Your Property Is Probably One of Your Biggest Assets. Make Informed Decisions About It.

Start with comparable registered sales: homes with similar size, accommodation, condition and location that actually changed hands. Registration data can lag the current market, so recent activity also matters.

Current competing properties show what buyers can choose from today. Asking prices reflect sellers’ expectations — not necessarily the prices buyers will pay. Achieved selling prices are a stronger basis for comparison.

Size, layout, accommodation, maintenance and position within Uitzicht or Vredekloof all influence market response. A practical layout, road noise, access and current buyer demand can distinguish otherwise similar homes. A considered valuation combines these factors rather than relying on an online estimate.

Attend to general maintenance first: leaks, damp, damaged finishes and neglected exterior work can distract buyers and raise concerns. Interior and exterior painting, a tidy garden and thoughtful presentation may improve appeal without a major renovation.

Kitchens and bathrooms matter, but replacing them at a high cost does not guarantee the same increase in sale proceeds. Energy efficiency and safe backup electricity may be attractive; installation quality, compliance and the preferences of likely buyers matter too.

Evaluate improvements against the likely market response in your neighbourhood. Get quotations and practical advice before spending heavily. An expensive renovation that suits your taste may not recover its full cost.

Allow for the agreed estate agency commission and applicable VAT, preparation work and moving expenses. Required compliance certificates depend on the property, installations and sale agreement; examples may include electrical, electric-fence or gas certificates where applicable.

Ask your lender about bond cancellation notice, cancellation attorney fees and any applicable early termination charges. Municipal rates clearance requirements can involve amounts payable in advance; your conveyancer can explain the figures and any later adjustment.

Tax consequences vary with ownership, use of the property and individual circumstances, including possible capital gains tax. Obtain individual advice from your conveyancer, lender and tax adviser. There is no single selling-cost percentage that fits every owner.

Selling first may clarify your available budget and reduce the risk of carrying two properties, but it can mean temporary accommodation, storage and more than one move. Buying first can secure the right home, but may expose you to bridging costs or pressure if your existing property takes longer to sell.

Suspensive conditions — such as finance approval or the sale of another property — can help manage risk, but need clear deadlines and agreement from the other party. Obtain advice before signing; do not assume a condition protects you in every circumstance.

Plan deposits, transfer costs, bond arrangements, occupation dates and the practical timing of your move. The best sequence depends on your finances, available homes and priorities; neither approach is always correct.