Once we begin to work with you as a buyer, we will sit down with you, ask a range of questions, and listen carefully to your answers. Our purpose during this initial interview, and through following chats, is to get a clear idea of what kind of property you are looking for and your approximate price range. We explain how we will function as your representative, what the local market is like, and what we can do to help you locate that perfect home.
It is important for you as a prospective buyer to be as clear as possible about your needs. After we have talked and you have decided how much you can comfortably spend, we will know how to facilitate your home search. We won't take you through a three-story colonial with a top floor master suite if you want to avoid climbing up and down stairs! Establishing clear communication with our clients helps us save you hours of unfocused house hunting.
To assist in this, you can download a home checklist here. This will assist you in considering all aspects and deciding which are most important to you. There might even be some issues you had not thought of and now can think about as we go about our viewing.
Getting the Reasons Right
What style of home is right
Consider your own lifestyle
Think of the Future
New or Previously Owned
Type of housing Unit
Size and Space
Interior Features
Exterior Features
Broader Issues
And Finally....Resale Value.
GETTING THE REASONS RIGHT
Read the article on Reasons for Buying Property to understand the full spectrum of property ownership. While many of these issues might not be critical to you, they are well worth considering.
For most, buying a home is simply that – owning your own home instead of being at the mercy of a landlord. The style and layout of the home is therefore what is important to you. But it is time to consider issues such as the home also being an investment. Would you rather settle for second choice in style for the sake of better re-sale? How many years till retirement – If it is a short period maybe you want quicker, short term profits so as to move into a retirement home.
Make sure you give these issue some thought.
WHAT STYLE OF HOME DO YOU LIKE To Top
While there are not many homes along a definite style available, many do have a certain feel or overall impression to them. From the outside you might like a cottage look or Spanish Hacienda. From the inside you might prefer large, open and flowing spaces – or perhaps lots of nook sand crannies.
Settle in your mind if there are any specific looks you prefer – and this can be as basic as preferring a simple design with a flat roof.
Do remember that unusual homes are generally not fast sellers as we have to find a buyer with that exact taste.
CONSIDER YOUR OWN LIFESTYLE To Top
Are you an entertainer? Love having groups of people around? Then a flat is not for you.
Or perhaps you are always on the move – perhaps a unit in a townhouse complex is the better choice so as to allow you better security as well as minimal garden maintenance.
If you are a real homebody, then a home with a garden and even some fixing up work might be your option so that you can enjoy spending your weekends pottering around the house and garden.
Are you a committed weekend braai person – then you will need the facilities for that. Or are you a hobbyist that will need spare rooms or extra garage space?
Is the house and land suitable for your stage in life – are there too many stairs, is the garden too steep?
THINK OF THE FUTURE To Top
Are you planning children soon? Property is not a quick buck investment so you will need, generally to stay for a few years before selling in order to make good returns. If children are on the way and you will need extra space, rather buy that space now.
Is there a chance you will work from home. If so make sure the current home can be adapted. Also check zoning restrictions.
What about Mom and Dad that might be moving in? Is there enough space currently or will the erf size allow for a garden flatlet?
NEW OR PREVIOUSLY OWNED To Top
New home construction is changing all the time as builders try to adapt designs to today's lifestyles, make the most of living space, and incorporate new technology, building materials or equipment while keeping prices affordable. This generally means that the style of home is current and therefore more easily sellable in the future.
Buying a new home is an attractive option because everything is fresh and new, from floors to appliances. Most developers will allow you to choose from a variety of finishes such as paint, wallpaper, tiling, carpeting, certain light fittings etc. Check the contract carefully, and if possible even get legal opinion, as there might be hidden costs and conditions.
Of course, you can, instead of buying into an existing development, do your own plot and plan building. Banks do finance these and I will be able to assist in the appointment of an architect, registered builder etc. Remember though that costs to build often blow out, not to mention energy, time and dedication to manage the process.
Newness itself is also a virtual assurance that your maintenance costs will be predictable. Ensure however, that the contractor is registered so that you have the necessary builder's warranty against actual flaws.
Do bear in mind, that in many instances, a show house that has been built, is of superior quality to that of the final houses being built. If you choose to go the route of buying into a development, do not be afraid to be on site regularly ensuring everything is being done according to expectation. Irritating the builder is your right – you are spending a lot of money
Most buyers however will be buying a previously owned home. Homes with a past have special appeal. An existing home is a settled place (literally). The foundation, the landscaping, the neighbourhood, including its services, are about where they are probably going to be for some time.
The home has a lived-in look. Some rooms may be larger than in new homes, woodwork has mellowed, the garden is a generous size. The price may be lower (per square metre) because of historic building costs.
