Bond Originator Franchise. Is It a Business or a Career Move?
If you've spent any time researching how to get into the property finance industry in South Africa, you've probably landed on two very different paths: buying into a bond originator franchise, or joining an existing bond origination company as a commission-earning agent. Both routes lead to the same industry, but they come with very different risk profiles, costs, and levels of independence....
What Are Bond Originators? A Customer’s Experience
When I first applied for a home loan, I did what most people my age were taught to do: I went straight to the bank. I expected the same experience my parents once had, sitting across from a bank manager who knew their name and their finances. What I got instead was a maze of call centres, each one passing me on to the next, with no one person actually owning my application from start to finish....
Bond Originator Franchise. Is It a Business or a Career Move?
If you've spent any time researching how to get into the property finance industry in South Africa, you've probably landed on two very different paths: buying into a bond originator franchise, or joining an existing bond origination company as a commission-earning...
What Are Bond Originators? A Customer’s Experience
When I first applied for a home loan, I did what most people my age were taught to do: I went straight to the bank. I expected the same experience my parents once had, sitting across from a bank manager who knew their name and their finances. What I got instead was a...
Joburg Lofts
Living in a loft is a dream for many urban dwellers seeking a unique living experience. The combination of spacious interior double volume spaces and access to outdoor areas creates an unparalleled sense of freedom and flexibility. In this article, we explore the joys...
Home Insulation
As winter draws near and the cold begins to set in it is a good idea tyo consider checking your insulation and repairing or replacing to keep the warmth in. Home insulation has a number of benefits including keeping the heat in and lowering your electricity/gas...
Solar heating for Pools
A swimming pool solar heating system allows you to enjoy your swimming pool all year round, providing beautifully warm water at almost zero cost after installation and without putting any strain on the electricity grid.
Solar heating system for pools are vary quite significantly and of course the most important aspect is the longevity of the pool solar water heating system. All to often the cheapest system is not the most effective in the long run but it is still important to do the calculations on a cost per year basis. It is very important to take a look at the solar system warranty and exactly what it covers.
Alternative to home mortgage finance
An alternative to Bond finance geared at small business owners. Small to medium business owners are finding it more and more difficult to qualify for bonds from South African banks who are desperately afraid of the high failure rate of new businesses in South Africa.
Banks are risk averse these days that if you are self employed, in a sales position without a fixed salary or any other employment where you have no guaranteed fixed amount of income, getting a bond is becoming almost impossible, even with large deposits and security, Crazy as it may seem, this is the reality of the home loan market.
How to decorate your plug and light switch plates
If you love to decorate and paint your rooms in your home, then this is the perfect project for you. Hardly anyone thinks about decorating the light switch covers or the plug covers to match the rest of the room or to add a little “this is my room”.
This project is so easy and cost effective, and will give your rooms that extra piece of character that it has never had before and don’t forget, with the holidays coming up, you can get the kids making the perfect home-made Christmas gifts. Just be sure to take a peek at their switches before you go about buying spares.
A new kitchen for the price of a few doors!
After a few years in any home, there are few who would not like a brand new kitchen. All it takes is replacing doors and handles which are all standard sizes and you don’t have to be a professional to replace those out dated, lifeless and boring kitchen cupboard doors...
Beautiful DIY Towel rack using old ceramic taps
Need some more hanging space in your bathroom for extra towels or to hang your bath robe? This is the perfect do it yourself project to get more hanging space. The total time to make is about 1-2 hours. And if you are worried about the skills required to do this...
Over bath glass shower panel installation
Luxurious as a bath is, a shower is always handy for those refreshing wake up morning showers, or if you are in a hurry and dont have the time to sink deep into a bath filled with bubbles. Here we will show you step by step how to install a glass screen next to the...
What can a Second Bond be used for?
A second bond over your property can essentially be used for anything you wish to use it for but is most often used to add rooms, renovate, install paving or fencing. Typically people use their second bond to improve their homes but what we are seeing more and more of...
Consolidating debt using your Bond account
If you are labouring under numerous different debt repayments that are high interest short term loans like clothing accounts, short term loans, vehicle finance or just owe someone you know money that you would really like to pay back as soon as possible then...
Low Interest Personal Loans South Africa
Low interest personal loans are almost unheard of these days although if we consider the interest rate history in the last 20 years, any personal loan would seem like low interest in 2000 - 2001 where interest rates were around 20-23% and that was bond rates. Can you...
Swimming pool and my property value?
A question that we often get asked is, "will building a swimming pool add value to my home?" and there really is no right answer here. There are a few things that need to be taken into account, like, average property values in the area, LSM of the average buyer in the...
Bond Pre-Approval for Home Buyers
Getting a bond pre-approval before you go shopping for your home is the the very best way to negotiate from a position of strength and when making what is likely to be the biggest investment of your life, the position you want to be in right from the outset. With a...
Bond application approval for the self employed
With so much emphasis being placed on small business being the driver in the economy and effectively our Government looking to small business to help achieve the 6% plus growth rate required, you would think that it would be easier for small businesses to get funding...
Debt Consolidation – get out of debt
If you, like so many South Africans are feeling overwhelmed by the debt trap that you got yourself into due in part to the lending policies of many banks, then you are an ideal candidate for debt consolidation. Debt consolidation is NOT debt review, it is you...
Types of home ownership in South Africa
The most common types of properties sold in South Africa are freehold and sectional title but could be a 99 year leasehold or share block. The most common uses of 99 year leases and shareblock are for holiday type properties where there are multiple owners per home or...
Getting a Second Bond – Application Success
Second bonds or further loans, is money that you loan on top of the original bond amount, based either on what you have repaid in the capital amount or an increase in the value of your property, or a combination of both. If your second bond or further loan...
Know the Home transfer procedure when selling or buying your home
Selling your property involves yourself, the buyer, the bank and various attorneys. Understanding the process will make it less stressful for you and give you the opportunity to prepare all the required documents to speed up the process and have the necessary cash...