Why You Need an Estate Agent

The information in this article is courtesy of Realestateweb (Big reasons not to sell your own home – 26 November 2008)

Private property sales are becoming more and more popular as homeowners try to save on commissions. According to Lanice Steward, managing director of Anne Porter Knight Frank estate agency, her experience in the industry has shown that these private sales can be disastrous.

Steward pointed out that there is a misperception of the role of the estate agent in some cases. This stems from ignorance of what the agent does and a lack of appreciation of what he or she can bring to the negotiation and sales process. This, according to Stewart, is somewhat surprising seeing that people don’t try to diagnose their own ailments, and they certainly don’t try to service their own cars, buy yet they think that they are qualified to market and sell their biggest assets.

The biggest mistake made by DIY home sellers is often made while investigating prices in their region. Show houses are almost always overpriced and when sellers use that price as a guideline they often overprice (or sometimes under-price) their own property.

DIY sellers often find that the advertising cost is higher than they bargain for and that possible buyers pray on their inexperience and downgrade their price by pointing out drawbacks and defects. When a serious buyer do come around the sellers often lack the legal and negotiating skills to get a good deal.

When using a trained agent these issues are often totally excluded from the selling process; the seller benefits from the agency’s large-volume advertising and the agent will have a potential buyers list, which is a good start. A professional agent will recognise the pitfalls and traps to avoid in the all-important negotiation process and all other deed related issues would be handled with precision.

Steward thinks it is important for all homeowners to note that, although an agent’s commissions might sometimes be high, the reality is that paying an agent will almost always get you a sooner and better deal.

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Buying Holiday Homes – Lifestyle or Investment

When buying a holiday home you are either buying a place where you can your family can go to for a holiday or you have financial gain in mind. It can even be a nice blend of these to options.

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
When buying a holiday home is mostly a lifestyle choice for you, you should be careful not to compromise on you own needs in favour of a wiser financial investment. Don’t worry about what the market is going to do in the next 10-20 years just follow your heart and buy the place where you feel you can make loads of happy memories.

If you are buying to let you should put your own feeling and taste aside. Pick the property that would be able to pay for itself and do the math to make sure your prospects are feasible. Do research and find out what the going rate is before you purchase the property.

If you have both options in mind, be sure to strike the right balance between the two factors and don’t compromise on where you want to spend your holiday. Make sure the property is in an area where your target market would want to stay. Think with your heart but also be practical.

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7 Tips for Buying a Home

Buying your dream home is one of the most exciting events in your life. Here are 7 tips to consider when taking the big step.

1. Learn the search process
It is important to search thoroughly and use all the resources available. The Internet is a good place to start. Try a property directory or simply pick up a copy of the local newspaper. This way it will be easy to stay up to date with the latest news on the property market.

2. Go beyond the photos
A picture tells a thousand tales. This is very true but one should not let a bad photo put you off a property entirely. The way a property is displayed in a brochure or on a listing is a good guideline to go by but should not be the only one - you don't want to miss out on a great deal because of a poor photo.

3. Work with a local expert
Get the best agent to help you search for a property. An agency that has been up and running for a long time should have the necessary experience and knowledge to help you.

4. Bank on your relationships
Use a bank that you are familiar with and with whom you have worked with in the past.

5. Document everything
Keep all your income documents and present as much information as possible to the bank. These days your bank might expect more prove of income than you might think.

6. Hire smart, reliable advisors
You are making a big decision and you need the best advisors to guide you. Listen to advise but also speak to your friends - they might have some different insights, which can come in handy.

7. There is always room to negotiate
The asking price is not set in stone and negotiating can get you a better deal.

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Why Thesen Island is Perfect for You

Imagine a marina stretched over 90 hectares of man-made islands, surrounded by 25ha of tidal waterways and linked by 21 arched bridges, located in one of the most scenic locations in South Africa - Knysna.

With only 508 houses and 56 apartments on Thesen Islands, this unique developement is obviously reserved for those who enjoy the finer things in life. Expect quite streets, tranquil beaches, landscape parks and peaceful waterways lined with modern urban homes perfect for retirees or couples with young children.

Thesen Island is one of those places that must be seen to be appriciated and you will be hard-pressed to find a safer, more spectacular venue anywhere else in the world.

Those who buy property on Thesen Islands live the life that most people can only dream of.