Be informed about capital gains tax
Although it has now been applied since October 2001 many South Africans, still have unfounded fears and misconceptions about the way in which capital gains tax (CGT) impacts on property transactions – and this can lead to their shunning property investme
9 September 2010Read More .....
Bellville short of student accommodation
Although the recent growth in student numbers at the University of the Western Cape, along with the recent launching of its multi million rand Life Sciences building, has created a need for student housing and property development, there continues to rem
31 August 2010Read More .....
Buying off-plan has pitfalls
Although buying off-plan has the big benefit of no transfer costs, it also holds some pitfalls of which buyers need to be aware.
25 August 2010Read More .....
Buyers + sellers: Get price right
The one factor buyers and sellers always have to keep in mind when entering into a property deal is the price.
25 August 2010Read More .....
Buyers should prepare for tougher rates
Even “low-risk” bondholders who before the economic downturn were given bonds at anything up to 2% below prime have not realised that this is highly unlikely in today’s credit market.
12 August 2010Read More .....
Buy-to-let: Cheaper is better
Those buy-to-let investors targeting the lower end of the sectional title segment are likely to reap the greatest benefits.
5 August 2010Read More .....
Bryanston clusters seeing high demand
Cluster homes are finding good favour among buyers in the northern Johannesburg suburb of Bryanston as security requirements become increasingly important.
30 July 2010Read More .....
Beware sect. title building penalties
Read your Home Owners Association (HOA) constitution carefully before buying into a sectional title estate.
23 July 2010Read More .....
Buyers empowered by new Act
The Consumer Protection Act (CPA), due to take effect on 25 October this year, will mainly force agents to ensure property sellers and buyers understand the wording and legal effect of all contracts they enter into.
21 July 2010Read More .....
Buyers: Don't ignore defects
Martin Schultheiss reckons you should make rectifying them a condition of sale.
19 July 2010Read More .....
Buyers want security in Pta East
The sought after eastern suburbs of Pretoria are seeing an increasing number of buyers looking for estate properties with super tight security and the money to pay for it seems to be no object.
8 July 2010Read More .....
Benoni has shorter selling times
Property activity in the East Rand town of Benoni is currently being bolstered by short selling times and a big need for value-for-money properties.
6 July 2010Read More .....
Bank profits could affect lend criteria
The stage could soon be reached at which share analysts and financial advisors start querying at what level bank dividends will be paid in the coming year.
6 July 2010Read More .....
Buying off-plan? Heed this advice
If you’re a homebuyer purchasing “off plan” – or in advance of your home actually being built – you will most likely have more money issues to deal with than those purchasing a pre-owned property.
1 July 2010Read More .....
Buy-to-let flourishing in Brits
In contrast to many areas in the country where the buy-to-let market is in the doldrums, this market is flourishing in the Northwest town of Brits.
30 June 2010Read More .....
Brits property market booming
Amelda Smit reckons there are good returns on rental property thanks to strong demand among mine contractors.
29 June 2010Read More .....
Buying like Apes
Some people buy houses, shares, endowment policies and pension plans without doing any calculations. The skill of writing and calculating is around for thousands of years, but still some people do it like apes.
24 June 2010Read More .....
Bergvliet gets new retirement village
Building on the success of its flagship retirement lifestyle village, Evergreen Lifestyle, Muizenberg, which won international recognition in CNBC Arabia’s 2009 property industry awards, Amdec Property Development has launched a new Evergreen development
2 June 2010Read More .....
Beating the price average in property investing
Consider five factors affecting supply and demand.
29 April 2010Read More .....
Body corporates vs sectional title owners
Who is responsible for repairs?
20 April 2010Read More .....
Bond approval delays can be costly
Rob Lawrence argues that delays could lead to sale contracts becoming invalid therefore don't leave it open-ended.
7 April 2010Read More .....
Buying a home?
Earn R15 000 or less a month, looking to buy a house? REW explores your options.
