Charline de Wet

If you’ve ever tried to buy or sell a property in South Africa, you’ve likely encountered a flurry of paperwork, from certified IDs, proof of address, bank confirmations, and more. It might feel excessive at times, but all of it has a very important purpose. That’s where FICA comes in.

The South African property market is showing signs of recovery, but the pace remains slow and uneven. The latest FNB House Price Index (HPI) indicates that home values rose by 2.2% year-on-year in April, up from 2.0% in March. This marks the fastest growth in nearly two years and reflects a modest improvement in demand.

After several years of uncertainty, the South African property market is gradually regaining its footing. In a trend that may be encouraging for sellers, investors, and first-time buyers, we’re starting to see house prices creep upward.