Investing in property for sale in Johannesburg (GPS: 26°12′16″S / 28°2′44″E) puts investors at the epicentre of trade, business and a cosmopolitan urban lifestyles. As South Africa’s largest city, it is situated in the provincial capital of the country; Gauteng. This region is also home to the capital of SA in Pretoria. This is where you’ll find the constitutional court, also very accessible from Johannesburg. This is also why it’s considered the wealthiest province in the country, largely thanks to its rich mining history and vigorous commerce.

Welcome to Johannesburg

Established in 1886, the area of Johannesburg was originally inhabited by indigenous San People. However, when gold was discovered in the Witwatersrand area in 1884 it lead to an influx of people descending to the area – which would become known as the Witwatersrand Gold Rush. With so many people coming in to get their fair share of the fortune, it became necessary to establish a government and name for the popular area.

What You Need To Know

This bustling city is governed by the City of Johannesburg Municipality. The CBD spans approximately 334.81km² while the Metro is 1,644.96km² - this size is due to the poor planning that went into the establishment of the town, as it was forced to grow rapidly during the Gold Rush. However, contemporary developers and urban planners have done a wonderful job of creating amazing residential spaces in between bustling centres of commerce and commute. The massive city used to be made up of eleven regions but now, since restructuring in 2006, properties in JHB are now divided into seven regions which are lettered A to G.

Region A (formerly region 1 and 2): Diepsloot, Midrand, Fourways, Sunninghill, Woodmead,

Region B (formerly region 3 and 4): Ward 90, Rosebank, Bryanston, Randburg,

Region C (formerly region 5): Bram Fischerville, Thulani, Florida,

Region D (formerly region 6 and 10): Soweto only

Region E (formerly region 7): Parkwood, Highlands North, Alexandra, Wynberg, Morningside

Region F (formerly 8 and 9): Glenvista, Ormonde, City Deep, Benrose, Kensington

Region G (formerly 11): Lenasia, Eldorado Park, Protea

Services and Amenities

Johannesburg is a thriving CBD that’s constantly on-the-grow. Since its inception, JHB has been the city that thousands of people call home. Therefore, residents have easy access to a host of services and amenities when investing in property in Gauteng and particularly the houses for sale in Johannesburg.

Hospitals

There are over 65 hospitals in Johannesburg and depending on the region that you’re living, you can find a collection of government and private medical facilities in and around JHB too. You’ll find that most of these are also easily accessible by both private and public transport. Helen Joseph Hospital, Selby Park, Netcare Rand, Yeoville, Westdene, Sandton and Sophiatown centres are just some of the facilities here. Additionally, there’s also support services dotted around the city, including day clinics, pharmacies, mental health facilities and ambulance services.

Schools

Many of the properties for sale in JHB are centrally located to a prosperous collection of schools. As the city is home to a diverse population of individuals, you can count on there being a government or private school to suit any budget or learning requirements here. Vuleka Primary, Bellavista, Parktown High, Torah Academy and Khomanani Primary are just some of the schools located in various regions of Johannesburg. Each institution boasts a safe and stimulating environment for the learners and employ nurturing and passionate educators.

Johannesburg is also home to some of the most prolific universities and often property investments in JHB are based upon their location to tertiary education facilities. The University of Witwatersrand (WITS) boasts several campuses across the city, depending on the area of studies you wish to follow. The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is also one of the most reputable facilities in the city, with many notable and influential people as part of their alumni. In addition, there are several independent, technical and online colleges in and around the city of Johannesburg too.

Shopping

This South African city is easily the shopping capital of the country. Home to the biggest mall on the continent – the Mall of Africa, and also boasting a number of high-end brand stores, such as Gucci. Notable malls include Sandton City, which is the focus point in this area that is also known as the richest mile and a half – named for the business transactions of a block of commercial property. The city of JHB is renowned for its retail and a shopping centres of a variety of sizes and offerings are readily available throughout the city regardless of where you choose to have your property investments.

Attractions

From lush, green parks to museums and monuments documenting prolific times in South African history, there’s a lot to see and experience in Johannesburg. As the perfect collection of wide open spaces and city-living, there’s a host of outdoor adventures waiting to be had. Hot air ballooning, water sports, abseiling and 4x4 tours are just some of the offerings in Johannesburg. This is why houses for sale here are so popular with growing families and young professionals alike.

The Property Market

Since the establishment of Johannesburg it has always been a sought-after destination, particularly for people in the corporate sector. This plays a huge role in influencing property prices in Gauteng. Houses still dominate the type of properties sold in Johannesburg, with an estimated value of approximately R 1 200 000 (as per date of publishing 2018), while apartment values are estimated at R 620 000 (as per date of publishing 2018). Today, the dominant age-range for current property owners in Johannesburg are people aged between 36 and 49. However, recent buyer’s statistics saw an increase in the 18 to 35 year old bracket, but was still dominated by the 36 to 49 age range.

The Profitable Province

Gauteng is one of the smallest but most powerful provinces in South Africa in terms of commercial punch. As the most populous province in the country, it’s been referred to as the City of Gold, attributing to its Gold Rush past. The oldest known fossils of humankind were found at the Sterkfontein Caves and the largest diamond ever mined are both products of Gauteng. Home to approximately 14 million people, it’s the fastest growing province in the country, making it a sought-after destination for those looking to invest in property.

However, property for sale in Johannesburg is not restricted to city-based dwellings. Many of the suburbs that interconnect Gauteng and Johannesburg boast beautiful homes, gated communities and apartments – while on the outskirts you can find small-holdings and vacant plots. With a network of easily accessible highways, getting around Gauteng is easy.

Become a Home-Owner

Whether you’re looking for your first piece of real estate or you’re a regular investor, property for sale in Johannesburg puts you in a prime position. Owning land in the busiest city of the country is an exceptional step into the property market here. Depending on your preferences, you can live in a high-rise apartment in Sandton, a beautiful home in Diepsloot or run a commercial business listing in Hyde Park – It’s the cosmopolitan city with a lot to offer. Enquire at your nearest RE/MAX agency about property for sale in Johannesburg.