Property Blog

Safeguarding Your Home for a Stress-Free Getaway!

Statistics reveal a notable increase in home burglaries during December and the preceding...

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Interest Rate Announcement Predictions: Is a Rate Hike on the Cards?

The Monetary Policy Committee is scheduled to meet on the 23rd of November to make their n...

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Unprecedented Loadshedding has Influenced Buyer Preference

According to FNB's September Special Report, the consistent power outages in the past 12 m...

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Mastering Moving Day

The moving process is marked by change, anticipation, stress, and excitement. Saying goodb...

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Repo Rate Decision: Impact on Landlords, Sellers, and Buyers

Reserve Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago, announced at Thursday's MPC meeting that the repo...

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Seizing Investment Opportunities in Johannesburg's Buyer's Market

At Etchells & Young Property Brokers, we understand the significance of this market phase...

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Navigating Property Sale Pitfalls: Why Transactions Fail Before Transfer

In the intricate landscape of property transactions, understanding the stumbling blocks th...

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Stress-Free Moving for Families

Moving to a new home can be both an exciting and stressful experience, especially for fami...

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4 Factors that Impact your Attractiveness as a Tenant

In summary, certain factors impact the attractiveness of a rental applicant, and understan...

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When Will I Get My Deposit Back?

The Rental Housing Act is clear regarding rental deposits.

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Why Homeowners Should Budget

Effectively managing your money through scrupulous budgeting is a crucial component of hom...

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Tenant Affordability Levels Threaten Rental Growth

The drop in national vacancies and rise in demand for residential rental property is drivi...

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Are Having Approved Building Plans a Legal Requirement for Selling?

According to Section 4(1) of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Amen...

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Renting Property vs Buying Property

There are advantages and disadvantages to owning a home vs renting a home. Comparing the t...

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Mould And Damp: Who’s Responsible?

Mould and Damp in rental properties are often a source of contention between landlords and...

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Rate Hike Lower than Expected

Yesterday the SA Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee raised its benchmark repo rate b...

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Property Market Outlook for 2023

Harry Meyburgh, one of E&Y’s directors, reflects on the challenges faced in 2022 and share...

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Case Study: Rental Housing Tribunal Ruling - Early Cancellation Penalty

It is imperative that landlords know and understand the impact that the Consumer Protectio...

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Roodepoort Area Report

Roodepoort has seen significant development in recent years from a residential and commerc...

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Sandton & Fourways Area Report

Sandton is one of Gauteng’s wealthiest areas and boasts some of the city’s most sought-aft...

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Randburg Area Report

Driven by affordability, Randburg offers a vast and diverse selection of sectional title a...

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The Impact of Rising Inflation on Residential Rentals & Sales

Industry experts believe inflationary concerns will continue to drive rate hikes in Septem...

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The Value of Quality Images when Renting or Selling Your Property

As a leading Property Practitioner in the Johannesburg area, we understand the importance...

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Rebound in Rental Growth

While the higher rental growth is promising, especially when compared with last year’s con...

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Deceased Estates

A deceased estate comes into existence when a person dies, leaving property or a document...

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Corporate Tenancy at Etchells & Young

Over the last 17 years Etchells & Young have built strong relationships with recognised re...

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Buying Property As A Foreigner In South Africa

Property can be owned individually, jointly or by entities such as a companies, close corp...

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Why A Conveyancer

Only a Conveyancer has the necessary expertise in all aspects of the property law. Using a...

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Bank Valuations

he bank's job is to do a Property Valuation to check whether the present market value of t...

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Advice For First Time Buyers

Buying property for the first time can be exciting and frightening all at once. Doing your...

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Applying For A Home Loan

What you should know before applying for a Home Loan

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Property Advice For Buyers

Buying property can be overwhelming. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment when it coul...

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Property Advice For Sellers

What You Should Know When Selling Your Property

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Benefits of a Sole Mandate - For Sellers

Sellers looking to sell their property at the highest price in the shortest amount of time...

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Invest in Your Investment

The key when renovating for profit is to keep the renovation accessible to the buyer. Ther...

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Bring Life to your Outdoor Entertainment Area

South Africans are fortunate enough to have weather that allows us to spend a large amount...

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FICA and The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) [Part 2}

Whilst FICA determines the purpose and type of information to be collected from clients an...

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What is POPIA? [Part 1]

In South Africa, businesses and organisations are obligated to collect a large quantity of...

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Sustained Buyer Activity Expected in 2022

The MPC’s decision to leave the repo rate unchanged at its lowest level since it was intro...

