Selling a home should feel like liberation – the moment you unlock stored equity and step smoothly into your next chapter. Yet too many owners rush the decision, misread the market or undervalue unseen costs, only to look back with frustration, warns Paul Stevens, CEO of Just Property.
Timing a sale right is rarely about chasing a single “peak price”. It’s about combining clear market signals with your personal goals so you leave the transfer office with maximum profit and zero second‑guessing. Let’s take a look at ways to maximise value and minimise regret.
Is now a good time to sell?
It depends on where you are, what you’re selling, and how prepared you are. Some segments are seeing traction, especially well-priced homes in the Eastern and Western Cape, but this remains a buyer’s market in many areas, and timing alone won’t guarantee profit.
According to FNB’s April 2025 Property Barometer, the national House Price Index recorded 2.2% year-on-year growth in April, its highest level in nearly two years. Mortgage appetite is firming, and BetterBond’s April 2025 report shows home loan applications rose 9.3% year-on-year in Q1 2025, with first-time buyer deposits easing by nearly 9%, and the national approval rate reaching 77.5%.
At the same time, the South African Reserve Bank cut the repo rate by 25 basis points on 29 May 2025, bringing it to 7.25%, with the prime lending rate now at 10.75%. This marks the first rate cut in nearly two years and has improved affordability for many buyers. Economists expect at least one more cut in the coming months, provided inflation continues to ease.
Crucially, stock levels remain low in popular family suburbs after two years of undersupply. That imbalance is nudging realistic, well‑presented listings towards full‑price offers within weeks. If you have held off because prices seemed stagnant, the early‑stage recovery now provides a window to capture growing buyer confidence before new‑build supply returns.
However, “good” is never universal. Macro‑tailwinds make conditions favourable, but micro‑data – your suburb’s stock curve, your property’s condition and your personal timeline – ultimately decide whether selling today or six months from now will yield the best outcome. That is where expert guidance becomes indispensable.
Read the market pulse, not the headlines
National averages hint at recovery, yet mask street‑level shifts. The FNB index may be rising, but certain coastal hotspots are already posting 3% growth while some inland townships remain flat. Rising expiries or successive price reductions signal cooling sentiment.
A shrinking supply of comparable homes combined with shorter listing periods usually precedes price gains. Conversely, an uptick in houses that “sit” for months with for-sale signs on their walls or price reductions warns that momentum is stalling. Ask your agent for a data pack covering the past six months in your street or area node; it will reveal whether buyers are still competing or have begun negotiating harder.
Align market cycles with life cycles
Price is only half the equation. You may be relocating for work, freeing funds for another investment, upgrading to a bigger property or downscaling to reduce maintenance. Define your “why” before you decide “when”. If liquidity is critical, for example, settling your kids’ university fees or financing a new build, the certainty of today’s offer may outweigh the hope of a marginally higher price next year.
On the other hand, if you have flexibility and an appreciating suburb, waiting through one more seasonal upswing could add meaningful value. Autumn and early winter often see stock shortages because families tend to avoid mid‑year moves. Listing in this window can attract premium offers. Our consultants map demand, school calendars, municipal infrastructure plans and pipeline developments to gauge whether an extra three months could widen your buyer pool.
Factor in the true cost of selling
You’ve heard of buyer’s remorse? Well, sellers’ remorse is also “a thing”. It often stems from underestimating expenses. Bond cancellation penalties, compliance certificates, minor repairs and staging your property to look its best all add up. Banks typically require 90 days’ notice for bond cancellation. If no notice is given, they may charge an early termination penalty, often around three months’ interest. This can apply regardless of how far into the loan term you are. While bond registration and occupation dates don’t always align, planning your timeline carefully can help avoid overlapping costs like interim rent or double utility charges, especially in high-value transactions.
Capital gains tax is another tripwire. The first R2-million of profit on a primary residence is exempt; however, owners of secondary properties, including short-term rentals, holiday homes, and inherited homes, face inclusion rates that can erode their profit margins. Timing a sale in a tax year when you have lower other income, or staggering disposals across years, can soften the blow. It would be wise to book a pre‑sale tax consultation with your accountant or financial advisor, who will be able to help you structure your exit efficiently.
Manage the risks of holding too long
Waiting for “one more uptick” becomes dangerous when external forces shift. Rising interest rates, levy increases, or zoning changes can chill demand faster than sellers can adjust their expectations. Even in a rising market, the cost of a delay will compound, particularly if you’ve already bought, as a vacant investment property will still incur rates, insurance and security charges every month.
If your property requires major maintenance (think roof replacement or compliance upgrades), running the numbers is crucial. Spending R200,000 to chase an additional R150,000 in price creates negative equity. Do essential fixes for compliance purposes, but weigh cosmetic upgrades against likely buyer discounts so you invest only where the return is clear.
Leverage professional guidance
Data on its own is not enough – you need context, negotiation skills and marketing that reaches both on‑ and off‑portal audiences. Our pricing approach combines recent deeds office data, area trends, and platform statistics, interpreted by local experts who understand what’s really happening on the ground, to set pricing bands that attract qualified buyers without leaving money on the table.
Experienced agents conduct viewings, gather feedback, and adjust their strategy on a weekly basis. The result is fewer days on market and higher acceptance ratios, giving you control over timing and price.
You can DIY your house sale, but while some market reports are available to the public, estate agents have access to more comprehensive real-time tools that help price, position and market properties effectively.
At Just Property, we don’t just list homes, we price them with precision and insight. Our agents conduct a comparative market analysis (CMA), using their local expertise and recent comparable sales to determine the best price band for your property; one that attracts genuine buyers without underselling your home’s value. With over 25 years of experience as South Africa’s leading rental agency, we bring unmatched insight into the property market, gained through long-term tenant and landlord relationships that give us a unique edge in understanding buyer behaviour.
Once listed, your property is marketed on South Africa’s leading portals and featured in our buyer alerts, which instantly notify potential buyers when a property matching their criteria becomes available. We also partner with trusted bond originators to help pre-approve interested buyers wherever possible, giving you greater confidence in the offers you receive. From private viewings to open houses, our experienced agents ensure your property gets the attention it deserves while keeping you updated with buyer feedback and tailored marketing insights. With Just Property, you’ll have expert support, smart marketing, and proven systems working together to get your property sold.
The bottom line
Selling is both an emotional farewell and a financial milestone. With a recovery underway, lower stock inventories and an easing interest-rate outlook, conditions are tilting in favour of sellers, and profits can be made – but only if hyper-local data, disciplined planning, and excellent advice guide decisions.
Contact your nearest Just Property office for a free timing consultation and start planning a sale that leaves you smiling on moving day.