29 March 2010Read More .....
Bekostigbare behuising kry hupstoot
Johannesburg. - Standard Bank en die provinsiale regering van KwaZulu-Natal het Vrydag ’n memorandum van verstandhouding onderteken om te verseker dat hulle die volle voordeel sal trek uit investering van die nasionale regering in bekostigbare huise.
1 March 2010Read More .....
Beware hidden 2010 rental costs
Insurance tips, traps for home-owners who open their homes to foreigners
17 February 2010Read More .....
Bank managers throw more cash at property
Home-buyers, particularly of lower-priced houses, find it easier to buy - latest stats
3 February 2010Read More .....
Besin hieroor voor jy gaste huisves vir 2010-toernooi
Mense wat munt wil slaan uit die Wêreldbeker-sokkertoernooi deur hul eiendom aan buitelanders te verhuur, moet deeglik besin.
5 January 2010Read More .....
Bronkhorstspruit draws developers
Strong rental demand for residential units in Bronkhorstspruit is encouraging new development.
27 November 2009Read More .....
Belê-vertroue in eiendom is terug
Vertroue in eiendom as ’n beleggingsklas is besig om vlam te vat danksy gunstiger markomstandighede.
27 November 2009Read More .....
Banks "distorting" property prices
Should property buyers be stuck with a home, and its mortgage, for at least 5 years?
27 November 2009Read More .....
Beleggers kyk weer met koop-oë na Clarens
Eiendomskopers kyk met hernieude belangstelling na Clarens, sê plaaslike agente.
24 November 2009Read More .....
Buying? Identify the area's character
It is important to identify the character of the area you are looking for.
20 November 2009Read More .....
Building in Gauteng, WC on the mend
The residential building markets in the Western Cape and Gauteng are starting to pick up.
18 November 2009Read More .....
Buyers, beware of Title Deeds delay
It can be very risky to buy a home in the confident expectation of selling it soon after transfer – and speedily registering the property into the new buyer's name.
16 November 2009Read More .....
Berry's crew backs Bedfordview
Upmarket residential sales are up in the "Sandton of the East".
11 November 2009Read More .....
Be careful with big kids moving back
Many grown-up children have had to move back in with their parents to cope with the economic downturn – but those parents need to ensure that caring for their children and/or grandchildren does not put them at financial risk.
6 November 2009Read More .....
Be careful with plan approvals
The vast majority of house purchase agreements contain a clause stipulating that the seller warrants that all plans for the house have been approved.
5 November 2009Read More .....
Bantry Bay development due mid-2011
A new seven-storey residential development comprising 39 units is currently under construction in Cape Town's Bantry Bay.
5 November 2009Read More .....
Built-in cupboards
With space being at a premium in many modern developments and for the ultimate in clutter management, built-in cupboards are a great long-term investment.
27 October 2009Read More .....
Bond approvals surge
South Africa's biggest bond origination company, ooba, has seen a 55% increase in the value of approved loans from April to September this year.
20 October 2009Read More .....
Beware of offshore property bargains - SA property man
Pitfalls of investing in international residential real estate.
15 October 2009Read More .....
Buy, sell in style with these tips
Buying a home is probably the single biggest investment that a person will make in their private capacity.
8 October 2009Read More .....
Bouwerk by Century City vorder uitstekend
Dit gaan voor die wind met die bouwerk by Century City – die grootste ontwikkeling in die Wes-Kaap sedert die Canal Walk-winkelsentrum in 2000 opgerig is.
6 October 2009Read More .....
Bad reasons not to buy property
Why you should ignore residential real estate sceptics
5 October 2009Read More .....
Bye-bye falling house prices
FNB's latest property data shows big improvement.
1 October 2009Read More .....
Buying? Beware the details
In the current market, most home sellers are still focused on getting any offer to purchase that is reasonably close to their asking price.
30 September 2009Read More .....
Bumper winter sales for Atlantic Seaboard
Prime stretch of Cape real estate reaches R200m in property sales, despite recession - Dogon.
