According to Dall, the auction platform for selling and buying property has become more and more popular throughout 2012 where The High St Auction Co, even broke their own record for sales at the previous multi-property auction event at Summer Place in Sandton, where in less than one hour over R100 Million was netted for property sellers. The expedited sales cycle, aggressive marketing and reserve price system have been attributed with their strong gains in the market.

Dall states that keeping their ear close to the ground and keeping abreast of developments in the industry and the quality of advice that they could provide buyers and sellers is their key to success in the property market. Gathering this intel involves daily contact with fund managers, property owners, property management companies, banks, investors and analyst views of the markets.

Industrial Property Market – According to Johann Boshoff, MD of JHI Properties the Industrial property market fared well despite economic pressure throughout the year. Choice of location has become important with increased transport costs and access to quality infrastructure being key drivers in the market particularly with regard to logistics and distribution operations. Boshoff says that in addition to convenient location, users are seeking good power capacity and access for loading within a secure complex or area, as well as general aesthetics.

Office Market – Trends in this market point towards large businesses seeking cost efficiencies and economies of scale by relocating from a number of different buildings to occupying just one property, thereby capitalising on opportunities to relocate while rentals remain competitive. Secure, quality space coupled with convenience of location for easy access for staff and clients remain important factors.

Retail Market - In the retail market, although consumers remain under pressure, the market is stable and certainly looking more positive than was the case two years ago. Many astute investors are taking advantage of the current economic trading conditions to increase their portfolios at attractive yields.  Returns are currently on average around 10 percent which is supported by data from the High Street Auction Co. where auction properties are yielding similar prices. Furthermore, it’s not always the most attractive buildings in the best locations that afford the best returns. JHI anticipate limited rental growth, stabilising vacancies and an ongoing trend towards landlords looking to implement cost saving measures and concessions in order to attract and retain tenants.

Residential Market - According to Absa the local property market remained subdued during the first three quarters of 2012 and building activity is likely to remain subdued in 2013.

From a property investor’s perspective the residential replacement cost gap had also flattened. This reflected the percentage difference between a home's existing value and its replacement cost where the gap narrowed from 24.1% in the second quarter to 23.5% in the third quarter. The result is that the residential building sector continues to battle (price wise) against a well-supplied existing home market.

Some positive indicators have been evident of late which may have been caused by banks and lending institutions reducing, on average, their deposit rates from 15,1% to 12,6% and increasing their credit approvals from 64,2% to 65,3% year on year.