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Letter from the Editor
WE HAVE changed the headlines on our property stories numerous times today. I felt they were too negative, that there had to be hope for our readers, who are probably struggling with the reality of what living through a pandemic means.
But, no matter how we tried to change them so they were potentially lighter, the fact is that things are tough for many of us. I realise we cannot escape this reality, whether it is witnessing the people we love struggling with ill health, or facing death, or the financial losses and dramatic changes in lifestyle that are affecting many.
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Holding on to the roof over our heads has also become harder than many of us could have anticipated.
But experts are encouraging and tell us not to give up.
In our advice piece they offer savvy and unique ways in which to save your cents to ensure you can continue being a homeowner. Other experts even suggest turning your hobby into a side hustle to bring in extra cash.
And there are some green shoots – low interest rates have meant more people have been able to own a home; we are also seeing more women become homeowners and South Africans’ sense of ubuntu has seen people opening their homes to relatives and friends in dire straits.
Tough times are also the mother of all inventions and we are already seeing some phenomenal ideas of what homeownership of the future could look like. For instance, the Australian app Mortgage Mates – pretty much like the dating app Tinder – helps you find the perfect partner with whom to buy a home. We are also seeing a move to small, self-sufficient communities and homesteads.
Another green shoot is how environmentally aware developers are becoming and how green buildings are now the norm.
And let’s not forget about the revolutionary idea of buying a home via tokenisation.
Yes, times may be tough but if, like me, you have lived more than 20 summers, you will know by now that things don’t stay one way forever.
Warm regards