It is important, however, to be on the lookout for wear-and-tear. If in doubt, or just for peace of mind, you can hire a certified building inspector for a professional opinion. Also be on the lookout for illegal building work. See more under the section House Inspection.
Also check for uniformity. If alterations have been done you might often find aluminium windows for instance on one section and steel in another. This does not add to the overall appeal and could affect your future resale value.
If you are a handyman you might consider a house that needs a bit of work. You can generally negotiate better prices on fixer uppers and then set about finishing it off just the way you want it.
TYPE OF HOUSING UNIT To Top
While traditionally, South Africans have preferred stand alone units, changes in lifestyle, rapid urbanisation an other factors have caused an ever increasing demand in apartments, sectional title units and the like. You need to consider each option when beginning your home search. To fully understand the legal implications of each, please read the Legal Section.
As always, it is important to remember that you are not only buying for yourself but also for your future seller – so consider your future sale one day when making your choice.
Many families are now choosing to look at multiple family homes – joint ownership of a property. This means shared costs of maintaining the property etc.
Stand Alone homes remain the most common form of property ownership and probably will be for many years to come. You own your home on your stand and can pretty much do with it as you please. The flipside, are the costs and the responsibility toward maintenance, insurance etc etc.
Buying sectional tile such as a townhouse development means you are offered additional security and a sense of communal living. You own your unit and have a share in the communal roads open areas etc. What is also means is that you are often restricted in making alterations, colour of exterior paint and so on. Another benefit of course is that the entire complex is run by a “Body Corporate” which handles insurance, general maintenance etc. In return, you pay a monthly levy.
Do keep in mind, that you will be at the mercy of this Association who can decide whether pets are acceptable, parking arrangements and so on. Our advice is to get involved in the management of your unit so that you can help guide the standards within the complex.
A recent trend, only just catching on in SA, is that of a Co-operative. In some USA and European cities, cooperative apartments are common. With co-ops, you purchase shares in a corporation that owns the whole building, and you receive a lease to your own unit. A board of directors, comprised of owners and elected by owners, supervises the building management. Monthly charges include your share of an overall mortgage on the building.
SIZE AND SPACE To Top
It is important to consider the size of individuals rooms that you will require. If you are a family that spends extensive time together and entertains, then your living room must be able to accommodate this.
What age are your children? What size rooms do they require. Are you a bedroom person that is looking for a large main bedroom? And of course how many bedrooms do you need?
If cooking is your passion the make sure the kitchen will give you the space to do so.
As you look at homes, you may want to keep in mind these resale considerations.
- One-bedroom units are more difficult to resell than two-bedroomed units.
- Two-bedroom/one-bath single houses generally have less appeal than houses with three or more bedrooms, and therefore have less appreciation potential.
- Second bathrooms are in the medium to upper class brackets almost compulsory
INTERIOR FEATURES To Top
Do you want hardwood flooring, tiles or carpet? Must the kitchen be modern and recently refurbished?
Are walk in closets a must?
Basically, the idea is to give thought to every single part of the home deciding which issues are most important to you. Which are critical and which would just be nice but won’t really affect your decision.
Remember to use our checklist provided to go through your wish list step by step so when you begin viewing, you can compare each home to what it is you are truly seeking. Remember though, the perfect house is yet to be built. Even owner builders, with hindsight would of changed certain aspects of their design.
Use wisdom and be reasonable when searching.
EXTERIOR FEATURES To Top
Must the garden be level or do you prefer terraced? Must it be immaculate or do you want to lay it out and set up the garden yourself?
Fully fenced necessary? Security features a must?
Do you want a pool or a already built braai area.?
What roof do you desire if any – tiled, slate, thatch or corrugated iron?
Do you prefer facebrick to plastered and painted. Is the paint the colour you want and how much will it cost to change?
BROADER ISSUES To Top
Remember to consider the following……
- Are there heritage or other restrictions to renovations/changes made
- Are there any in place approved plans for renovations/changes
- Has council checked that current renovations are legal
- If the suburb is new, what are the plans for future industrial development – will factories be your neighbour within the new future.
- Does the building suit the climate – will you have to look at air conditioning or extra heating?
- If the house is on a panhandle plot is the driveway jointly owned – what issues could arise?
- Is it safe for your family, eg children, the elderly or disabled?
- Is the property suitable for your pets?
AND FINALLY To Top
Consider Resale Potential………
Homes with "curb appeal," i.e., well-maintained, attractive and with a charming appearance from the street, are the easiest to resell.
The most expensive houses on the street, or ones with anything unusual or unique are not suited for resale. The best investment potential is traditionally found in a less expensive, more moderately sized home. Why not chat to your Property Network agent about current trends and best buy situations
And now that you have thought all of this through you are ready to move on
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