30 September 2009Read More .....
Buying from non-residents: Tax issues
Anyone buying property from a non-South African resident should be aware that they must withhold tax from the proceeds of that sale as of 1 September this year.
1 October 2009Read More .....
Building method enhances speed, costs
Aspiring homebuilders can now build homes faster and cheaper.
29 September 2009Read More .....
Bond and rental arrearages rising
There has been an increase from 2% to 7% over the past four years of bondholders that are three months or more in arrears.
25 September 2009Read More .....
Bathroom décor on a budget
Janice Anderssen shows us just how easy it is to add practical stuff to your bathroom without forking out a fortune.
22 September 2009Read More .....
Be careful when cancelling bond
What are a seller's rights when cancelling a bond and what are the rules surrounding this process?
18 September 2009Read More .....
Bathroom basin trends
Bathroom basins are certainly very practical pieces of sanitary ware, but they are also evolving into aesthetically beautiful works of art.
16 September 2009Read More .....
Buyer, beware of 'voetstoots'
A recent Supreme Court judgment has once again underlined the risks involved in buying a property voetstoots, or "as is".
17 September 2009Read More .....
Bamboo your floor
Flooring is such an important part of any home and needs to be chosen with the utmost care as it is a salient design feature and takes a good foot beating.
14 September 2009Read More .....
Buying sect. title? Read this
Those wanting to buy into sectional title schemes should heed the following advice: Ask to see the financial report, which should be audited, and check that the body corporate is liquid.
8 September 2009Read More .....
Brett Kebble mansion fetches R29m
The controversial Brett Kebble Mansion in Bishopscourt was auctioned recently and fetched R29m.
7 September 2009Read More .....
Big companies offload non-performing properties
More buildings to be sold, with spotlight on Old Mutual.
4 September 2009Read More .....
Banks start to favour low-end market
The recent initiative by FNB and ABSA, and more recently Standard Bank, to increase the credit flow to the lower end of the housing market will prove a very welcome boost to the property market.
2 September 2009Read More .....
Buyers in hurry to tee off
COTSWOLD Downs is situated between Hillcrest and Waterfall in an area which has seen rapid growth over the past two years. Hillcrest is reputed to have one of the healthiest climates in the world and is well positioned as a major property growth area in
28 August 2009Read More .....
Beware: Property developments are not bricks-and-mortar
If banks can't spot financial risks, what hope do we investors have?
28 August 2009Read More .....
Buying commercial property? Who's lending
The credit low-down from ‘big four' banks.
27 August 2009Read More .....
Big upgrades coming to Mandela Bay
Three multi-million rand urban renewal projects that will soon be implemented in the Mandela Bay area in the Eastern Cape.
26 August 2009Read More .....
Box your windows
Bring a touch of garden glamour to your home's exterior aesthetic with decoratively planted window boxes.
25 August 2009Read More .....
Bishopscourt mid-market flourishing
Whilst the Cape Town suburb of Bishopscourt has always been synonymous with embassies, celebrity buyers and huge homes and gardens, it is not solely the enclave of the super-rich and famous.
13 August 2009Read More .....
Betting on builders: increase your odds
How to avoiding builders who take your money and run
13 August 2009Read More .....
Buyers deserve their own agents
The South African property market functions primarily on a seller agency model – despite experiencing the strongest buyers market in living memory.
29 July 2009Read More .....
Buy small – and be happy
Sellers have repeatedly been exhorted in recent months to keep market conditions in mind when setting property prices – but now it is buyers' turn to a swallow a spoonful of reality.
21 July 2009Read More .....
Bank decision boosts southern suburbs
Show house activity is up and sales numbers are improving in Cape Town's southern suburbs following a bank decision to accept home loan applications not only from borrowers with cash deposits but also from those who can produce collateral security.
20 July 2009Read More .....
Bank launches new distressed plan
FNB has teamed up with a leading property group to launch a debt remedy programme for homeowners in distress.
