Commuters boost Potch market
Commuters who work in central Johannesburg and the Sandton office node are contributing to a stable property market in the university town of Potchefstroom.
8 September 2010Read More .....
Cheap is 'in' with property
It appears that affordability issues are increasingly forcing South Africans to forego large, luxury homes in lieu of cheaper, smaller abodes.
3 September 2010Read More .....
Chop power costs with heat pumps
Everyone knows that the geyser is the biggest energy-glutton in the house, gobbling up 30% to 50% of the monthly electricity usage all by itself.
6 September 2010Read More .....
Cash buying: Why and how
Two characteristics of the current property market – the difficulty in obtaining finance and the challenges of selling a property quickly – means that cash is still king when it comes to property sales.
1 September 2010Read More .....
Constantia market on good recovery path
In what could be interpreted as a positive sign for almost all high-end properties in Cape Town, Constantia seems to be emerging strongly from the recession in a big way judging by its year-on-year (y/y) sales figures.
26 August 2010Read More .....
Coastal properties: A market overview
Everybody wants a huisie by die see that they can tootle off to in December or even over long weekends and regard as an investment that will save and make them money in the long-run.
12 August 2010Read More .....
Century City residential sales up 150%
A telltale sign that the residential property market has finally turned is the fact that sales at the plush Century City are up a staggering 150% for the year to end-June.
6 August 2010Read More .....
Century City residential sales up 150%
A telltale sign that the residential property market has finally turned is the fact that sales at the plush Century City are up a staggering 150% for the year to end-June.
10 August 2010Read More .....
Confidence sees market improving
July marks the first month of real growth in the sector.
5 August 2010Read More .....
CT security village launched
A small security village has been launched on Cape Town’s Western Seaboard to the entry-level market and occupation is anticipated by February 2011.
27 July 2010Read More .....
CT apartment complex to be auctioned
A four-unit apartment block in Cape Town Vredehoek will go on auction on Wednesday 21 July.
12 July 2010Read More .....
Check agent’s sales agreement
A seller should always ask for a copy of the estate agent’s standard sale agreement as several problems may arise from it.
9 July 2010Read More .....
Create enormous wealth and still go to heaven
Make money with property, using other people’s money
28 June 2010Read More .....
Check land use restrictions
Before committing finance to a property transaction, it is imperative that you are aware of any restrictions that may be imposed on the intended use of the property.
8 June 2010Read More .....
Check insurance during occupation
If you’ve sold your home and agreed that the buyer can take occupation before transfer is registered, it is important to make sure that the property will remain properly insured during the occupation period.
4 June 2010Read More .....
Cape Town's ugly buildings
City Shockers Good Hope Centre & Cape Town Ritz Hotel (Sea Point).
30 April 2010Read More .....
Courts favour poor homeowners over banks
Courts are now more inclined to interpret the NCA in favour of those whose homes the banks try to repossess.
23 April 2010Read More .....
Court ruling property sale nightmare
Without a cut off date for bond approvals the seller cannot look for another buyer.
12 April 2010Read More .....
Cape Town's ugliest buildings and the history behind them.
CAPE TOWN - Cape Town's beauty is being spoilt by certain eyesores. Many of these buildings should never have been built and today stand out as ugly and iconic sore thumbs in our city.
16 March 2010Read More .....
Court shocker: Lazy lawyer's costly property error
Buyer snaps property ‘bargain of the century' from under a bank's nose
24 February 2010Read More .....
Construction starts at Knysna estate
Construction of infrastructure has begun at a 250-unit lifestyle estate which caters for a growing demand for retirement accommodation.
10 December 2009Read More .....
Coastal bargains abound this year
Holidaymakers who are flocking to the coast and contemplating the possibility of buying a holiday home, will find that there are a lot more bargains to be had this year.
8 December 2009Read More .....
CT CBD apartments almost completed
Six, the only residential development currently being built in the Cape Town CBD, is nearing completion.
