The beginning of a New Year is, and always has been, the seasonal 'sweet spot' of activity in the residential property buy/sell market.
So much so that the second half of January, to the middle of March, often emerges as an annual record time frame for home sales and purchases nationwide.
Why? Because it is a time of new beginnings, and new endings.
Decisions that are made in the late December/early January holiday season are often the springboard for subsequent discussion, and action, in the home buy/sell arena.
It is a period when people slow down and relax, and when families find the time to catch up with each other to discuss, and plan, initiatives for the future.
Big increase in activity
From then to mid-March, the homes sector usually attracts, and is confronted by, a big increase in activity - which reflects on the prevailing 'sweet spot' at that time.
It happens every year, at all levels of the residential property market.
Many of these plans are made during the year, but, because of hectic scheduling, they are often not finalised before the quieter moments of December and January, when they become focused, crystalised, and applied.
Meanwhile, regardless of the long list of negative influences that may hamper the property market, it is the fundamental need for shelter that drives the home buy/sell process.
The dynamism of life
The fact remains that everybody needs a roof over their head.
Somebody owns that roof. And the dynamism of life results in the ongoing - almost never-ending - ebb and flow of the buying and selling of residential property.
Looking ahead, the backlog of, until now, "wait-and-see'' home buying and selling, could well re-emerge, at least to some extent, on the back of any positive, sentiment-building' issue that may yet arise as the New Year of 2023 continues to roll out.
The, reportedly, best launch pad from which that should happen would be a strong clampdown by the ANC Government on the seemingly poor economic planning and corruption that appears to be embedded in the entire governance of our country.