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PROPERTY viewings can be an exciting part of the buying process, especially if you know what to look out for. PICTURE: KINDEL MEDIA/PEXELS
There are many things to consider when entering the property market and an experienced agent can go a long way in helping you make the right choices BY BONNY FOURIE bronwyn.fourie@inl.co.za
Thinking it through T
HE MOST exciting part of the property buying process – apart from being handed the keys to your new home – is viewing the potential properties you could call home. By this point, you probably already have your paperwork in order and, hopefully, have pre-approval for a bond. But, be warned, as exciting as viewing properties might be, you will probably end up getting confused at some point or second guessing yourself. Property experts share this valuable advice to help you get through the process as smoothly as possible, with the right home at the end of it. So, let’s start at the beginning. What should I consider when deciding on an area to live in? The first criterion, says Jawitz Properties Sandton branch manager Jeremy Craig, is your budget and whether the area you fancy will offer what you want within that budget. “It is always a good idea to get some indication of what you can afford so you can go shopping with confidence.” Important considerations include schools, places of worship, retail access, distance from work as well as access to major arterial routes and the kind of traffic you will face. “Generally, the closer to the CBD, the more expensive an area becomes and you will need to consider that in your budget. “There are different types of properties you can buy, depending on the lifestyle you intend to lead. Depending on whether you are an executive or a family, downscaling or upscaling, there should be options in terms of houses, clusters or sectional title to choose from.”
Adrian Goslett, regional director and chief executive of Re/Max of Southern Africa, says many buyers focus on the home itself, and compromise on its location, but this is likely to hurt their pockets. “It is always better to put location as a top priority and rather compromise on the property. While it is impossible to change a property’s location, the home can be renovated or changed to meet the owner’s needs.” Matseleng Mogodi, founder and principal of Snooks Estates, says it is important to know the surroundings and the feel of the place where you are considering living. “Look at it objectively because this will help you to erase some of the doubts that normally creep up on individuals before buying a property. “The key considerations centre on what your family needs, such as, are there small children who will need to attend schools nearby or creches? Is there reliable public transport and proximity to work to avoid long hours on the road?” If there are teenagers, is the area is safe for young people as they will want to spend time with friends and socialise. And, while Mogodi says it might seem unfair to mention this, if one partner struggles with substance abuse, the area you choose to buy in could promote or curb this habit. “You may also have to look at your lifestyle, and the security in the area where you want to buy. It is a big choice to want to stand out or blend in, but you also have to deal with the consequences.” Property practitioner Cacisa Mgudlwa, who is also a town planner and founder of PropertyTalk with Cacisa, says a good location
provides potential for exponential growth and development. “The area needs to indicate whether it has potential demand for property over both the long and short term which increases the value of your property over time. “Properties in a good location will remain more popular and profitable compared to those in less desirable areas.” Some important factors to consider when you are looking for a good area to invest in, she says, include: Safety: Personal safety and physical security have become two of the most important issues to consider when choosing a neighbourhood to invest in. “Examine the recent police or crime stats from the local Community Police Forum before you sign the offer to purchase.” Access to public amenities: Make sure your potential property meets your expectations and needs. “Having good access to amenities not only drives the appetite for investment, but also adds value and desirability to your property. It gives you confidence that the area has good bargaining potential.” Mgudlwa says people want convenience, so the better the amenities surrounding your property, the more valuable your property should be, and the greater the potential it has to increase in value over time. Provision of Infrastructure services: This has an impact on the value of the properties in an area. Adequate basic services, such as water and electricity supply; storm water; pavements; improvement of roads and public spaces elevate the demand for property in an area.
DISCLAIMER: The publisher and editor of this magazine give no warranties, guarantees or assurances and make no representations regarding any goods or services advertised within this edition. Copyright ANA Publishing. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from ANA Publishing. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material. Publisher Vasantha Angamuthu vasantha@africannewsagency.com Executive Editor Property and Environment Vivian Warby vivian.warby@inl.co.za Features Writer Bonny Fourie bronwyn.fourie@inl.co.za Design Kim Stone kim.stone@inl.co.za