7 December 2009Read More .....
Clifton home has hefty price tag
A home in Clifton's Nettleton Road has come on to the market at a whopping R47m.
1 December 2009Read More .....
CT CBD: Prices and other news
Entry-level prices in Cape Town's Central City currently range from around R650k, which will secure a bachelor pad or single bed apartment of around 50 to 65sqm.
20 November 2009Read More .....
CGT: The new rules for homes
Capital gains tax: What you pay when you sell your home.
11 November 2009Read More .....
Cape Quarter 'extension' opens
The Cape Quarter "extension", a 50,000sqm lifestyle development comprising retail space, offices, 14 luxury apartments, a gym, health spa and parking, was officially launched in the trendy De Waterkant area of Green Point, Cape Town, on Saturday 7 Novemb
10 November 2009Read More .....
Cape retire village starts phase 2
With the completion of the first development phase, Schonenberg Retirement Village in Somerset West is launching its second phase of construction.
27 October 2009Read More .....
Chef's CT home under hammer 6/11
The final hammer will fall on debt-ridden Irish celebrity-chef Conrad Gallagher, when his last asset in South Africa, a Cape Town designer home goes on auction in early November.
27 October 2009Read More .....
CT residential project 60% sold
Construction is now well underway on a trendy new residential development in Cape Town's Woodstock.
21 October 2009Read More .....
Calculate your bond and other costs
Wouldn't it be wonderful to know by how much you need to increase your monthly instalment to save on the down payment of your home loan?
21 October 2009Read More .....
Cape's Helderberg: Prices and more
Buyers in the Cape Peninsula's Helderberg area can find homes at anything from R250k to R22m.
16 October 2009Read More .....
Cross T's and dot I's with offer
Those who plan to buy a home should very definitely not wait until they make their final choice before getting their documentation in order.
15 October 2009Read More .....
Cheapies "the best" buy-to-rent investments
Look in less affluent areas for better returns
15 October 2009Read More .....
CT apartment block on market at R10,5m
A small apartment block on Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard has come on to the market at R10,5m.
15 October 2009Read More .....
Coastal areas to recover first
Housing markets of coastal cities are likely to bounce back sooner than that of their inland counterparts, latest data from industry players suggest.
12 October 2009Read More .....
Cape Metro res activity shoots up
The Third Quarter Cape Metro FNB Residential Property Barometer pointed to a significant jump in activity levels in the region, after a very weak second quarter level, FNB said on Wednesday.
8 October 2009Read More .....
CT home has R100m price tag
A modern home on Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard has come on to the market at a price of R100m.
6 October 2009Read More .....
Constantia sales up in this range
Sales activity in Cape Town's plush Constantia suburb is gradually starting to pick up with the R4m to R7m range drawing the most interest.
29 September 2009Read More .....
Cape Town property market is recovering - top agency
Inside Pam Golding Property group: what's selling, where rentals are heading
28 September 2009Read More .....
Cape Town's east side lights up
The East City precinct, which has lagged behind other parts of Cape Town in terms of investment and development, has been enjoying renewed interest in recent years.
28 September 2009Read More .....
Construction: Safety is your problem
According to construction regulations, it is the responsibility of property owners to ensure that any contractor working on site complies with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
25 September 2009Read More .....
Clifton property owners vs greedy developer
Row over R1m visitors' bays hits High Court
25 September 2009Read More .....
Catching the next property wave
Won't be long before prices climb; what Tito's returned to our wallets.
25 September 2009Read More .....
CAPE NEWS: Seaside homes still in demand
AIRS AND GRACES: This beautiful Bantry Bay house was recently sold for R25m by Dogon Group Properties.
25 September 2009Read More .....
Constantia apartment living
Citadel Constantiaberg, a seven-storey block of 91 luxury apartments, offers a rare opportunity for high-rise living in the heart of the Southern Suburbs.
22 September 2009Read More .....
Credit squeeze = saving = good!
