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Articles published in May 2006

 
Prime London investment option
01 May 2006
South Africans are showing an increasing appetite for prime central London residential property.
Fractional ownership : how it works
01 May 2006
With fractional ownership and the Private Residence Club concept now among the fastest growing sectors of the resort, real estate and hospitality industries worldwide, this is also the hottest leisure real estate trend in southern Africa and the...
Big bucks for game farming in the Eastern Cape
02 May 2006
The Eastern Cape is fast becoming a premier hunting and tourism destination with foreigners and locals buying up game farms in the area to capitalise on a billion rand industry.
Dbn CBD's commercial market strong
02 May 2006
Continued buoyancy with demand far outstripping supply and a shortage of industrial land, will remain the scenario for the commercial property market in Kwa-Zulu Natal in 2006.
Self-catering just got glamorous
02 May 2006
The international holiday trend has hit SA shores.
Land transfer issue one-sided
03 May 2006
The discussion regarding the transfer of land in South Africa has two dominant traits: It is one-sided and it is one-dimensional. Well-known political analyst Jan du Plessis discusses the implications of the current approach to land...
Property outlook bullish: FNB
03 May 2006
The outlook for property performance remains bullish, especially in the area of commercial property, according to First National Bank. - I-Net Bridge
Build low maintenance
04 May 2006
Much interest has been shown lately in innovative building methods. A reader asks for advice on building for low maintenance.
House price growth declines further
04 May 2006
According to the latest Absa House Price Index, nominal house price growth of 12.8% year-on-year was recorded in April 2006 compared with a growth rate of 13.7% in March, Absa said in a report on Thursday. I-Net Bridge
Self-catered holidays are now 'in'
04 May 2006
The international holiday trend has hit SA shores. Glenda Moore, MD of Holiday Homes Africa and our new guest expert on holiday rentals, takes a look at the pros and cons.
Resistance to minimum price fixing
06 May 2006
Home sellers who stipulate a hard-and-fast limit below which they will not consider any offers on their property may end up losing out.
Retirement village first of its kind
07 May 2006
Aptly named after the legendary farm, Kronendal Retirement Village is set to be the first of its kind in Hout Bay, situated at the bottom end of Valley Road and comprising 57 residential cottages, 73 assisted-living apartments and frail care...
Richtersveld land issue pending
07 May 2006
A memorandum of understanding providing a principled agreement on resolution to the land claims by the Richtersveld community against the State diamond mining company, Alexkor, has been agreed upon. By Donwald Pressly, I-Net Bridge
Sectional title full of pitfalls
07 May 2006
The ever-expanding pool of sectional title property owners in SA - currently estimated at 2m living in 550 000 sectional title complexes countrywide - has created huge scope for disputes arising from abuse or misinterpretation of the rules that...
Black buyers buoy Rustenberg
08 May 2006
Rustenburg's property market has "come of age" in the sense that its base has broadened to include emergent buyers en masse.
Own a piece of Eden Island
08 May 2006
Eden Island, Seychelles, is the latest foreign development to become available to South African buyers since the increased offshore allowances. Buyers qualify for residency of the country.
Insurers set high standards for lapas
08 May 2006
Lapas are ideal home enhancements, but few people are aware of the high standards set by insurers that need to be complied with. Article by Dirk Benadé, Manager of Conamore Insurance Brokers.
Bloem farmers move into town
09 May 2006
Farmers and business owners in outlying Free State towns are increasingly placing their children in Bloem's good schools and setting their wives up in secure cluster homes, from which they commute to their farms during the week.
First District 6 complex launched
09 May 2006
The first new residential complex to be launched in Zonnebloem, Cape Town's former District Six area, has drawn public attention.
To show or not
09 May 2006
Holding a showhouse is sometimes controversial. Here's why you should show your house.
Property market : Absa's perspective
10 May 2006
In the latest Residential Property Perspective released by Absa today, senior economist Jacques du Toit looks at the changes in living trends over the past few years and the outlook for the market in the short-term. Read the highlights.
