Consumer Protection Act proving to be toothless
Leading SA consumer journalist Wendy Knowler says that the Consumer Protection Act, is proving to be largely toothless. Knowler writes: “Thanks to the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), South Africans are among the most protected consumers in the world. That’s wonderful – in theory. “Of course, for legislation to have any real meaning, for it to […]
HouseCheck Property News Digest: October 2012
Home prices rise slowly There was moderate growth in house prices during September 2012, according to bond originator, ooba. The average house price for September was R876 717, up 4.5 per cent year-on-year. The average home loan deposit was up from R142 885 in September 2011 to R156 172 in September 2012, which is 17.8 […]
Downscaling still major factor in SA home sales
The Third Quarter FNB Estate Agent Survey shows that financial pressure on home owners is still driving the house market. Agents estimate that 20 per cent of home sales result from downscaling due to financial pressures. Another 21 per cent of sellers are downscaling because of life changes (getting older). Only 16 per cent of […]
SARS tightens up on property transfers
SARS has introduced a new system from October 2012 whereby the transfer of any property will be delayed unless all the parties involved – the buyer, seller and the estate agency – have their tax affairs in order. SARS now requires the transferring attorney to provide the tax numbers of the property buyer and seller […]
Dangers of getting the cheapest quote
It often amazes me how property owners go about repairs, maintenance and renovations. In almost all cases it’s a case of: “Let’s get the cheapest quote”. And so the bakkie builder brigade are called in and very often grief follows. People who have spent at least one million (and often a lot more) on their […]
Home seller’s inspections
In the current South African housing market, home buyers still have more houses to choose from and it remains firmly a buyer’s market, with the buyer, rather than the seller, calling most of the shots. If you are a seller or a seller’s estate agent, then the question to ask is: Why should buyers stop […]
Here’s another happy client
Thanks John Just sent payment confirmation. Thanks to Gerrie for the chat earlier – look forward to reading the report but your services are 100% worth every cent – saved us from a potential financial disaster not to mention a whole lot of hassle in this house. So debating our next move but think the […]
Consumers are now less trusting
By John Graham CEO HouseCheck Research over the past 10 years on consumer behaviour shows clearly that all over the world the common denominator is a search by the consumer for something to trust. Easy access to independent information via the internet, the banking scandals, political scandals and increasing incidents of what is perceived to […]
Let the home buyer beware
It is probably a good thing that most aggrieved South African home buyers who think that they have been cheated by a seller, simply don’t have the money to take the seller to court, says John Graham, CEO of home inspection company HouseCheck. Graham says that the voetstoots clause provides such effective and unfair legal […]
Home inspection can empower home buyers
The CEO of a leading home inspection company, John Graham, says angry home buyers contact him every week with stories about how their dream home has turned into a nightmare. “People make the biggest purchase of their lives – a new house – and then discover that the house has serious problems which will cost […]