Articles published in May 2011
2011/05/03
Tribal landowners will not have to pay rates to the councils and about 29% of South Africa’s total land area is controlled by traditional chiefs.
2011/05/03
Cape Town wants to install streetlights and roads at Masiphumelele Township prior to letting residents rebuild shacks there.
2011/05/03
A five-star golf estate in Mossel Bay may be rescued from insolvency if an investment from a German company goes ahead at the end of May.
2011/05/04
Skateboarding is being boosted by the construction of a new state-of-the-art R3m park in Kimberley that will host an international event.
2011/05/03
Pretoria will spend more than R60bn on provision of services and about 50% of its expenditure will be on infrastructure development this year.
2011/05/03
The FNB house price index showed a 2,2% growth year on year in April from the revised 1,2% in March, the result of interest rate cuts in 2010.
2011/05/03
South Africans are opting increasingly for smaller, cheaper homes in sectional title developments, as opposed to large, freehold homes.
2011/05/04
The insurance industry estimates it loses about R3bn a year and it is now working with law enforcement agencies to try and stem these losses.
2011/05/03
Sounds like a simple concept, but really, rinsing vegetables in cold water isn’t enough to remove pesticides. Get some useful tips!
2011/05/04
Although the brickwork of a house needs relatively little maintenance to keep it in good order, don't neglect problems when they arise...
2011/05/04
The number of new home loans being granted will remain sluggish for the rest of this year as consumers battle to afford or qualify for finance.
2011/05/04
A row over an impromptu inspection by representatives of the EAAB has led to the owner of a business resigning because he does not have a valid FFC.
2011/05/05
Two multi-billion mixed use housing and industrial developments are due to start soon in KwaZulu-Natal near the King Shaka airport.
2011/05/04
House prices are set to decline by between 3.5% and 4% in real terms in 2011, according to the Absa second quarter housing review.
2011/05/05
Cotswold Downs in Hillcrest has debts of more than R245m but it is still looking for a ‘white knight’ to rescue it from the liquidators.
2011/05/06
If you are planning to build an extension, take note of all trees close to the site as they can be the source of future structural trouble.
2011/05/05
The costs of building a new house continued to rise sharply despite SA’s tough economic conditions making it much cheaper to buy an existing house.
2011/05/05
The outlook for property prices remains subdued with house prices expected to grow at relatively low levels in some markets and fall in others.
2011/05/05
Paddy says we can’t afford to waste another R2bn on houses or continue to tolerate gross incompetence, corruption and jobs-for-pals...
2011/05/06
Investing in conservation property is a growing trend, and with SA the third most biodiverse country in the world, there are some gems in the Karoo.
2011/05/05
Pinetown has seen a spate of burglaries in various retirement homes as the elderly residents there are viewed as soft targets by thieves in KZN.
2011/05/06
If your winter blankets and duvets have been packed away in a cupboard for the past six months now is the time to refresh and fluff them up!
2011/05/06
Although the demand for rental property is increasing, tenants should still negotiate with landlords before accepting the price being asked.
2011/05/06
ANCYL president Julius Malema wants the government to start expropriating land without paying any compensation to land owners.
2011/05/06
The toilet saga in Khayelitsha continues after a High Court Judge ordered last week, that the DA enclose all 1,316 toilet in the Makhaza township.
2011/05/06
Port Elizabeth ratepayers intend to take councillors to court if they continue to waste money and fail to deliver services in the city.
2011/05/09
Estate agents will be paid R12k in salaries but will have to wait and see if any money is left to pay commissions after the company is liquidated.
2011/05/09
Angry residents of the Stjwetla section have been promised new houses as the ANC moved through the area during its election campaign in the township
2011/05/09
Do you agree that ants belong in the garden and not indoors? Learn how to keep them outside and far away from your home, the natural way...
2011/05/09
Several derelict buildings in Cape Town have been sold, demolished or are being cleaned up after the city took action against the owners.
2011/05/09
The outlook for property prices remains gloomy as people struggle to meet rising energy costs, higher petrol prices and steep hikes in food prices.
