The 2026 Property Trend to Watch: One 2025 Micro Trend Set to Turn Big in 2026
The 2026 Property Trend to Watch: One 2025 Micro Trend Set to Turn Big in 2026
By Grant Smee, CEO of Only Realty Property Group
Fuelled by a succession of interest rate cuts, the residential property industry is currently enjoying significant growth and one of the key areas to watch is centered around the latest generation of first-time homebuyers: Gen Z.
As the oldest Gen Z’s approach their late twenties, a new investment behaviour is emerging that could reshape the residential property landscape in 2026: rentvesting. Interestingly, this particular generation turns to credible social media influencers as a trusted source for advice and we are seeing an uptick in demand for property.
With the oldest members of Gen Z turning 29 in 2026, this cohort is now firmly established in the local job market and is increasingly eager to invest their growing disposable income in assets that can deliver real returns. However, the reality is that they’re still largely locked out of traditional homeownership due to financial barriers.
Data from Ooba Home Loans shows that the average first-time homebuyer in South Africa is 36, underscoring the affordability barriers facing younger buyers. While most adult Gen Zs have no choice but to rent, others are motivated by aspiration - recognising that living in a premium or lifestyle-led property is often far more attainable as a tenant than as an owner.
This gap between affordability and aspiration has given rise to rentvesting: a strategy where investors buy more affordable buy-to-let properties to generate rental income, while renting homes that better suit their lifestyle.
First identified as a micro-trend in 2025, rentvesting is expected to gain significant traction in 2026 -driven by an unlikely but influential force.
As a tech-savvy generation, many Gen Zs are turning to social media for financial advice. TikTok ‘fin-fluencers’ like Jack Henderson have racked up millions of views explaining the wealth-building benefits of rentvesting, while lifestyle creators showcase aspirational homes that amplify young buyers’ ambitions. It’s a powerful combination that can work, but only if one avoids overextending themselves.
The timing is favourable. After a challenging few years marked by affordability pressures and muted sales activity, South Africa’s residential property market surprised many by staging a steady recovery in 2025, supported by long-awaited interest rate cuts. As borrowing conditions improve, younger investors are beginning to reassess how - and where - they can realistically enter the market.
Against this backdrop, rentvesting stands out not as a passing trend, but as a practical response to current market constraints. It allows Gen Z buyers to participate in property ownership, build long-term wealth and generate income, while retaining the flexibility to rent in locations and homes that align with their lifestyle aspirations. For a generation shaped by both financial pressure and digital influence, this hybrid approach offers a compelling middle ground.
Looking ahead to 2026, rentvesting is likely to move from the margins into the mainstream. As affordability challenges persist and interest rates continue to ease, this once-niche strategy could become a defining feature of how South Africa’s youngest buyers engage with property. For industry players, understanding and adapting to this shift will be key - because while Gen Z may be entering the market differently, their influence on its future is only just beginning.