Knowledge Base

What is the first step when buying property in South Africa?
What is an Offer to Purchase (OTP)?
Is an Offer to Purchase legally binding in South Africa?
What are the common conditions included in an Offer to Purchase?
What is conveyancing?
Who appoints the conveyancing attorney?
How long does the property transfer process take in South Africa?
What is a Deeds Office?
What is a Title Deed?
How can I get a copy of my Title Deed?
What is 'voetstoots' in a property sale agreement?
What are latent defects?
What are patent defects?
Should I get a home inspection before buying a property?
What is the cooling-off period when buying property?
What is direct marketing in the context of property sales?
If a cooling-off period applies, how long is it?
What happens if the buyer pulls out of the sale after signing the OTP?
What happens if the seller pulls out of the sale after signing the OTP?
What is off-plan property?
What are the risks of buying off-plan?
What are the benefits of buying off-plan?
What is a Repossessed Property?
Can I buy a repossessed property?
What are the risks of buying a repossessed property?
What is a property auction?
What are the benefits of buying property at auction?
What are the risks of buying property at auction?
What is the reserve price at an auction?
Can I make an offer on a property before an auction?
What is the difference between buying residential and commercial property?
What are key considerations when buying commercial property?
Do I need a business plan to get finance for commercial property?
Is Transfer Duty the same for commercial property as for residential?
What are the types of commercial property in South Africa?
How is a commercial property valuation different from a residential one?
What is objective pricing in commercial property?
What is a 'going concern' when buying commercial property?
What is the importance of zoning for commercial property?
Can I include renovation costs in a commercial property bond?
What is the process of selling a property in South Africa?
Should I use an estate agent to sell my property?
How do estate agents earn their commission?
Is estate agent commission regulated in South Africa?
What is a mandate when listing property with an estate agent?
What are the different types of mandates?
What are the advantages of a sole mandate for selling?
What are the advantages of an open mandate for selling?
Does the seller have to disclose all defects?
What happens if there are outstanding municipal bills when selling?
What should I do if my house isn't selling?
Should I renovate my property before selling?
What is the asking price?
What is Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on property sales in South Africa?
When is CGT payable on a property sale?
What is the primary residence exclusion for CGT?
Do I need a tax clearance certificate to sell property?
What are the key differences when selling commercial property?
How is the market value of commercial property determined for selling?
What is a net lease vs. a gross lease in commercial property?
What compliance certificates are needed when selling commercial property?
How do existing leases affect the sale of commercial property?
What is due diligence for a buyer of commercial property?
Can I sell commercial property with existing tenants?
What are transfer costs?
Who pays transfer costs in South Africa?
What is Transfer Duty?
Is Transfer Duty payable on all property sales in South Africa?
What is the current threshold for Transfer Duty exemption (as of early 2025)?
Besides Transfer Duty, what other costs are involved in buying property?
What is a deposit when buying a house?
Is a deposit mandatory when buying property?
What costs are involved when selling a property?
What is a Bond Cancellation fee?
Who is responsible for obtaining compliance certificates when selling?
What compliance certificates are typically required when selling property in South Africa?
What is a Rates Clearance Certificate?
Who is responsible for obtaining the Rates Clearance Certificate?
What is Capital Gains Tax (CGT) on property sales in South Africa?
When is CGT payable on a property sale?
What is the primary residence exclusion for CGT?
Do I need a tax clearance certificate to sell property?
What happens if there are outstanding municipal bills when selling?
What are municipal rates and taxes?
How are municipal rates and taxes calculated?
What is the Rateable Value of a property?
Can I dispute my property's Rateable Value?
Are the costs of buying commercial property higher than residential?
Are there different tax implications for commercial property costs?
What is VAT on commercial property?
Who pays VAT on commercial property transactions?
What is a pro-rata calculation of costs like rates and levies during transfer?
What is a mortgage bond?
What are bond registration fees?
Who pays bond registration fees?