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Rental Market Shows Signs of Improving

Industry experts remain optimistic about the resilience and cyclic nature of the rental ma...

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Summer-Flowering Bulbs & Seeds

With summer just around the corner and temperatures rising into the 30°Cs, now is the perf...

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Beat the Heat this Summer!

South Africans are no strangers to the sun. We are fortunate enough to have a climate that...

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Create Your Own Compost Heap

Composting is an easy and environmentally-friendly way to nourish your plant life, enrich...

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E-Magazine for Sellers

Selling Your Property? Find out why you should choose Etchells and Young as your agent, a...

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Simple Styling Tips for Spring

There are many ways to repurpose and reshuffle what you already own to refresh your home,...

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Preparing Your Soil for Spring and Summer Planting

Our homes are our havens, and our gardens a reprieve from the busy city lives we live. Wit...

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Cleaning Tips for a Healthier, Happier Home

A clean home is a happy home, and more importantly, a safe and germ-free one! In addition...

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Rental Market Puts Pressure on Landlords

An oversupply of vacant properties and low tenant demand has significantly impacted rental...

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The Voetstoots Clause: How it Applies to Buyers and Sellers

Determining who is responsible for the repairs of both patent and latent defects is often...

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Coping with Loadshedding in Winter

Winter is definitely here, and the sub-polar weather conditions of the last few days have...

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Is SA House Price Inflation Showing Signs of Slowing?

The South African property market continues to show some resilience despite the global Cov...

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Interior Design Trends to Transform Your Home

With rolling lockdowns and an ongoing concern for our health and safety keeping more and m...

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The "New Normal" for Marketing Property

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly changed the way real estate agencies market their...

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Creating a Functional Home Office

Setting up a functional and organised workspace is essential for productivity and efficien...

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Energy-Saving Strategies to Combat Electricity Price Hikes

In February of 2021, the North Gauteng High Court ruled in favour of Eskom recovering appr...

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The Impact of Covid-19 on Tenant Payment Performance

Finding good tenants in the current residential rental market - exacerbated by the Covid-1...

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Mould and Damp – Who’s Responsible in a Rental Agreement?

Mould and damp in rental properties are often a cause for contention between landlords and...

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First-Time Buyers Continue to Capitalise on Current Buying Conditions

Thinking about buying your first home? First quarter statistics released by ooba Home Loa...

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Selling in Winter?

Here’s How to Keep Prospective Buyers from Getting Cold Feet

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Randburg and Sandton Sales Stats 2020

Regardless of what life stage you are in currently, property will always play a part

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A Guide to Acquiring Your First Investment Property

If you are reading this then that means you are thinking of or have decided to invest in p...

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Inexpensive Ideas to Freshen Up The Interior of your Home

It takes just a few simple steps to bring life and fresh energy into your space, so be rea...

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Clear Clutter for a Happier Home in 2021

2020 has come and gone, and with it a host of lows and some highs experienced across every...

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‘Tis the Season to be Saving!

The Christmas season is upon us (where has the year gone?) and with it the Christmas spoil...

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How to Improve Rental Returns in the Current Rental Market

Let’s start off by looking at and understanding the current rental market in Gauteng which...

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Early Cancellation Penalties Applicable To Residential Leases

The starting point when considering the imposition of a cancellation penalty in case of ea...

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Property Price vs Market Value

Determining your home’s resale value is the first step in the sales process, but it can be...

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Introduction to Rental Returns

Returns on residential property remain attractive. This is because the investment property...

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Can I Cancel My Offer To Purchase?

Can I cancel my offer to purchase?Offer to purchase = OTPAn offer to purchase (OTP) is a d...

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Who is Responsible for Rental Property Maintenance – Landlord or Tenant?

Who is Responsible for Maintenance in Rental Property - Landlord or Tenant? By - Harry Mey...

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Avoid Panic Selling!

Deciding to sell your home is a big decision, and one that requires careful thought and pr...

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Factors affecting Rental Demand

Listed below are a few examples of factors that affect the rental demand for a property, w...

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Why Tenants prefer to Rent Professionally Managed Properties

Just like most property owners have some serious concerns about any new tenant moving into...

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Be Sure to Insure your Investment

When buying a property, whether it be for investment purposes or a home to live in, it is...

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The Unpaid Landlord

A non-paying tenant can put a real spanner in your investment works...

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Conflict Resolution between Landlords & Tenants

Rental Housing Tribunals:Rental Housing Tribunals are in the process of being established...

