Cape Town has seen unprecedented international investment in its residential property market, especially across high-demand areas such as the Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl, driven by a record-breaking summer tourism season.
According to the Seeff Property Group, foreign buyers have poured nearly R2.5 billion into Cape Town real estate in the first five months of 2025 alone—the highest in five years.
Propstats data reveals that sales from January to May totalled R2.462 billion, on track to exceed the full-year totals of R3.4 billion in both 2023 and 2024. February saw international purchases hitting R600 million, climbing to R700 million in April.
Approximately 67% of the total value originated from the Atlantic Seaboard and City Bowl—an area consistently popular among overseas investors.
Ross Levin, licensee for Seeff Atlantic Seaboard, said that in April alone, international sales in the Atlantic Seaboard reached R530 million.
High-value suburbs include Camps Bay and Bantry Bay, while the highest transaction volumes were recorded in Sea Point (27 units) and the CBD (32 units).
Among the standout transactions:
-R21 million and R29 million sales to German buyers in Camps Bay and the V&A Waterfront.
-A R29.5 million sale to a buyer from eSwatini at the Waterfront.
Buyers from over 40 countries invested in Cape Town property this year. Leading the pack are Germany, the UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, and other European countries.
The US has also shown a notable increase in demand, with buyers focusing on Sea Point, Bantry Bay, Mouille Point, and the City Bowl, said Seeff.
African buyers have returned in strength, representing 12 countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Namibia, and Angola. Nigeria, in particular, stands out for the volume of transactions.
Foreign buyers were also active in Constantia, Bishopscourt, and across False Bay, including Muizenberg and Fish Hoek. On the West Coast, Seeff Blouberg recorded a R16.5 million sale in Sunset Beach to a US buyer.
In Hout Bay, activity has been especially strong with 37 international sales, predominantly to German, Dutch, UK, Danish, and American buyers. Properties sold in this area ranged between R5 million and R25 million, according to Stephan Cross, manager for Seeff Hout Bay and Llandudno.
Levin said demand is outpacing supply in many prime suburbs, presenting strong opportunities for sellers. International buyers not only invest significantly in real estate but also contribute further through renovations and luxury lifestyle spending, injecting valuable foreign income into the local economy.