2011/05/09
Guess what? The ANC has built 1,600 open toilets in the Moqhaka township in the Free State and these toilets have remained open since 2003.
2011/05/11
Here is a list of common toilet problems and how to fix them, so the next time there’s a bathroom emergency you can diagnose it yourself...
2011/05/10
Banks won’t usually lend money to a body corporate but Propell has a funding model that allows these bodies to borrow money to do essential work.
2011/05/10
A Durban attorney has asked Transport Minister S’bu Ndebele for a written undertaking by today that the Vetch’s Pier lease will not go ahead.
2011/05/10
Higher levels of pay, personal wealth creation and affordable bond repayments have contributed to more single women applying for bonds.
2011/05/10
City Power has demanded access to premises to replace existing meters with prepaid metering systems without notifying the homeowners or residents.
2011/05/10
For many first time tenants, entering into a lease agreement is a contractual obligation laced with complicated jargon. Understand the fine print!
2011/05/19
Thinking of cost saving ways to boost the warmth in your home this winter? Underfloor heating is economical and can be fitted almost anywhere.
2011/05/16
When it comes to home décor we all tend to make mistakes, but there are few errors you should avoid at all costs. Get some useful tips!
2011/05/11
In an effort to stimulate tourism in KZN, Swaziland and Mozambique, a new R20m lodge will be built in the Maputo Elephant Reserve.
2011/05/11
Some time in the second half of this year Old Mutual will list a property portfolio comprising at least 40 properties mainly in the retail sector.
2011/05/11
Thousands of Somali traders have closed township businesses and moved to shops in at least 10 Bellville buildings where they say they feel safe.
2011/05/11
Whether large or small, or simply an area within the living room or kitchen, you can create the right atmosphere. Get some tips on décor schemes...
2011/05/11
Some families living in Mtshebheni, Inanda had their dreams dashed yesterday when they were evicted from homes they thought they had bought.
2011/05/13
Enjoy watching TV on top of a modern stand, without the designer prices. Here is a step-by-step guide on making a plasma or LCD TV stand yourself...
2011/05/12
The Consumer Protection Act may have serious implications for landlords and developers. SAPOA has asked for more clarity for the property industry.
2011/05/12
The Estate Agency Affairs Board is urging unregistered estate agents to take advantage of the amnesty for complaince ahead of a crackdown.
2011/05/12
Both Durban and Cape Town are vying for the rights to build a passenger terminal for two large cruise ships that could visit the country regularly
2011/05/12
A report from the Auditor-General has exposed the fact that at least 35% of municipalities are not capable of running their finances properly.
2011/05/12
A magnificent four-bedroom home in Bryanston belonging to Dean Rees is to be auctioned this month after Rees’s estate was liquidated.
2011/05/12
At least 25 toilets were built on vacant plot land in 2008 but residents who wanted to occupy the land were prevented from doing so by police.
2011/05/13
A property that might be the secret burial spot of the first gun used in the ANC’s armed struggle against apartheid did not attract a single bid.
2011/05/13
While the Reserve Bank has maintained the prime interest rates, banks have not joined the party by relaxing lending criteria or valuations.
2011/05/13
A bid of R127 a sqm has been received for the police HQ in Durban despite the fact that SAPS are paying just R50 a sqm for its current premises.
2011/05/13
A row over an access road to the R44 Stellenbosch resulted in the road being dug up and the province having to pay for the damage it caused.
2011/05/13
Absa warns consumers not to take advantage of low interest rates by committing to huge home and car loans as levels of indebtedness remain high.
2011/05/16
More economists are forecasting that interest rates are likely to rise by 2,5% next year, placing more pressure on hard-pressed homeowners.
2011/05/16
The shortage of water in Durban and KZN could mean that Dube TradePort and other crucial housing projects face suspension for the time being.
2011/05/16
Cape Town is taking action against illegal businesses being run in various suburbs without the necessary zoning approval being granted.
2011/05/17
Trafalgar has taken Tshwane Council to court in a bid to force it to fix billing problems that started in 2005 and accrued charges since then.
