Buying property in Stellenbosch can be a risky and challenging affair, especially for international buyers. However, there is a way minimise these risks, and that is to use the expert services of a buyer’s agent.
The Importance of a Comprehensive Search
There are countless property websites and print-media resources available for your perusal when buying a property in Stellenbosch. With so many advertising options to consider, it is virtually impossible to examine every single properly. What is more, the most sought after properties tend to be snatched up before they are even advertised.
The only way to be sure that you have covered all the bases before buying a property in Stellenbosch, is to contact every estate agent in Stellenbosch, and also track down private sellers and developers. Exhausting! Let SAHomeBuyers do the work for you. We spare no effort in scrutinizing all options regarding what properties are available and best suited to your requirements.
Excellent Legal Support is Vital
Buying a property in Stellenbosch is a significant investment. It is crucial for buyers to get advice from legal experts when navigating the property purchasing process. In South Africa, the process tends to be biased in favour of the seller. There are two key aspects of buying a property in Stellenbosch which can disadvantage the buyer.
The first is the Offer To Purchase agreement. The norm is a standard agreement that is used for property transactions in Stellenbosch and throughout South Africa. This agreement includes clauses which ensure that the seller’s interests are protected.
Be Informed About Suspensive Clauses
As the buyer, you need to understand the implications of these clauses, and what rights you waive in agreeing to them. The seller’s agent is not going to help you there, or tell you that, besides the standard clauses, an Offer To Purchase agreement may contain ‘suspensive clauses’, sometimes referred to as a ‘deal breaker’.
For example, when buying a property in Stellenbosch, you may specify a structural survey as a suspensive clause. If the results of the survey are unacceptable, you need not proceed with the purchase and are legally released from your obligations.
SAHomeBuyers Protects You In Legal Matters
Another drawback for the buyer in the current system in South Africa is that there is no cooling off period stipulated in the Offer To Purchase. It is very unlikely that the seller or their estate agent will point this out to the buyer and explain to them that they may insert such a stipulation.
Also, the system does not provide for adequate legal representation for the buyer. In fact, although an attorney is brought in by the estate agent to protect the seller’s interests, the buyer foots the attorneys’ bill!
SAHomeBuyers property experts guide buyers through the entire purchasing process. An attorney is also on hand to provide legal counsel regarding the offer to purchase, as well as to perform a check on the title deed and suggest suspensive conditions that protect the buyer.
You Don’t Want to Pay Too Much
No one wants to pay too much for a home. When buying a property in Stellenbosch, it can be difficult for the buyer to determine what is a reasonable price to offer. Buyers often consult the selling estate agent in this regard, which is a questionable practice, since the selling agent is paid to obtain the best price for the seller.
This is the reason why over 60% of property transactions in the USA involve a buyer’s agent. Unfortunately, in most cases in South Africa buyers don’t realise there is anybody else to ask. But there is! As South Africa’s premier buyer’s agent, SAHomeBuyers is able to:
- Access past industry selling prices in Stellenbosch;
- Obtain particulars about factors which have an effect on price, such as time on the market, eagerness to sell, registration of bonds;
- Draw on their experience concerning rebuild costs and the recent history of property prices in Stellenbosch;
- Ascertain the area’s marketability and saleability;
- Employ their skills and expertise in negotiating on behalf of the buyer;
- Negotiate from a professional, rather than emotional, position.
SAHomeBuyers has saved hundreds of thousands – and in some cases millions – of rands for various clients buying property in Stellenbosch. Let us give you the benefit of our support and expertise and have peace of mind throughout the whole transaction, from finding your dream property to final transfer.
The Next Steps
Many prospective buyers have never before been introduced to a property buyers consultant, let alone used one. Buyers agents are common in many other countries, though, because they are buyer focused and help source and secure your ideal property (usually with large discounts). And in 99% of cases they are free of charge.
SAHomeBuyers is a property buyers consultant. Of course, we help search and secure that ideal Stellenbosch property, but we also put great emphasis on all the other considerations – both good and bad. Our only goal is to serve your interests and help you make the best informed decision.
Learn more about SAHomeBuyers and arrange to talk to one of our property consultants by e-mailing us here or telephoning + 27 (0) 83 265 8800.
