About property and home loans

BetterBond Home Loans data reveals an increase in the percentage of home loan applicants – a figure sitting at 5.06 percent in the 12 months to end of October compared with the previous 12 months, while the total value of those applications showed a 12.26 percent year-on-year (y/y) increase.

According to the mortgage originators, the approval rate on loan applications proves that using a bond originator gives one a better chance of obtaining a home loan in the shortest possible time.

They also point to the fact that the quality of applications has improved with BetterBond noting that they are able to assist applicants to gather all required supporting documentation before submitting an application to the bank.

That said, interest rates are currently at historical lows which means home loan finance is affordable and of course we are told it is a buyer’s market.

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Affordability is a key factor when it comes to obtaining the necessary finance for buying property and the fact is that many consumers today simply don’t have the affordability ratios required by the banks

The Secrets of Wealthy Individuals

One of the secrets of the wealthy is to make inflation work for them, not against them, as it does for the majority of people.

One of the secrets of the wealthy is to make inflation work for them, not against them, as it does for the majority of people.

Unfortunately, few South Africans really understand what inflation is, and the devastating effect it has on our financial futures, according to Dr Koos du Toit, chief executive officer of P3 Investment Group.

Du Toit explains that in September 2013, the annual inflation rate was 6 percent, just within SARB’s target range of 3 to 6 percent.

What this means is that it costs 6 percent more than it did last year to buy the same ‘shopping basket’ of goods and services.

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How will the Credit Amnesty Act affect the property market?

Despite industry objections to the removal of adverse credit information from the credit bureau databases, last month the Cabinet made the decision that all blacklisting will be removed from around 1.6 million consumers’ records. The decision to wipe the negative credit information was taken in an attempt re-enter these consumers into the market, which should, in turn, boost consumer demand and spending.

While this is good news for consumers who have paid all their debts but are still prevented from accessing further credit due to their bad credit listing, the credit amnesty bill may have the opposite effect in the housing market to what was initially intended, says Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa.

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A choice of property

Are you looking for a new home or an investment property? Follow the link to viewhttp://remax.co.za/Property-One-Liners/Agent/120199/1/

Private Property website

All of South Africa’s best property in one place. Estate Agents, banks, developers, private sellers and landlords all listing here means the widest variety of property you’ll find anywhere on the web. If it’s your neighbourhood’s top agent you’re looking for, the smell of fresh paint or a sweet, bank deal you’ll find them all here. Register for suburb updates and they may even come looking for you. Visit Private Property...

Guide to buying a home

Step 1: Find out if you qualify for a homeloan.

Firstly you need to know if you qualify for a home loan. We can assist you with out pre-qualification process by calculating what you could afford as well as assist you with the process of applying for a bond when you have found your dream home. Read More...>>

Investing in Rental Property

There are a lot of ways to invest in real estate. Trust me – I made the list of the Top 100 Ways to Invest in Real Estate. However, one of the most tried and true methods of building serious wealth in this world is through investing in rental property. This post is going to look at why rental property can be such a powerful investment tool and how you can begin investing in rental property to start making your future more secure.
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State of South African Property market

The latest issue of Rode’s Report on the SA Property Market reveals a modicum of good news for the industrial property market, says property valuer and economist Erwin Rode of Rode & Associates.

On a national basis, the yearly growth in industrial rentals is slowly heating up, seemingly benefiting from the lagged impact of declining vacancy rates. “In fact, such has been the acceleration in the growth of market rentals in this sector that in the fourth quarter of 2012, prime rentals recorded a nationally averaged growth rate of 7%, with the strongest yearly growth of 9% being achieved in the Cape Peninsula.” Disappointing, however, is that the national average still failed to be in excess of building-cost inflation. “Hence, we are not yet out of the woods,” cautions Rode.

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Adrian Goslett comments on the July interest rate announcement

Adrian Goslett comments on the July interest rate announcement

"Given the fact that consumers have already experienced a massive petrol price increase and electricity tariff over the past month; it came as relief that the Monetary Policy Committee has decided to leave the prime interest rate unchanged at its current figure of 8.5%,"says Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa. 
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