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Rental Increases - Advice to Landlords & Tenants

Rental Increases – Advice to Landlords and Tenants. Landlords balance the rising costs of...

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Things you should know when Buying Property

As the saying goes - the early bird catches the worm - and arming yourself with as much in...

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Protect Your Rental Deposits

What is a Security Deposit? A security deposit is the money paid by the tenant to the lan...

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What is FICA? #AskEtchells

FICA (the Financial Intelligence Centre Act) exists to prevent money laundering, fraud, ta...

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Still the preferred Property Consultants in Sandton

Our Sandton Property Consultants are highly knowledgeable in their respective fields and f...

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What is a Reasonable Rental Increase?

Before a lease agreement comes to an end most tenants are given the option to renew their...

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Can a Landlord legally withhold the Deposit? #AskEtchells

The Rental Housing Act aims to first and foremost protect the landlord and tenant from ill...

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Have your Rental Application Ready!

Demand for rental stock is expected to increase in the months surrounding the festive seas...

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Spring Gardening :)

Spring time is almost finally upon us and I’m sure that most of you are planning to make a...

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Why people love to buy or sell their homes in the spring and summer months

Spring and hope are intertwined in the mind, body, and soul. In spring, nature conspires w...

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Are you ready to Spring Clean your home?

Let’s be honest, the moment spring arrives we all feel a weight lifted off our shoulders

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8 Proven Ways You Can Use Colour to Make a Buyer Love Your Home

Colour makes a first impression!The right colours make your home warm, inviting and appeal...

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Showcase your Home on Showday

When opening your home to strangers for show days, for all intents and purposes you are ai...

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Capital Gains Tax and all you need to know

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) does not affect every single property transaction; however it is i...

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The difference between Rates & Levies

So you have decided to take the big step of buying your first home, congratulations! First...

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First Time Renters

What to consider before moving out of home. Before planning your sweet escape from home, t...

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Reasons to use an Estate Agent to Rent/Sell your Property

Estate Agents have received a bad rap over the last couple of years, often deservingly so

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Questions to ask your Agent before Buying

Questions to Ask your Agent Before Buying. Buying a home can be an overwhelming task

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Get Your Home Pet Ready

In May 2013, the American Heart Association (AHA) released a scientific statement associat...

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Before Buying Sectional Title Property, Read the Body Corporate Rules

Sectional title developments are a sought-after buying option in South Africa for a number...

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Property Market Review and the Outlook for 2020

2019 can only be described as a very difficult and unpredictable year in the residential p...

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First time Buyers and Home Loan Applications

South Africa’s interest rate is currently sitting at 7% thanks to Covid 19. If you were th...

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Why use an Etchells & Young Estate Agent to Sell your Property?

Our established estate agents have access to an extensive buyers list from our large inves...

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The High Cost of Tenant Vacancy

Astute property investors know just how valuable a comprehensive investment strategy is to...

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Immigrating From South Africa - #ImLeaving

So you have decided to leave – here’s wishing you the very best in what must have been a H...

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#ImStaying

So you are staying, how about actively choosing to contribute positively to a better South...

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Tenant and Landlord relationships

A landlord tenant relationship begins the moment the lease has been signed by both parties

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Purchase A Home While You are Young

Gone are days where you could buy a home in your 20's. Recent studies have shown that the...

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Plants that have a positive effect on you and your home environment

Life has become quite stressful. We all need a home that is a haven to relax and de-stress...

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Cost Effective Ways to Keep Your Home Warm in Winter

The stress of being blown away by the winter electricity bill can cause some anxiety on an...

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Rental and Management Services for Landlords

Being a landlord can be quite tricky, that's why we offer a professional Property Rental a...

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Approved Bonds for First-Timers

"Several South African banks confirm that there is no minimum income to qualify for a bond...

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Advice for First-Time Renters

As a student, job market entrant or young professional looking to rent for the first time,...

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Breach of Contract vs Early Termination

Lease agreement cancellations are tricky at the best of times. Gladwin and Pretorius of Sc...

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Outcry Against 2018 Valuation Roll

The City of Johannesburg’s General Valuation Roll for 2018 was published on the 20th Febru...

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Gauteng Outperforms in percentage of First-Time Home Buyers

Of the total Home Buying percentage in 2017, the FNB Estate Agent Survey reported that 20

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Stronger Housing Market in 2018

John Loos, FNB’s Household and Property Sector Strategist, expects “a slightly better resi...

