As the property market evolves, so do the preferences and expectations of home buyers. In 2025, several trends are set to shape what buyers look for in their dream homes.
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Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, says that for sellers, understanding and leveraging these trends can mean the difference between a quick sale and a property that lingers on the market.
“There are several risks and opportunities within the South African property market in the year ahead. Buyers will, no doubt, be keeping an eye on interest rates to see whether they will drop further. This could lower demand in some areas for those who are adopting a ‘wait and see’ approach, while other areas are facing the opposite problem. The Western Cape, for example, is experiencing such high demand that sellers might not need to work as hard to attract a buyer in this region,” Goslett notes.
Nevertheless, he notes that it is always best for sellers to put their best foot forward when listing their home to ensure that they sell for full value. To help those who are planning on selling in the year ahead, RE/MAX of Southern Africa highlights key trends that sellers can embrace to attract the attention of potential buyers.
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Emphasis on self-sustainability
Flooding, droughts, an unreliable electricity supply, and a general lack of reliable municipal service delivery plagues most parts of the country, which is why buyers are prioritising sustainable features in their house hunting to make them more self-sufficient.
How to leverage this: If your home already has these features, highlight them in your marketing materials. If not, consider making cost-effective upgrades by adding a rainwater tank or adding a solar powered geyser.
Flexible spaces
With remote and hybrid work now a permanent fixture for many, buyers are looking for homes that offer versatile spaces. South Africans also embrace multi-generational living and might need a space that can double as both a granny suite or a home office. Having a multipurpose room can be a major selling point.
How to leverage this: If you don’t have a space like this, then stage a bedroom to double as a functional home office area. Use furniture and decor to show the space’s potential. Highlight how it meets the modern need for flexibility.
Turnkey Appeal
One thing that will remain appealing in any given year is a property that requires little to no additional work. Move-in-ready properties with modern finishes or well-maintained character features are highly sought after and will usually attract a buyer faster than homes that require a bit of TLC.
How to leverage this: Address minor repairs, repaint walls in neutral colours, and ensure the property is clean and well-maintained. Small investments in aesthetics can significantly boost buyer interest.
“Understanding what buyers want in 2025 is only one aspect of selling a property. The other aspect is what the market conditions are doing – and this is where your real estate agent’s advice becomes invaluable. A knowledgeable agent can provide insights into local trends, help you set a competitive price, and craft a marketing strategy tailored to your home’s unique features. With the right guidance, you can confidently navigate the market and attract the ideal buyer for your property in the year ahead,” says Goslett.
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Top interior designers and Tyson Properties agents, share some tips on making sure that your home is in tip top condition:
Declutter and simplify: Apart from making a home look uncared for and untidy, too much stuff can also make rooms seems smaller and …. So, remove all the usual family detritus – toys, clothing and shoes as well as dishes and appliances from sinks and worktops and toiletries, toothbrushes and razors from bathrooms. Storage space is important to sellers and items lying around suggest there isn’t enough. Also, it is not good enough to just open up cupboards and shove everything inside – buyers tend to open cupboards, so keep them tidy.
Potential buyers should also be able to move around your rooms - and from room to room - freely, so make sure that your furniture is not creating an obstacle course! Less is always more and, if you have some items that can be removed to make spaces look more open and accessible, put them into storage.
Depersonalise your space: Staging isn’t about selling yourself but about exhibiting the best features of your home so that potential buyers can imagine their families there. So, remove personal items – from family photographs, to trophy collections or potentially controversial art – to neutralise the space.
Paint: A good paint job makes a home look well-kept and loved and can even add to the price. Identify any cracks, chips or marks on walls and, if you can’t match the paint to disguise them, simply give that exterior wall or room a new lick of colour. If you have borehole water that has stained walls, clean them and paint them. Painting tired kitchen cupboards (and even your older furniture) can also provide an instant update. Don’t forget that your front door is the ‘statement’ entry way. Make sure that it looks bright and welcoming – depending on the colour and style of your home, consider painting it using a statement contrasting colour.
Colour conscious: Remember that colour is another very personal choice. Bright or dark walls can put off many buyers and can even make rooms seems smaller or darker, so go for a neutral colour palette. When choosing an exterior colour, look at what works in the neighbourhood or check to make sure that your colour choice fits with the rules of an estate.
Make a snag list: Attention to basic maintenance is a must. Put yourself in the shoes of potential buyers and do an inspection of your home end to end (including the garden and outbuildings). Fix cracks, repair any leaks (especially dripping taps), change any globes and tighten door and cupboard handles and hinges. Tidy away any cables and, where possible, hide any wiring in ceilings or conduits. Make sure drains are clear of debris and covered and that you have no pipes snagging across the lawn.
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The most obvious items that might need to be swapped out are dated or damaged light fittings and warped ceiling fans, faucets and mixers in kitchens and bathrooms, switch covers, door knobs and drawer pulls. Don’t compromise on safety – replace cracked window panes and make sure that stair rails are rust free and well anchored.
Keep it crisp, clean and comfy: While quirky personal items do need to be stowed out of sight, your house still needs to feel homely and welcoming. The first rule of thumb is, keep it clean. That means no grubby surfaces, dusty shelves, blinds or fans. Ensure that baths and showers are clean and mould free, carpets have been vacuumed and floors swept or mopped. Wash those windows. Remove any stained furnishings (or hide stains under rugs or throws). Pack away the teddy bears. Instead, store kids’ toys in trendy baskets which can double up as attractive décor items.
Decor and detail: Keep the decor in your home simple but warm. Add a houseplant or a vase of pretty flowers to rooms that need a little energy or colour. In bedrooms, a lovely headboard makes a big difference. Make sure that your beds have fresh – preferably white – bedlinen (if you splash out on bedlinen, you will be able to take it with you) and use some scatter cushions and maybe a throw on the bed.
Scatter cushions also give lounges and outdoor areas a lift. A beautiful rug (preferably neutral) can also warm up a lounge. If your budget is tight, shop around for a less expensive one online or at a discount store. If sofas and couches are looking a bit worn, consider reupholstering (especially if you are taking the furniture to your new home) or strategically place throws and scatters over the worn spots.
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Let there be light: Allow natural light to work some magic in your house and make it seem bigger and more inviting. Using mirrors in smaller rooms creates the illusion of space. Remove heavy drapes and curtains and valances from windows whenever possible. Replace any outdated light fittings – or add down lighters in dark spots to complement existing lighting. Don’t forget all important exterior lighting both along drive ways or beside gates or doors. There are some lovely solar options available that can be used to fill any gaps.
Keep up the kerb appeal: Your buyers may not be avid horticulturalists but they will quickly spot a messy garden. So, mow the lawn, weed the flower beds, remove dead plants and trim unruly shrubs. Keep the edges to drives and pathways neat, replace any cracked paving and give tatty planters a lick of paint. Add a few colourful potted plants by the door or on the patio.
Poolside perfection: There’s nothing worse than a green pool – so make sure it is blue, clean and leaf free. Make sure that your pool area is neat – power clean poolside paving and make sure loungers are clean and sporting bright new cushions. Create ‘hot spots’ so people can imagine sitting there. You could strategically place a well-stocked drinks trolley next to loungers and roll up a few beach towels for extra effect.
READ: 7 Upgrades that will improve your home's kerb appeal dramatically
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