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 heating usage. Never underestimate the cost involved in leaking hot air through broken windows, poor insulation, gaps under your doors...
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.
Home loans, what are the options
After years of renting an apartment you have decided to purchase a house. You are earning a good income and you would like to inquire about a home loan. What various bonds are available and which should you choose? When requesting a bond you should consider what you...
Kitchen Renovation Ideas
Renovating a kitchen can transform your home into a modern, stylish masterpiece that adds tremendous value to your home and it may be well worth your while, particularly if your home is older than 15 years, to knock out a wall or two to make your kitchen a part of...
Property Auctions get new regulations
Property auctions have long been said to be solely for experienced property investors that have a good knowledge of the Auction system and not for those simply out there looking for a good buy. The fact is that at every auction there are plants or schill bidders ready...
Consequences of Alteration or additions finance
Alterations and additions finance needs careful planning, it is seldom that the initial cost turns out to be the final cost, in fact most alterations and additions cost significantly more than was additionally planned. In the case of alterations, any number of things...
What to do if your Bond is in arrears
The banks are particularly aggressive when your bond falls into arrears and if you have experienced these calls you may feel the panic that goes with the thought that you may lose your home. Financial pressure is a reality that we all experience from time to time but...
Residential Architects
Selecting the right architect for your residential building project whether you are building a new home or renovating your existing home needs careful consideration. It is always a good idea for owners of older homes who may not know who the original Architects were,...
Increasing your wealth through mortgage debt
How can debt in form be a good thing? This is a common question when faced with debt but acquiring debt can certainly be a very good tool with tax benefits under certain circumstances that can help propel your investment strategy forward and afford you the opportunity...
Solar geysers
There has been a lot of talk about fitting solar geysers in South Africa amidst unusually high electricity price increases and the likelihood of increases around 30% a year for the next few years. Solar geysers offered by approved Eskom manufacturers and installers...
Garden preparation, inexpensive ideas
Spring and summer are the best times to put your house on show for the simple reason that your garden will be at it's best and gives the prospective purchasers a view of your property at it's best. You won't need a landscaper or gardening professional to dramatically...
Window repairs to enhance your home
Windows are so often overlooked when doing cosmetic fixes on your home before attempting to sell yet they are so important and give your home a fresh, looked after appeal that makes a big difference for first impressions to a home buyer. Repairing windows is a...
How to reduce debt and create wealth using your bond
Your bond is an important tool that can allow you to achieve your financial goals quicker if used in the correct wealth generation manner. Clever use of the equity available in your home loan can prove to be a very valuable wealth generation tool and here are a few...
Continued slow growth in property prices
South African property owners have been anticipating a rate cut for the last 2 or 3 quarters but the Reserve bank has kept rates steady for some time now. Lets put this into perspective, rates are at their lowest level in over 36 years, we in South Africa last saw...
Using paint techniques
Using paint techniques can dramatically improve the experience in any room but before we get onto the different techniques and finishes, the first step is the preparation of the surface. We will talk about wall surfaces, either board or cement surfaces and not wood...
Selling a house privately
Selling a house privately has both positives and negatives and in order to determine whether or not your home is best sold privately or through an estate agent you need to consider very carefully the possible pitfalls. Option 1 Selling your home privately through an...
Renovation financing options
With interest rates at all time lows and no imminent signs of a change in a direction, now is a good time to renovate in order to prepare your home for an inevitable upswing in both demand for homes and house prices. The banks are beginning to ease up on the...
Styling your home for showday, tips and tricks
Showing your property is not simply moving out for a few hours and hoping the estate agent is going to make magic, you need to prepare for it. You want to sell your home, show it in the best light possible without spending a lot of money. Her are a few really handy...
Property Insurance
As a property owner you are obliged to take out property insurance to cover the banks in the event of a disaster that may effect the structure. Some of the eventualities that need to be covered under your property insurance policy would be. Fire, earthquakes or...
5 things you should know before applying for a home loan
Banks are competing vigorously for bonds in a market where their lending has been restricted by recessionary fears and now being opened up. The banks have a lot of cash available to lend right now and are seeking to lend to individuals or campanies that are in good...
30 year home loan interest rate chart
The home loan rate has changed dramatically over the last 30 years from a high of 22.75% in 1999 to it's current low of 10%. Since the banks cracked down on their lending criteria last year, the mood has changed and the banks are again offering 100% home loans to...
Bathroom renovation
Renovating bathrooms and kitchens are notoriously expensive and in more cases than not, the cost of the renovation does not add the same value to your home. That of course is assuming that wish to achieve the same or similar capital appreciation from the renovation....