The Cape Town property market continues to experience unprecedented demand, fuelled by a powerful combination of semigration, international interest, and a growing local appetite for a better lifestyle. Despite narratives from some corners of the real estate industry suggesting a slowdown in upcountry migration, the data and on-the-ground experience from RE/MAX Premier tell a very different story.
As a city, Cape Town has distinguished itself as a place that works. This is a city where municipal services are reliable, infrastructure is visibly maintained, and residents can count on functioning systems - from roads and utilities to waste removal and law enforcement. While Cape Town is not without its challenges - crime remains a concern in specific areas - there is a genuine, consistent effort by city leadership to address these issues with visible and effective policing, and by committing billions of rands toward infrastructure and community upgrades.
These fundamentals are major pull factors for families seeking a more secure and dignified life. People are not just chasing ocean views - they’re looking for a city that functions, where their children can attend quality schools, where service delivery isn’t a gamble, and where they can enjoy a sense of safety and community. This demand is most clearly reflected in our stock levels: properties across Cape Town are selling faster than ever before. The supply of new listings simply cannot keep up with the appetite in many suburbs, which is keeping prices firm despite macroeconomic pressures.
It is important to note that while Cape Town property prices are, on average, significantly higher than elsewhere in the country, buyers are still finding great value - particularly inland. Suburbs like Durbanville and Milnerton, and their surrounds, continue to offer excellent homes at competitive price points, making them attractive to both local and semigrating families.
The semigration trend, particularly from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, remains one of the biggest drivers in our market. Contrary to suggestions that this wave is slowing, we are seeing it intensify. In fact, the majority of semigration buyers we engage with have already made the emotional decision to relocate and are simply waiting for the right opportunity. The demand from international buyers, mainly from Europe and the United States, also remains robust - especially in the upper-end and lifestyle markets.
At RE/MAX Premier, with over 150 property professionals operating across Cape Town, we have a unique vantage point across all regions of the city. We are proud to be consistently ranked among the top 10 RE/MAX offices nationally, and the number one producing RE/MAX office in both the Southern Suburbs and Southern Peninsula. Our team’s performance and the pace at which our listings convert into sales speak to the strength of the market and the trust buyers place in our brand.
While local buyers still make up the bulk of property transactions, the impact of semigration cannot be overstated. It is reshaping our housing landscape, pushing up demand, and placing pressure on supply. For sellers, this is a prime time to list; for buyers, particularly those relocating, working with an experienced property professional has never been more important.
Cape Town’s real estate market is not immune to national and global economic currents, but its fundamentals - quality of life, efficient governance, and enduring appeal - continue to set it apart. As we move deeper into 2025, we expect this strong demand to persist, supported by continued migration, stable interest rates, and the city’s commitment to delivering for its residents.