Don't make these mistakes when signing an Offer to Purchase

Sep 16, 2019 10:00:00 AM Share this:

When buyers put in an Offer to Purchase after viewing a property, a mistake is often made where they do not check in detail what it is they’re actually signing for. Buyers will have seen the property, possibly walked through it a few times, but it would most likely have been fully furnished with the seller’s belongings. It could be that some features of the home might not be left behind or are not permanent fittings or fixtures in the house, so the buyer must ask if there are any items that will be removed or mention items of interest before signing the OTP, says sales manager of SAProperty.com, Cornel Haskins.


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Topics: Buying, Advice, Harcourts Real Estate

5 reasons why downsizing is on trend

Sep 9, 2019 10:00:00 AM Share this:

The international trend of purchasing smaller homes continues unabated and downsizing isn’t necessarily only a symptom of tough economic times. Many well-heeled homeowners are choosing to downsize to smaller properties that are easier to manage. In South Africa, this trend has been confirmed by the latest FNB Estate Agents Survey. As sellers, the choice to downsize rather than upscale is mainly due to these five factors:


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Topics: Advice, downsizing your home, Harcourts Real Estate

How to find the perfect roommate

Sep 3, 2019 12:38:00 AM Share this:

Renting a property can be an expensive business, particularly if you’re single. One of the best way to offset some of the costs is to find a roommate (or two). On paper it sounds great - you’ll have someone to help pay the bills, you’ll have company and the idea of having like-minded people sharing your living space is often exciting. Unfortunately there are downsides too, and there are important questions that need to be asked before you allow a relative stranger to move into your home.


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Topics: Property Management, Advice, Harcourts Real Estate

6 golden rules for buying South African property revealed

Aug 26, 2019 10:00:00 AM Share this:

There are some rules that every property buyer should follow in order to get the most out of their property purchase. Despite many changes in the property market in recent years, there are some “golden rules” that investors need to keep in mind. So says Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX Southern Africa, who adds that while the emerging market has presented some great investment opportunities, buyers need to be careful and make the right decisions to get the most out of their property purchases.


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Topics: Buying, Advice, Harcourts Real Estate

5 things first-time home buyers should know

Aug 12, 2019 10:00:00 AM Share this:

Buying your own home can be a daunting prospect. Many of us have spent our lives renting, so when we decide to take the step up to owning property we often aren’t quite as prepared as we should be.

With this in mind, we sat down with Meyer de Waal, owner of My Bond Fitness and a property conveyancing attorney and also an exhibitor at the upcoming Property Buyer Show in April, to figure out exactly what a first time home buyer should know before signing on the dotted line.


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Topics: Buying, Advice, First Home Buyer, Harcourts Real Estate

11 smart ways to save electricity (and money) in the winter months

May 13, 2019 10:00:00 AM Share this:

Eskom has issued steps consumers can take to save electricity as the colder weather grips South Africa.

A thermostat-controlled oil heater no bigger than 2 000W (watt) is the best choice to heat a room of 3 x 3 x 2.5 metres for three hours.

“During the colder months, space heating can be responsible for up to 8% of an average household’s electricity usage. The current constrained electricity network calls for smart electricity usage to help keep the warmth inside and the cold outside,” said the power utility last Wednesday.


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Topics: Harcourts South Africa, Advice, Winter Blues, Harcourts Real Estate

5 things you need to know about prepaid water

May 6, 2019 10:00:00 AM Share this:

You already know that we live in a water-stressed country, receiving an annual rainfall of 492mm, while the rest of the earth receives 985mm.

With a prepaid water system consumers can track usage, load credit remotely, and decrease the possibility of bill shock due to leakages or incorrect monitoring.

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Topics: Advice, Harcourts Real Estate, Prepaid Water

Choosing your method of sale

Mar 25, 2019 11:00:00 AM Share this:

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When it comes to the sale of your property, there are more options available to you when choosing a method of sale than simply listing your property for a fixed price. In fact, according to the latest Harcourts figures, the number of auctions being performed around the country is up massively from last year.

So, why are people choosing to sell their homes in this way, and what are the alternatives?


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Topics: Selling, Advice, Financial Advice

The five essential marketing tools

Mar 11, 2019 11:00:00 AM Share this:

The decision to sell is made, but how do you ensure potential buyers know your house could be their dream home? Here are five top marketing tools to help you get the best possible result for your sale.

Online presence
More than 80 per cent of  Kiwis look online to find properties for sale[*], so it’s essential your property has a presence on the worldwide web. Consider how to get the most exposure, and include plenty of details so potential buyers can put serious thought in. Your real estate agent can run through the sites that will give the best bang for your buck and advise on how best to describe your property.


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Topics: Advice, Marketing Tips

Being prepared for an emergency.

Mar 4, 2019 11:00:00 AM Share this:

Do you know what vital information to have on hand in the event of a natural disaster or
family emergency?


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There’s no way to predict when misfortune will strike, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared. Having vital information on hand can help protect your family when time is of the essence.


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Topics: Property Management, Advice, Insurance