Will solar power increase the value of your home?
The upfront investment is high, which you’ll want to recover when you sell.Stage 6 loadshedding is now firmly in effect, many South Africans are without power for up to 12 hours each day, and the threat of Stage 8 blackouts looms large on the horizon. It’s no wonder then that many households are turning to […]
Can neighbours interfere in building plans?
Disputes between neighbours tend to ensue where an owner decides to build on or renovate their property and the neighbouring owner believes that such building works will have a detrimental effect on their property rights. Neighbours who are disgruntled by the noise nuisance, possible obstruction of an existing view from their property, or the aesthetic features of the building works, […]
The low-down on property auctions
Buying and selling properties through auction has always been a staple of the real estate market. And to this day, it remains one of the best ways to purchase properties at bargain prices. Unfortunately, numerous misconceptions around properties that go up for auction also exist, some of which are entirely unfounded and can be easily dispelled. “Only properties that have been repossessed by the bank go on auction.” Voluntary auctions are events where […]
The new age of property viewings has arrived
The real estate industry has always been known for utilising the latest technologies available to bring buyers and sellers together. From announcements at Town Hall gatherings to the printing presses, the introduction of radios and television sets in households, and finally the World Wide Web, property practitioners have always been on the lookout for the […]
Post-lockdown property
At the end of the national lockdown, many South Africans will have gotten to know their properties better than the architects who designed them. For some, this time will lead to ways they plan to improve their homes, for others, it will leave them desperately wanting to never see the same four walls again. But […]
How to invest in co-working spaces
When walking into a co-working space, the first thing you will notice is that the atmosphere feels completely different from a regular office. You will feel a sense of excitement and collaboration in the air with a mixture of occupants who are deep in focus at their very own private desks, as well as other […]
Demystifying “non-refundable deposits”, “rouwkoop” and “penalty clauses” in sale of property agreements
The sale or purchase of a property is for many people one of the most important transactions that they will enter into in their lifetime. The parties to a Sale of Land Agreement will inevitably enter into a contractual relationship which will have legal consequences for both the purchaser and the seller. It is often […]
Joint ownership: How do I terminate without the co-operation of the other joint owner?
Nature of joint ownership: Joint owners own undivided shares in the property which they own jointly. Consequently, the joint owners cannot divide the joint property while the joint ownership remains in existence, and a joint owner also cannot alienate the property or a part thereof without the consent of the other joint owner. The rights […]
The hidden cha-ching when selling your home
Selling your home involves various costs, and you may get out of your sale less than what you expected. Do these costs apply to you? *The original version of this article can be found on the Steeple website. Bond costs Cancellation Costs If you have an existing bond with a bank, you will be charged […]
Can the future development of a property be stopped?
The provincial heritage resources authority (PHRA) granted a permit in terms of Section 34 of the National Heritage Resources Act 25 of 1999 for the demolition of a structure that was older than 60 years and situated on a property with no formal heritage status. By doing so, conditions were imposed controlling future development on […]