Why more young South Africans are buying homes on their own in 2026

Article summary:

• More young South Africans are applying for home loans as single applicants.
• Many are buying before getting married or having children.
• Zero-deposit and cost-inclusive home loans are helping more first-time buyers enter the market.

ooba Home Loans’ data shows that single-applicant home loan applications now dominate the youth market.

In 2026, almost 77% of home loan applications from buyers aged 18 to 24 were submitted by single applicants, up by nearly nine percentage points over the past decade. Among buyers aged 25 to 34, almost 66% of applications were submitted by single applicants, also up by nearly nine percentage points since 2016.

This shows that many young South Africans are no longer waiting to buy property with a partner. Instead, they are entering the market independently and taking ownership of one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

Homeownership is becoming an earlier life goal

The data also shows that many young buyers are entering the property market before starting families.

In 2026, more than nine in ten home loan applications from buyers aged 18 to 24 came from individuals without dependants, compared to almost 72% among buyers aged 25 to 34.

This suggests that homeownership is no longer always seen as something that comes after marriage or parenthood. For many young South Africans, it has become an early financial goal and a way to create stability while building their careers.

More young buyers are using zero-deposit home loans

Although many young buyers are purchasing property on a single income, access to finance has improved in important ways.

Zero-deposit home loans remain widely available to buyers with strong credit scores. These loans allow buyers to finance the full purchase price of the property without needing to pay a deposit upfront.

This can be especially useful for first-time buyers who can afford monthly bond repayments but may struggle to save a large deposit while also paying rent and other living expenses.

According to ooba Home Loans’ data, demand for zero-deposit finance remains strong among younger buyers. In 2026, just over half of applications from buyers aged 18 to 24 were for zero-deposit home loans, rising to almost 60% among buyers aged 25 to 34.

Cost-inclusive loans are also on the rise

Cost-inclusive home loans are also becoming more popular among younger buyers.

A cost-inclusive home loan allows buyers to borrow more than 100% of the property’s value to help cover additional upfront costs, such as bond registration fees and transfer costs.

Cost-inclusive loan applications have grown significantly among younger buyers. In 2026, they accounted for around 16% of applications from buyers aged 18 to 24 and almost 15% of applications from buyers aged 25 to 34, compared with less than 1% in both age groups a decade earlier.

However, buyers should remember that borrowing more will increase the total amount repaid over time. For this reason, it is important to understand affordability clearly before applying for a home loan.

Urban living is shaping what young buyers choose

For many young buyers, sectional-title properties such as apartments, townhouses and homes in security estates offer a more accessible entry point into the property market. These homes are often more affordable than freehold houses and may be closer to work, transport routes and established infrastructure.

In 2026, sectional-title properties accounted for just over half of home loan applications from buyers aged 18 to 24 and more than 41% of applications from buyers aged 25 to 34, with both age groups showing a modest increase over the past decade.

While these increases may seem small, they point to a broader shift in how young people live and buy property. As more young buyers purchase independently and delay having children, demand for smaller, well-located and more manageable homes continues to grow.

Most young buyers still want a home to live in

While there has been growing interest in rentvesting, buy-to-let properties and building property portfolios, most young South Africans are still buying homes to live in.

In 2026, investment purchases still made up a relatively small share of youth applications, accounting for less than 9% of applications from buyers aged 18 to 24 and less than 6% of applications from buyers aged 25 to 34.

A new generation is reshaping the property market

Today’s young buyers are more likely to purchase independently, more likely to choose urban and sectional-title properties, and more likely to prioritise a home to live in rather than an investment property.

It’s clear that the aspiration to own a home remains strong. What has changed is the path many young South Africans are taking to get there.

For first-time homebuyers, understanding affordability is the best place to start. Getting prequalified through ooba Home Loans can help buyers understand what they can realistically afford before entering the market. 

By comparing offers from multiple banks, ooba can also help buyers improve their chances of securing a competitive home loan deal that supports their long-term homeownership goals.