Increasing Demand for Offshore Properties Among South Africans

South African investors, provoked by the relatively low returns from their local property market, are turning their attention towards offshore real estate investments. Megan Copley, the director of offshore real estate investment at Sable International, elucidated on this saying that acquiring international property is a strategy for building an offshore wealth portfolio and creating a lasting legacy for generations.

Despite the prospective bottom entry level being upwards of £50,000 (or about R1. 2 million), including initial costs and deposit, expectations of returns stand enticingly above the 5% mark, with potential returns soaring as high as 10%. These are particularly achievable when investing in markets under duress.

In terms of markets, Copley denotes that appealing opportunities emerge predominantly within the UK and some regions of Europe. Dynamism, being the rule of thumb in real estate, pronounces the emergence of new property hotspots that outshine the rest. These markets are constantly under their careful scrutiny.

While the popular investor's choice would lie in the major cities, Copley points out that more intriguing prospects might unfold outside the urban realms. She emphasized the significant positive correlation between governmental growth plans in an area and the subsequent impact on property prices and rentals.

Referring to the types of property, she leans toward newly constructed residential properties with a stable tenant profile. Such properties are usually accompanied by a warranty from a quality developer. Other interesting investments include mixed-use developments, professional let accommodations, and commercial properties under the condition of a careful choice of location.

For those South Africans intrigued by this offshore property investment trend, the Global Citizenship and Emigration Expo, taking place from 24 October to 8 November, across various South African cities, offers an excellent avenue to explore their options and is heartily recommended by Copley herself.