Online Reporter
Online Reporter
THE property market is undergoing a major transformation, with investors increasingly shifting their focus from traditional high-end suburbs to emerging growth corridors, tourism-linked developments and mixed-use projects, a leading real estate expert has said.
In a statement, HSP Realty (formerly House of Properties) Principal Registered Estate Agent, Leonita Mhishi, said the country’s real estate sector was maturing as investors moved beyond the long-held belief that wealth creation simply involved buying and holding land.
“For years, Zimbabwe’s property market has been defined by one simple rule: buy land, hold it, and watch its value rise. But 2026 is proving that the sector is becoming more sophisticated, with clear winners emerging and investors increasingly looking beyond traditional real estate assumptions,” she said.
Mhishi said property remained one of Zimbabwe’s most trusted stores of value despite years of economic uncertainty and currency volatility, but noted that investment patterns were changing as buyers sought opportunities offering stronger long-term returns.
She said while Harare continued to dominate the country’s property market, particularly in established northern suburbs such as Borrowdale, Mount Pleasant and Highlands, the fastest-growing opportunities were now emerging in peri-urban developments, where demand for serviced residential stands and housing projects was rising.
“The strongest growth opportunities are no longer confined to traditional blue-chip suburbs,” she said.
According to Mhishi, the expansion of Zimbabwe’s urban centres has fuelled demand for housing, retail facilities and supporting infrastructure, creating new opportunities for middle-income earners who had previously been priced out of established residential areas.
She also identified Victoria Falls as one of the country’s fastest-growing property investment destinations, driven by increasing demand for holiday homes, short-term accommodation and tourism-related developments.
“Victoria Falls offers something increasingly difficult to find elsewhere: a combination of lifestyle appeal and commercial opportunity,” she said, attributing the trend to the city’s international profile, expanding infrastructure and special economic zone status.
Mhishi said Bulawayo was also attracting investors due to relatively affordable property prices and growing demand for student accommodation, residential developments and urban renewal projects.
She noted that another significant shift in the sector was the growing preference for mixed-use developments that combine residential, commercial, retail and leisure facilities within integrated communities.
“People increasingly want convenience. They want to live closer to services, shopping facilities, schools and workplaces. Developers who understand this shift are positioning themselves at the forefront of the market,” she said.
Mhishi said Zimbabweans living in the diaspora continued to play a pivotal role in financing residential estates and commercial developments, while improving macroeconomic stability had boosted investor confidence.
Looking ahead, she said the outlook for 2027 remained positive, with demand expected to remain strong for serviced land, gated communities, mixed-use developments and tourism-linked properties.
“The next phase of Zimbabwe’s property story may not be defined by spectacular price surges. Instead, it is likely to be characterised by smarter developments, stronger fundamentals and a broader range of opportunities for investors at every level,” she said.
Also, she revealed that her company had officially changed its name from House of Stone Properties to HSP Realty.
