Patience Patongamwoyo Leads Seeff Zimbabwe to New Heights in Property Excellence

Zimbabwe’s real estate sector is witnessing a remarkable surge in activity, fuelled by strong interest from both local and international investors. This momentum was on full display at the recent Zimbabwe Diaspora Property Show in the UK, where developers, real estate firms, and prospective buyers gathered to explore opportunities. Among the key participants was Seeff Properties, one of the country’s leading real estate agencies, whose Managing Director, Patience Patongamwoyo, highlighted the growing appetite for property investments among Zimbabweans abroad.

“The diaspora market is enormous, and people are actively investing back home,” Patongamwoyo explained. “Our role is to connect with them and showcase the opportunities available.” With Zimbabwe facing a housing shortage of over 1.2 million units, developers are increasingly turning to strategic partnerships to bridge this gap. Recognising that financing remains a hurdle, Seeff has introduced flexible payment plans tailored for diaspora buyers. Purchasers can secure a property with a 30% deposit and settle the balance over five years, eliminating the need for costly mortgages.

Seeff’s approach has already proven successful, with roadshows in the US and UK generating significant interest. Now, Zimbabweans in Australia are calling for similar engagements. While the diaspora plays a crucial role, local buyers, particularly from Zimbabwe’s thriving informal sector, account for 40% of Seeff’s sales. “Many locals have disposable income but struggle with traditional financing,” Patongamwoyo noted. “Our payment plans are designed to accommodate them just as much as overseas investors.”

Seeff is expanding into turnkey housing solutions. “Many in the diaspora prefer ready-built homes to avoid the complexities of construction,” she said. Upcoming projects, such as Dabuka Phase Two, will offer completed homes and apartments under the same deposit-and-instalment model.

Among Seeff’s flagship projects is Dabuka in Ruwa, located 24 kilometres from Harare. The development offers residential stands ranging from 400 to 500 square metres, priced between $65 and $75 per square metre, depending on payment method. Buyers who pay upfront benefit from the lower rate, while those opting for instalments pay a slightly higher price. With a 30% deposit required and the remainder spread over five years, the scheme makes property ownership more accessible.

Another high-demand project is Northgate, situated 17 kilometres from Harare along Domboshava Road. Phase One sold out rapidly, prompting the launch of Phase Two, which will release 2,500 stands. The entire development is planned to eventually comprise 8,000 stands, signalling strong long-term growth potential. Since its launch in July 2024, Northgate has seen overwhelming interest, with 2,800 stands sold in just two months, a clear indicator of market confidence.

Northgate’s Phase One sales revealed an even split between institutional investors and private buyers, reflecting broad-based confidence in Zimbabwe’s property market. Seeff’s year-on-year growth remains robust, with residential sales making the majority of its business. However, the company’s newly established Commercial Hub in Harare is gaining traction, already contributing 15-20% of transactions, with expectations to reach 30-35% within three years.

The firm’s property management division manages a vast nationwide portfolio and has become indispensable for diaspora clients, particularly Zimbabweans living abroad. By offering guaranteed rent collection and dependable remittance services, the company enables them to financially support their families back home. For seamless transactions, payment methods are facilitated through CBZ’s Ziki Mall, Ziki Cash, and Paylink platforms.

With major players like West Properties and Properties Views also expanding their portfolios, Zimbabwe’s real estate sector shows no signs of slowing down. Seeff’s success, driven by innovative financing, strategic projects, and a balanced approach to serving diaspora and local buyers, positions it as a key player in this growth. For investors, whether at home or abroad, the message is clear: the opportunities are abundant, and the time to act is now.