Upturn in office property market
10 May 2006
Growing confidence in the office market at present is resulting in a decline in vacancies and an upturn in demand for office space.
Nicky Versfeld – Beetle & Electrical Inspections Expert
10 May 2006
Nicky is the sole owner of Pestech, a company specialising in beetle and electrical inspections, repairs and maintenance work. Established in 1994, Pestech was one of the very first companies in Cape Town to offer simultaneous beetle and...
Beetle and electrical pains?
10 May 2006
Beetle (or Woodborer) Inspections and Certificates of Clearance and Electrical Inspections and Certificates of Compliance are essential when a prope
KZN gets a R2bn new suburb
11 May 2006
The development of a multi-billion-rand new suburb near Ashburton is expected to ease the pent-up demand for affordable housing and retirement facilities within the provincial capital.
Claremont CBD seeing rapid change
11 May 2006
The urban renewal of Claremont, the central hub of Cape Town's southern suburbs, has received a lucrative boost from the largest direct inward investment in a foreign owned call centre in South Africa to date.
Beware of getting in over your head on home equity
11 May 2006
Homeowners should take care not to borrow to the hilt against their homes and should keep 20% in value aside.
Upgrades planned for Vincent, EL
12 May 2006
The East London suburb of Vincent is experiencing a surge in demand for property similar to that in other increasingly fashionable inner city areas around the country, thanks to numerous upgrades now planned for the area.
Accurate pricing becoming critical
13 May 2006
The mounting likelihood of an interest rate hike in the near future, on the back of the country's steady house price growth, should be foremost on sellers' minds when it comes to establishing their asking prices.
PE Central ripe for rejuvenation
14 May 2006
Although demand for residential property in Port Elizabeth's Central area remains consistent, homes there need to be realistically priced to sell.
NW gets forum for land claims
14 May 2006
Various support actions to help land owners in the North West with land claims have been established under guidance of Agri North West.
Office rentals back on track
14 May 2006
It seems as if the office sector, which has lagged retail and industrials for at least a decade, is finally on the rebound, with landlords beginning to see long-awaited rental growth flowing through on new leases. By Joan Muller
Agricultural zoning restricts market
15 May 2006
There has been a shift in the sale of farms in the Western Cape from commercial farms to lifestyle farms, as a result of commercial farming not being as being as profitable as it were in the past.
Cost gap shrinks : build vs buy
15 May 2006
Consumers who have always wanted to build their dream house from scratch instead of buying an existing one, will probably no longer have to pay the substantial price premium traditionally associated with owning a new property. By Joan Muller
ST levies must be safeguarded
16 May 2006
It's a sad fact that where there is money, there's always the possibility of corruption, so all sectional title bodies corporate should apply financial safeguards to protect their members' interests.
Beetle compliance increases value
17 May 2006
Beetle (or Woodborer) Inspections and Certificates of Clearance and Electrical Inspections and Certificates of Compliance are essential when a property changes hands. Beetle and Electrical Inspections expert <a...
Sect. title ownership much debated
17 May 2006
Owners of sectional title property – the fastest growing sector of the SA housing market – will have to become more savvy about their rights and responsibilities when buying into a communal living scheme. By Joan Muller
Voetstoots pitfalls
17 May 2006
How can we hold a seller responsible for defects the buyer was not informed about, a reader asks. Legal expert answers.
Century City : live, work and play
18 May 2006
With a wide variety of residential developments currently on the market, the Century City precinct continues to offer an opportunity to property buyers as well as those seeking rental options.
The value of the final walk-through
18 May 2006
Home buyers who do a final walk-through of their new properties prior to registration are not only in a position to check that sellers have complied with their disclosure requirements but can also verify that any agreed repairs have been done...
