Blog posts filed under Property News

Pretoria east is fast becoming a shoppers- and investors haven. With the advent of the major development being undertaken with Nedbank as funding partners for this monumental project, the east of Pretoria could experience an upsurge in property value.

A development and investment of this enormity should dispel the "doom and gloom" sentiment around the financial state of investment in South Africa.

Eskom has recently applied to administer a tariff increase of 16% annually for the next five years, an increase that will overtake most South Africans’ wage increases. The increased electricity cost will also send the prices of food and other living expenses soaring – making it increasingly important for those buying orrenting property to reprioritize the features they require in a home.

The capital city of the Northern Cape, Kimberley, is going to open the doors of the new Northern Cape University in 2014. While the local planning will include university residences it is unlikely that this housing will be sufficient to accommodate the influx of new students.

In the wake of the recession that hit South Africa hard from 2008 to 2009, the market and consumer confidence seems to be slowly but surely strengthening. Even though the annual growth rate of the country is expected to remain below 3%, there appears to be more confidence in the recovery of economic stability. The question remains though – is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Analysts fear that there is no prospect of world markets returning to ‘normal’ any time soon.

Making the momentous decision to buy property in a retirement village is not one that should be taken lightly. Retirement villages and estates have been developing nation-wide at a rapid pace, creating great opportunities for investors and retirees alike. For those planning to buy in a retirement village or estate, it is vital to consider all the options and whether all the facilities and amenities you may need are available at the particular village or estate.

Due to the thriving local economy and steady job creation in Polokwane, demand for residential homes has been consistently increasing as more people move to Limpopo’s capital.

Latest statistics from First National Bank reveal some interesting trends in the property market. The ‘property barometer’ report released on the 19th of October lists predominant reasons given by sellers for selling their primary residences. Also known as the FNB Estate Agent Survey, the property barometer report provides valuable insight into the current developments and fluctuations in the market.

One of South Africa’s most charming and scenic destinations, Franschoek is located in the valley-strewn lands of the Western Cape. Known the world over for its spectacular beauty, world class restaurants, wines and cuisines, the town was founded in 1688 by French Hugenot refugees and is located in the very heart of the Cape Winelands.

Earlier this month construction officially began on Protea’s latest Fire and Ice hotel in Summit Place opposite Menlyn Mall in Pretoria.

As one of the southern suburbs of Cape Town, Rondebosch is bordered by the suburbs of Rosebank, Rondebosch East, Claremont, Newlands and the breath-taking slopes of Devil’s Peak. Predominantly a residential suburb, Rondebosch also offers residents a shopping zone and small business district. The suburb is best known as an entertainment hub and for its vibrancy and bustling vibe due to the University of Cape Town’s proximity.

Yesterday we looked at the first two steps that are involved in the purchase of a property, namely the signing of the Offer to Purchase contract and the role that the bond originator plays in obtaining finance for the mortgage. Following that the next five steps are involved in buying and registering a property.

Part One The process involved in registering a bond or property transfer is usually straightforward and simple. Occasionally, however, the progression can be delayed by additional hurdles that arise when dealing with a deceased or mandated estate. The flow of the procedure remains the same in essence in these cases, with perhaps an added step or two. This guide serves to outline the basics of a normal purchase and property transfer.

The Western Cape average house price growth has, since the first quarter statistics reports, shown the most significant growth since the bottom fell out of the property market in 2007. Already in the first quarter of 2012 the property prices in the Western Cape showed an increase – year-on-year – of 8.2%, ahead of all other South African provinces.

Within the last five years it is clear that the residential developments in The Orchards – an area in the north of Pretoria – have grown exponentially as demand increases. Developers and investors are joining the throngs of first-time buyers in snapping up the affordable land and houses available in The Orchard’s suburb.

As property is still the best performing investment after shares, many investors believe that one way to take advantage of this is to buy property in order to rent it out. Investors can find real bargains at the moment – with repossessed and mandated properties providing excellent value for money. The current economic climate has also resulted in an increased demand nation-wide for rental property. The interest rate is also currently at a point that makes it easier to buy property as an investment. ...read more

The debate – whether it is more financially sensible to rent or buy a house – is an ongoing one. South Africa’s current economic condition has created a doorway for many new buyers to enter the property market. Those that could not previously afford to buy property because of the higher listing prices are

Home Insurance is the type of property insurance that covers private homes, and is essentially a policy that provides personal protection for the home owner. Depending on the type of policy and the company providing it, insurance may include cover for losses and damages to one’s home or its contents, and accidents that may occur

According to several sourced reports the majority of distressed properties are listed within the Gauteng area. While indicators have shown that the conditions within the national property market are slowly improving it is obvious that distressed and repossessed properties are still a stark reality within that market. The opinion of experts within the market

South Africa’s construction industry has been gearing up to go green for some time and recently the exciting results have been inciting much comment throughout the nation’s populace. Many people are still unsure exactly what a ‘green’ building actually is. According to the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) a green building is energy

When Eskom announced its intention to build its second most advanced coal-fired power plant in the municipal area of Delmas in Mpumalanga, few realistically anticipated the pressures this would place on the rental property market in the areas surrounding the plant. It appears that properties in Witbank, in particular, are in very high demand as