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....
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 of loft living in four vibrant cities: New York, London, Amsterdam, and Cape Town and Johannesburg. A Comparative Look at...
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...
Preparing your home for a showday – Home Staging
Preparing your home for a showday is all about making your home as light, bright, clean and appealing as possible. It must draw the prospective buyer and want to see more. All too often a prospective buyer will either drive past becuase they don't like the facade or...
Eldo Meadows Lifestyle Estate – Centurion
Eldo Meadows is a fantastic Lifestyle Estate situated in Centurion. The Development was first established in 2005 and has since enjoyed tremendous growth. Opportunities for investors and residents are numerous with good solid rental performance in the area. Eldo...
Debt Reduction Calculator
Use the debt reduction calculator to determine how long it will take to pay off all of your debt or find out what the result will be if you pay an additional amount towards your debt. EXAMPLE CALCULATION These are really important things to know when managing your...
The major reasons why bond applications are rejected
Figures from Leading Reals Estate agents are showing that Bad credit records are the most significant cause of Bonds that are being rejected and this is not isolated to an individual bank, all of South Africa's banks are likely to reject the same application if the...
Home Loan Life Insurance
By law you are required to take out Life Insurance to cover the amount of your home loan and in most cases people simply accept the Insurance that is offered to them by the Bank. It is your choice which Insurance company you use to cover your life and in almost every...
First Time Home Buyers Loan
A first time home buyers loan is a big step for most new home owners and as a new lender, the banks will compete for your loan providing you are able to show them that you are not a bad risk. We must never forget that every bank is competing for market share and as a...
Bond Pre-Approval and the negotiation process
The undisputed best way to go about shopping for your home is to get a bond pre-approved by your bankers or by using a bond originator before you go out looking for a new home. There are a few things to consider when your already have a bond approved. Attitude of the...
Five good reasons to use Debt Management Services
Millions of people in South Africa are in debt and are finding it very difficult to service their current debt with the ever present possibility that your assets may be attached by one of your debtors. Debt management is a responsible way to settle your debt over time...
Costs to be aware of when selling your home
When selling your home there are costs which you may not have anticipated that are out of pocket expenses that need to be paid upfront in order to be able to close your deal and finally get paid. Over and above the normal expense of the Estate Agents commission,...
Four easy steps to budget for your building project
It is possible to set up a budget plan to attain your financial goals be it to budget for a renovation, budget for the deposit on your new home or for a luxury purchase but it does need a plan and when adhered to rewards you with what you want. The best part about...
Easy ways to add value to your home before selling
To build and renovate your home can be costly most often people use their home loan to cover their renovation costs. To take out a home loan for renovations will add value to your home in the long run. Listed are 5 easy tips to increase the value of your home....
Home Loan Qualification Criteria for first time home buyers
If you have recently thought that you no longer want to waste money on paying rent and you would rather use the money to pay into a home loan then it is possible to do so. For your own purposes, using the mortgage calculator will give you an idea of what the payments...
Useful tips for building or renovating your home
Renovating or building a home can be expensive and frustrating; in order to make your home make-over a success you are going to need the help of experts in a number of fields which may include civil engineers, roofing contractors, plumbing contractors or any number of...
Budgeting to help pay off your homeloan
Why is budgeting important? Because if you plan your budget well you could be bond free in just a couple of years. Your bond is a big noose around your neck and although the interest rate is less than your credit cards or vehicle interest, the length of time it takes...
5 reasons to place your home on Auction
Why would you sell your property on auction? Many people are unsure as to the reasons to auction property. Here are some reasons to do so: Time is money: Placing your property on auction means that you are serious to sell; it also means that you will attract buyers...
Builders and Home Renovators
We all have our own ideas of what is important to us and which part of our home reflects our character and personality. By using the services of professional builders or home renovators your ideas will be transformed into reality with both cost effective building...
Kitchen and bathroom designers can save you money
Innovative solutions and designer expertise are key ingredients in making your bathroom or kitchen renovation project a design masterpiece instead of a regular living space. Should you choose to alter your living you will want expert advice from an interior designer...
Home improvement ideas for kitchens and bathrooms
Renovating your living space is a daunting thought and it requires effort and commitment to execute your plan! As the kitchen is considered to be the heart of the home; one needs to carefully consider how one is going to renovate one's kitchen. Here are some hints and...