14 July 2009Read More .....
Bay is last stop for luxurious living
BIG Bay, in the Blouberg area of Cape Town, is about a 25-minute drive to the city centre and attractions such as the popular V&A Waterfront or the Table Mountain cableway. Big Bay Estates in Big Bay is an upmarket residential offering, hailed as the las
10 July 2009Read More .....
Buy now, break even later
Should we wait two years for a property “bargain” to earn its keep?
8 July 2009Read More .....
Bank charges: stop them gobbling rental income
Old-fashioned advice to curb a silent cash guzzler.
29 June 2009Read More .....
Banks, analysts slam Mboweni decision
Cost of borrowing is still too high, though some say banks are to blame. Property experts assess decision to leave interest rates on hold.
26 June 2009Read More .....
Buy-to-lets for R50 000 and less
Who needs a home loan? For the price of a modest second-hand car, one of these properties could be yours. Realestateweb investigates.
18 June 2009Read More .....
Big affordable project coming to ER
A massive new R1bn affordable housing development East of Johannesburg, near Carnival City Casino in Boksburg, will add 2,400 new sectional title homes to the area along the North Boundary road.
18 June 2009Read More .....
Beware of special levies
Those buying into sectional title schemes must get a guarantee from the body corporate that no special levies will be imposed within a stipulated period – possibly two years.
18 June 2009Read More .....
Buyers are smart, so price it right
"Buyers are well educated as to values, since they shop around and view many properties before purchasing."
11 June 2009Read More .....
Be ruthless with unsafe buildings!
I think it must be terrifying to be woken at 04:00 in the morning by a thunderclap that makes the whole building shudder. Then, in a confused state, you realise your bed's still shaking and, no, it wasn't thunder, it was the building falling down.
9 June 2009Read More .....
Beware bargain buys at property repo auctions
Perils, costs of picking up cheap residential real estate thanks to sheriffs, liquidators, bank repossessions - property industry heavyweight.
10 June 2009Read More .....
Big CT home on big stand for sale
A home on a gargantuan 4,169sq m stand in Upper Constantia with a self-contained flat (with two bedrooms) and a housekeeper's cottage is on the market at R13,5m.
5 June 2009Read More .....
Benoni houses start from R850k
Entry-level apartments in Benoni start from R450k and houses are priced from R850k.
2 June 2009Read More .....
Banks need to do their part
Banks should realise that they have a social responsibility role towards clients and need to come up with innovative solutions to assist beleaguared consumers with mortgage financing.
18 May 2009Read More .....
Beleggers se beursies te benoud vir gholflandgoed
Eiendomsbeleggers stel nie belang in gholflandgoedere nie.
14 May 2009Read More .....
Buitelanders besit 0,6% van SA eiendom
Buitelanders besit maar 0,56% van Suid-Afrika se totale voorraad residensiële eiendom en 1,62% van eiendom van meer as R500 000.
12 May 2009Read More .....
Bloem's Estoire holds value
Prospective Bloemfontein investors keen to take advantage of the national property market downturn would do well to buy a stake in the city's burgeoning Estoire industrial area.
11 May 2009Read More .....
Bargain for a better rental deal
Tough economic conditions are putting tenants in a stronger position to approach their landlords for better rentals or perks when the time comes to renew their lease.
12 May 2009Read More .....
Big sales in CT's Mouille Point
A 218sq m penthouse sold for R7,875m was one of the notable recent sales in Cape Town's Mouille Point.
8 May 2009Read More .....
Be careful with overseas buys
With the global shake-up in property markets, SA investors wishing to expand their portfolios abroad should make their choices with care.
7 May 2009Read More .....
Bringing indoors out
Relaxing outdoors with family and friends on a clear autumn night, listening to the crackling of the nearby warm fire and dinner sizzling on the braai, is pure bliss.
30 April 2009Read More .....
Beware the pushy buyer
It's definitely a buyers' market in the real estate sector right now – but that does not mean that sellers have to put up with being exploited.
