wisely

Property Brief – August 2026

More women are building wealth through property

What is the difference between a home loan pre-qualification and pre-approval?

Escrow accounts in South Africa: what homebuyers need to know

Global uncertainty may delay, but not derail, interest rate relief

Property Brief – July 2026

North West property market offers exceptional value for buyers and investors

Home deposit savings – making tougher lending conditions work in your favour

Home loan deposit requirements: what buyers need to know

Pet-friendly properties: how South Africa’s pet boom is influencing housing demand

Buying a fixer-upper: financial trap or untapped treasure?

Which is the best bank for home loans? The answer might surprise you

Looking for the best bond originator? Here’s what to look for

Property Brief – June 2026

BetterBond reimagines homebuying with a fully digital home loan journey

Women are SA’s most strategic property investors

Common building loan mistakes to avoid in South Africa

How to turn your declined bond into a detour, not a dead end

Property Brief – May 2026

Secondary towns in South Africa emerge as new property hotspots

Home loan pre-approval: your first step to buying a home

Understanding property costs beyond the purchase price

Property Brief – April 2026

Semigration trends shift from lifestyle choices to strategic property decisions

BetterBond partners with GrootFM

Positive news: BetterBond partners with Good Things Guy

Property Brief – March 2026

Ten things bond originators wished you knew before applying for a home loan

How alternative credit data is helping more South Africans buy homes

Property Brief – February 2026

International buyers fuel South Africa’s property momentum

Bond origination for first-time homebuyers: what you need to know

South Africa repo rate unchanged, but housing market momentum continues

What a first-time homebuyer should know before signing an offer to purchase

Top trends redefining homeownership in 2026

Property Brief – January 2026

Property Brief – December 2025

SA’s property market in brief – reflecting on a year of resurgence

A simple guide for the first-time homebuyer

Estate living: South Africa’s fastest-growing property trend explained

How to choose the best bond originator for your home loan

Property Brief – November 2025

Sectional title sales surge

Joint and several home loans: how to buy property together without complications

Property Brief – October 2025

Navigating the home loans process as a single buyer

Limpopo home loans: why SA’s Great North is red-hot

BetterBond celebrates 25 years of making home dreams possible

Second home finance in South Africa: everything you need to know

Home loan activity in South Africa gains momentum

What the unchanged SA prime interest rate means for homebuyers

Property Brief – September 2025

Rent to buy versus rent to own: what’s the difference?

From woofs to walls: finding a pet-friendly property

BetterBond Private Clients – property finance designed around your lifestyle

Paradise beyond Plett – the allure of the KZN North Coast property market

Refinancing your home loan? Keep an eye on the prime interest rate

Pretoria property trends: SA’s new property hotspot

Property Brief – August 2025

When less is more – why more South Africans are opting to downsize their homes

Your guide to the homebuying process in South Africa

The prime lending rate sees a 25-basis point cut

Understanding prime rate versus home loan interest rate

Buying a home is a good idea at any life stage

Property investment 101 

Top mistakes to avoid when applying for a home loan

Property Brief – July 2025

Goodbye lease, hello legacy: the benefits of homeownership

Understanding the home loan application process

Turn your property into an income-generating home

Unexpected ways to boost your home loan approval chances

Don’t let deeds office delays derail your homebuying journey

Know what you can afford with our bond repayment calculator

Property Brief – June 2025

Understanding the prime rate: what it means for you

Six ways young professionals can get ahead in property investment

What homeowners need to know about asbestos risks

Youth and women buyers to benefit from higher transfer duty threshold

How to get a home loan without a payslip

Luxury house prices soar as demand surpasses supply

Property Brief – May 2025

Top tips for a stress-free cross-country move

Property Brief – April 2025

Important questions to ask before you buy that dream home

Why you should love your BetterBond bond originator

Dos and don’ts that will help your bond application get the green light

Property Brief – March 2025

Marriage and a bond – ask these important questions before making an offer

Five ways your bond can provide financial peace of mind

Popular inland hotspots where you will want to live

Keep your home in top shape – it’s your biggest investment

Things to look out for when viewing a home you love

Book that holiday and buy a new home

core/image

<h1 class="wp-block-heading has-headingtext-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1" style="margin-top:50px;margin-bottom:50px">Property Brief – September 2026</h1>

core/heading

<h1 class="wp-block-heading has-headingtext-color has-text-color has-link-color" style="margin-top:50px;margin-bottom:50px">Property Brief – September 2026</h1>

The latest <strong>BetterBond Property Brief - September 2026 </strong>is out!

<p class="has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph" style="margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px">The latest <strong>BetterBond Property Brief - September 2026 </strong>is out!</p>

core/paragraph

<p class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px">The latest <strong>BetterBond Property Brief - September 2026 </strong>is out!</p>

<h3 class="wp-block-heading" style="margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px">Article insights:</h3>

<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">The residential property market remains resilient, with home loan applications 11.3% higher than in Q4 2023.</li>



<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Home loan applications remained largely stable in the first two months of Q3 2026, despite higher deposit requirements and a prime lending rate of 10.5%.</li>



<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">First-time buyers are paying an average home purchase price of R1.4 million, a nominal increase of 19% since Q3 2023.</li>



<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Home affordability has improved for most age groups, with the ratio of home prices to annual incomes declining significantly since 2021.</li>



<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">The home loan approval ratio increased to 64.5% at the end of August 2026, supported by lower interest rates and stronger formal-sector employment.</li>
</ul>

core/list-item

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">The residential property market remains resilient, with home loan applications 11.3% higher than in Q4 2023.</li>

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Home loan applications remained largely stable in the first two months of Q3 2026, despite higher deposit requirements and a prime lending rate of 10.5%.</li>

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">First-time buyers are paying an average home purchase price of R1.4 million, a nominal increase of 19% since Q3 2023.</li>

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Home affordability has improved for most age groups, with the ratio of home prices to annual incomes declining significantly since 2021.</li>

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">The home loan approval ratio increased to 64.5% at the end of August 2026, supported by lower interest rates and stronger formal-sector employment.</li>

core/list

This month’s <strong>Property Brief</strong> highlights a residential property market showing signs of stability, with home loan applications holding steady, affordability improving for most age groups and employment growth supporting regional housing demand. While higher deposit requirements and the current interest rate environment continue to influence homebuying activity, demand remains resilient.

