Protecting Your Home
Top tips for choosing the right security company. Crime is a pressing concern in South Africa, and securing your home adequately is crucial. A robust security system, backed up by reliable response and maintenance teams, is a strong deterrent against criminal activity. It reduces the likelihood of break-ins, theft, and violent crime, giving you greater […]
Empowering Homeowners: How the CSOSA Transforms Community Living in South Africa
Community living in South Africa, whether in homeowners’ associations (HOAs), sectional title schemes, or housing estates, comes with unique challenges. Disputes over governance, finances, and maintenance can disrupt harmony and strain relationships. Enter the Community Schemes Ombud Service Act 9 of 2011 (CSOSA), a groundbreaking law designed to address these issues and empower homeowners and […]
Subdivision and Consolidation of Land
Do you have a big piece of land that is becoming expensive and labour-intensive to maintain? Or perhaps you have two adjacent properties you’d like to combine into a larger erf? Subdividing or consolidating could be the ideal solution for you. Subdivision of your property has many benefits for you as the owner. Subdividing can […]
How the New Expropriation Act Shapes Land Acquisition in South Africa
How the New Expropriation Act Shapes Land Acquisition in South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa recently signed the Expropriation Act into law, replacing a 50-year-old statute and providing a clearer framework for expropriating property in South Africa. This Act, which aligns with Section 25 of the Constitution, outlines how the government can acquire land for public […]
Is Bond Switching the Key to Lower Mortgage Payments?
Is Bond Switching the Key to Lower Mortgage Payments? In recent years, bond switching has become an increasingly popular choice among homeowners looking to reduce their monthly payments, access better loan terms, or take advantage of improved interest rates. But is switching your home loan the right move for you? Before making any decisions, it’s […]
Renting vs Buying: The Pros and Cons
In a lowering interest environment, tenants are reconsidering their priorities. Driven by reduced interest rates and more lenient loan criteria, tenants are starting to have their sights firmly set on owning a home. While many—particularly the ‘millennial generation’—chose to travel and live more ‘freely’ in the past, priorities have since changed. The pressing question right […]
Why a Home Loan Prequalification Matters
So you’ve been looking to buy your dream home, and you’ve seen something for sale that grabs your fancy. Now imagine yourself walking through the front door carrying a suitcase filled with cash. You’ll certainly get the buyer’s attention, won’t you? Of course, not many people are in the fortunate position of being able to […]
Who Owns Your Home—the Bank, or You?
With the vast majority of homes being financed through the country’s biggest banks, the popular online debate around who owns a mortgaged home in South Africa continues. While some would argue that the bank owns your home, the truth lies in two salient points: As a homeowner, the important decisions related to your home are […]
Understanding Homeowners Associations (HOAs)
If you are considering buying a property in a housing development, it’s essential to understand what a Homeowners Association (HOA) is and how it operates. HOAs are legal entities responsible for managing and regulating housing development schemes. Although homeowners own their individual properties, the HOA maintains and oversees communal infrastructure, such as roads, security systems, […]
Are You Obligated to Pay Arrear Levies When Purchasing a Sectional Title Unit? Part 1
Recently, the High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) was required to interpret Section 15B(3)(a)(i)(aa) of the Sectional Titles Act 95 of 1986 in relation to a sale in execution in the case of the Body Corporate of Marsh Rose v Arno Steinmuller and others. The Sectional Titles Act 95 of 1986 stipulates […]