Michelle Slabbert

This Women’s Month, we’re celebrating the remarkable women shaping South Africa’s property market, and Michelle Severin is a shining example. With nearly a decade as a qualified agent and a deep passion for connecting people with their dream homes, Michelle has built an award-winning career at Century 21 Wildlife.

With the rising cost of living and tighter bank lending conditions, many homeowners are looking for ways to cut costs when selling, including the idea of avoiding estate agent commission by selling privately. While this may seem like a way to keep more money in your pocket, the risks in today’s market are far higher than most people realise. A private sale can quickly become expensive, stressful, and legally risky if you’re not fully prepared.

For many South Africans, the start of the year marks the time when serious home-buying decisions are made. January and February traditionally mark a period of renewed market activity, with new listings and motivated sellers. If you are planning to buy property in 2026, one of the smartest moves you can make is to get pre-approved for a home loan before February.