Property

Message to South Africans who want to buy property in Cape Town

Kirsten Minnaar • 7 September 2025

Cape Town remains a standout performer in South Africa’s property market, with experts saying that consistent growth and high demand make now a great time to buy.

For years, semigrants have been flocking to Cape Town in search of better lifestyles, improved service delivery and safety.

With many companies returning to the office post-pandemic and Cape Town property prices soaring through the roof, many experts have pointed to a growing reverse semigration trend in the country.

According to Wise Move, although the majority of internal migrations are from Gauteng to Cape Town, the reverse is also happening, as many Capetonians move to Johannesburg and Pretoria.

However, even against this backdrop, Alexa Horne, MD of DG Properties, said this is still a good time to buy property in Cape Town.

“Cape Town remains one of South Africa’s strongest and most resilient property markets,” she said.

According to Ooba Bond Originators, the average property price in the Western Cape was R2.33 million in the first quarter of 2025. This is well above the national average of R1.66 million.

“Lightstone data shows Western Cape property prices grew 8.7% year-on-year in January 2025, compared to 5.2% nationally, with the City of Cape Town leading all metros at 8.5% annual growth,” Horne said.

However, she added that for those buying for lifestyle and long-term value, it’s less about trying to ‘time’ the market, and more about making the move when they are ready.

She added that long-term growth trends, consistent rental demand, and the ongoing semigration of buyers from other provinces all support the case for buying now.

This is especially true in sought-after suburbs like Sea Point, Green Point, Claremont, Newlands, and Bishopscourt.

However, Horne explained that there are plenty of key nodes in Cape Town that all offer something unique. “Each pocket offers a lifestyle proposition, from ocean-facing apartments to leafy suburban estates,” she added.

Strong markets in Cape Town

“The CBD, Sea Point, Green Point, and Gardens are ideal for investors and professionals thanks to strong rental markets and ongoing urban regeneration,” Horne said.

Family buyers and semigrants tend to favour the Southern Suburbs, particularly Claremont, Newlands, Constantia, and Bishopscourt, which offer excellent schools, space, and tranquillity.

Bishopscourt, in particular, is one of Cape Town’s most prestigious addresses. It offers privacy, large plots, and proximity to top schools.

Luxury sectional-title sales on the Atlantic Seaboard averaged R69,167 per square metre in early 2025, according to Lightstone data. Many sold in under 40 days.

The Atlantic Seaboard, which includes the City Bowl and areas from Foreshore to Camps Bay, is particularly notable as one of the best-performing property markets in Cape Town.

Recently, Pam Golding Properties reported a record June sales turnover of R240 million. This figure is more than double the previous June high.

The timing of this boom is particularly notable, as the cold winter months usually see a downturn in property sales.

According to Ross Levin, licensee for Seeff Atlantic Seaboard, investors are flocking to high-demand areas such as Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard.

As a result, the number of apartments sold for over R20 million in Cape Town rose 30% in 2025. In 2025, 22 apartments priced over R20 million have sold, compared to just 17 units during the same time in 2024.

Across the Atlantic Seaboard, 329 apartments worth a combined R2.4 billion have been sold across all price bands at an average price of R7.2 million, up 14.2% from 2024.

The rate paid per square metre, the usual pricing method for apartments, has also hit a new record high of R170,000 per m², up from around R160,000/m² in 2024.

Only 7.7% of sales are now below R2 million, mainly in Sea Point, Green Point, and Mouille Point. The images below show luxury homes along the Atlantic which are currently for sale.