Now that the credit crunch has closed the taps on the post-1994 national borrowing binge, South Africans are set to return once again to a culture of saving.
10 September 2009Read More .....
Camps Bay's mid-range still popular
There is still a high percentage of cash buyers in Camps Bay, with sustained interest in mid-range properties priced from around R7m to R15m.
10 September 2009Read More .....
Caster's family to get new house
The family of 800m track world champion Caster Semenya will soon be receiving a new house.
1 September 2009Read More .....
Can 2 agents claim commission? Yes!
What happens when an agent produces an offer on a property that has recently been mandated to another agent?
28 August 2009Read More .....
CT nails land use violations
The City of Cape Town's Land Use Enforcement Policy, adopted by the Planning and Environmental Portfolio Committee (Pepco) and enforced since the beginning of the year, has resulted in hundreds of businesses being closed down due to land use violations.
28 August 2009Read More .....
CT Central cooking despite recession
Robust local and foreign private investment projects in central Cape Town, coupled with public infrastructure development as the city gears up for 2010, indicate that large development projects still retain strong appeal despite the current risk-averse e
26 August 2009Read More .....
Crime still a burden on market
South African property owners have over the past 20 months weathered several major storms with commendable success – but one factor, crime, is still a cause of concern and a serious dampener on the property market.
25 August 2009Read More .....
Cutting VAT costs on holiday properties
When you can, can't absorb VAT - tax expert.
25 August 2009Read More .....
Conveyancers - fees, tasks
Conveyancing attorneys play a vital role in the registration of every property transfer or bond, but their role is often misunderstood. Furthermore legal fees are often a hidden cost that may come as a surprise to first-time buyers. Heather Briggs of She
21 August 2009Read More .....
Check bank insurance on bond
Those fortunate applicants (still only 65% of the total) who are granted home loans by the banks should take note that the loan package will usually include insurance on the property – and this will be issued by the bank itself.
21 August 2009Read More .....
Co-ownership is not democracy
When people jointly inherit a property, the resulting co-ownership is the same as if the persons have purchased the property together.
12 August 2009Read More .....
Check communication with deal
In South Africa, for there to be a binding property contract you need an offer and an acceptance of that offer.
7 August 2009Read More .....
Create your own outdoor gallery
WOODEN WONDER: A sculpture made from nature as well as sculptural forms in Craig Hunter’s garden, Elliptical.
31 July 2009Read More .....
Cape municipality buys land to ease overcrowding
They bought two pieces of land from the Oceana group.
3 August 2009Read More .....
CC property sales: Verbal agreements are binding
Sellers beware - new court judgment
27 July 2009Read More .....
Coastal property: Some buying tips
What factors need to be taken in consideration when investing in these properties?
27 July 2009Read More .....
Court decision upholds payment rules
A recent Supreme Court of Appeal decision should be sending a warning signal to all who believe that in a property purchase agreement they may be able to avoid the primary obligation of paying the full amount within the stipulated period.
22 July 2009Read More .....
Convert your walls in 1,2,3,4!
Home décor and DIY expert Janice Anderssen shows how to easily create the look of old, faded adobe walls by simply applying the paint with a variety of trowels.
20 July 2009Read More .....
Care needed when using new globes
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are generally welcomed as a more efficient alternative to incandescent bulbs in homes – but environmentalists and health experts are now concerned about their long-term impact.
17 July 2009Read More .....
Changes to taxes on estates
The draft Taxation Laws Amendment Bill, 2009, released recently for public comments, contains two significant estate duty amendments that affect property.
16 July 2009Read More .....
Cladding: The customer decides the value
CAST IN CONCRETE: SmartStone’s Wynberg Cladding is an example of quality cast stone cladding.
10 July 2009Read More .....
CT rental market holding its own
There is ongoing demand for rental properties in the Cape Town metropolitan area, particularly for long-term rentals and those in the upper price brackets.
