Instead of stepping away from the property market, South Africa’s mature buyers are emerging as one of its most influential segments, spending more on homes than any other age group. According to BetterBond’s year-on-year data for April, over 60 buyers have seen average purchase prices rise by 8.05% year-on-year, underscoring their continued influence in the housing market.
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“Rather than exiting the market, these older buyers – often referred to as ‘silver surfers’ – are leveraging their financial stability and lifestyle preferences to drive demand,” says Stephan Potgieter, CEO of BetterHome Group Mortgage Origination and BetterBond. “While many are downsizing from expansive family homes as their needs change, they are not necessarily scaling back in value. Instead, many are investing in luxury lifestyle estates offering security, convenience and community living.”
As many of these developments are in high-demand areas commanding premium prices, they are pushing up the average purchase price for this age cohort. According to BetterBond data, buyers over 60 are now spending an average of R2.39 million on a home. This age group is also among the cohort accounting for the largest proportion of secondary bonds and bond switching, according to property intelligence data.
Many mature buyers are leveraging equity built up in long-held properties to re-enter the market at higher price points. “Having paid off their bonds and reached a strong financial position, they can secure higher-value properties,” Potgieter adds. “This demonstrates how homeownership can create long-term financial flexibility and wealth-building opportunities across different life stages.” The current accommodative lending environment and lower prime lending rate are also supporting affordability, making it easier for this group to qualify for larger bonds.
Broader market growth
Stephan Potgieter, CEO of BetterHome Group Mortgage Origination and BetterBond.
This trend forms part of broader market growth, Potgieter notes. BetterBond’s May Property Brief shows that average purchase prices have increased across all age groups, signalling sustained demand across the market. In April, the average home price for all buyers reached the level of R1.7 million, while the average price for First-Time Buyers (FTBs) also moved to a new record high of R1.4 million. The quarter-on-quarter growth rates for average home prices also impressed and outperformed the consumer price increase by a considerable margin.
Younger buyers under 30 are spending 5.28% more year-on-year on home purchases than in 2025, with many opting for sectional title units in mixed-use developments or precincts. For buyers aged 31 to 40, the average purchase price has increased by 6.15% to just over R1.6 million. “BetterBond’s data puts the average age of FTBs at 37, which falls within this cohort,” Potgieter notes. Many make use of the R1.21 million transfer duty threshold to buy property.
While younger buyers are entering the market and moving into higher price brackets, older buyers are reshaping it from the top down. Overall, the activity of older buyers marks an important shift in the property landscape, concludes Potgieter. “Rather than exiting the market, they are actively influencing price growth and buyer activity.”
Far from slowing down, mature buyers are reshaping demand patterns across the market and reinforcing the resilience of South Africa’s property sector.
