Buying a property in Cape Town represents a significant investment of time, money and emotion. Whether you are buying the property as your family home, a weekend retreat or purely for property speculation, you of course want to ensure you get the correct property for the correct price and in the correct location.
The below are useful hints and tips to help you achieve your goal.
Buying a property in Cape Town – The correct location
Location, location, location – often quoted as the 3 most important factors to consider when buying a property. Prices and saleability differ literally from street to street in Cape Town and getting the right address can mean significant differences in price, amenities and, importantly, safety.
Take your time to get to know the areas; viewing the area is as important as viewing the house. Estate agents obviously market property, not areas, so we recommend using a buyer’s consultant to assist you in your property search.
Buying a property in Cape Town – The right property
You have chosen the location and are all set to starting viewing properties for sale. Traditionally internet search, newspapers, estate agents and show days prove to be the more common methods used in buying the right property. We recommend your search is extended beyond this.
- With estate agents charging very large selling fees of up to 7.5% of the sale price, more and more property owners look to see if they can achieve a private sale first, meaning property buyers not accessing private sales can miss out not just on quality property but often less expensive due to no agents fees being involved.
- Estate agents by the nature of how they are rewarded will always market their own properties more aggressively. Again the result can be the buyer not getting to see the full selection or properties for sale in Cape Town.
Make sure you see as many properties as you need to; it helps ensure your knowledge levels and expands your choice. An independent buyer consultant will assist you with this.
Buying a property in Cape Town – How to formulate your offer to purchase.
Buying a property in many countries only becomes legally binding when transfer or exchange of contracts takes place. It is vitally important to understand that in South Africa buying your property becomes legally binding when an offer to purchase has been signed by both parties. In short, it constitutes the terms and conditions that the purchase will proceed under.
Make sure your solicitor and buyers agent assist you in putting together the offer to purchase. When spending millions of rands on a purchase it is best practise to always get a legal opinion.
Buying a property in Cape Town – What price to pay
With properties literally next door to each other differing greatly in price, how do you know what to offer, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the area? Estate Agents are mandated to get the best price for the seller so asking them what price, would seem a somewhat misguided tactic in negotiations.
That often leaves the purchaser to guess work or flicking through the paper trying to work it out.
Buyer’s agents have extensive knowledge of the market and area allowing them to provide you with good knowledge when formulating a price, They also have access to information on previous houses sold in the area, what prices they were sold for and the building costs.