6 July 2009Read More .....
Cape Town's property show board whammy
City more than doubles fee for sign boards. Agent outcry, as range of fee increases adds to cost of selling property
2 July 2009Read More .....
Council service delivery failures
Controversial columnist Paddy Hartdegen laments the lack of service delivery by local councils and the resultant erosion of our infrastructure.
29 June 2009Read More .....
Consumer Protection Act deals a blow to landlords
THE Consumer Protection Act 2008 was assented to on April 24 this year. One wonders whether all of the consequences of the act, particularly in the context of leases, were intentional or whether some of the provisions of the act, and their consequences,
1 July 2009Read More .....
Children crucial to home security
Children are an integral part when planning for a home's security, especially when they are at home alone or during weekend or holiday periods.
26 June 2009Read More .....
Cheap is popular in Bela Bela
Residential properties under R600k are most sought after in Bela Bela as affordability reigns supreme.
24 June 2009Read More .....
Cape metro market starts to pick up
There was a significant increase in sales activity in the Western Cape Metro region in May, and this made up for a slow April, when many buyers adopted a cautious approach ahead of the elections and were distracted by the many public holidays.
23 June 2009Read More .....
Colouring your world
The latest and trendiest colour palettes find their foundation in the comfort-creating hues of times past, but these nurturing colours have been further enhanced with a range of supplementary shades that offer an optimistic cheerfulness combined with pal
23 June 2009Read More .....
Cash buyers like WC's rural Stanford
There has been a surge in activity in the property market in the small Western Cape village of Stanford, situated in the Overberg, just inland from the Hermanus.
18 June 2009Read More .....
Co-ordinate for style
Pulling together all the various elements in a decorative scheme is not difficult to accomplish. Using continuity of pattern and co-ordinated colour, you can achieve effective results throughout your home.
12 June 2009Read More .....
Constantia getting low cost housing?
The Constantia Property Owner's Association (CPOA) has voiced concern about the transfer of provincial land in the plush suburb to the then National Housing Department's Housing Development Agency, a body charged with the development of low cost housing.
11 June 2009Read More .....
Check the floorplan before you buy
Buyers have to be absolutely certain that the layout of their home suits their lifestyle, age and needs.
9 June 2009Read More .....
CT shuts 31 residential businesses
The City of Cape Town closed down 31 illegal businesses operating in the Blaauwberg area between December 2008 and March 2009 and issued summonses to 69 others who failed to comply with instructions to close.
5 June 2009Read More .....
CT housing grants to ease pressure
About 66 000 families living in Council housing properties throughout Cape Town could qualify for the City of Cape Town's latest housing indigent grants and pay much less rental each month.
4 June 2009Read More .....
Centurion estate pipes in gas
In a pioneering move, Southdowns Estate in Centurion is set to supply the entire complex with natural gas via its own gas pipeline at the end of May.
4 June 2009Read More .....
Country décor
The English country style of décor gives you a fresh, informal look which is ideally suited to today's relaxed lifestyles. And its cosy, warm and welcoming effect is equally at home in town or country.
4 June 2009Read More .....
Creating a herb garden
A herb garden can be as large and complex, or as small and simple as you like, depending on the amount of space you want to allow for it and how you choose to organise it.
29 May 2009Read More .....
Cederberg eco-estate goes fractional
An eco-estate in the Cederberg will soon launch its fractional ownership option.
28 May 2009Read More .....
Cape affordable project greened
A 1,5 hectare greening project was launched at an affordable project just off the coast of False Bay.
14 May 2009Read More .....
Centurion estate gets more phases
Three final sections are likely to be added to a security estate in Centurion by the end of next year.
14 May 2009Read More .....
Choose the right floor
Choosing the right type of floor for your home is a big decision, and often a big investment. Because there are so many different styles available, it's essential that you understand both the practical and aesthetic factors of each material.
14 May 2009Read More .....
Cut-price commissions at "jumbo" property auctions
More than 100 properties to be sold at a time; less commission on the day.
