Abstract:
Housing is currently a topical issue in South Africa which has a housing backlog estimated to exceed 2,5 million households. Banks are a critical component of the housing value chain. They have been struggling to facilitate the reduction of the backlog, citing a lack of market liquidity of townships relative to the suburbs as a primary reason for the failure to reduce the backlog. The aim of this research study is to determine the extent to which information asymmetry is a factor in the liquidity of the township property market, with a view to understanding the impediments to liquidity in the township real estate market, and make recommendations for parsimonious interventions. Quantitative analysis was performed by examining data obtained on Estate Agents, Properties Registered and Demographics. Descriptive statistics were employed to understand the structure of the market. Thereafter factor analysis was used to identify relationships and narrow the number of variables for further exploration. Finally, multiple regression was applied in order to understand how the variables identified interacted with one another. The findings revealed that estate agents and the type of housing product had a direct impact on market liquidity. Market liquidity in the township market could be improved by making practical and parsimonious interventions centred on the estate agents, and property developers.
