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.
Topics: Buying, Advice, First Home Buyer, Harcourts Real Estate
Correctly pricing a home is not a mathematical equation – a number of factors play a role in determining what is a fair price. Here are some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration.
How often have you gone window shopping for property on the web and come across a plethora of properties that in your opinion are completely overpriced? Just about anything and everything will determine a property’s value and taking a decision on price based purely on emotional reasons could backfire horribly, leaving the seller sitting with a home that no one is willing to buy.
Topics: Buying, Harcourts Real Estate
Offering many property options, this large suburb close to the Winelands has a nature reserve on its doorstep
If you’re looking for value, consider the northern suburbs. Brackenfell is a short drive to the city on the N1, offers a range of property types, has good schools
close by and a number of attractions on its doorstep.
“We’ve seen steady growth in the sale price of properties in the area,” says Denis Dunn, principal at Harcourts Dunn.
Topics: Selling, Buying, Harcourts South Africa, Harcourts Dunn
Whether you’re looking for your first home or thinking about an investment property or holiday home, the following steps will help you achieve a successful result.
Arrange your finance
Take a good look at how much you will be able to save as a deposit, or how much equity there is in your existing property/ies if you have one.
Topics: Buying, Finance, Real Estate Agents, Harcourts Real Estate
Buying a new home often means moving to a new suburb, city or even country. It may be a new location you chose simply because you loved it, or it maybe it’s where you need to be for work or family. Whatever the reason for your change in location, it can be a little daunting finding ways to get to know the neighbourhood and have it start feeling like home.
Topics: Buying, Real Estate Agents, Harcourts Real Estate
It’s not a subject most people enjoy talking about, but it’s an important one none-the-less. Writing a will ensures your assets are distributed as you would want them. When someone passes away without a will, the law determines how their assets are divided regardless of what they or their family want. Here’s what to think about when writing a will.
Topics: Buying, Advice, Writing a Will
There is no sugar-coating the fact that if you are a low-income earner, buying an investment property will require a lot of discipline and sacrifice.
There are a number of challenges to overcome, but although income level is a factor when it comes to borrowing money for investment, there are a lot of other aspects at play, many within your control.
Topics: Buying, Property Investment, Buyers market
“There are various ways a rent-to-buy option can be structured and equally as many ways that these deals can go awry.”
Rent-to-buy gives cash-strapped homebuyers the option to own a property in the area of their choice however make sure they read the fine print carefully warn property experts. It is also an option for sellers whose properties have been on the market for a while.
Topics: Property Management, Buying, Richard Gray, Harcourts South Africa, Financial Advice, Weighing up rent to buy
Moving house with kids can be stressful and upsetting for everyone, but particularly young children, especially if they’ve previously only known one home. But with a little foresight, planning and some good old distraction techniques moving to a new home need not be traumatic.
Topics: Buying, Moving House, Home Tips
We’re now well into a new year, and with a new year comes a brand-new set of goals and priorities. If one of your top priorities this year is finding your brand-new home, here are some tips on where to start.
Time for a change?
A change in homes can also herald a change in lifestyle. Those looking at moving on from their quarter-acre paradise might suddenly discover the appeal of an inner-city apartment, while city dwellers might dream of a lifestyle block in the countryside or a villa in the suburbs. Whatever the change and new horizons you have in mind be prepared to make well-informed decisions as part of your move.
Topics: Buying, Real Estate Agents, dream home