The Property Corner with Rowan Alexander

In this episode, we take a visual walkthrough of the new PayProp Quarterly Rental Index for Q1 2026 and unpack what the latest data tells us about South Africa’s residential rental market.

We look at rental growth, average rental values and tenant arrears across the country, including the standout performance of the Western Cape and Northern Cape, as well as the provinces showing signs of slowing growth.

But the numbers only tell part of the story. We also look at what the data could mean for landlords and investors as rising interest rates and the increasing cost of living begin putting pressure on tenants and rental demand.

Most importantly, we move beyond the Q1 numbers and consider what they could mean for the rental market for the rest of 2026, including why tenant retention may become more important than rental escalations.

Watch the full visual walkthrough of the new PayProp Quarterly Rental Index and follow along as we break down the numbers and what they could mean for property investors and landlords.

In this episode:
00:00 Introduction
04:17 National Statistics
06:35 Provincial Statistics
13:28 National Payment Behaviour
14:34 In Closing

If you’d like to explore the report yourself, here’s the link to the PayProp Quarterly Rental Index for Q1 2026: https://www.flipsnack.com/B77B9BAA9F7/rental-index-q1-2026?utm_campaign=117554417-SA%20-%20PayProp%20Rental%20Index&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9UxGWq5HjIiE462lL3m7qM6PKtR3QM07-vgviqKrxWrGAhLFneldaY1v4a87EpKMH_GwruQPrVAoPwtgRbDJQ1zrOQNg&_hsmi=141952045&utm_content=141952045&utm_source=hs_email

#PayPropRentalIndex #SouthAfricanProperty #RentalMarket2026 #PropertyInvesting #RentalProperty

The biggest cost of owning a home isn't always your bond anymore.

In this episode of The Property Corner, we explore why today's property buyers need to think beyond the monthly bond repayment. Rising municipal charges, security costs, insurance, maintenance, levies and utility inflation are changing what true affordability looks like.

Using practical examples, we explain why the total cost of ownership has become one of the most important factors when buying property, how these costs can grow over time, and why many homeowners are feeling financial pressure despite keeping up with their bond repayments.

We also discuss:
Why affordability is no longer just about qualifying for a home loan.

How municipal charges and maintenance can overtake your bond repayment over time.

The hidden costs many buyers overlook before purchasing.

Whether estate living is really more expensive.

How to budget for long-term homeownership and avoid future financial strain.

If you're planning to buy property, already own a home, or want to make smarter property decisions, this episode will help you look beyond the purchase price and understand the real cost of owning a home.
 
In this episode:
00:00 Introduction
00:50 The Bond Has Become the Smaller Part of the Equation
02:03 Municipal Charges Are Growing Faster Than Many Realise
04:46 Security Upgrades Are No Longer Optional
06:14 The Silent Killer: Maintenance
07:21 Estate Living Isn't Always More Expensive
09:42 The New Affordability Calculation
 
Subscribe to The Property Corner for practical property insights, and let us know in the comments which property topic you'd like us to cover next.

#PropertyInvestment #HomeOwnership #RealEstateSA #PropertyFinance #HomeLoan

Subscribe to us on your favourite podcast platform : Youtube: http://youtube.com/@propertycornerzaSpotify: https://shorturl.at/horJTApple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/alFG7

Is a 30-year home loan really a better financial decision than a 20-year bond?

In this episode of The Property Corner, we unpack why choosing a longer bond term could give you greater flexibility, improved cash flow, and more control over your financial future.

Many buyers focus solely on the total interest payable over the life of the loan, but there’s another side to the equation: liquidity, risk management, and financial flexibility. By understanding how bond terms work and how additional repayments can shorten your loan term, you can potentially build wealth while maintaining a valuable financial safety net.

Whether you're buying your first home or building a property investment portfolio, this discussion highlights how a 30-year bond can be used strategically to improve affordability, create access to emergency funds, and reduce monthly cash flow pressure.

In this episode:
00:00 Introduction
00:54 Understanding the Numbers
01:48 The Hidden Value of Lower Contractual Commitments
02:35 The Part Most People Miss
0348 Why This Helps Build an Access Facility
04: 32 The Investor Advantage

Join our growing community by subscribing to The Property Corner YouTube Channel and suggesting topics in the comments that you'd like to see covered in upcoming videos.

#HomeLoanTips #RealEstateInvesting #SouthAfricanProperty #WealthBuilding #BondRepayment

Subscribe to us on your favourite podcast platform : 
Youtube: http://youtube.com/@propertycornerza
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/horJT
Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/alFG7

Cape Town's northern suburbs have undergone one of the most significant transformations in South Africa's property market over the past two decades.

What were once considered dormitory towns feeding commuters into the CBD have evolved into thriving economic hubs where people can live, work, shop, study and invest within a single ecosystem.

In this episode, we unpack the key drivers behind this transformation, from industrial and logistics developments such as Brackengate Business Park to major residential precincts, retail expansion, education infrastructure, and the rise of Durbanville as the crown jewel of the northern suburbs.

We also explore how infrastructure investment, job creation, schooling demand, and mixed-use development have combined to create a self-sustaining property market that increasingly functions as a parallel city system alongside Cape Town.

Whether you're a homeowner, investor, developer, or simply interested in the future of Cape Town's property landscape, this episode offers valuable insights into where the northern suburbs have come from and where they're headed next.

What changes have you witnessed in the northern suburbs over the last 10, 15, or 20 years? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

In this episode:
00:00 The Northern Suburbs' Economic Transformation
02:00 Industrial Growth, Logistics & Job Creation
02:20 Residential Expansion, Retail & Lifestyle Development
06:29 Schools, Education & Why Families Are Moving In
08:48 Durbanville: The Crown Jewel of the Northern Suburbs
10:57 Infrastructure, Future Growth & What Comes Next

#CapeTownProperty #NorthernSuburbs #Durbanville #RealEstateSouthAfrica #PropertyInvestment

Subscribe to us on your favourite podcast platform : 
Youtube: http://youtube.com/@propertycornerza
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/horJT
Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/alFG7

Cape Town's property market is booming, but there's a catch: the middle class is being pushed further and further out.

In this episode, we unpack why buyers are being priced out of the CBD, how pressure is building across the suburbs, and why demand is spilling into areas like Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Wellington. From semigration and supply shortages to investor demand and Airbnb, we explore the forces reshaping Cape Town's property market.

If you've been wondering why homes are selling so quickly, why affordability feels increasingly out of reach, or where the next opportunities in Cape Town's property market may lie, this episode is for you.

In this episode:
00:00 The Middle-Class Property Squeeze in Cape Town
01:16 The 3 Forces Driving Property Prices Higher
02:53 Cape Town's Booming Property Markets
04:51 The Middle-Class Affordability Crisis
06:34 What This Means for Future Property Owners
07:49 Key Message for Buyers

#CapeTownProperty #PropertyTrends #PropertyInvestment #SouthAfricanProperty #MiddleClassSqueeze

Subscribe to us on your favourite podcast platform :
Youtube: http://youtube.com/@propertycornerza
Spotify: https://shorturl.at/horJT
Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/alFG7