SIX PROJECTED HOME LOAN TRENDS FOR 2023

Looking ahead to what is likely to drive home loans this year

- RHYS DYER

DESPITE THE challenges of external factors such as ongoing interest rate hikes and rising costs of living, the ongoing demand for home loans remained relatively stable in 2022-slightly down on 2021 volumes, but up on 2020 and 2019 volumes.

This sustained demand can be attributed to the following key factors: 

• The increasing interest rates over the year, culminating in a prime rate at year end of 10.5%, remains well below the long-term average rate over the past 25-years; and.
• Banks continuing to compete for home loan business by approving loans on attractive terms-both in terms of interest rate and in the granting of 100% loans.

Home loan trends in 2023 Looking ahead, ooba believes that with most of the interest rate hikes now behind us, the following six property trends will lead the way in 2023:

1. Buyers want more 'bang for their buck'

ooba's latest statistics indicate that the Western Cape remains a strong contender in the property realm-and, while price growth has been slowing the most rapidly, the average purchase price remains the highest among the major regions.

The reason is that the appeal of the RACEO NUARY 3033 Western Cape clearly does not lie in the relative affordability of homes, but rather in the lifestyle offering, the relative security, and the competency of municipal management.