Three good reasons to get a home inspection
Three good reasons to get a home inspection Here are three good reasons for home buyers to insist on a professional home inspection before finalizing the deal: First, a house inspection is the smartest way to ensure that the house doesn’t have any major flaws that may cost the buyer in the future. A home […]
Neighbours and building plan departures
Neighbours and building plan departures I had an interesting call from Brian (name has been changed) in Pinelands, Cape Town. Brian’s neighbours want to put a second story on their existing thatched roof house, which like many older Cape Town properties has been built over the building line. This house is only 2 meters from […]
Buyers beware: Don’t skip the home inspection
Buyers beware: Don’t skip the home inspection Buying a house, especially if you are a first-time buyer, is both nerve-wracking and extremely expensive. Once you’ve added to the purchase price, transfer duty, legal fees and the cost of relocating (moving, curtains, schooling etc) the total cost of buying a new home can be huge, John […]
Questions to ask your estate agent
Questions to ask your estate agent South Africans spend more than R500-million a month on estate agent commissions. If you are a home buyer then follow these tips to make sure you ask the right questions and get your money’s worth: Ask: How long has this house been on the market? This is a very […]
I am a victim, says Tobie
I am a victim, says Tobie Here is another sad story about a house buyer who bought voetstoots without the protection of a home inspection. Now neither the bank, which gave him the bond and which insured the house, the estate agent who pocketed the commission, nor the private seller can or will help Tobie. […]
Approved plans are important part of buyer’s due diligence
Approved plans are important part of buyer’s due diligence A buyer asks: When buying a house, is it a must to get the plans from the seller? What are the disadvantages from not requesting this? Thanks John Graham replies: It is always wise to get plans from the seller and to do a visual due […]
At what stage do I get the inspection done?
At what stage do I get the inspection done? Good day, I am interested in buying a unit from a private seller. Seller has asked me to put an offer on the table – I wanted to find out – when do I request an inspection to be done – is this done when I […]
Journalist warns buyers to get home inspection done first
South Africa’s top consumer journalist, Wendy Knowler of Independent Newpapers said in her Consumer Watch column this week: “Do not even consider buying a property without first having it professionally inspected. “The service is relatively inexpensive – about R3 000 for the average home – but could spare you financial ruin at worst, or at […]
Dream timber house turns into a nightmare
Timber housing can be a nightmare if the timber framed house has not been properly built by a competent builder registered with the National Home Building Registration Council (NHBRC) and built in accordance with the National Building Regulations for timber housing (SABS 082/88), now known as SANS 10082. On the other hand the voetstoots (“as […]
More praise for HouseCheck
If you’re wondering whether it is worth spending a few thousand rand on a HouseCheck report, then take a look at two thank you notes we received this week in response to home inspection reports prepared by Dawie de Lange, HouseCheck franchisee/inspector for clients in the Pretoria area: Thank you very much, this is very […]