It came as a bit of a surprise when the South African Reserve Bank announced an increase in its interest rate by 50 basis points as of 30 January. Most economists predicted that interest rates would only be increased late in 2014 or early 2015. But the interest rate is only one of the factors which will influence property prices this year. Let’s have a look at a few others. More...

Property owners like to know what property prices in their area are doing. As property professionals we keep ourselves updated regarding sales and trends in the areas we serve. We gladly share a brief overview of prices achieved and movement in the market in the Linden, Darrenwood and Roosevelt park areas during the last 12 months. More...

If a buyer has sold his property and is going to finance the purchase of a property with the proceeds from that sale, does it mean that he is a cash buyer? Should a seller consider an offer from a buyer who still has to sell his property? When a buyer still has to sell a property in order to buy another one, it may complicate matters, and it is essential to have a clear understanding about this.  More...

I often get enquiries from buyers who want to buy a house to open a school, restaurant, a shop or even small factory. Can one do that? Buy a house and simply turn it into a business? Put yourself in the shoes of the neighbours, to start off with. Would you like a restaurant or school as neighbour in your quiet street? But more importantly, does the zoning of the property allow you to do what you intend to do? More...

May the owner of a unit in a sectional title complex choose not to be a member of the body corporate? May he decide not pay 'the levy, or not to comply to the management or conduct rules, if he does not agree with them? May the members of a body corporate decide not to have an AGM or bank account, and not to charge levies because they regard it as a waste of time and money? The answer is NO! More...