29 April 2009Read More .....
Buying property rules
Renting will not make you rich or financially secure.
28 April 2009Read More .....
Buying? Inspect for defects
Beware the Voetstoots clause when buying a property and make sure you inspect the property for defects before signing anything.
24 April 2009Read More .....
Better prices, worse affordability
Banks' tighter lending policies mean that the average buyer now needs a hefty R215 000 in cash reserves to afford the average priced house of R775 559.
14 April 2009Read More .....
Buy-to-let investors under strain
Withholding body corporate levies because of personal financial strain places the building in a precarious fiscal position, while jeopardising the property investment and its long-term viability.
8 April 2009Read More .....
Brand new town 22km from Pretoria
A massive property development that will create a whole new town 22km to the north-west of Pretoria will soon get under way on 450ha of land restored in 1998 to the Rama community that had been forcibly removed during the apartheid years.
8 April 2009Read More .....
Bigger rate cut will not save the majority
DEBT CONSOLIDATION: South Africans who were struggling to keep up with their mortgage repayments will certainly have gained some relief from the Monetary Policy Committee’s announcement of a drop in interest rates, but local experts believe that this won
7 April 2009Read More .....
Bargain time on the Atlantic Seaboard
PRICE: Expensive properties on the Atlantic Seaboard have come down in price, presenting the perfect buying opportunity for those who wish to own property in the area.
7 April 2009Read More .....
Banke se beleid die deurslag in huismark
Om die vraag na huisvesting aan te wakker en verdere dalings in huispryse te voorkom, sal banke hul uitleenkriteria eenvoudig moet verslap, sê rolspelers.
3 April 2009Read More .....
Beware the inexperienced developer
The tough market conditions have shown that there is a wide variety of ethical standards among developers as regards the quality of their projects and whom they employ.
3 April 2009Read More .....
Big interest rate drops now vital
At a time when virtually every country in the developed world has reduced its interest rates by about 80%, South Africa is still adopting a conservative, reactionary attitude to rate cuts.
20 March 2009Read More .....
Banks more keen to approve bonds
Some banks have been giving assurances that they are now keen to get back into the bond market in a bigger way, albeit on a 90% loan-to-equity ratio.
18 March 2009Read More .....
Block your walls with colour
Home décor and DIY expert Janice Anderssen gives some fun tips on how to spruce up your walls with colourful and funky block painting.
17 March 2009Read More .....
Beware of commercial-to-residential property conversions
Property fundi warns buyers to watch out for faults in trendy CBD conversions
12 March 2009Read More .....
Bluff enjoys buoyant rental market
The buy-to-let market on the Bluff in Durban has gathered momentum in recent months as strict banking protocols hamper sales.
12 March 2009Read More .....
Beware of bad neighbours
Good fences might make good neighbours but bad ones won't be good to your house's value.
12 March 2009Read More .....
Buy it, fix it, sell it
Those investors that are equipped to undertake fast turnaround refurbishments are now perfectly poised to exploit the current market conditions.
12 March 2009Read More .....
Banks – originators = few bonds
The fact that certain banks are outright refusing to accept bond applications from originators is a main reason for approved mortgages being so scarce.
12 March 2009Read More .....
Banke sê nee vir 61,2% wat vra vir 'n verband
Byna twee derdes van alle huisleningsaansoeke word tans deur banke geweier, ’n praktyk wat die huismark verder kan smoor.
10 March 2009Read More .....
Building trust in property dealings
Controversial columnist Paddy Hartdegen expresses his quirky views on what is required for estate agents to be relieved of their "rogue" status.
9 March 2009Read More .....
Buyers should do their homework
A great deal of time and frustration could be avoided in the residential real estate marketing world, if buyers would only do the necessary homework before they start looking at homes to buy.
6 March 2009Read More .....
Buying activity up in Jhb New South
There has been a slight uptick in buying activity in the suburbs that make up Johannesburg's "New South".
4 March 2009Read More .....
