Two decades ago, property investing relied heavily on instinct, connections and limited market insights. Today, technology and more transparent datasets are transforming how buyers, sellers and investors read the market, assess risk and identify growth opportunities.
Antonie Goosen, principal and founder of Meridian Realty, says South Africa has reached a major turning point: “Property is no longer only about location - it’s also about information. Those who know how to harness data and technology will outperform in the next cycle.”
READ: Why buying property now builds wealth in more ways than one
Data becomes the new property currency
Property data that was once difficult to access is now far more available, giving investors clearer visibility into market dynamics. Digital tools are enabling access to deeds-office trends, suburb-level price performance, rental behaviour and risk indicators.
AI systems can process this information instantly, revealing patterns such as migration flows, early gentrification signals or pricing volatility long before they become obvious on the ground.
Goosen says this early insight matters: “If you can read demand shifts before everyone else, you can position capital with less risk.”
For investors, the message is clear: track more than headline price growth. Analyse vacancy rates, time-to-sell, income stability and demographic shifts to understand where real opportunity lies.
AI valuations: Faster, smarter - But still not perfect
Automated valuation models (AVMs) have become one of the most visible tech shifts in real estate. These tools combine historical deeds data, comparable sales, building details and geospatial inputs to produce instant valuations.
READ: Sole vs open mandate: How to sell your home for the best price
Used correctly, they help prevent overpricing and risky overbidding. But Goosen warns that AI is not infallible: “South Africa’s data environment is uneven. A single misclassified transfer or an unusual levy structure can skew a model. You still need human insight.”
The best approach: treat AVMs as a baseline, then apply local expertise around property condition, neighbourhood nuance and upcoming development plans.
Digital deals - With legal limits
While property marketing and document preparation are increasingly digital, South African law still requires wet signatures for property sale agreements. The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act excludes property sales from electronic signing.
Alternative data: The next competitive edge
Globally - and increasingly in South Africa - investors are overlaying new forms of alternative data on traditional metrics.
This includes:
- satellite imagery to track construction and development
- mobile location data to understand movement patterns and retail demand
- sentiment analysis to gauge neighbourhood reputation or safety perceptions
Goosen notes: “Your next edge may come from a data source your competitors don’t even know exists."
READ: Lifestyle and long-term returns: Small towns are becoming SA’s smartest property buy
Risk management gets a digital upgrade
Modern rental and analytics platforms allow investors to:
- assess tenant reliability
- track arrears and vacancy patterns
- model cash flow based on interest-rate scenarios
- forecast risk in slow-growth suburbs
In a flat or modestly growing market, Goosen says protecting the downside is the real wealth builder.
Global Trends Meet Local Realities
International innovations - from tokenisation to blockchain-based registries - are reshaping long-term expectations for ownership, transparency and transfer efficiency.
Local proptech is surging, with startups focusing on AI valuations, automated rental payments and smart-building technologies.
Goosen cautions that while innovations like tokenisation may democratise access, investors must understand the underlying asset and regulatory framework.
How broader market trends are shaping 2025
John Herbst, CEO of Fine & Country Sub-Saharan Africa, highlights parallel shifts shaping South Africa’s market:
Young professionals are prioritising affordability, accessibility and well-designed urban spaces. Mid-tier housing demand is rising as buyers seek lower maintenance costs and shared amenities.
READ: Holiday hotspots: SA’s coastal boom, 2026’s top suburbs and what you’ll pay
Technology-driven transactions
Digital property management, online processes and remote viewing tools are improving accessibility - especially for international buyers.
Sustainability and impact investing
Solar-ready homes, energy-efficient design and green building principles are gaining traction. Sustainability aligns with lifestyle demands and long-term investment value.
Lifestyle and high-end properties
Despite affordability pressures, premium developments with strong lifestyle amenities continue to attract both local and international buyers in cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Investment diversification
South Africa’s established property market continues to appeal to both local and global investors seeking long-term returns across residential, commercial and mixed-use sectors.
The human factor still wins
Despite rapid digital transformation, Goosen emphasises that real estate remains grounded in human behaviour, neighbourhood realities and socio-economic context.
Technology is a tool - not a replacement for strategy. The best investors combine data-driven insights with on-the-ground knowledge and strong advisory networks.
Actionable playbook for today’s investor
- Invest in reliable data sources to prevent costly mistakes.
- Stress-test cash flow using tougher interest-rate and vacancy assumptions.
- Track migration and semigration trends - they are shifting quickly.
- Use digital tools for efficiency, but sign legally with wet signatures.
- Balance AI-derived insights with local expertise.
Looking ahead
The next decade will demand adaptability. Some suburbs will stagnate while others emerge quietly. The winners will be investors who respond quickly to verified data, leverage technology and remain deeply connected to local market realities.
As Goosen puts it: “We’ve moved from back-of-envelope calculations to AI models in under 20 years. The next 20 will move even faster.”
