The first-time homebuyer market in South Africa is not only getting younger but also growing. According to Standard Bank data, the number of single female buyers has increased, as buyers are becoming younger, demand for sectional titles is increasing, and the number of self-employed buyers is increasing.
Compared to just a few years ago, these trends indicate a completely different type of first-time home buyer.
In 2025, the average age of first-time home buyers applying for home finance at Standard Bank will be 38, three years lower than five years ago.
In 2020, the average age of first-time buyers applying for a Standard Bank home loan was 41 years. Since then this age has been trending downwards, falling below 40 in 2024 and reaching 38 by 2025.
Although the age of first-time buyers is decreasing, it is not because homes are cheaper. In fact, in 2025, the average purchase price for first-home transactions financed by Standard Bank is set to exceed R1m.
The average first-time purchase price in affluent suburbs such as Rosebank (Johannesburg) and Tiger Manor (Cape Town) increased to R1,369,817 and R1,685,339 respectively, while traditionally more affordable areas such as Khayelitsha reflected an average of R821,633. This represents an overall increase of approximately 5.5% over the last two years.
As buyers get younger, demand for sectional titles continues to grow
What stands out more than falling lifespans or higher purchase prices is a fundamental change in purchasing behavior.
While more homeowners still choose standalone properties, there is a steady resurgence in demand for sectional title properties.
In 2025, 65% of all first-time home loans given by Standard Bank were for standalone homes, compared to 33.7% for sectional title properties, with a smaller share going towards vacant land.
The share of first-time buyers choosing sectional titles was less than a third in 2020 at 31.91%.
Tony Anderson, Head of Home Services at Standard Bank, says, “Sectional title properties attract first-time buyers because of their relative affordability and added security. Because buyers enter the market at a younger age, these homes offer a more accessible entry point. They are often closer to economic centers with lower maintenance costs and a lock-up-and-go lifestyle that suits their life stage.”
Women are driving growth in the affordable housing sector
One of the most notable developments is the increase in single female buyers in the affordable housing sub-segment of first-time home buyers. Between 2024 and 2025, there is a threefold increase in female first-time buyers, a trend reflected nationally and in key provinces such as Gauteng and the Western Cape.
Anderson says, “This sharp growth reflects increasing financial independence and better access to credit for women. Seeing so many women entering the property market alone indicates a change in household dynamics and decision-making power.”
Self-employed buyers are gaining popularity
Another emerging group reshaping the market are self-employed first-time buyers. Although historically underrepresented due to income variability and traditional lending barriers, new home loan registrations in this segment are expected to increase by 33% in 2025.
Anderson says this growth indicates growing confidence among self-employed South Africans and the industry's commitment to finding solutions designed to support non-salaried applicants.
“The changing dynamics among first-time buyers reflects the evolving aspirations and realities of South African consumers,” says Anderson. “Our role at Standard Bank is to ensure they have the right support to realize their homeownership ambitions, whether they are single applicants, self-employed entrepreneurs, or families.”
Provincial dynamics reflect a changing landscape
The provincial contributions also show a reshaped outlook for where new homeowners want to settle. While Gauteng has always dominated Standard Bank's first-time homebuyer transactions, the data shows it is expanding its lead – this time at the expense of the two coastal provinces that used to dominate the market alongside it.
Gauteng accounted for 47% of these purchases in 2025, an increase of five percentage points from 2024. In contrast, the Western Cape contributed four percentage points less to 19%, although it remains the second largest market for first-time property buyers. KwaZulu-Natal recorded a 2% decline, indicating softer activity in 2025. These changes reflect Gauteng's increasing economic pull for new entrants into the property market.
Against this backdrop, Standard Bank continues to strengthen its first-time home buyer proposition by covering upfront registration and transfer costs, offering discounts on solicitors' fees and simplifying the route to home ownership.
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