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Home Renovation Tips

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time for new beginnings – a much-needed fresh s...

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Are Airbnb & Short-Term Rentals the Best Option?

Airbnb is an online platform open to hosts (landlords) and guests/travellers (tenants), th...

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Is Now a good time to Buy Property in South Africa?

By - Harry Meyburgh, Director at Etchells Young. Property as an Investment. A commonly quo...

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Holiday Home Buying in South Africa

“A holiday home is a lifestyle buy. Something you buy to enjoy,” says John Loos

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Manage your Credit Card

Why is Credit Management Important?In South Africa, more than 14,7 million consumers make...

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Interior Decor Trends

There’s nothing new about the neutral colour palette, and it appears to be the natural cho...

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Repo Rate to Remain Unchanged

Lesetja Kganyago, governer of the SA Reserve Bank, announced at the Monetary Policy Commit...

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Are you Credit-Worthy?

Deciding to buy a property is one of the most exciting and daunting decisions you will lik...

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5 Reasons to Own your Own Property

Are you an aspirant homeowner? Do you long for the security and stability of owning your o...

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How Buyers/Sellers should Respond to the Mini-Budget

Property Investors and aspirant Homeowners - particularly those new to the property indust...

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Protecting your Rental Property Investment (Part 2)

Last month we discussed 5 Keys in Protecting Your Rental Property Investment – read that B...

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Protecting your Rental Property Investment

Owning a rental property (or rental property portfolio) can be and usually is a very good...

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Managing Finances amidst Rising Economic Pressures

Managing your finances amidst rising economic pressures calls for level-headed decision-ma...

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When Will I Receive my Rental Deposit?

The Rental Housing Act is clear regarding rental deposits

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7 Essentials to Consider when Furnishing your First Apartment

Every young adult dreams of the day they leave home and move into their very own apartment

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Home Decor Trends for 2017

Top 3 Home Decor Trends for 2017:Unsurprisingly natural, organic elements in the home cont...

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Colour Forecast for 2017

Plascon published their annual Colour Forecast for the New Year

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Slight Rise in Foreign Home Buyer Confidence

FNB Property Strategist - John Loos - reported that foreigner buying interest has risen sl...

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The Budget Speech 2017

Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, announced at the Budget Speech on the 22nd of February t...

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Planning to Manage your Investment Property?

If you are planning to manage or are currently managing your own investment property

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The Value of Professional Real Estate Photography

Online property platforms such as Private Property and Property24 have made viewing sales...

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The Rental Housing Act Amendment Bill

Main Objectives of the Rental Housing Act Amendment Bill:One of the main objectives of the...

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What Determines whether VAT or Transfer Duty is Payable?

Transfer Duty or VAT, whichever is applicable, is payable on transfer of fixed property in...

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What Constitutes Fair Wear & Tear?

When a tenant who pays on time and in full vacates the property they’ve been renting at th...

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How to Protect your Home from Flooding

There are very few things South Africans enjoy more than the spectacular severity of a sum...

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Changes to the new Sectional Title Legislation

Changes to the new Sectional Title Legislation will drive up monthly Levies substantially!...

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The 'No-Pets' Policy

Understandably the ‘no pets’ policy is a sensitive and sometimes contentious issue between...

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Does the Levy include Municipal Rates?

Does the Levy amount charged by the Body Corporate include Municipal Rates? Rates, taxes a...

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How to know a Serious Buyer from a Serial Browser

Knowing the difference between a serious buyer and a serial browser is a skill that experi...

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The Upside to Downsizing

Moving is a costly and stressful exercise and sellers looking to downsize are almost guara...

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Beware Fraudulent Estate Agents!

Potential tenants are vulnerable to being targeted by individuals who are posing as estate...

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Water Restriction Tariffs - September 2016

Following a notification by Rand Water on the 24th of August 2016, Johannesburg Water will...

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What Causes Delays in Registration?

Purchasing a new property can be a lengthy and complicated process involving several diffe...

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SA Property Market Update - August 2016

The Local Municipal Elections held on the 3rd of August have for the first time seen a sig...

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The "hidden" Costs in Buying Property

Buying property is a long-term financial commitment that aspirant homeowners should not en...

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Repo Rate to Remain at 7%

Homeowners with mortgages will breathe a sigh of relief at the news that the SA Reserve Ba...

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The Economy's impact on the Property Market

In a recent meeting with our Rental and Sales Agents, the Etchells & Young Director sh...

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All you need to know about Levies

What is a Levy?The levy is a monthly instalment paid by sectional title unit owners which...

