Popular Articles
ARE APPROVED BUILDING PLANS NEEDED WHEN SELLING IN SA?
Is the seller obliged to give copies of the plans of their property to prospective buyers? This is a question that comes up time and again during the sales process. The short answer is “No.” The long answer is a bit more complicated: it’s also the buyer’s right to ask for them, and even to include a clause to that effect in the offer to purchase (OTP). It is good to be prepared for this possibilit
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INSTALLING ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IS ABOUT MORE THAN LOAD-SHEDDING
Installing alternative energy solutions is about more than managing the fall-out from load-shedding: by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, we’re also doing our bit for the planet. In this article, we explore various options from which homeowners can choose and at the same time, potentially improve both your quality of life and the value of your property. What to consider when investigatin
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INSTALLING SOLAR POWER - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
With the international trend towards renewable energy, folk are looking to solar power as an alternative to plugging into the main grid — especially in South Africa. If you are thinking of doing the same, then here’s what you’ll need to know… What is solar power? Solar effectively means from the sun, so solar power systems harness the light and heat energy that comes from the sun. At the beg
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GOOD NEWS FOR HOMEOWNERS: INTEREST RATES REMAIN UNCHANGED
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announced today that interest rates will remain stable at 8.25% (repo rate), leaving the prime lending rate at 11.75%. This comes as some much-needed relief as many debt holders are struggling to keep up with repayments, even at the current rates. Given that inflation increased to 5,4% in September from 4,8% in August, it is understandable that interest rates
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CHOOSING A NEW HOMETOWN: RELOCATION 101
There are a myriad of reasons why people move to new towns or cities, ranging from retirement and lifestyle choices, to transfers and employment opportunities. Whatever the reason, the key to making it work for you is in your homework. Like so much in life, the 80:20 principle applies. In this case, the 80% is your research (homework) and the other 20% is the actual relocation. In this article
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WHERE TO STUDY REAL ESTATE COURSES IN SA
There is a lot more to being a real estate agent than sales. Property is a complex and diverse field. When you embark on a career in this field, there are many courses on offer which can make it tricky to choose the course of study that will give you a firm foundation on which to build your professional presence in the industry. A reminder: With the promulgation of the Property Practitioners
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WORKING OUT THE INTEREST ON MY HOME LOAN
In South Africa, interest rates can fluctuate from time to time. It is important to know what this means for your monthly expenses, especially for the big-ticket items like home loans, vehicle finance agreements and credit cards. What is interest? Before we look at how to calculate the interest you pay on a loan, let’s understand what “interest” means. In general terms, interest is the fe
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