Most Recent Living Articles
ADVICE FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS
Being a successful real estate agent requires effort, commitment, and mastery of the fundamentals. For individuals with the drive to succeed, a career in real estate can be among the most profitable. But with so many individuals entering the real estate business, you have to go the extra mile. We’ve compiled some advice below that will help make your climb to the top a little easier. We e
Read more7 CREATIVE UPCYCLING IDEAS FOR YOUR GARDEN
There are so many amazing upcycling ideas for the garden that are super easy and cheap to do. Not only does upcycling reduce waste, but it also aids in cutting costs. Breathe new life into old household items by giving them a thrifty makeover for the garden. Grab your fellow eco-conscious individuals and embark on a new journey as you tackle some of these creative upcycled garden ideas and impleme
Read moreAVOID THIS PROPERTY SCAM
Within these challenging economic times, the number of property scams are on the rise. RE/MAX of Southern Africa has received several reports of various real estate agent scams taking place and warns consumers to remain vigilant against them. “With interest rates climbing, times are tough for many South Africans. This could lead to more opportunist crimes as people become increasing
Read moreHOW INTEREST RATES AFFECT YOUR HOME LOAN?
When you take out a home loan, the bank will charge you a rate for lending you that money. This charge is calculated as a percentage of your home loan amount and is known as your interest rate. The lower this interest rate, the better it will be for you. Sounds simple, right? Sadly, it’s a bit more complicated than this because the interest rate the bank grants you is linked to the Prime
Read moreHow do deposits work for first-time buyers?
Buying a home is a long-term financial commitment. It can feel a bit daunting to consider how to afford the monthly home loan repayments, especially if you are a first-time buyer. But, it is possible to lessen this expense by paying a deposit. In addition to increasing the chances of your home loan being approved, there are many other reasons why a deposit will benefit you as the buyer in both the
Read moreINTEREST RATES CLIMB AS EXPECTED
Homeowners will have to adjust to higher home loan repayments following the latest announcement by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). The repo rate climbs by another 75 basis points to 6.25%, leaving the prime lending rate at 9.75%. Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett says that the impact of these interest rate hikes might only be felt next year,
Read moreFinding Local and sustainable home décor
Sustainability is “in”. Not only is it fashionable, but it is also the right thing to do. But, what does it mean, and can we find and incorporate sustainability into the décor of our home? What does sustain(ability) mean? To sustain something, in the simplest terms, is to keep something going. This is at the heart of the global sustainability trend: keeping our planet aliv
Read moreWhat are the Required Documents for Home Loan Applications
Buying a property and applying for home loans could leave you feeling anxious. There are so many unknowns - what documents do I need, how long does it take to get approval, and should I buy a house by myself or with a partner? Not knowing could make you feel discouraged, and that’s why knowledge is power, especially if you are a first-time home buyer. You can find the answers to most of y
Read moreHow Much Should You Earn to Qualify for a Home Loan in SA?
Unless you earned an early inheritance or have been diligently saving for years, applying for a home loan is something you most likely will have to do to buy a house. In South Africa, the bond that prospective homeowners can afford from banks or specialist home loan providers depends on several factors, including things such as your take-home pay, your credit score, and the size of the deposit you
Read moreHow To Prepare Your Home For A Sale
When preparing your home for sale, there are some simple, inexpensive things you can do to increase its appeal to potential buyers. These steps have the potential to lead to a quicker sale and possibly even increase your home’s selling price. Detach yourself from the home First things first, take the time to say your goodbyes. Why? Because this is no longer your home. It is now a produ
Read moreWhat does living “off the grid” mean?
The concept of living off-the-grid is used a lot, but what exactly does it mean? While technically referring to the concept of having the ability to live completely self-sufficiently and to be disconnected from the main electric and water grids, to many, living off-the-grid also means moving to the countryside, having a simpler life by reducing the number of resources consumed, and participating m
Read moreCan South Africans Buy Property in Other Countries?
Have you ever asked yourself “can I buy property outside of South Africa”? If yes, then you’ve stumbled across the right blog post. There are many reasons why South Africans might seek offshore real estate opportunities. They may want to diversify their investment portfolios or possibly are seeking offshore investments that offer alternative residency (or even citizenship) benefi
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