Sophie Gamborg | Reshaping Investment Opportunities in the Real Estate Landscape across South Africa and the UK
Sophie Gamborg, Founder of the Sophie Gamborg Global Property (SGGP), is a property specialist and a seasoned professional. With over a decade of experience working in the real estate sector of the UK, Sophie is passionate about connecting people and property across borders. With a vision to bridge the property markets of the UK and South Africa, she founded SGGP, supporting the entire relocation and investment journey of her clients. Today, Sophie Gamborg is redefining the real estate ecosystem, inspiring countless leaders of tomorrow.
Sophie Gamborg’s Career Trajectory
Starting her professional journey in London, Sophie spent over a decade at Savills, one of the UK’s leading real estate firms, which deeply shaped her understanding of the property market and the importance of long-term relationships. Going to South Africa to present UK investment opportunities proved to be a pivotal point in her journey, opening her eyes to just how strong the appetite is among African investors for UK real estate.
Sophie reflects, “After relocating to Cape Town with my family, I saw a unique opportunity to bridge two markets: helping international buyers invest confidently in both South Africa and the UK.” Eventually, aligning with her vision to connect people, property, and trust across borders, she founded Sophie Gamborg Global Property (SGGP).
Spark Behind the Creation
When Sophie moved to Cape Town in 2021, she noticed a clear gap: there was no trusted, truly buyer-focused advisory for international clients. She had to rely on a friend to visit houses for her and receive honest feedback. “That experience made me realise the need for a bespoke, relationship-driven service,” she adds.
SGGP began as a buyer representation business, now evolving into a full ecosystem. The company offers visa support, mortgage connections, short-term rentals, relocation advice, interior design referrals, and more. With a broader vision, SGGP supports the entire journey, not just the transaction.
The Art of Balancing: Motherhood and High Productivity
As a mother to young children, promoting high productivity without leading to burnout is not an easy task. Reflecting on this, Sophie mentions, “Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship is the hardest part of my job. There’s a constant juggle between being present for my children and growing the business. I’ve learned to prioritise ruthlessly and work in focused sprints.”
Along with setting certain clear boundaries, though it may seem tough, she even offers grace to herself when things don’t go perfectly. She believes children benefit from seeing their parents pursue meaningful work, and hopes she’s setting the right example.
From Finding Homes to Enhancing Client Experience
In the beginning, Sophie focused on finding great homes for individual buyers. However, currently the focus has expanded to building a trusted referral network, forming cross-border partnerships, delivering value through content, and enhancing the client experience at every touchpoint.
Sophie shares that the majority of her clients come through word of mouth, reflecting the impact of the service and the trust her company has built. She says, “I’ve also seen how powerful content can be, particularly in a visually stunning country like South Africa.” We are currently making changes to our marketing strategy with social media, to showcase the extraordinary lifestyle Cape Town offers, from seaside villas to homes nestled beneath Table Mountain, helping clients dream about what life here could really look like.
Navigating through Challenges
Challenging phases are an inevitable part of growth for every business. For Sophie, navigating cross-border compliance, foreign exchange rules, and the complexity of relocation logistics were some of the significant challenges. Many international buyers don’t know where to start—and misinformation can be a big barrier.
She built a strong, trusted network of specialists, from visa lawyers and tax experts to legal advisors, ensuring clients get a seamless, professional experience. She further adds, “A major challenge has also been educating the market about the value of a buyer’s agent, especially in South Africa where this model is still emerging. Storytelling and real results have helped build that understanding.”
Strategic Planning for Dealing with Obstacles
Sharing about her key strength that has helped SGGP overcome its biggest hurdles, Sophie says, “My greatest strength has always been relationship-building.”
With over two decades in property across the UK and South Africa, Sophie has built a powerful network that she can activate for her clients. Positioning herself as a trusted advisor, not a salesperson, along with transparency and integrity, Sophie has built a network of loyal, referral-based clients.
Standing Apart from the Competition
Working exclusively for buyers is still rare in South Africa, but SGGP offers the same. With discreet, relationship-driven services, the company offers a broader than typical property search. By guiding clients through every step, right from property acquisition and negotiation to visas, tax planning, interiors, to rentals, SGGP is at every step of the process. “Importantly, I’ve been through this journey myself—relocating with a family from the UK to South Africa,” Sophie shares.
I understand firsthand how stressful it can be to find the right area, school, home, and networks. For clients buying in the UK, I bring over 20 years of experience, an incredible network, and deep market knowledge, enabling me to advise African investors on high-performing areas and off-market opportunities.
Current Offerings at SGGP
With full buyer representation in both Cape Town and the UK, SGGP sources, views, negotiates, and oversees deals. Alongside, it also connects clients with visa specialists, mortgage brokers, forex providers, interior designers, and short-term rental contacts. Currently, Sophie is working on expanding the luxury villa and holiday rental arm of the business.
