News & Advice

The market today. May 2010

Because of the many holidays in April the market was fairly flat and most Agencies reported low levels of activity. With many people away over this period or having holiday guests, puts a damper on show houses and normal viewing hours.
However the market seems to have picked up again in early May and is back to its pre April levels of... read more

NOTE THE 2-YEAR LIMIT ON RATES!

A sold property cannot be transferred to the buyer thereof unless and until the local authority issues a "clearance certificate", being its confirmation that it has received full payment of all amounts due in connection with the property in respect of "municipal service fees, surcharges on fees, property rates and other municipal taxes, levies and... read more

You’ve put your house on the market and you have entrusted it to your Agent and Agency of your choice. A big brand name is not a guarantee for success but a good communicating agent is.
The agent should be presentable, confident, have charisma, and be articulate in his presentation. First impressions are very important, not only the home but for the agents selling it.
You have... read more

You have gone through all the pros and cons and decided the time has come to sell your property. Now you need to decide how. There are the 2 obvious choices, try to sell it privately and save a whack of commission or employ the services of an agent or agents. Both have their own pitfalls.
If you decide to sell privately how do you go about valuing your own property? You can go out and... read more

The following is an article from Law News

If you are selling a property, you need to be aware that you will have to pay commission to any agent who is the "effective cause" of a sale, even if you have terminated that agent's mandate before the actual sale takes place. Worse, if you brought in a second agent to replace the first, you risk having to pay double commission!
... read more

Looking for your new home is an education and learning experience. One has to learn what the market has to offer and at what price. Only after extensive research will one be comfortable in making a decision what and where to buy.
Most buyers want to move because the property that they have for one reason or another is causing them pain.
The kids have left home and the... read more

Last week’s editorial in the Tribune was about Agent’s commission. A letter from a seller had been received in response to the previous weeks article by Linda Erasmus.

This was the letter.

AGENTS ‘DESERVE’ 7 PERCENT

I refer to the article in the Property guide this Sunday 25th October which begs an answer. Yes I agree that that Linda Erasmus and... read more

One of your New Year resolutions may be to finally make a start to selling your property. Whatever the reason, whether it is that they kids have left and the house is now too big and expensive to maintain. Or starting a new job in another town and need to move the family, or the family is growing and you need more space it mostly all starts with selling what you have now.

And now... read more

Financial indicators both locally and overseas have a more positive story to tell. Second quarter financial reports from two retail banks in the US have reported profits rather than losses with a third Investment bank also in the black with their second quarter report. If there had been any further major shocks in the offing they would have been reported by now.

China’ growth... read more