South African property and landowners’, as well as those entering the residential or commercial property markets will continue to face a wait-and-see interest rate environment, with the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) keeping the repo rate steady at 7.5% following the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on 20 March. This decision, driven by fiscal uncertainty and inflation risks – including the rejected VAT increase in the proposed budget – means that access to affordable credit remains constrained for now.
In addition, the 2025 Budget offered modest relief for property buyers. In March, National Treasury announced a 10% increase to the transfer duty threshold, meaning properties under R1.21 million are now exempt from transfer duties – up from R1.1 million last year.
“While the residential property market is expected to recover, and the commercial sector is predicted to see growth and transformation, we’re still not out of the woods. This reality puts pressure on buyers, conveyancing attorneys and realtors to manage their cash flow and to close deals as quickly as possible,” says Michael Lenz, CEO of TransBridj, a first-to-market fully digitised fintech platform offering bridging funding solutions across the proptech ecosystem.
Bridging funding goes digital
Attorneys and realtors often experience delays while waiting for property transfers to be finalised, says Lenz. In some cases, these delays not only halt the registration, but can also create cash flow challenges – especially for sellers needing to cover rates, taxes, levies or compliance certificates upfront – forcing sellers to apply for bridging funding to cover the temporary gap in cash flow. While this might seem like a simple enough solution, the process of applying for a bridging funding requires a fair amount of paperwork and is typically quite onerous and time-consuming, he adds.
TransBridj has launched to change that. The platform is redefining property transaction funding through automation and seamless digital integration. Built for attorneys, realtors and property sellers, the TransBridj website and app leverages smart technology to accelerate deal closures, ensure instant fee settlements, unlock liquidity and eliminate manual processes.
With an intuitive, tech-driven interface, TransBridj is a future-first solution offering a frictionless, fast-track funding experience – delivering approvals and disbursements within 24 hours of the transaction being accepted. Realtors can also access up to 80% of their commission before registration. This approach not only streamlines applications but also reduces admin and minimises the risk of error.
“With the repo rate unchanged and the market still tight, conveyancing attorneys and realtors can’t afford to pause marketing efforts or have deals fall through due to cash flow constraints,” says Lenz. “TransBridj delivers reliable funding fast – providing greater liquidity, which equates to increased sales.”
“While there are other solutions out there, no one is automating processes and bringing everything together like we are. Our goal is to disrupt this space for the better,” concludes Lenz. “And to make bridging funding simpler and more accessible than ever before. – Future. Funding. Now”