2011/05/16
Higher-density property developments such as flats and townhouses are expected to be a strong focus of future demand and supply, says Absa.
2011/05/16
The stylishly distinctive Alice Lane Towers in Sandton scooped top honours at the SAPOA Innovative Excellence in Property Development Awards 2011.
2011/05/17
Demand for property is measured by show day attendance, enquiries, buyer appointments and website activity, says a leading property figure.
2011/05/16
It is often only once people have moved into their homes that they realise that they may have chosen the wrong location. Get some tips...
2011/05/16
The winners of the 2011 SAPOA Property Journalist Awards were recognised for excellence in property journalism and high standards of reporting.
2011/05/17
A UN report features Johannesburg, Ekhuruleni and Buffalo City as the most unequal in the world but the report seems to have a number of anomalies.
2011/05/17
The owner of land at Shark Bay, accused of damaging an ecologically sensitive area, has been cleared of charges and can build a new home.
2011/05/17
Paddy marvels at Malema's rants against the ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ concept as a supposed impediment to land reform...
2011/05/19
A seven-bedroom home with ample entertainment areas is on the market for R12m and offers exceptional value for investors claim the agents.
2011/05/17
Angry crowds invading land in Tafelsig were well-organised and part of an orchestrated political ploy according to Cape Town mayor Dan Plato.
2011/05/19
Foil wallpapers are possibly the most varied, dramatic and exciting range of wallcoverings, but are also difficult to install. Get some tips!
2011/05/19
Autumn is the perfect time to plant Primulas to add some brightness and cheer to your winter garden. They're inexpensive and easy to grow...
2011/05/20
Our daily lives depend on the supply of constant electricity but power failures are a reality. Find out what you can do in the dark...
2011/05/19
Cape Town’s five-star hotel market might be overtraded but observers are confident that hoteliers will survive despite the glut of accommodation.
2011/05/19
The City of Joburg claims that more than 80% of its residents who had received incorrect bills for rates and services have had problems resolved.
2011/05/19
More people are choosing the secure lifestyle that is offered by estates along the north coast, within easy distance of Umhlanga and Durban.
2011/05/20
A pyramid investment company, Rodlane Trading, has been provisionally liquidated after fleecing investors of millions of rands in its schemes.
2011/05/20
MEC Theuns Botha appears to be the richest MEC in the Western Cape but Helen Zille could afford to buy her domestic worker a home in Parklands.
2011/05/20
Frustrated Joburg resident has accused the council of being dishonest because it insists on sending him electricity bills for a burnt-out building.
2011/05/20
With ten stations and as many as 100 000 commuters a day, analysts believe that the Gautrain will stimulate business activity and property sales.
2011/05/20
Building activity should start to improve in the second half of this year as more plans have been passed for new flats, townhouses and homes in SA.
2011/05/23
Prices of luxury homes costing between R3m and R12m continued to fall with some luxury homes now taking more than a year to sell.
2011/05/23
The Gauteng provincial government is losing about R26-million every month because it has not been charging tenants a market-related rental.
2011/05/23
The EAAB and police raided the offices of a Roodepoort estate agent, CSTM on Friday as part of on-going investigations into its trust funds.
2011/05/23
Investors in syndications run by Sharemax may soon have a choice between a monthly interest payment or being repaid some of their money.
2011/05/23
Paddy agrees with a property figure that the property market is being threatened by banks continuing to value properties "too conservatively".
2011/05/23
Banks declined fewer home loans in April compared to the same month in 2010 while the average deposit size decreased, said a bond originator.
2011/05/24
It’s the smaller details that truly finish a bathroom, so your choice of tap fittings are most vital. Here’s what you should consider...
2011/05/24
A new service aimed at helping elderly people cope with life on their own has been launched in South Africa as an alternative to retirement homes.
2011/05/25
Although house prices continued to drop the rate of bond approvals increased sharply in April, stimulating activity in the property market.
2011/05/24
Property that is correctly priced for the current market is not only selling within 30 days but is achieving close to the asking price.
2011/05/24
It is now more difficult for banks to get a sale in execution order against a defaulting homeowner and to repossess the home...
