Job Creation in the property sector – Picking the low hanging fruit
John Graham (National Association of Building Inspectors of SA) Aug 2017 Within the giant property sector an opportunity has arisen to pluck some “low-hanging fruit” and meaningfully address the triple threats of unemployment, lack of transformation of the economy and disintegrating infrastructure. The asset value of the property sector is massive: Last year the Property […]
The Property Practitioners Bill Set to Improve Consumer Protection
The new Property Practitioner’s Bill (PPB) will go a long way to “levelling the playing fields” for South African home buyers, sellers and their estate agents, says John Graham of HouseCheck, South Africa’s leading home inspection company. Graham says the proposed new law will ensure much better consumer protection for home buyers – who are […]
Home inspectors are the GP of the home building industry
Home inspectors are the GP of the home building industry A home inspection can be likened to a patient receiving a medical examination from a GP, says John Graham CEO of HouseCheck. “If the doctor hears an irregular heartbeat, the patient will need to get an expert opinion from a specialist. It’s the same for […]
Are home sellers like Pinnochio?
Are home sellers like Pinnochio? Some sellers fib Do you know someone who has been deceived by defects in a property that they have bought? I am sure you may do. The truth is that most sellers are honest to a degree when filling in their sellers declaration form, especially after been counselled by estate […]
Timely maintenance inspections will save you money in the long run
How to inspect your home regularly? Obviously a professional home inspection should not be skipped when you first buy a property. But after you move in, doing an annual maintenance inspection yourself will highlight most problems before they become costly repairs. Inspect the exteriors first If you are not comfortable with heights it is better […]
Building? Immediately cut the stress by inspecting
It would seem that nobody is exempt from being ripped off by bad workmanship, or by a shoddy approach to upgrades. HouseCheck offers a special report for those contemplating “upgrades” or those who may be in conflict with their builders. Use an indépendant SAHITA and NABISA accredited inspector to make sure your building operations proceed […]
How to stop SA home buyers from being cheated
The publication of the new Property Practitioners’ Bill has been delayed. John Graham founder of HouseCheck and principal of SAHITA asks “why” and points out that the absence of this law compromises the consumer protection of all South African home buyers. Graham writes: Last year the Department of Human Settlements and its subsidiary the Estate […]
SA property prices have “slow puncture”
After allowing for inflation South African home prices have entered a long-term negative trend. This is good news for home buyers, but bad news for home sellers. FNB property economist John Loos says the “slow puncture” of real property prices in South Africa has begun. Loos believes South Africa has entered a long-term cycle of […]
Limitations of a home inspection – CYA’s
Home inspectors are unable to document all defects in a home for the simple reason that not all defects are visible and therefore able to be observed by the inspector. For this reason most reputable home inspection strive for transparency and full disclosure up front and their reports usually come with a fair amount of […]
Ombudsman warns home buyers to take proven action
In rejecting an appeal against an insurance company for defective plumbing the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance, Dennis Jooste has warned home buyers that the onus remains on home buyers to satisfy themselves that the property was not defective in any form. Jooste dismissed a buyer’s claim against Absa for leaking water pipes in a recently […]