Property Advice Articles in South Africa

Guide | What you need to know before buying property in a trust

A trust protects and benefits, both financially and legally, the assets which are placed therein, however, it’s not as simple as one might think and it’s important that you weigh up the pros and cons and understand how they work before deciding...

Do you need to worry about tenant arrears?

It’s not surprising that, as the cost of living continues to rise, residential agents and owners worry that the increasing pressure on tenants could lead to non-payment. How justified is that fear?

The deeds office is ready to transfer, but the seller has not secured COC, what can the buyer do?

A Property24 Reader purchased a property and finally lodged the title deed on Friday 5 August.  However, the seller has not yet received certificates of compliance because she feels it is too expensive, which has now delayed the transfer process. 

How to prepare your house before you put it on the market

Selling a home is one of the most significant financial transactions a person can make. Top Just Property agents give prospective sellers helpful advice on how to best prepare their properties before putting them on the market.

How to choose the right neighbourhood for an investment property

Savvy investors understand the value of property and appreciate the potential long and short-term returns.

A new home presents the perfect opportunity to overhaul your household budget

Moving to a new home almost invariably causes some financial anxiety, but it also presents the perfect opportunity to overhaul your household budget.

Disappointed would-be buyer loses property after failing to stick to sale agreement deadlines

A would-be buyer of a Cape Town property, disappointed by the collapse of the sale agreement with the seller, has asked the court to step in and find that he had not breached the sale agreement and that the seller was still obliged to let him...

What you need to know about renting your first property as a young adult

If you're looking for the ideal rental home, choose the one that's affordable and secure. It will enable you to live comfortably and sleep at night instead of lying awake worrying about how you're going to pay the bills.

Have you got what it takes to be a landlord?

Before you decide to rent out your home or buy to let, there are some key things prospective landlords should consider.

Struggling with your bond repayments? Here is what you can do

Being in the position where you can no longer afford the monthly repayments on your bond is a terrible fate. Nobody wants to default on their bond but sometimes it happens that people simply can’t afford to keep up the payments.

8 security tips for your garage and garage door openers

Automatic garage door openers are a great convenience, but they can also serve as a weak link in your garage security. Here are some ideas you might want to try for increasing garage security.

Thinking of downsizing your home? Consider these pros and cons

If you’re lucky enough to own a property that has appreciated in value, downsizing means you’ll be able to enjoy the many benefits of the equity freed up from the sale of your home

Here’s how homeowners' associations can cut costs and boost income

Most community housing schemes are in a constant battle to contain operational costs and keep monthly levies low – and that includes gated estates that are run by a Homeowners’ Association.

What tenants should consider if they want to stand out as the best choice for landlords

After the shocks of Covid-19 and dealing with many months of no payment from tenants who lost their jobs and businesses or faced severe reductions in their salaries and wages, many landlords are still extremely cautious when considering new...

To furnish or not to furnish - the landlord's dilemma

Landlords need to consider the area in which they are investing as well as their target market when deciding whether or not to furnish a rental property, if they do, they should stick to as neutral a style and colour palate as possible in order...