First-time buyers dominate market
Actual house prices are growing very slowly – at less than 4 per cent year on year. First-time buyers continue to dominate the market – more than 50 per cent of bond applications are from first time buyers. These trends are according to bond originator ooba most recent statistics – for October 2012. The […]
Compliance certificates now needed for electric fences
South African property owners are now required by law to ensure that all new electric fence systems, or changes to existing systems, are compliant with safety regulations. Previously there were no regulations governing electric fences. The new regulation (the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act No. 85 of 1993, Regulation 12 of the Electrical Machinery […]
True life story why voetstoots alone is immoral, unprofessional and just plain wrong
Many well-meaning estate agents, their principals and conveyancing attorneys continue to be quite happy about routinely using the voetstoots clause in their pre-printed sale agreements, despite the fact that from the buyer’s standpoint this is: Immoral Bad professional advice Just plain wrong Latest statistics for October show that more than half of home buyers in […]
Tips to sell your home fast
Ten steps to selling your home quicker Get rid of clutter. Throw out your junk. Pack away most of your small ornaments. Store clothing that won’t be used in the near future to make cupboards seem roomier. Clean out the garage. Buyers like to visualize their possessions in the house and that is hard to […]
Thatch poses big fire risk
The disaster last night when a reported 100 people at St Francis Bay lost their homes in a run-away fire should be a wake-up call for all South African home owners . John Graham, CEO of the home inspection company HouseCheck says the increasing use of thatch for house roofs and also for garden […]
Latent defects are hard to spot
It is very important for buyers to fully understand the condition of a house before they buy it. While some defects such as damp stained ceilings, wall cracks and damp walls might be more obvious, latent (hidden) defects such as rotten roof beams or a leaking geyser are more difficult to spot. Yet potential buyers […]
5 Maintenance tips to keep your house in top condition
Your home is probably the biggest purchase you will ever make – and it needs to be carefully looked after. Homeowners should perform regular maintenance to keep their property in the best shape possible and ensure it retains its value. Many of the defects HouseCheck finds when inspecting existing properties are the result of neglect […]
Buying a house? The 5-year rule
When looking to buy a house you should ask yourself how long you are likely to stay in the house. Of course, most people don’t know these sorts of things for sure, but generally it is a good ide to make sure that I’d own the house for at least five years. The Upgrade Cycle […]
Voetstoots – latent and patent defects and the home inspection report
What is the real effect of a voetstoots clause in a property sales contract if the buyer later discovers undisclosed defects in the house being bought? Because the authority of the Consumer Protection Act does not extend to private “once-off” sellers of real estate, most sellers and their agents still rely heavily on the insertion […]
Home inspections: How agents can manage buyer and seller emotions
The process of waiting for the results of a home inspection can be incredibly stressful for both buyer and seller (not to mention the estate agent!) Every agent knows that no matter how new or old a property is, unexpected defects often pop up in home inspection reports. All three parties have an emotional investment […]