De Waterkant Property Update: January 2026

January always feels like a good moment to take stock. The rush of the festive season has passed, the city exhales a little, and it becomes easier to look at the numbers and ask what they’re really telling us. If you’ve ever wandered through De Waterkant and wondered how the property market here is actually performing, this update is for you.

De Waterkant remains one of Cape Town’s most distinctive neighbourhoods. Compact, walkable, layered with history and energy, it continues to attract buyers, investors and short-term guests for slightly different reasons,  and the data from the past year reflects that balance.

In this blog we cover…

• Sales Snapshot – A look at how freestanding homes and sectional title properties have performed in terms of pricing, demand, and time on market
• What’s Currently on the Market - An overview of live listings, asking prices, and how values differ by bedroom count.
• Short-term rentals – Key insights into revenue, bookings, occupancy, and overall market movement year on year.
• Market Overview – A summary of overall property activity and what the numbers tell us.

Sales Snapshot: The Past 12 Months

Freestanding Residential Properties

• Total sales: 3
• Average sale price: R7,000,000
• Highest sale price: R10,000,000
• Lowest sale price: R4,000,000
• Average time spent on the market: 222 days

The longer average time on market suggests that buyers are selective, and pricing plays a significant role in achieving a sale.

Sectional Title Properties

• Total Sales: 104
• Average sale price: R4,684,122
• Highest sale price: R18,650,000
• Lowest sale price: R1,300,000
• Average time spent on the market: 75 days

Sectional title units continue to drive activity in the area. A shorter average time on market points to steady demand, particularly for well-priced and well-located apartments.

What’s Currently on the Market

As of January 2026, there are 97 properties listed in De Waterkant on Property24 with an average asking price of R5,492,500 and an average sale price of R3,500,000. 

• Most expensive property on the market: R25,300,000

• Lowest priced property on the market: R1,950,000

The gap between average asking and sale prices highlights the importance of realistic pricing and informed negotiation in the current market.

Here’s a breakdown of average asking prices by bedroom count:

• 1 bedroom: R3,500,000

• 2 bedrooms: R6,847,500

• 3 bedrooms: R14,575,000

• 4 bedrooms: R22,000,000

• 5+ bedrooms: R19,090,000

As bedroom count increases, pricing steps up sharply, particularly from two to three bedrooms. At the upper end, layout, views, and overall appeal often influence value as much as bedroom numbers.

Short-Term Rentals

Estimated average revenue per listing (Entire Market)

• Current Period: R429,600
• Previous Period: R392,020

This equates to an increase of 9.59% YoY.

Average Total Active Listings in the Market

• Current Period: 1,050
• Previous Period: 884

That means there were 166 more active listings in De Waterkant YoY.

Number of bookings for De Waterkant

• Current Period: 32,730
• Previous Period: 26,480

That is a difference of 23.6% increase YoY.

Average Occupancy % in De Waterkant

• Current Period: 77%
• Previous Period: 77%

Despite a noticeable increase in active listings, demand has grown at a similar pace. Occupancy holding steady at 77% suggests a well-balanced short-term rental market, though competition between listings is clearly increasing.

Occupancy for the previous 365 days

This occupancy graph shows demand spiking last year in August from mid-east business travel, in October for the marathon, in December for the holidays, and in February for Mining Indaba. January 2026 is atypically slow in part because Mining indaba was moved one week later than normal this year.

Occupancy for the upcoming 365 days

Key Future Dates

Market Overview

Overall, De Waterkant remains a resilient and attractive market, but it is not without its nuances. Buyers are engaged but value-driven, sellers need to be strategic, and short-term rental owners benefit most from professional oversight and strong positioning.

*Sources: CMA | PriceLabs | Property24

Looking for a Property Management Company?

If you’re looking for a property management company in Cape Town, check out Nox Cape Town. Our team specialises in optimising rental income, maintaining high occupancy, and ensuring premium guest experiences, helping property owners get the most from their investments.