MAIN IMAGE: Shaun Roos, MD of Longitude Developments; Rhys Dyer, CEO of ooba Group
Staff Writer
The prospect of buying your first home has become synonymous with feelings of excitement and trepidation – possibly even every other expression on the emotional spectrum.
Essentially, it’s an overwhelming experience for anyone who’s willing to have a go at it.
“There are a great many moving parts to every property deal so it’s essential that you be cautious,” advises Shaun Roos, MD of Longitude Developments.
“Urban lifestyles are changing rapidly which requires property developers to bring aesthetically pleasing housing products to market that not only give buyers an entry into lifestyles of absolute convenience but also offer security, and importantly, efficiencies of architectural design and resource consumption,” Roos says.
Mistakes are bound to happen, but there are preventative measures you can take.
According to ooba Home Loans you cannot be a passive bystander who simply hopes for the best. This is a time for using every ounce of cunning and initiative needed to track down your perfect property. And there are many aspects property practitioners should implement to assist their clients in making the right decisions when buying their property.
“Property practitioners should position themselves as friends of their clients, and not the enemy who just wants to earn a pocket full of money. Property practitioners are a valuable source of information on the housing market, and can be the guide to purchasing a house that meets their requirements and they can provide insight into the value of properties in that area,” Rhys Dyer, CEO of ooba Group, said.
According to Roos there are several common mistakes made by many home buyers which, with the assistance of well-informed property practitioners, can be avoided. These include:
Over commitment: One way of knowing exactly what you can afford is to be pre-approved by a lender. Most lending houses have affordability calculators on their websites which makes it easy to find out what loan amount you qualify for so that you can buy the right home. Not only does it save time, but it means you will know your credit score. You can then realistically start your search for a new home and not be disappointed when you’ve set your heart on it.
Location: When buying a property there are certain long-term aspects that will influence your lifestyle and quality of life. These factors may be worthwhile considering:
- is it close to amenities, major routes, and transport options?
- How safe is the area?
- Is it a desirable up-and-coming area?
- What will the area look like in 10 – 15 years’ time?
- How will your investment mature?
- Young families will want to ensure that their children’s education and care facilities are close to home and suit the budget.
- Access to medical care and emergency medical facilities might be important to some
- When buying in a sectional title complex, buyers need to ensure the body corporates’
financial health, that the complex is well maintained and most importantly, that they can afford the levies.
Understand all costs
The selling price is the start of the home-buying journey, but home ownership comes with a few other costs like transfer fees, bond registration fees, municipal rates, and taxes as well as water, energy, and maintenance bills.
Once you have been pre-approved for a bond and commence the property search chapter, it’s essential to draw up a realistic budget of the monthly expenses you are likely to incur and what amount you are able to afford.
Existing or new?
An existing home offers fixer upper renovation potential to the practically minded DIY-er with the potential for capital gain, but the downside includes failing and outdated installations such as electrical and plumbing, non-compliance with building codes and regulations, as well as general wear and tear.
Older homes are not that energy efficient and could prove difficult to heat in winter and cool in summer, yet they may present with beautiful established gardens and entertainment areas that could prove attractive to certain buyers. On the other hand, new builds offer the reassurance of a “maintenance-free” few years due to new materials and installations, potential energy efficiency and even hygiene.
Community living vs freestanding?
Autonomy, privacy, security, and a sense of community are all key questions to consider when deciding on your future lifestyle and property purchase.
The growth in sectional title property ownership points towards lifestyle benefits that outstrip traditional homeownership. Security and a sense of community are the key considerations.
It does, however, require neighbourly consideration and compliance with rules that may not always suit everyone, but offers peace of mind and the knowledge that common property maintenance matters are dealt with by a board of trustees and managing agents according to a strict code of practice. Remember though that communal living places constraints on how you live in and decorate areas around your home and garden and will be governed by strict rules of aesthetics.
“Without getting to know the ins and outs of the lengthy and potentially confusing journey ahead, you can easily make one, or many, of these common mistakes. But be sure to set yourself up for success and go into the exciting time of finding your first home feeling empowered and putting your best foot forward,” Roos concluded.
