An analysis of the spend trends of under-35s

South Africans under 35 are increasingly opting to buy sectional title properties and crossover vehicles.

This is according to Lightstone, a provider of comprehensive data, analytics and systems on property, automotive and business assets.

While freehold properties still account for the largest proportion of sales to this age group, this share of the market has fallen from 59% in 2010 to 48% in 2021, while sectional title’s share of market has grown from 27% in 2010 to 36% in 2021.

Hayley Ivins-Downes, Head of Digital at Lightstone, says that young buyers’ share of the estate market has crept up from 15% to 16%, and the combined growth of estates and sectional title sales suggests younger people want the “lock-upand-go” safety and freedom offered by both options.

When it comes to motor vehicles, younger buyers are switching to crossover vehicles in significant numbers. While ranked fourth most popular choice for under-35s, their share of market has risen significantly in a decade, from 3% in 2011/2012 to 12% in 2021/2022.

They are now just 1% behind small vehicles, which have been the biggest losers in the period – with their share of market plunging from 21% in 2011/2012 to 13% in 2021/2022.

Pieter Wessels, MD of Lightstone Auto, says that Volkswagen had recorded the largest increase, from

21% to 26%, and is now the dominant vehicle brand for under-35s, while Ford and Suzuki have both increased their share of market by 3% – Ford from 11% to 14%, and Suzuki from 1% to 4%. Toyota has been the big loser in this category, while BMW, Nissan and Audi have held steady.

While tastes are changing in both the vehicle and property markets, the number of under-35s buying property has fallen from 38% of all buyers in 2010 to 34% in 2021, while the 36-49 age group has risen from 36% to 39% over the same period.

The 50-64 age group and the 65+ age group have ended the period where they began – on

20% and 7% respectively.

While accounting for 34% of buyers, the under-35s spent R89bn on properties in 2021, 32% of the total.

Ivins-Downes says the mid-value band accounted for 41% of the R89bn in 2021, with the high-value band making up 39%, and luxury buyers accounting for 13%.

“Interestingly, as the graph below shows, the affordable market made up just 6% of buyers under 35 – the same number recorded in 2010.”