What is the difference between the interest rate and the prime rate?
Can I get a 100% home loan in South Africa?
What is a bond originator?
Do I have to pay for a bond originator's services?
What is pre-qualification for a home loan?
What is pre-approval for a home loan?
Does pre-approval guarantee a home loan?
What is credit score and why is it important for a home loan?
How can I improve my credit score?
What documents do I need to apply for a home loan?
What is the maximum term for a home loan in South Africa?
Can I use my pension fund to buy a house in South Africa?
What is a fixed interest rate on a home loan?
What is a variable interest rate on a home loan?
Which is better: fixed or variable interest rate?
What is the role of a bank in the property buying process?
What is a building loan?
How is a building loan different from a standard home loan?
What is the National Credit Act (NCA) and how does it affect home loans?
Can a foreigner get a mortgage in South Africa?
What is debt review and how does it affect buying property?
What is administration order and how does it affect buying property?
What is insolvency and how does it affect buying property?
What is the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) and its role in property?
What is the repo rate?
How does the repo rate change affect home loan interest rates?
Can I get a home loan if I have a bad credit history?
What is a joint bond application?
What are the implications of a joint bond?
What is a guarantor for a home loan?
What are the risks of being a guarantor?
What is an access bond?
What are the benefits of an access bond?
What is a further advance on a bond?
What can a further advance be used for?
What is refinancing a home loan?
When might I consider refinancing my home loan?
What is a bridging loan?
How does a bridging loan work?
What are the costs associated with a bridging loan?
How is financing different for commercial property compared to residential?
Can I get a 100% bond for commercial property?
What is a notarial bond?
How does the financial health of tenants affect financing for commercial property?
Are interest rates on commercial bonds typically higher than residential bonds?
What is a rental agreement (lease agreement)?
Is a written rental agreement mandatory in South Africa?
What information should be included in a lease agreement?
What is a rental deposit?
How should a rental deposit be held by the landlord?
When must the rental deposit be refunded?
What is fair wear and tear?
Can a landlord use the deposit for fair wear and tear?
What is an entry inspection and an exit inspection?
Are entry and exit inspections mandatory?
Who is responsible for maintenance in a rental property?
Can a tenant withhold rent if the landlord fails to do repairs?
What is the Rental Housing Tribunal?
What types of disputes does the Rental Housing Tribunal handle?
What is the legal process for evicting a tenant in South Africa?
What are the grounds for legal eviction?
How much notice must a landlord give a tenant to vacate?
What is an illegal eviction?
What rights do tenants have in South Africa?
What rights do landlords have in South Africa?
Can a landlord increase the rent?
How much can a landlord increase the rent by?
Can a tenant cancel a fixed-term lease early?
What is a reasonable penalty fee for early lease cancellation?
Does the Consumer Protection Act apply to all rental agreements?
What is property insurance?
What is landlord insurance?
What is rent guarantee insurance?
What is a property management agent?
What services does a property management agent provide?
What are the fees for a property management agent?
What are the advantages of using a property management agent?
What are the disadvantages of using a property management agent?
What is the Rental Housing Act?
What are the key rights of tenants under the Rental Housing Act?
What are the key obligations of tenants under the Rental Housing Act?
What are the key rights of landlords under the Rental Housing Act?
What are the key obligations of landlords under the Rental Housing Act?
Can a lease agreement override the Rental Housing Act?
What is occupational rent?
When is occupational rent payable?
How is occupational rent calculated?
How do commercial leases differ from residential leases?
What is a tenant installation allowance?
What is escalation in a commercial lease?
What is the impact of vacancy rates on the rental market?
How do economic conditions affect the rental market?
What is the difference between full title and sectional title?
What is a Body Corporate in a sectional title scheme?
What are levies in a sectional title scheme?
What do levies typically cover?
What is the role of Trustees in a Body Corporate?
What are the rules in a sectional title scheme?
Are sectional title rules legally binding?
What is the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS)?