South African property buyers prioritize lifestyle, market experts note

Tips Before Making an Offer

The luxury agent advises requesting a certificate of solar system installation and technical specifications from the seller, forwarding them to the credit broker before the bank appraisal. It is also necessary to ask the appraiser to note this system in their report. A well-described solar system (panels, inverter, backup power) can add real value of R80,000 to R200,000, and if the bank ignores it, the buyer may need more cash than expected. Given the current power supply situation in South Africa, a solar home is not a luxury, but a risk mitigation tool.

Young also addresses first-time homebuyers, urging them to gather information about solar systems before falling in love with the price. He notes that the success or failure of many developments depends on factors far beyond the plot itself.

The Importance of Environment

Lansier Cullen, director of BPAS Architects, asserts that when discussing successful developments, the conversation almost always begins with the building itself—its architecture, location, tenant mix, and investment value. Although all these aspects are important, he is convinced that many projects succeed or fail due to factors outside the boundaries of the site.

In Cullen's view, even a well-designed office building depends on functioning infrastructure, and residential development is influenced by the quality of the surrounding environment. He concludes that even the most meticulously planned project ultimately relies on systems, services, and governance that are beyond the architect's control. He believes that buildings do not exist in isolation from the surrounding cities; the most successful projects, in his observation, are not those standing alone, but those that strengthen the context, as good cities multiply the value created by good buildings.