2011/05/24
For those in a position to buy to rent, leasing property can be good income and a sensible way of paying off a second mortgage, but there are risks.
2011/05/25
There is no denying the beauty and old world charm offered by pressed ceilings. Here are some handy DIY restoration tips...
2011/05/24
For the wise DIY builder, one man's demolished junk is another’s second-hand building material. You just have to know where to look...
2011/05/25
Many tenants undertake improvements to properties without a landlord’s consent and find that they are not entitled to any financial compensation.
2011/05/25
Significant under-spending of annual grants from government has led to Gauteng losing R286m that was earmarked for improving infrastructure.
2011/05/25
Another property outside Durban is at the centre of a dispute with an investor who says no work has been done at the site in the past four years.
2011/05/26
About R18m could be missing from CSTM’s trust accounts and a curator has now been appointed to manage the estate agency’s day-to-day affairs.
2011/05/26
A wind farm covering 55 sq km is planned for the West Coast but Paternoster residents say “not in my back yard” objecting to its development.
2011/05/26
Property owners in a sectional title scheme should immediately sort out any arrears to avoid increasing the amount they owe to the body corporate.
2011/05/26
The retail rental market has remained stable but a growth in retail sales may boost the market for street-front shops in South African cities.
2011/05/26
A country home in Wellington or a mountain retreat in Franschhoek are available to discerning buyers eager to escape the bustle of the cities.
2011/05/26
The success of ooba's franchise brands, coupled with increased positivity in the property market, has prompted it to launch a third brand.
2011/05/27
The Public Protector says that her findings on corruption and unlawful conduct are being ignored by various government departments in the country.
2011/05/27
As freezing temperatures hit SA, Eskom reassured consumers that there were no plans for rolling blackouts across the country as winter descends.
2011/05/27
The Centre Point Shopping Centre in Milnerton is due to get R260m for a total overhaul, which will add a new dimension to the popular seaside area.
2011/05/27
A new development in Lakeside, Vanderbijlpark will offer homes from R269k to R406k making it one of the most affordable starter home projects.
2011/05/27
Property on auction includes a block of flats ideal for student accommodation in Durban, a residential complex in Boksburg and offices in Lonehill.
2011/05/27
Paint your walls without hiring a professional and see how the results speak wonders. Follow these handy tips for great looking walls...
2011/05/27
Generation X seems to be leading the property market to recovery in SA with younger Generation Y buyers also starting to make their mark.
2011/05/27
Knocking down internal walls can transform your home by turning two or more cramped rooms into one integrated and spacious area...
2011/05/30
Research shows that house plants play an important role in purifying, filtering, and cleansing our air of toxins. Find out which plants are best...
2011/05/30
One of the most historic wine farms in South Africa, Klein Constantia has been sold to two foreign businessmen for 20 million Euros.
2011/05/30
RBA says banks are inconsistent in granting loans in the affordable housing market segment where homes cost between R280k and R600k.
2011/05/30
A senior government official may be investigated after allegations that a bribe of R500k was paid for approval for a new hospital in Midrand.
2011/05/30
Economists predict that interest rates could start to rise by September in response to higher inflation rates caused by food and fuel prices.
2011/05/31
Paddy takes a step back in time and wonders at how property prices have grown and how young people can afford to buy a home of their own....
2011/05/31
There has been sustained improvement in market activity across all price ranges in the Cape Town property market during April, says an agency group.
2011/05/31
Although there are more than 800 state-owned properties in Gauteng, the province has had to rent a new place for the police commissioner to live in.
2011/05/31
SA’s cities are inefficient and a government commission recommends that “fiscal instruments” are used to stimulate land use and public transport.
2011/05/31
Troubled estate agent Wendy Machanik has claimed that the EAAB misused funds entrusted to it to pay staff salaries and other expenses.
2011/05/31
Angry Magaliesberg residents claim that African Nickel is violating the terms of its prospecting licence and using more water than it undertook to.
2011/05/31
SARS has succeeded in declaring that unused land sold for a property development should be taxed and this could retard future development.