Cracking SA's property code Estates to encryption
Discover why Knysna is redefining luxury estate living, and what shifting buyer demographics reveal about affordability and age in the housing market. Learn how Lightstone and 1st for Women are empowering women homeowners, explore expert insights from Hayley Ivins-Downes on smarter property buying, and stay alert to the growing threat of AI-driven cybercrime in real estate. Plus, unpack the latest Property Index trends shaping prices nationwide.
Knysna embraces estate living
Where ocean views meet forest trails, Knysna is redefining luxury coastal living. With nearly 30% of homes valued above R5 million and estate living on the rise, this Garden Route gem continues to attract locals and out-of-towners alike. From Thesen Island to Pezula Golf Estate, demand remains strong, prices are climbing, and properties are selling faster - proof that Knysna's natural beauty and lifestyle appeal are matched only by its resilient property market.
Read MoreLess homes sold, and buyers are older
Residential property sales in South Africa remain below pre-2008 levels, lagging behind the stronger recoveries seen in markets like the US, UK and Australia. Buyers are also getting older - a trend reflected globally as affordability pressures, stricter lending criteria and delayed life milestones make homeownership harder for younger people. In 2000, nearly half of all buyers were under 35 and by 2025, that number dropped to 30%. What could this demographic shift mean for South Africa's housing market?
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Buy property smarter with data
Thinking about buying, selling or semigrating? Well look no further. The Finance Ghost sat down with Hayley Ivins-Downes, Managing Executive Real Estate at Lightstone Property, to unpack what the data really says about valuations, provincial shifts (Gauteng vs Western Cape), interest-rate cycles, first-time buyer ages, holding periods and why emotions cost you money. Learn how banks use Lightstone's models, when to rent versus buy and which Lightstone reports to get before you sign.
Listen in to the full interview hereAI-driven cybercrime: the rising risk for real estate
Artificial Intelligence is transforming real estate from faster listings to smarter marketing. But as practitioners embrace its benefits, cybercriminals are exploiting the same technology for deception. From deepfake listings and cloned practitioner profiles to voice impersonations and sophisticated phishing attacks, AI-powered fraud is becoming alarmingly common. If you're in the property sector, it's crucial to understand these risks and how to protect your clients and your brand and stay one step ahead of AI fraud.
Read more here
House price inflation eases to 4.2%
Lightstone's latest House Price Index shows national house-price inflation easing for a second month to 4.2% year-on-year while provincial trends remain uneven. The Western Cape again outperforms Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, recording strong momentum from the previous month. Segment performance is mixed with Mid-Value and Luxury cooled to 3.4% and 4.7%, while High-Value held steady at 4.8%, and Low-Value accelerated to 9.8%.
View or download the reportHappy reading!
“Lightstone has consistently helped me deliver 100% Valuations. Sellers are impressed with the document I bring to listings, they appreciate the news and insights about their area that they didn't know. The up-to-date sales prices and other details are invaluable. Because my territory spans five towns within a 100 km radius, this support is vital to my sales and income.”
- Alta Du Toit, LRE Group
“Proof of market activity to show clients, not just tell them!”