12 May 2009Read More .....
Cape Waterfront owner in controversial Zimbabwe land deal
Dubai World pours big money into game farm run by Charles Davy - dad of Prince Harry's ex, Chelsy, and said to have links to Mugabe regime
11 May 2009Read More .....
CT mixed-use estate expands
The final phase of a commercial and residential estate in Cape Town's Tygervalley has been launched.
8 May 2009Read More .....
Check commercial contract clauses
A recent court case has shown how absolutely essential it is for a tenant in a retail/commercial centre to understand in full the conditions under which he signed his lease.
6 May 2009Read More .....
City Bowl rentals escalating
Rentals in the City Bowl area of Cape Town are escalating rapidly as strict bank lending protocols take the wind out of potential buyers' sails.
5 May 2009Read More .....
Capital Gains Tax explained
There are still some potential property investors who are reluctant to commit themselves to a property purchase because they have the idea that the capital gains on property are more severely taxed than other profits.
30 April 2009Read More .....
Constantia gets security development
A new boutique security development situated in the Constantia winelands has reached completion.
29 April 2009Read More .....
Calm your home, calm your nerves
Home décor and DIY expert Janice Anderssen shows how to make your home healthier and you happier by doing some uncluttering and remooding.
21 April 2009Read More .....
Centurion drawing first-time buyers
Centurion's plethora of sectional title properties has been drawing a steady stream of buy-to-let investors and first-time buyers in recent years.
21 April 2009Read More .....
CT Deeds Office: What's wrong?
What is going on at the Cape Town Deeds Office?
21 April 2009Read More .....
Crime and your property’s value
Property strategist says crime’s only a small reason people sell their properties.
17 April 2009Read More .....
Constantia home on market at R34m
A 1,000sq m Constantia home with price tag of R34m has come on to the market.
16 April 2009Read More .....
Colour your child's room
Home décor and DIY expert Janice Anderssen shows how kids bedrooms can be fun and colourful.
14 April 2009Read More .....
Cape homeowners should hang tight
Every Cape property owner should hang on to their property investments for another 18 months if they can possibly afford to do so.
27 March 2009Read More .....
Cook in colour
Regardless of whether your kitchen boasts a rustic country style, or whether it is über contemporary, the creative use of colour represents an attractive way of rejuvenating this hard-working, all-important family space.
26 March 2009Read More .....
Cape benefits from returning expats
The much-discussed return of South African expatriates from overseas countries hit by the world's economic woes is having a beneficial effect on the Cape property market.
18 March 2009Read More .....
CBD student accommodation popular
With record numbers of students entering universities this year, demand for student accommodation in central Johannesburg is starting to outstrip supply.
13 March 2009Read More .....
Cash buyers active in Mossel Bay
Cash buyers are doing the rounds in Mossel Bay as property prices shift down a notch.
13 March 2009Read More .....
CC could save members transfer tax
The transfer of shares in a property-owning company is treated differently to the transfer of a membership in a closed corporation.
12 March 2009Read More .....
Carpet care
Keeping your carpets clean does not only enhance the beauty of your home, but it will also ensure you of a much healthier environment to live in.
12 March 2009Read More .....
Credit crunch boosts CT rentals
Discerning buyers in Cape Town are opting to rent first, pushing up demand for quality accommodation and laying the foundation for a buoyant rentals market.
10 March 2009Read More .....
China steel giant buys prime Joburg property
Iron ore importer to move into R500m Sandton office development.
9 March 2009Read More .....
Create trust to save property tax
If you own property, particularly two or three different properties, what is the best way to minimise tax and avoid difficulties in passing these on to your heirs, along with other assets, after your death?
4 March 2009Read More .....
Cape rentals boosted these factors
In the face of high interest rates and stricter than ever lending conditions at the country's banks, many would-be first-time homeowners are finding it difficult to enter the market at present.
3 March 2009Read More .....
