Standpoint

Does the confidence real estate businesses have in their FICA practices measure up?

rasvanth@propdata.net (Rasvanth Chunylall) — Fri, 22 May 2026 05:00:00 GMT

It’s official: real estate agencies are heading into a new compliance phase. Effective from 1 April 2026, Directive 11 by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) will require estate agencies to submit a detailed Risk and Compliance Return (RCR) to the FIC, covering their anti-money laundering (AML), counter-terrorist financing (CTF), and broader risk management controls.

On the surface, it appears that the sector is already well prepared for increased scrutiny. A recent Prop Data poll found that 77.2% of property practitioners said they were “very confident to extremely confident” in their FICA compliance processes. But experts say there can still be a gap between confidence and how compliance is applied in practice.

Is that real estate deal feeling dodgy? It could be a FICA compliance warning sign

rasvanth@propdata.net (Rasvanth Chunylall) — Wed, 20 May 2026 20:08:24 GMT

In real estate, instinct often plays a bigger role than people realise. Sometimes a transaction looks perfectly ordinary on paper, but something about it feels off. A buyer is unusually evasive, a seller seems reluctant to provide supporting documents, or the source of funds doesn’t quite add up. Experienced property practitioners know that these subtle warning signs should never be ignored.

Under South Africa’s Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), real estate agencies and brokerages are on the front line of the fight against money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes. But when a commission is on the line and targets need to be met, it can be tempting to overlook warning signs in the rush to close a deal.

Rental practitioners under pressure as stock shrinks, finds property poll

rasvanth@propdata.net (Rasvanth Chunylall) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In rentals, consistency is everything. A steady pipeline of stock is what keeps deals moving, tenants placed, and landlords confident that their properties are being actively managed. When that flow becomes unpredictable, it has a knock-on effect across every part of the rental process.

According to Prop Data’s latest poll, property practitioners say stock shortages in their areas have emerged as the biggest challenge in the rental market right now (38.9%). This outpaced other hurdles like tenants failing affordability or reference checks (13.9%), unrealistic landlord rental expectations (13.9%), and lease paperwork and administrative delays (13.9%).

The top sales market challenges property practitioners are facing (and how to respond)

rasvanth@propdata.net (Rasvanth Chunylall) — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 13:35:05 GMT

It feels like the South African residential property market has finally turned a corner. According to the latest data from BetterBond, house prices are on the up, demand is back in the room, and banks are opening their taps to lend more freely.

But, as any seasoned professional knows, the job is never quite a walk in the park. Many homeowners are already feeling the squeeze of rising fuel prices. The ongoing increase in living costs, with global uncertainty — like tensions between Iran and the United States — is also adding another layer of pressure. On top of that, there’s still the very real possibility that interest rates could remain higher for longer, which continues to affect affordability and buyer confidence.

Against this backdrop, Prop Data recently polled property practitioners to get a clearer picture of what’s actually happening on the ground in the sales market. Here are the top three challenges reported and what you can do about them.

How practitioners can prepare for a post-election property demand boost

rasvanth@propdata.net (Rasvanth Chunylall) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:53:50 GMT

Once the local elections wrap up, a sense of renewed momentum can start to build in the property market. In some areas, that translates into increased buyer activity, stronger enquiry levels, and a faster pace of deals. That expectation is backed by a recent Prop Data poll, with roughly 32% of property practitioners saying they anticipate increased demand in their area after the election. Being ready as the market begins to move is critical for success.

New leaders? Tips for property practitioners after the local elections

rasvanth@propdata.net (Rasvanth Chunylall) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:34:44 GMT

When the ballots are counted and new leaders take office, the political landscape at the municipal level can shift quickly. These changes can influence everything from development approvals and policy direction to investor confidence. And for those in real estate, that includes market activity. A recent Prop Data poll shows that 30.5% of property practitioners expect political leadership changes to affect property prices after the elections, coming in just behind service delivery. The key is to keep an eye on the shifts and adjust one’s approach.

How practitioners can respond to service delivery changes after the local elections

rasvanth@propdata.net (Rasvanth Chunylall) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:12:07 GMT

When the dust settles after a local election, service delivery can look very different from before. Changes in waste collection, water and electricity services, community facilities, and development projects often shape how buyers, renters, and investors view an area. In fact, a recent Prop Data poll shows that over 40% of property practitioners expect these changes to be the biggest factor influencing property prices after the 2026 municipal elections. For those in the industry, spotting these changes early and adapting strategies can make all the difference.

Why the real estate industry is paying close attention to the next local election

rasvanth@propdata.net (Rasvanth Chunylall) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:44:04 GMT

The 2026 local government elections are just around the corner, expected sometime between November 2026 and January 2027. With a record 508 political parties being registered, local governance is set to be closely contested. National politics might grab the headlines, but decisions made at the municipal level shape the day-to-day realities of the property industry. For property practitioners, this makes the elections a key moment to watch and prepare for, as the outcomes can influence client confidence, pricing, and the flow of deals.

The affordable housing trend is creating a ‘budget boom’

rasvanth@propdata.net (Rasvanth Chunylall) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:18:09 GMT

Lightstone research shows that many buyers are waiting longer than before to step into the market, often well into their 30s. But 2026 could finally tip the balance, with positive economic signs giving this group the confidence to take the leap, and giving you a fresh wave of buyers to engage.

According to Prop Data’s latest poll, 9.6% of practitioners see affordable housing as a key trend for 2026, fifth overall after stronger buyer’s market conditions, secure complexes, first-time buyers, and semigration. Here’s a close look at the buyer motivation behind the trend and ways practitioners can clear a path to homeownership.

Semigration is still a real estate trend to watch in 2026

rasvanth@propdata.net (Rasvanth Chunylall) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 07:51:40 GMT

Semigration was a major trend in 2020, thanks in part to work-from-home policies laying the groundwork for flexible working arrangements. And while it isn’t as shiny a buzzword as it once was, you can rarely scan a local property news site without spotting at least one article on the topic. Property practitioners can still see it in how buyers make choices — the compromises they’re willing to accept, the areas they target, and how quickly they’re ready to move.

That mobility shows up in Prop Data’s latest poll, where 10.4% of property practitioners named semigration as a key trend shaping 2026, ranking fourth overall. Behind stronger buyer’s market conditions, demand for secure complexes and estates, and the first-time buyer surge, it’s a quieter trend, but one that has remained consistent over the years.