Embracing Innovation: Aligning with Latest Trends
Keeping a business innovative and aligned with the latest industry technologies and trends is crucial to survive in the market. Sophie chooses to stay close to her clients, listening carefully to their needs and adapting in real time. “For instance, I added visa support because so many foreign clients asked for it,” she reflects.
She even believes that using social media as a powerful storytelling tool has a significant impact, be it for showcasing high-impact UK eco-homes or beautiful lifestyle scenes in Cape Town. “That content builds trust, educates, and inspires. I also use it to counter the narrative that investing in South Africa is risky—because when you show people the real lifestyle, the opportunity becomes clear,” Sophie mentions.
Words of Wisdom for Beginners
Addressing entrepreneurs who are just beginning their journey in her field, Sophie advises them to start even if they do not feel 100% ready. “Don’t wait for it to be perfect. Be resilient—it’s really hard, and there will be moments when you question everything and want to give up. But if you believe in and love what you’re building, keep going, ” she adds.
By focusing on relationships, staying consistent, and building with integrity, one can go a long way in this field. Sharing a recent experience, Sophie mentions a heartfelt testimonial by an African family whom she helped in finding a home in London. That testimonial reminded her why she is on this journey, fueling her to keep showing up.
Insightful Decisions for Investments
For African investors looking to buy property in the UK for the first time, Sophie suggests they start their search by working with a trusted guide who understands the local market and investors’ long-term goals. Be it a lifestyle purchase or for investment purposes, the process can be overwhelming. But with the right guidance, investors can always understand the local market better and also find the right people, from mortgage brokers to surveyors.
“I advise clients to get clarity on their investment objectives — whether they’re focused on strong rental income, long-term capital growth, or a balance of the two. Take Manchester, for example, where investors can benefit from both solid rental returns and strong capital growth potential, thanks to continued regeneration and tenant demand. The right investment isn’t always the most obvious one. My role is to ensure a client’s decision is grounded in strategy and insight — not just surface-level assumptions,” explains Sophie.
Post-Covid Shifts in the Property Market
African investment trends are evolving in the global property market, especially post-COVID and with current economic shifts. Sophie shares about a noticeable increase in high-net-worth individuals across Africa looking to diversify internationally—both for wealth preservation and lifestyle. “London has always been a favourite for African buyers, and that’s remained steady, but we’re also seeing growing interest in lifestyle-driven markets like Portugal and Greece,” she adds
Post-Covid, there’s a stronger appetite for dual-purpose properties: homes that offer a family lifestyle but can also generate income through short-term rentals. She even shares how remote work has changed the way people think about where they can live. She reflects, “I’m seeing this a lot from UK and European clients who want a second property in Cape Town to live in for part of the year and rent out the rest.”
Mistakes to Avoid as an International Investor
International buyers can often make some common mistakes, probably arising from a lack of knowledge of the local market. “The biggest mistake is going in blind,” says Sophie, “thinking the process will be the same as buying in your home country.” A proper guidance to avoid overpaying, understand legal timelines, and prepare for tax implications is crucial.
Another common mistake is relying solely on listing portals. Rather, buyers should work with a trusted advisor or agent, ensuring access to deeper insights and sometimes off-market opportunities. “For example, a house listed on Rightmove might seem perfect—but you may not know there’s a large construction site next door, or that it’s under a flight path. You need someone who will tell you the truth and protect your interests,” explains Sophie.
Overlooked Investment Opportunities
As an experienced industry leader Sophie often observes that African buyers are overlooking opportunities, be it in the UK or in Cape Town. In the UK, exciting pockets outside central London offer fantastic value and future growth—areas with strong infrastructure and regeneration plans. However, many African investors focus on London simply because they’re unaware of alternative hotspots, while cities like Birmingham, are undergoing billions in investment.
Another overlooked opportunity is leveraging financing. Many international buyers don’t realise they can get mortgages in the UK, up to 70% loan-to-value, which can significantly boost buying power.
SGGP’s Success Story
Sharing a success story of helping an African family invest, Sophie says, “Recently, I worked with a family from Africa who wanted to invest in a home in London for their children studying in the UK. They had no experience with the UK market and were unsure where to start.”
Right from sourcing a shortlist of properties, Sophie even introduced them to a mortgage broker and legal team, and negotiated directly with the seller’s agent. With her team at SGGP, Sophie secured the property under the asking price, and the family now plans to convert it into a rental investment once their children graduate.
The client later wrote: “Sophie played a pivotal role in helping us navigate the process of purchasing our flat in the UK. She connected us with the right contacts at critical moments and stayed committed throughout the lengthy journey. Her resilience and determination were truly the driving forces that kept us on track. Thanks to her unwavering support, we finally achieved our goal.” This testimonial serves as a reminder for Sophie, reminding her why she leads SGGP.
Follow Sophie Gamborg on LinkedIn.
Find Sophie Gamborg Global Property (SGGP) on their website https://www.sophiegamborg.com/
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