Buying a new home can be daunting from making sure what you can afford, to getting pre-qualified and saving up for a deposit - and once you have done all that, there is the task of actually finding your dream home.
This can all seem a little overwhelming and without some guidelines to help you along the journey, it can feel like you might never find what you are looking for. We have gathered some of the best house-hunting tips to make it all a little less intimidating.
1. Don't be fooled by a fresh coat of paint
While not every newly painted home hides some serious defects, some sellers will try and hide defects by painting the home or fixing a minor issue to hide a bigger problem. It is therefore vital to make sure you ask about defects or get a building inspector involved to ensure you are not buying a home that is going to require some serious cash to fix.
2. Looking beyond the clutter
Thankfully we all have different tastes when it comes to interior design, but overlooking a home because you don't like the wall colours or the flooring choices might make you miss a hidden gem! Look beyond the clutter, cupboard finishes, or bathroom tiles and look at the bones of the home - you can change paint colours and update bathroom tiles.
3. It is not just about the inside
One of the most overlooked areas of any home is the roof - ask about when last the roof was maintained or rethatched if you are looking at a thatched roof home. When inside, check the ceilings for any signs of water damage from a leaking roof. Ask about the gutters as faulty gutters can also cause water damage.
4. Connectivity of the home
Driven by the rising demand for higher bandwidth and faster-speed connections, fibre-optic transmission is becoming more and more common in modern homes – but it’s still worth enquiring after it when considering a new home as not all suburbs in South Africa are yet fitted with the technology. If the home is not fibre-ready ask about other options in the area and how stable they are.
5. Does the home have security systems in place?
Safety is at the top of the list for South African homebuyers, it would be prudent to ask the seller about whether or not the home has security systems in place. This will include things like electric fencing and a connected alarm system. Just keep in mind that if the home does have an electric fence the seller should provide you with a valid electric fence compliance certificate.
6. Investigate the area
Finding the right home is not just about the home but the area it is in as well. If you are looking at a lock-up-and-go lifestyle, a family-friendly suburb shouldn't be on your list of places to house-hunt. Visit the area during commute times and find out if it is a viable option if you have to go to the office or do school drop-off. Ask the local community policing forum about the safety of the area, visit at night and over weekends to find out what the vibe is like. Is it a quiet neighbourhood or is it busy? How will this fit into your lifestyle?
Bonus tip: Find a reputable estate agent
By using their local knowledge and by understanding your needs, a qualified real estate agent will be able to find you the right house in the right area at the right price. An often overlooked benefit of having a real estate agent is the amount of effort they put into filtering out all the wrong properties to find you a selection of properties that fits your wants and needs, the fact that they do all the heavy lifting in terms of administration is also a bonus.
Make sure the agent you work with has a valid fidelity fund certificate and that they are properly registered with the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority.