Trusts could pay double transfer fees
19 May 2006
Though finance minister Trevor Manuel has announced a measure of relief in the payment of property transfer fees, that doesn't mean that the SA Revenue Service will apply them less strictly. By Bernardt van der Linde
Limpopo agri projects collapse
20 May 2006
Up to now, close to 300 families have withdrawn from 16 agricultural projects in Limpopo. This follows after the beneficiaries of around 71 failed projects have been granted the opportunity to have themselves deregistered voluntarily. By Malixole...
Credit bill affects homeowners
20 May 2006
The new national Credit Bill comes into effect early in June. This will have an effect on homeowners and property investors, while it aims to promote sustainable access to finance.
Clarens home sold for R2.2m
20 May 2006
A record price of R2.2 million has been obtained for a home in this scenic highlands village situated just 35km from Bethlehem and from three to four hours from Johannesburg.
Rustenburg market growing rapidly
21 May 2006
Leading property group Chas Everitt International is to open an office in Rustenburg, which is one of the fastest-growing towns in SA.
Patience running out for land
22 May 2006
South Africa's indigenous people who were yearning for land were "running out of patience" and the return of the land to those dispossessed should be accelerated, an ANC committee chairperson said on Friday. By Donwald Pressly, I-Net ridge
New middle class boosts sect. title
22 May 2006
Strong demand from the emerging middle class has resulted in the new Stonecrest residential development overlooking Dainfern Ridge in Johannesburg being sold out within four weeks of launch.
Live in Owl Town
23 May 2006
In the heart of the Great Karoo lies the 'Owl Town', Nieu Bethesda. Early in the previous century this peaceful place nearly became a ghost town but these days more and more burnt out city slickers are moving here. By Peter van Noord
Virginia retirement village a winner
23 May 2006
The proposed retirement village to be built in Virginia is proving to be a winner with the developers' target market.
Building plans passed up 31.3%
23 May 2006
The value of recorded building plans passed by larger municipalities during the first three months of 2006 increased by 31.3% compared with the first three months of 2005. I-Net Bridge
Buyers aware of price hikes
23 May 2006
Sellers who think they can take advantage of government's recent lowering of the transfer duty threshold by hiking their prices are in for a disappointment.
A river runs through it
24 May 2006
A popular Mpumalanga tourist destination's appeal is boosted by the launch of affordable eco-golf estate units on the majestic Seekoeispruit River.
Re-think rural development policies
24 May 2006
Bill Rawson pleads for "selected" residential development in agricultural areas, which he believes could contribute greatly to the survival of intensive agriculture in the Western Cape.
Didiza : no restitution after 1913
24 May 2006
The wisdom of negotiators had determined that the cut-off date for land restitution should be 1913 and not before, Agriculture and Land Affairs Minister Thoko Didiza said on Tuesday. I-Net Bridge
Are agents ethical?
24 May 2006
Linda Erasmus, CEO of the Fine & Country Property Group in South Africa, asks whether moral ethics in the real estate industry have gone out of the backdoor...
Dullstroom enjoying solid growth
25 May 2006
While Dullstroom has enjoyed enormous growth in recent years on the strength of its natural attributes and proximity to Johannesburg and Pretoria, it has retained its essential charm.
R42bn approved for housing poor
25 May 2006
Negotiations with major South Africans banks have been completed to release R42bn for housing to the poor, South African Housing Minister Lindiwe Sisulu confirmed on Wednesday. By Donwald Pressly, I-Net Bridge
High demand for agri properties
25 May 2006
There is a growing desire among Capetonians and others to own land beyond the urban fringe in farming or fynbos country.
Another new mall for Soweto
25 May 2006
The new R55m Baramall shopping mall was officially launched in Soweto on Wednesday. I-Net Bridge
Zoning delays housing
25 May 2006
Residential property development is being increasingly hampered by lengthy delays in obtaining zoning and planning rights from local authorities. By Joan Muller
KZN south coast an investors' dream
26 May 2006
Popular beach areas on the KZN South Coast such as Margate and Uvongo are already an investors' dream but savvy buyers are increasingly looking to areas further north, such as Port Shepstone and Hibberdene.
