immoafrica blog

The seven habits of accomplished home buyers Buying a new home is especially stressful for first-time buyers but they can do much to look like “old-hands” – and avoid common problems – by following some basic guidelines. The very first of these, says Berry Everitt, MD of the Chas Everitt International property group, is to [...](more...)

Avoid Being Scammed When You Rent For The Easter Holidays. With Easter approaching we would like to warn people that there are scammers trying to make money from people looking for holiday accommodation. Media reports in January told the story how people who had rented accommodation for their year-end holiday had been scammed. When they [...](more...)

‘Deposit drag’  keeps market on a choke-chain. Everyone in the property market knows that the current deposit requirements for home loan approval are among the biggest obstacles to increased home sales and faster property price growth. But just what the extent of the deposit obstacles might be has not been quantified until now, with the [...](more...)

Chas Everitt’s property predictions for 2013! Berry Everitt, MD of the Chas Everitt International property group, says 2013 will be the year when property developers start making a moderate re-entry into the market. “There has of course been some development at the lower end of the market for the past few years, because buyers in [...](more...)

Advice for home buyers. Even relatively affluent young people earning substantial salaries these days can find it very difficult to become home owners, says Tony Clarke, Managing Director of the Rawson Property Group. “The first hurdle to overcome,” says Clarke, “is to prove to the mortgage lenders that they, the applicants, are creditworthy – but often [...](more...)

How to avoid buyer’s remorse…You’re at the office of your local real estate agent where you’ve made an appointment to fill out and, more importantly, sign your first offer to purchase (OTP) on that house you’ve been eyeing out for weeks now. Walking out of that office a short while later, instead of feeling excited [...](more...)

What you should consider when renting out your property, according to Engel & Vӧlkers Waterkloof rentals. The renting out of one’s property could be a nightmare or a worthwhile and pleasant experience. It is strongly recommended that a lessor considers the services of a reputable and trustworthy agency to procure a suitable tenant and, in [...](more...)

Definition: SAVING – income not spent, deferred consumption, expenditure reduction. Every economy measures its health on the balance between income and expenditure. While consumption creates jobs, pays salaries and grows industry, consumption when not funded by income, requires credit. Most people cannot afford to purchase a home without credit, without a mortgage loan. So the ongoing [...](more...)

A question that arises quite often from my interested buyers concerns the deposit. Besides this deposit issue, most people aren’t aware of all the extra financial costs when buying a house. While it becomes quite sensitive (or inappropriate) for me to advise my (future) clients what they ought to do with their finances as they [...](more...)

With the current wave of distressed property auctions, you may find yourself looking for a bargain at an auction. Follow these guidelines for buying on auction…(more...)

To help you stay savvy in the world of home finance, we take a look at the letter D, in our Mortgage Glossary. Deed A legal document that transfers ownership of property from one to another, it includes details of the property transferred. The deed is held on public record at the deeds office. Deed [...](more...)

By Xavier DeBuck With the end of March approaching, many (financial) professionals will be looking forward to receiving their yearly bonus. Some will take that money and happily spend it on a new car. Others will enjoy spending it on that yearly special holiday (perhaps this year to Maritius?) as they’re in dire need to [...](more...)

When you apply for a home loan, the bank will investigate and analyze every aspect of your finances, to ascertain whether or not you are a high risk client or worth their investing in your home.

Here are some tips to help ensure that when you visit your prospective lender you make the right impression and get approved in no time at all.(more...)