<p class="has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph" style="margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px">This month’s <strong>Property Brief</strong> highlights a residential property market showing signs of stability, with home loan applications holding steady, affordability improving for most age groups and employment growth supporting regional housing demand. While higher deposit requirements and the current interest rate environment continue to influence homebuying activity, demand remains resilient.</p>

<p class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px">This month’s <strong>Property Brief</strong> highlights a residential property market showing signs of stability, with home loan applications holding steady, affordability improving for most age groups and employment growth supporting regional housing demand. While higher deposit requirements and the current interest rate environment continue to influence homebuying activity, demand remains resilient.</p>

The latest data also points to an improving economic backdrop, with retail sales maintaining their upward momentum and the rand strengthening significantly against major global currencies. At the same time, the gap between South Africa’s long-term interest rate and prime lending rate suggests scope for further monetary policy easing, which could provide additional momentum to the property market.

<p class="has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph" style="margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px">The latest data also points to an improving economic backdrop, with retail sales maintaining their upward momentum and the rand strengthening significantly against major global currencies. At the same time, the gap between South Africa’s long-term interest rate and prime lending rate suggests scope for further monetary policy easing, which could provide additional momentum to the property market.</p>

<p class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px">The latest data also points to an improving economic backdrop, with retail sales maintaining their upward momentum and the rand strengthening significantly against major global currencies. At the same time, the gap between South Africa’s long-term interest rate and prime lending rate suggests scope for further monetary policy easing, which could provide additional momentum to the property market.</p>

The full list of data points included in the <strong>September 2026 Property Brief</strong> is as follows:

<p class="has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph" style="margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px">The full list of data points included in the <strong>September 2026 Property Brief</strong> is as follows:</p>

<p class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px">The full list of data points included in the <strong>September 2026 Property Brief</strong> is as follows:</p>

<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Bond yield spread calls out for prime rate cut</li>



<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">BetterBond Index of Home Loan Applications</li>



<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Average home purchase price</li>



<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Average deposit for home purchase</li>



<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Ratio of average home price to average annual income by age group</li>



<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Regional composition of average home prices</li>



<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Average home purchase price by income group</li>



<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Employment by province</li>



<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Approval ratio for home loans granted</li>
</ol>

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Bond yield spread calls out for prime rate cut</li>

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">BetterBond Index of Home Loan Applications</li>

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Average home purchase price</li>

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Average deposit for home purchase</li>

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Ratio of average home price to average annual income by age group</li>

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Regional composition of average home prices</li>

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Average home purchase price by income group</li>

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Employment by province</li>

<li class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px">Approval ratio for home loans granted</li>

We hope this month’s BetterBond Property Brief provides useful insight into the economic and residential property trends influencing South African homebuyers and the market more broadly.

<p class="has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph" style="margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px">We hope this month’s BetterBond Property Brief provides useful insight into the economic and residential property trends influencing South African homebuyers and the market more broadly.</p>

<p class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px">We hope this month’s BetterBond Property Brief provides useful insight into the economic and residential property trends influencing South African homebuyers and the market more broadly.</p>

Missed last month’s insights? Read the <a href="https://www.betterbond.co.za/learn/property-brief-august-2026/">August 2026 BetterBond Property Brief here</a>.

<p class="has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph" style="margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px">Missed last month’s insights? Read the <a href="https://www.betterbond.co.za/learn/property-brief-august-2026/">August 2026 BetterBond Property Brief here</a>.</p>

<p class="has-small-font-size" style="margin-top:30px;margin-bottom:30px">Missed last month’s insights? Read the <a href="https://www.betterbond.co.za/learn/property-brief-august-2026/">August 2026 BetterBond Property Brief here</a>.</p>

field_645a112611e1e

Property Brief - September 2026

acf/downloaditemblock

<div class="downloadItemBlock">
    <p class="downloadItemBlock-p">Property Brief - September 2026</p>
    
    <svg width="25" height="24" viewBox="0 0 25 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
    <path d="M14.8715 11.4072L12.4998 13.7789L10.1282 11.4072" stroke="#11BEA7" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/>
    <path d="M12.5 6.66504V13.7793" stroke="#11BEA7" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/>
    <path d="M17.8358 14.9639C17.8358 16.2737 16.774 17.3355 15.4641 17.3355H9.53633C8.2265 17.3355 7.16467 16.2737 7.16467 14.9639" stroke="#11BEA7" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"/>
    </svg>
</div>

<style>
    .downloadItemBlock{
        display: flex;
        flex-direction: row;
        justify-content: space-between;
        align-items: center;
        padding: 16px;
        background: #FFFFFF;
        border-radius: 8px;
        width: 100%;
        max-width:500px;
        cursor: pointer;
    }

    .downloadItemBlock-p{
        font-style: normal;
        font-weight: 400;
        font-size: 14px;
        line-height: 150%;
        display: flex;
        align-items: center;
        color: #001A38;
    }
</style>

BetterBond is a bond originator based in Pretoria, South Africa. We have been providing South Africans with home loans and bond advice since 2000. 

Property Brief – September 2026

Article insights:

Related articles

How much can you afford?