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INTEREST RATES DROP TO A RECORD LOW AS LOCKDOWN CONTINUES

INTEREST RATES DROP TO A RECORD LOW AS LOCKDOWN CONTINUES

Following a record-breaking streak of interest rates cuts in January, March and April, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) again announced some further relief for South Africans today by lowering the interest rate by 50 basis points. The repo rate, therefore, drops to 3.75%, leaving the prime lending rate at 7.25% According to Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Gosle

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HOW TO HELP YOUR AGENT SELL YOUR HOME DURING LOCKDOWN

HOW TO HELP YOUR AGENT SELL YOUR HOME DURING LOCKDOWN

Under certain lockdown restrictions, real estate services are not allowed to operate, which means that sellers will need to help their real estate agents if they want to sell while the restrictions are in place. Below are some tips on how to help your agent sell your home during lockdown if they are unable to provide their services: Schedule a Virtual Valuation Though a thorough physical in

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5 WAYS TO KNOW WHEN YOU'RE READY TO BUY A HOUSE

5 WAYS TO KNOW WHEN YOU'RE READY TO BUY A HOUSE

We’ve all thought about buying our first house. From, the location to your ideal bedroom-to-bathroom ratio. However, apart from finding the perfect home and dealing with the often complex process of home buying, there are other aspects you should consider before taking the step from potential home buyer to first-time homeowner. While this is an incredibly exciting time, don’t allow

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HELP: WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU CAN’T PAY YOUR HOME LOAN

HELP: WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU CAN’T PAY YOUR HOME LOAN

The impact of COVID-19 has left many desperate for help and unable to pay their home loans. While for some, it may simply be a matter of readjusting certain behaviours to rectify their financial situation, others may find themselves in more dire circumstances. The best advice is to avoid feeling so shameful about your financial distress that you avoid asking for help. Homeowners in financial tr

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HOW MILLENIALS CAN SAVE TO BUY THEIR FIRST HOME

HOW MILLENIALS CAN SAVE TO BUY THEIR FIRST HOME

Millennials (those in their 30s and under) have been biding their time, slowly progressing in their career, paying off student debt and building up savings (hopefully) as they wait for an opportunity to enter the property market. The current financial crisis in which we find ourselves presents this age group with the perfect opportunity to find their dream home at a price they can finally afford.

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THE DOS AND DON’T’S OF HOME EQUITY

THE DOS AND DON’T’S OF HOME EQUITY

For those who have equity available in the bond accounts, it can be tempting to withdraw some of the money and use it for more immediate needs or wants. While some reasons for using the equity make good financial sense, others don’t – the decision will largely be based on the homeowner’s circumstances and plans. Below are a few of the reasons why homeowners might be tempted to

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ARE YOU FINANCIALLY PREPARED TO BUY YOUR FIRST HOME?

ARE YOU FINANCIALLY PREPARED TO BUY YOUR FIRST HOME?

The process of buying your first home is incredibly exciting, however, if you want to avoid disappointment, you need to get your financial ducks in a row before you apply for a home loan. Below are a few financial questions you should ask yourself before applying for a home loan: 1. What is my credit score? Remember, you’re aiming for a favourable and clean credit record, as this will

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5 THINGS TO AVOID DURING THE HOME BUYING PROCESS

5 THINGS TO AVOID DURING THE HOME BUYING PROCESS

You’ve been browsing for property online, and finally found a house you can call home. Although being prepared and having your deposit ready is essential, other factors come into play that could prolong the process of buying your dream home. However, taking these factors into consideration and monitoring your spending can increase the chances of your bond being approved. Below are 5 thing

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FEATURES TO MAINTAIN DURING LOCKDOWN

FEATURES TO MAINTAIN DURING LOCKDOWN

Buying a house is an incredible milestone to achieve, especially if it's your first home. However, it comes with its own set of responsibilities, including regular maintenance to ensure that certain features don’t turn into a major problem or a financial burden down the line. By performing regular maintenance checks yourself, you’ll avoid having to pay for costly repairs that could

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HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME BY THINKING LIKE A BURGLAR

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME BY THINKING LIKE A BURGLAR

The chance of home burglary is something we all hope to avoid. That’s why it’s important to consider how a criminal might view your property to identify any weak spots that could make your home a target. Try to view your home through the eyes of a burglar to identify some of the potential threats to your home security. Below are a few tips on how to help you protect your home by thi

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4 RULES TO FOLLOW IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD SECURITY GROUP

4 RULES TO FOLLOW IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD SECURITY GROUP

Social media has become the go-to platform for communication and connectivity. Most of us are dependent on platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook to stay informed. In certain neighbourhoods, complexes and estates, the community will form groups on social media for the sole purpose of exchanging important information around neighbourhood safety, such as a nearby break-in or a dangerous con-artist tha

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HOW THE PROPERTY MARKET WILL PERFORM POST-LOCKDOWN

HOW THE PROPERTY MARKET WILL PERFORM POST-LOCKDOWN

There is a lot of uncertainty around how various sectors of the economy will perform once we gradually emerge from the various levels of national lockdown and return to business as somewhat unusual. One sector of the economy that stands to be greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic is the housing market. While interest in the property market has been stimulated through interest rate cuts, afford

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