South Africa’s property market is often viewed in isolation, but when compared to other major global markets like Australia, the UK, and the US, some striking differences emerge—both in terms of structure and innovation. According to Antonie Goosen, principal and founder of Meridian Realty, while South Africa faces its own unique challenges, it is also proving to be surprisingly resilient and, in some respects, ahead of the curve.
“We’re not just lagging behind global markets—we’re adapting in uniquely South African ways,” says Goosen. “The realities on the ground here—economic pressure, infrastructure constraints, and affordability—mean we’ve had to become more agile and innovative in how we approach property transactions.”
Regulatory and Market Differences
In developed markets like the United Kingdom and Australia, property regulation is highly standardised, and processes are typically streamlined with centralised systems for land ownership, agent regulation, and digital conveyancing. By contrast, South Africa’s fragmented local authority structures can lead to inconsistent timelines and bureaucratic delays, particularly around rates clearance, title deed registration, and zoning approval.
“One of the frustrations we face is the variability between municipalities,” Goosen explains. “A transaction in Cape Town might take four weeks to register, while the same deal in Johannesburg could take double that. It creates uncertainty, especially for international buyers.”
However, Goosen is quick to note that the quality of real estate professionals in South Africa is on par with global standards. “Our top agents are highly skilled, well-trained, and increasingly digitally savvy. We’ve had to evolve fast in response to economic pressure and changing consumer behaviour.”
Affordability and Accessibility
Property in South Africa remains far more affordable than in many developed markets. While the average home price in the UK has surpassed £280,000 (approx. R6.5 million), and in Australia over AUD 750,000 (approx. R9.4 million), South Africans can still find family homes under R2 million in desirable locations.
“Affordability remains one of our biggest strengths, especially when compared to cities like Sydney, London or New York,” says Goosen. “This makes South Africa an attractive option for local buyers—and potentially for returning expats and remote workers seeking lifestyle value.”
Despite affordability, challenges like load shedding, rising municipal rates, and interest rate volatility do temper market enthusiasm. “Buyers here are cautious, but the market continues to move. There’s a strong culture of homeownership in South Africa that is very resilient,” he adds.
Where South Africa Is Innovating: Local Platforms Bridging the Information Gap
One area where South Africa is beginning to catch up with global trends is in the use of performance-based platforms that empower home sellers to make smarter choices about which agents to work with. While markets like the UK and Australia already have several such platforms in place, South Africa had no equivalent until recently.
“In more developed markets, agent comparison tools are widely used and there’s more transparency in terms of agent performance and market data,” says Goosen. “South Africa is now starting to offer the same thanks to platforms like BestAgent.co.za, which has been a pioneer locally in making agent performance data available to the public.”
These innovations are helping to close the information gap between South Africa and other international markets. “Tools like this are crucial in building trust, accountability and empowering sellers,” Goosen adds.
Adaptability in a Challenging Environment
South Africa’s property professionals have also developed a high level of adaptability—working through power outages, fluctuating exchange rates, and economic uncertainty as part of their daily reality.
“If you can succeed as an estate agent in South Africa, you can succeed anywhere,” Goosen says. “Our agents are used to doing more with less, thinking creatively, and supporting clients through complex transactions.”
This resilience extends to the market itself, which continues to demonstrate strong fundamentals in many areas despite broader economic concerns.
What Makes Us Different—And Better?
South Africa may not yet have the infrastructure or scale of international giants, but it has a people-driven, innovative edge that’s hard to match.
“We have a deep culture of personal connection in our property transactions,” Goosen explains. “Even as we adopt new tech, that human element remains core—and it’s something that buyers, sellers and investors value immensely.”
Looking ahead, Goosen believes South Africa will continue to evolve its own distinct real estate ecosystem—one that blends personal service, affordability, and cutting-edge innovation.
“We may not always follow the international playbook, but we are creating solutions that work for our context—and in some areas, we’re actually leading the way,” he concludes.