SA buyer pays GBP1.1m for London flat
26 May 2006
A 200sqm, three bedroom/two bathroom luxury apartment in Whitelands Park in London's exclusive Putney area has been sold to a Gauteng buyer for GBP1.1 million.
Waterlake farm subdivided
26 May 2006
A mere 15 kilometres east of Pretoria lies Waterlake Farm, situated on 300 hectares of undisturbed landscape. This property has been subdivided and erven were launched in April.
Prepare now for interest rate hikes
26 May 2006
Interest rates are a constant concern for homeowners. How do you evade a looming interest rate hike? Bond Finance expert answers.
Commission 'claims back' two farms
27 May 2006
The Land Claims Commission in the North West have obtained a court interdict against two tribal chiefs who have allegedly caused the dereliction of two farms worth close to R40 million. By Ainsley Moos
Township trade pumping
27 May 2006
While sceptics argue that developers are still not getting it right in terms of tenant mix, size and product offering, shopping malls in black residential areas are proving to be more profitable than many of their suburban counterparts. By Joan...
Coastal properties are very popular
28 May 2006
Top-end coastal investment properties are becoming increasingly popular in a difficult market, says Seeff licensee for Thesen Island, Coen Bezuidenhout.
Hoteliers eye Soweto
28 May 2006
The rapid transformation of Soweto from a once dusty and derelict township into a fully-fledged commercial hub is set to gain further momentum when its first graded hotel opens its doors in October this year. By Joan Muller
New releases at Bushman Sands
29 May 2006
Newly released stands are now available at the Easern Cape's Bushman Sands Country Estate. These include existing sites as well as those for re-sale.
Quiet Kloof dominates market share
29 May 2006
Despite the unflagging levels of development and steady price growth that have characterized the Hillcrest property market in recent years, its more staid neighbour Kloof has quietly retained its market dominance.
Invest in a Port Alfred farm resort
29 May 2006
Twenty two upmarket country homes currently under construction at Green Fountain Farm Resort, situated 7 km from Port Alfred on the R72 to East London, offer buyers an exclusive lifestyle, holiday and investment opportunity.
Making sense of auction issues
29 May 2006
Buying a property is the biggest transaction most people will ever enter into. Purchasing a property on auction does differ slightly...
Avoid interest hikes
29 May 2006
Interest rates are a constant concern for homeowners. How do you evade a looming interest rate hike? Bond Finance expert answers.
Bond finance expert - Ian Wason
29 May 2006
The South African banking industry has become far more competitive over the last two years with the introduction new institutions...
Huge housing fraud uncovered
30 May 2006
More than 2 100 officials of the Gauteng housing and local government department might be investigated after fraud of more than R133m in the allocation of housing subsidies was uncovered. By Pieter du Toit
KZN toll road to impact property
30 May 2006
If the proposed South Coast toll road - running between East London and the South Coast of Durban - goes ahead, now's the time to invest as property prices are bound to sky rocket.
Sect. title - know your rights
30 May 2006
The ever-expanding pool of sectional title property owners in SA - currently estimated at 2m living in 550 000 sectional title complexes countrywide - has created huge scope for disputes arising from abuse or misinterpretation of the rules that...
No easy solution for farm labourers
31 May 2006
Searching for simple solutions to the issue of homes for farm labourers is like searching for cellular reception in the middle of the High Karoo - it doesn't exist. The only thing all interested parties agree on, is that the Esta legislation...
Walmer convenient for PE CBD
31 May 2006
Like many older, central suburbs around the country, Walmer in Port Elizabeth is undergoing something of a renaissance as homebuyers rediscover the advantages of living close to the city and cutting commute times.
Homeowners save R0,5bn in a year
31 May 2006
After just a year in operation, South Africa's first independent mortgage broker, Bond Busters, has already saved South African homeowners half a billion rand.
The value of agents
31 May 2006
Much has been said lately about estate agents and its not all good. However, a good agent can add immeasurable value to your sale.
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