Buying property can be overwhelming. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment when it could potentially be your dream home. You may forget to ask vitally important questions that may play a key role in final decision making.
Important Factors To Consider When Buying Property:
Location, Location, Location!
Whether you are purchasing your dream home or as an investment, you need to consider the area you are purchasing in. The first step is to do some research on the area you have in mind. You will look at factors such as property prices in the area, how much selling/buying activity is in the area, what features/amenities the area boasts that may add value to property etc.
You can conduct your research through browsing the internet or you could find a reputable Real Estate Agent to guide you through the process.
Comparing Prices:
Once again you could either make use of the services of an Estate Agent or you could do a little homework yourself by browsing the internet. Choose a reputable and prominent property portal (for example, Private Property or Property 24), and start by selecting the properties which are in your price range and then compare the features. These include, the number of bedrooms & bathrooms; number of reception areas; garden/pool; security features; Erf size. This should give you a fairly good idea of what you can expect to pay in your area of choice.
Consider The Costs:
Water, electricity, rates, and levies (in respect of sectional title property) are all costs that need to be included in your budget. It is wise to know exactly what your monthly payments will amount to, including all additional costs.
Doing this before you set your heart on purchasing a property may save you from making a potentially financially crippling commitment. Consider possible increases in interest rates and utilities and make provision for this in your budget.
Once-Off Costs:
Regular Monthly Costs:
Variable Rate:
The most conventional interest rate, the Variable Rate, applies to most home loans. It is linked to the base home loan rate and is subject to fluctuations of this rate.
Fixed Rate:
The Fixed Rate is the rate contracted between you and the bank for a predetermined term. The Fixed Rate will appeal to those who wish to fix their home loan repayments without the influence of the mortgage bond rate.
The Offer To Purchase:
An Offer to Purchase is an agreement that stipulates the terms and conditions of the property transaction. Everything that is agreed upon must be listed in the Offer. This should cover the date of occupation; occupational rent; fixtures and fittings, and conditions of sale.
Conditions of a Sale:
The Offer can be subject to many conditions stipulated by either the seller or the purchaser.
These conditions mean that the sale cannot proceed unless they have been fullfilled. The most common Conditions of a Sale can include "This sale is subject to bond approval" and "This sale is subject to the sale of the buyer’s property".
More examples of possible Conditions of Sale:
