To improve South Africa's average age to buy property, Bendall said there are a few key levers we can pull which include continuing to ease interest rates: as lending conditions improve, younger buyers will find it easier to qualify for bonds.

He said the country must raise awareness around affordable housing options as many are unaware of the range of properties under R1 million, which now account for around 42% of all bonds they processed.

He said further raising the transfer duty threshold, or introducing subsidies for first-time buyers, would help enormously. Financial education, where younger consumers are educated on budgeting, credit scores and the true cost of buying a home could help demystify the process and build confidence, he said.

Adrian Goslett, regional director and ceo of RE/MAX said previously that homeownership, for example, can be significantly impacted by age, as it affects one’s ability to secure a home loan.

“Younger buyers typically have the advantage of longer repayment terms, which makes their monthly repayment amounts slightly more manageable. In contrast, older buyers, especially those nearing retirement, may face shorter loan terms – for example, 10 years instead of 20 years – due to the reduced earning window. This will push up the monthly repayments and can end up affecting how much they can qualify for in home finance,” Goslett said.

However, this does not mean that older buyers are excluded from securing a home loan as lenders may offer tailored solutions, such as shorter loan terms or requiring a higher deposit, to mitigate the increased risk. Older applicants with strong financial positions, substantial savings, and significant deposits can improve their loan approval chances.

Bendall warned that if affordability challenges persist and younger buyers are locked out of the market, the country risks increased pressure on rental markets, less long-term wealth generation among youth and potentially a shrinking base of future homeowners.

“From a broader housing and urban development perspective, this delays efforts to create inclusive, sustainable human settlements, where citizens have a stake in their communities. Homeownership is not just a personal financial milestone; it's a key pillar of social stability and economic growth,” Bendall said.

He said that fortunately, the latest trends are encouraging. “With bond application volumes up, average income growth in double digits and first-time buyer activity climbing back to 25%, we are optimistic that 2025 could be a turning point for South Africa’s property market.”

* GIven Majola is Independent Media's property writer.

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