Is 2026 the year you finally buy a home? Here’s how to know

For many South Africans, the idea of buying a home has become a “next year” goal that keeps rolling over. Rising costs, interest rate uncertainty, and day-to-day expenses make it easy to delay what feels like a huge financial step.

But the quiet period between Christmas and the New Year is often when people are most honest with themselves, and that’s when the real question surfaces:

Is next year actually the year I should buy?

The answer isn’t about timing the market perfectly. It’s about understanding whether you are ready. Here’s how to tell.

1. You’re financially stable, even if you’re not “perfect.”

While having flawless finances should be the dream, the reality is that not many people have that. The truth is that aspiring buyers do not need to have flawless finances; they should be financially predictable. When it is time to become a homeowner, boring wins every time. So what does that mean for you?

You are much closer to owning a home if you have the following:

• You have a stable income (even if it’s not growing rapidly yet)
• Your monthly expenses are consistent and manageable
• You’re not relying on credit to get through each month

Lenders care far more about consistency and affordability than perfection. If your finances are steady and improving, that’s often enough to start the conversation.

2. You have some savings, not necessarily a 20% deposit

One of the biggest myths keeping people out of the market is the belief that you need a massive deposit before buying. While a larger deposit can improve your loan terms, it’s no longer a requirement for many buyers, especially first-time buyers. In today’s market, what matters is:

• That you have some savings
• That you can cover upfront costs (like transfer and bond registration)
• That your monthly repayment fits comfortably into your budget

Waiting years to save a “perfect” deposit can sometimes cost more than buying sooner and letting your property grow with you.

Smart ways to save for your deposit:

• Open a dedicated savings account specifically for your home deposit.
• Set up an automatic debit order so savings happen effortlessly.
• Cut non-essential spending — think takeaways, subscriptions, and impulse buys.
• Consider investing your savings in low-risk options like money market funds for modest growth.

Here are our 3 tips to set up your budget:

Set up a spending limit

Write down all your monthly expenses - memberships, subscriptions, groceries, medical aid, education, and loans are just some of the expenditures that you will need to factor in. Subtract that from your income - the number you have left is your expendable income.

Now you can set up a spending limit - for example, you could limit the number of times you get takeaways to once a month with a spending limit of R500. 

Know where to cut back

Do you know how much you are actually spending in a week? Mindless spending on things like readymade meals, daily grocery stops, and items that you don’t actually need can eat away at your disposable income.

Track your spending for a week and make the cuts where it is possible - bring lunch from home, only buy what you really need. Groceries are one of our biggest chunks, and with prices climbing ever highe,r you will need to start shopping smartly and implement a “no food wastage” system at home. Shop around for specials, buy in bulk where possible, and don’t waste the items you do buy. It will save you money in the long run.

For more finance tips as a first-time home buyer read our 10 financial fitness tips

3. Your lifestyle is starting to outgrow renting

Property decisions are emotional as much as they are financial. Many buyers realise they’re ready not because of numbers, but because of how they’re living.

If you feel the need for more space, stability, or privacy, you may be emotionally ready to buy your first home. Another sign that may indicate you are ready to buy is your plan for the next five years. Do your long-term plans include marriage, kids, or work-from needs? If your answer is yes, then you might be ready to settle down in a space you can call your own.

Renting offers flexibility, but ownership offers control and certainty, something many people start valuing more as life changes. If you’re constantly worried about where you’ll be living next year, ownership can become stressful. But if you’re starting to think five years ahead, property becomes far more powerful.

Ask yourself:

• Can I see myself in the same area for a few years?
• Would a fixed monthly bond give me more certainty than annual rent increases?
• Am I thinking about building equity rather than just covering monthly costs?

If your mindset is shifting from short-term survival to long-term planning, that’s a strong sign you’re ready.

4. You’re curious (and that’s where it starts)

Signing an offer isn't the first step to owning a home, but preparing for it can start today. Whether you are ready to start preparing is an easy question to answer; just think about your behaviour around the idea of homeownership.

Are you browsing listings more seriously? Thinking about how much you can actually afford, or asking questions about bond approval and deposits? Maybe you are thinking that "maybe next year really is the year." These are all signs that you are already on the path to homeownership, and as they say, being prepared is half the victory.

The smartest buyers don’t rush. They prepare early, understand their options, and enter the market with clarity, often months before they actually buy.

The bottom line

Buying a home in 2026 doesn’t require perfect timing or perfect finances. It requires honesty, preparation, and a clear understanding of what you can afford and what you want your next chapter to look like.

If buying has been a “someday” goal for a while, the end of the year is the ideal moment to turn it into a plan. Because the buyers who succeed in January are usually the ones who started thinking about it now.

We always advise those starting on their property journey to get pre-qualified - not just as a box to check off, but to ensure you are ready for the financial commitment you are about to make. Your pre-qualification will help you spot any issues that could lead to home loan rejection, and guidance from a knowledgeable bond originator will ensure that you will be able to put your best foot forward when taking the first steps.