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Selecting the Right Offer To Purchase

It’s every seller’s dream to receive multiple offers on their property, but deciding betwe...

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Why we consider ourselves the Rental Management Professionals

Rental Management has been the cornerstone of our business for over 10 years

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The Most Affordable Home-Heating Options

South Africans tend to prefer homes with large windows, open plan living areas and tiled f...

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3 Top Decor Trends for Winter

Winter has definitely arrived, and with it a host of home decor trends to suit the season

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Setting an Accurate Rental Price

Investors hoping to make a decent, long-term return on investment know the value of establ...

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Latest Cost Table - For Buyers

Bond Registration and Transfer Costs Payable by the Buyer

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What are the Risks of Signing Surety?

What is Surety? Oftentimes in the case of students or newly qualified individuals looking...

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Managing your Bond Repayments

The South African Reserve Bank raised the prime overdraft rate (the average interest rate...

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Rise in Emigration-related Property Sales

For many South African citizens, the thought of leaving our beloved country is unthinkable

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Why are Rental Property Inspections Important?

Why are Inspections important? Joint inspections are vital in establishing which party is...

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The Benefits of Renting in SA's Current Economic Climate

In light of our current economic climate – rising interest and inflation rates, sluggish e...

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High Demand for Property in Johannesburg North

Location, location, location! The age-old mantra still rings true. Location remains one of...

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What Information & Documents are required for a Rental Application?

Quality rental stock is in high demand and short supply

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Security Estates in High Demand

Rising safety and security concerns amongst South Africans has driven the demand for homes...

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What is Transfer Duty? #AskEtchells

Transfer Duty is the tax that a purchaser (person, company, closed corporation or trust) p...

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Why the Banks aren't granting Bonds

You may be one of the many South African’s looking to buy and own your first home

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Forecast for Property Market 2016

A number of factors continue to impact the South African property market in 2016, followin...

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What is a Credit Score?

A Credit Score is the numerical information recorded on an individual’s bureau credit repo...

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New Year's Resolution #1: Get Financially Fit!

If you made a conscious decision to improve yourself or an aspect of your life on the 1st...

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November Repo Rate Hike impacts Property Market

The repurchase rate, otherwise known as the repo rate, is the official interest rate that...

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Simple Ways to be Water Wise in SA

South Africa has experienced a prolonged period of lower-than-normal rainfall over the las...

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Home Security Tips for the Holidays

The festive season is just around the corner and holidaymakers are preparing for a well-de...

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Advice for Buyers in Today’s Economic Climate

South African consumers are experiencing the financial repercussions of a slow inflation r...

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Healthy Credit Habits for Renters

Whether you're renting or buying, having a good credit record is essential to ensuring tha...

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Alternate Energy Sources - Part 2

In the previous entry, two alternative energy sources were briefly detailed; Namely, utili...

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Alternate Energy Sources - Part 1

Over the last few weeks South Africa has experienced the harsh reality of a national power...

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The Regulation of Land Holdings Bill

The Regulation of Land Holdings Bill:On the 12th of February at the State of the Nations A...

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Buying Property With Your Partner

Buying a house has and remains one of the top long term investment choices you can make

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Top 5 Turn-Offs For Potential Buyers

“When is the right time to sell my house?” “How long will it take to sell my place?” “Will...

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10 Ways to Cope with a Power Failure

It's Winter and electricity usage is up as people turn on heaters to keep the chill away....

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Buying vs Renting - who wins?

Some people prefer being called citizens of the world and others like to have roots in one...

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What does the Credit Amnesty Act mean to you?

On 24 February 2014 the Department of Trade and Industry in South Africa announced the Rem...

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Declutter your Home

A new year is like hitting the refresh button. Starting a new year with last years’ clutte...

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Moving House and getting it Right

Everyone handles stress differently. According to the Holmess and Rahe Stress Scale, movin...

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Home Automation

There’s a new kid on the block called “home automation”. An article written by Antonella D...

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Tips on Decorating Rental Apartments

The majority of people at one time or another in their lives will rent an apartment. Affor...

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Inside the Mind of First-time & Trade-up Buyers

Recent studies show that first time buyers and trade up buyers enter in to the property ma...

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Tips on Improving Home Security

That sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach when you come home and realise that your h...

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Tips on Decorating on a Budget

Recession, petrol hikes, electricity price increases and all other buzz phrases can overwh...

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Energy Saving Tips

When it comes to saving electricity at home, every bit helps. It may seem like a drop in t...

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