South Africa
« Previous EntriesBrave Decisions for Saving my House
Wednesday, January 14th, 2009Two months ago, I couldn’t hold myself together. I had plenty of bills to pay. My house is the biggest money consumption. I have suffered from debt pain from the April of 2007. The food price almost tripled.
The interest rate in South Africa was high enough to cut our meals away to cars and house [...]
Building or Adding Contract Pitfalls and Cautious continued
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008Architect
When it comes to designing a house, use an architect, regardless of how confident you may be in your own design abilities and taste. They are qualified to assist even the most creative and imaginative of people to realize and probably improve on their ideas while providing an insight into what is possible at what [...]
Any Idea of Buying Land?
Wednesday, November 19th, 2008Buying a plot is in most respects similar to buying a house; the same basic considerations come into play since the plot is after all just the first stage in starting a new home, although building societies grant bonds less readily on land than they do on houses, so, if money is tight, your chances [...]
How Swimming Pool affect the value of Property part 2
Thursday, November 13th, 2008Swimming pools Price
The swimming pool industry in South Africa has had its fair share of knocks, largely because of disreputable companies springing up to take advantage of the economic upswings and offering ‘cheap’ pools to money-conscious clients. Most people will consider price before they consider anything else. This is a natural reaction of any [...]
Get your Housing Financial Picture in Focus
Monday, October 20th, 2008Very few people are in a position to buy their first house for cash. Fortunately, money to purchase a property is fairly easily accessible in South Africa.
Because of the security offered by property, banks are keen to lend money to home buyers. I maintain that South Africa is one of the easiest places in the [...]
Take next step to Invest on Property
Monday, September 29th, 2008Once you have taken the decision to buy a home of your own, you should consider the following:
How much home can I afford?
You will have to work out your budget to determine how much money you will have available to repay your home loan every month.
How much home do I need?
There is a distinct [...]
Residential Property, Comparing different types
Monday, September 29th, 2008A buyer has a selection of residential property types to choose from. In South Africa we distinguish between two property types, namely freehold properties and sectional-title units.
Sectional-title properties
Sectional-title units are governed by a body corporate appointed by the present owners. Administration and maintenance of the complex and common property are the responsibility of the body [...]
A Home Loan to Pay for your Property (Bank Loan Approval, Interest Rate, Monthly Payment)
Tuesday, September 9th, 2008home loan, property listing, mortgage, debt, bank, credit, income, interest rates, home refinance, loan, financial
Office property analysis
Thursday, June 19th, 2008building, floor, property, mortgage loan, debt consolidation, Payday-Loans, tenant, rental, office, personal loan, refinance, finance, liquidation
Attracting Prospective Tenants
Thursday, June 19th, 2008lease, rental, Debt-Consolidation, Mortgage-Loans, office, properties, tenants, mortgage, Payday-Loans, refinance, personal loan
Cellular Phones and the Estate Agent
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008Cellular phones have arrived and are set to do for communication what television did for broadcasting. They provide access to a person rather than a place, which enables estate agents to receive messages and respond to calls immediately. Cellular phones allow them to move around freely yet remain accessible at one telephone number. Slim cellular [...]
The Benefit of a CRS Designation continue…
Monday, April 7th, 2008Having been through the course, the major benefits gained by an agent have been summarized as the ability to:
Have gained insight into factors that affect human motivations and behaviour to better relate to sellers and buyers.
Fully grasp the importance of sole selling mandates for a successful real estate career.
Understand the mechanics of organizing and managing [...]
The Benefit of a CRS Designation
Monday, April 7th, 2008Of the courses offered to residential sales agents the CRS (SA) is far and away the most prized and sought after. It is the Crown Jewel of the Institute of Estate Agents Educational Programme. Presented annually since 1985 by American instructors it has retained its exciting format and delivered results exceeding all expectations. The course [...]
The Silent Salesman
Sunday, April 6th, 2008The good, the bad and the ugly stand in silent testimony to their creators and proclaim to passers-by the reason for their very existence. Simultaneously they also project the image of those whose name they bear. If this was a conundrum it is fair to say that few would guess that the answer would be [...]
The Future is Networks continue…
Saturday, April 5th, 2008Disadvantages for the participating firm
Usually no single national identity because of the incorporation of each participant’s name.
Sharing of trading areas.
Less tangible benefits than with a franchise, such as training, systems and manuals.
Lower level of commitment.
3. Multiple listing systems
Multi-listing is probably the best example of networking between agents. It is really a formal method of [...]
The Art of Selling Real Estate continue…
Saturday, April 5th, 2008The role the Estate Agent plays
The agent services the buyers‘ and sellers‘ requirements, follows up, follows through and keeps everyone informed.
Like the proverbial oil on troubled waters, keeps buyer and seller emotions at manageable levels. In the sale of homes, sellers can get very emotional, particularly if they have been in occupation for many [...]
Negotiating Skills Part 2
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008The buyer
One of the buyer’s major aspirations is to buy a “dream house” at the lowest possible price. Always remember that a bargain is best defined as an agreement between two parties where both believe they have got the better of the deal. Although it is your job as a negotiator to achieve this situation, [...]
Sectional Title Re-sales
Tuesday, April 1st, 2008Selling this form of home ownership requires a somewhat broader understanding of the legal aspects than selling houses. It is therefore necessary for agents to acquire the knowledge required to enable them to perform professionally. This can be done in several ways:
Attend a course offered by the nearest region of the Institute of Estate Agents [...]
Who is a buyer? continue…
Friday, March 28th, 2008Face-to-face discussion
Apply the principles of a professional Master Agent.
Create a friendly comfortable atmosphere.
Know your subject, be confident and instill confidence, show a
liking for your customers and get them to like and trust you—be trustworthy.
Ask questions—listen to the answer without interruption. The subject of finance is often described by agents and lecturers to be the [...]
New Housing Subsidy System part 3
Thursday, March 27th, 2008The White Paper emphasizes that the present budgetary allocation to housing is entirely inadequate to support the housing programme envisaged in the RDP and that it will be essential for
Government to adjust its priorities in this regard, if it is serious about achieving its target of one million houses in five years. It also emphasizes [...]
