UK Buyers Return to Property Searches Despite 9% Drop in Buying Power, Zoopla Finds

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This is a UK-market report from Zoopla, so the specific figures — mortgage rates, deposit shortfalls, and regional search data — do not apply directly to South African buyers, sellers, or landlords. That said, the underlying dynamic is worth noting for SA property readers. South Africa is navigating its own affordability cycle. The South African Reserve Bank has been cautiously cutting the repo rate, offering some relief to bond holders after a prolonged high-rate period. Like the UK, SA is seeing a tension between renewed buyer interest and constrained purchasing power — particularly among first-time buyers who face rising property prices alongside tighter lending criteria from the major banks. The Zoopla data reinforces a universal truth: search activity and actual sales agreed can move in opposite directions. SA buyers browsing listings on platforms like Liivra are not necessarily transacting — they may be assessing options, recalibrating budgets, or waiting for further rate cuts. For SA sellers, the lesson is clear: motivated sellers need to price realistically and lean on local agent expertise. For buyers, increased stock on the market — a trend also visible in several SA metros — means more negotiating room. First-time buyers in particular should get a pre-qualification from their bank before viewing, so they know exactly what they can afford at current prime lending rates.