Young homebuyers prioritise strategy, lifestyle and value
Property consultants say they are seeing a rise in creative solutions from younger buyers such as joint bonds, the popularity of lock-up-and-go apartments, and a strong desire for lifestyle-aligned locations.
YOUNGER property buyers are becoming more strategic in how they approach property ownership, including those in the Upper Highway area and the eThekwini region, in general.
This is the perspective of property consultants at Harcourts Upper Highway, director Harwieg du Rand and Michelle Carrie Seaton, who were commenting on Lightstone data which shows that South Africa’s younger property buyers may be entering the property market later, but they are doing so on their own terms.
Based on Du Rand and Seaton’s experience, the trends highlighted in the Lightstone data definitely resonate with what they have observed on the ground.
“Younger buyers, especially in the 25–35 age bracket, are becoming more strategic in how they approach property ownership. While affordability and interest rates remain a concern, we’re seeing a rise in creative solutions such as joint bonds between friends or siblings, the popularity of lock-up-and-go apartments with minimal maintenance, and a strong desire for lifestyle-aligned locations, even if it means compromising on space,” said Du Rand.
Seaton said digital platforms have also played a massive role in giving this cohort more confidence and autonomy during the home buying journey.
Seaton said the average age of first-time buyers, nationally, has moved upward in the past decade, with 36 years being the average age of a first time buyer.
She added that a lot of property buying activity was observed among those aged 33-43.
“BetterBond and ooba data suggest it may be as high as 37 years in 2025. Some of MyProperty Home Loans findings quote an average of 39 years, reflecting increasing older-age entries into the market,” said Seaton.
Seaton added that first‑time buyers in the 20-35 age bracket accounted for around 30% of last year’s transactions, of which 69% were first‑time buyers.
On the average spending by young buyers aged between 20-35, Du Rand said Lightstone data showed that this age bracket paid an average of about R999 000 for a property in 2024, whilst first-time retirees averaged R730 000.
“Those under 35 showed a trend of paying more. In 2023, 36 % paid between R1m and R3m, up from 29 % in 2018. Buyers aged between 31 and 40 had average home prices around R1.3m.
“For first-time buyers generally, of all age groups, in early 2025 the average purchase price nationally was approximately R1.264m, with deposits averaging 10.4 %, between R120 000 and R150 000. MyProperty numbers show R1.215m with bonds around R1.55m and deposits averaging R352 000 in early 2025,” said Du Rand.
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According to Du Rand and Seaton, the Upper Highway area, which includes Hillcrest, Kloof and Gillitts, has seen a growing number of gated-estate residential communities, with higher-end retail infrastructure.
“Market pricing here is generally above national averages, given the estate-based developments, higher-value homes, and affluent demographic, so it’s reasonable that young buyers in Hillcrest, Kloof likely pay at or above the R1m to R1.3m range if purchasing there.
“The average first‑time buyer age in this region is likely aligned with or possibly slightly above the national average, that is mid-to-late 30s, given typical income and property values,” said Seaton.
Du Rand said Hillcrest and Kloof are known for premium residential estates with properties that often exceed national averages.
“Young buyers entering these areas often must budget for significantly larger deposits, and for higher bonds,” said Du Rand.
Here is a table provided by Du Rand and Seaton:
| Metric | National Trend (2024–2025) | Likely in Hillcrest/Kloof |
| Avg age, first-time buyers | ~36–37 yrs (range mostly 33–43) | Mid‑30s to ~40 (due to higher affordability requirement) |
| Spend by 20–35‑year‑olds | ~R999 000 avg (with many between R1m–3m) | Likely ≥ R1 m–1.3 m or higher |
| General first‑time purchase | ~R1.2 m–1.3 m avg | Likely on higher side of that spectrum |
Meanwhile, according to the data sourced from Lightstone, buyers aged 20-35 accounted for almost a third of all residential property transactions in 2024.
It was also found that while affordability and high interest rates have caused some delays, this cohort is still a major force in the market, driving nearly 70% of bond approvals in recent months.
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