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2026: The Year of the Smart Move

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By Godwin

Did you spend 2025 in “wait‑and‑see” mode, perhaps watching the market, weighing your options, trying to decide when to make your next move?

As we step back into the office and reset for the new year, one trend in Harare is becoming impossible to ignore. You’ve seen it. I’ve seen it. Everyone in the market is talking about it.

The rise of the townhouse complex.

If 2025 was the year of hesitation, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of strategic action. And nothing captures that shift better than the surge in demand for cluster living. Whether you’re a young professional buying your first home or a diaspora investor looking for a clean, low‑maintenance asset, the townhouse is ticking every box.

Here’s why I believe 2026 will be the Year of the Cluster.

1. The Lock‑Up‑and‑Go Lifestyle Is Now Essential

The romance of the one‑acre northern suburbs home is fading fast.
Between mowing lawns, maintaining pools, and managing security, a standalone house has quietly become a part‑time job.

In 2026, buyers are choosing time over tradition.

A townhouse gives you the freedom to lock your door and travel, whether it’s a business trip, a holiday, or a quick border run without worrying about the property. For my diaspora clients, this is the number‑one non‑negotiable: an asset that doesn’t demand constant supervision.

2. Security & Utilities: Power in Numbers

Let’s be honest, Harare’s challenges are universal:
security, water, power.

In a standalone home, solving these problems is expensive and repetitive.
You buy your own solar. Your own borehole. Your own security.

In a townhouse complex, these costs are shared and the infrastructure is already built in.
A community borehole, solar backup, and controlled access are now standard. When you buy into a complex, you’re not just buying a home; you’re buying into a system that keeps life running smoothly.

3. The $130k Sweet Spot

Liquidity is surging in the $100,000–$150,000 bracket which is the hottest price range in 2026.

Homes in this range sell faster, rent quicker, and attract a broader buyer pool than the multi‑million‑dollar mansions on the hill. Many off‑plan developments including the ones we’re handling at The Benjamins Realty, are landing right at the $130,000 mark.

It’s the perfect entry point for a modern, high‑standard build with better rental yields than older, oversized properties.

4. Buying Off‑Plan: The 2026 Power Play

With the market stabilizing, off‑plan buying is back in style.

It lets you:

  • lock in today’s price
  • benefit from appreciation during construction
  • spread payments over time
  • secure a brand‑new, modern home without the upfront shock of a lump‑sum purchase

For investors, this is the smartest way to position yourself ahead of the curve.

The Plan -

If you’re holding cash in Q1 2026, pay attention to where the smart money is flowing.
It’s moving toward secure, managed, modern community living  and the townhouse complex is leading the charge.

So the real question is:
Are you ready to make your move this year — or will you watch another cycle pass you by?


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