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A new year often arrives with fresh hope and renewed expectations. You can almost feel it in the air the quiet determination to do better, choose wiser, and finally act on plans that were long postponed.
That house you’ve been eyeing in Borrowdale or Mount Pleasant. That stand of land you promised yourself in Ruwa or Norton. That apartment in a well-connected Harare neighbourhood you imagined your family settling into.
Yet, beneath the optimism, comes a pause. A healthy scepticism. Questions begin to surface:
- Is this the right time to buy?
- Is the risk worth it?
- What is the market really saying?
These are valid concerns, especially in Zimbabwe, where high building costs, cash-based transactions, and currency volatility make property decisions more complex than elsewhere. The real question isn’t whether opportunities exist, but how to approach them wisely.
Why the Start of the Year Can Be the Most Confusing Time
Making major property decisions early in the year can be confusing. Market signals may feel unclear. Advice comes from all sides, often conflicting: one voice urges you to act quickly, another says to wait.
In Zimbabwe, this noise is amplified by factors like:
- Rapid changes in building material prices (which rose by an estimated 18–25% in 2024)
- Shifts in bond interest rates from banks like FBC and CBZ
- Limited access to long-term finance, with over 70% of purchases still cash-based
The risk isn’t just hesitation it’s making decisions based on noise rather than understanding.
How Should Buyers and Investors Think About the Year Ahead?
Naturally, buyers and investors tend to look at market reports, price indices, or advice from property agents. This isn’t wrong understanding trends matters. But decisions rarely succeed based on data alone.
A better starting point is closer to home:
- Why are you buying or investing?
- How long do you plan to hold the property?
- What risks can you realistically manage?
For homebuyers, focus on:
- Affordability and budget resilience
- Long-term comfort and lifestyle needs
- Security and access to essential services
For investors, focus on:
- Potential rental demand (for example, areas like Ruwa, Chitungwiza, and parts of Bulawayo have growing rental markets)
- Exit strategies and capital growth
- Whether a property remains profitable even if timelines extend
The truth is, no market is perfectly predictable. The goal isn’t timing the market, but making decisions that hold up even if conditions change.
Taking a Moment to Look Before You Leap
A deliberate approach starts with attention. Take time to:
- Understand the full cost, including development, rates, and levies
- Verify the legal status and title of the property
- Evaluate the surrounding infrastructure and future council plans
- Consider how the property fits into your broader life or investment goals
In Zimbabwe, walking away or asking for more time isn’t failure it’s responsibility. Many rushed buyers have faced:
- Land disputes in peri-urban areas like Norton or Goromonzi
- Properties sold with incomplete subdivision approvals
- Rising costs that stalled construction halfway
Restraint often protects more than speed ever could.
Conclusion
As the year unfolds, the Zimbabwean property market will continue to shift, bringing both promise and uncertainty. That is simply the nature of it.
What matters most is not predicting every turn, but approaching decisions with clarity, patience, and intention.
A new year doesn’t demand immediate action. It offers space to assess what aligns with your goals, your capacity, and your long-term vision.
For buyers and investors alike, thoughtful decisions made at the right pace tend to endure long after the excitement of the moment has passed.
