Wakefields - Aaliyah Hoosen

18/07/2025

01/07/2025

SIX STEPS TO AN ACCURATE SELLING PRICE FOR YOUR PROPERTY

Market-related properties can often sell well within a month of coming onto the market, while overpriced properties tend to linger for months, and often result in price changes, and a change of agents.

Years of experience in marketing and selling property has shown that overpricing is the primary cause of non-sales. Simply put, the market determines the price. A property's value is ultimately determined by what a willing buyer is prepared to pay in the current market.

In reality though, sellers generally tend to attach more value to their property which can hinder the sales process. Aspects such as what the seller needs for their next purchase, what they paid for the property, or how much they invested in renovations will have little bearing on achieving a higher price.

Emotional attachment can lead to overpricing, and sellers need to view the sale as a business transaction. Setting an accurate asking price is paramount for a successful property sale, as it directly impacts how quickly your home sells and the final price achieved.

An overpriced property often deters serious, well-informed buyers from the outset, leading to prolonged time on the market, the dreaded "stale listing" effect, and often forcing multiple price reductions which can erode buyer confidence and ultimately result in a lower sale price than initially hoped for.

Conversely, an accurately priced home attracts immediate interest, can generate competitive offers and even bidding wars in a strong market, ensuring a swift and profitable transaction while minimizing holding costs and stress for the seller.

There are six important steps to ensuring your price is accurate for the market:-

#1 - Ensure your property is in the best sellable condition, freshly painted and clean. Poor maintenance or distractions will affect the price.

#2 - Do not overcapitalise when you renovate or upgrade, and always keep upgrades neutral and not overly trendy.

#3 – Assess the property in terms of what it offers (size, finishes, location, etc.), and in relation to similar properties on the market in the area.

#4 – Compare only recent selling prices of similar properties sold in the area to evaluate and determine the correct asking price.

#5 – Consider current market conditions and adjust your price expectations if necessary unless you are prepared to wait for the right buyer.

#6 – Consider all reasonable offers and leave room for negotiation. Often a deal is made by bringing the two parties to meet somewhere in the middle.

READ: 7 Upgrades that will improve your home's kerb appeal dramatically

10 proactive steps you can take as a home seller:-

There are essentially two primary types of delays when selling a home; the first relating to the confirmation of the sale and those that occur once the sale has been confirmed and hold up the transfer.

Once the potential minefield of multiple complex steps, reams of documentation along with suspensive conditions and contractual obligations has been successfully navigated and the deal is finally done, many people breathe a sigh of relief.

But the deal isn’t quite done yet and the expected downhill cruise to transfer can still become an uphill battle if one isn’t careful.

Many of these delays can quite easily be avoided or resolved through good communication and prompt co-operation with the transferring attorney and agent but if sellers have addressed the following points, they can offset many problems before they occur:

1. Have Approved House Plans Ready:

If you've made structural changes to your home, such as adding a room or renovating the kitchen, ensure that you have all the necessary permits and approved house plans ready for potential buyers.

Buyers often want to see these documents to verify that the work was done correctly and legally and getting plans approved with the Council can take many months which is probably a lot longer than most buyers would be willing to wait.

2. Get Your Certificates of Compliance Done:

If you are even thinking about selling your home at some point in the near future, it’s a good idea to get a head start on your compliance certificates.

Property owners are required by law to ensure that the property is legally fit for sale and before the transfer can take place, the transfer attorney must be in possession of the relevant COCs and, although the process is quick and simple, if there are any major issues to be addressed, it could delay or even scupper the sale.

3. Complete Repairs and Inspections in Advance:

Before listing your home, conduct a thorough inspection to identify any necessary repairs or maintenance tasks and address these issues in advance to prevent them from becoming deal-breakers during negotiations.

4. Organise Financial Documentation:

Gather all essential financial documents ahead of time and if there are outstanding liens or debts on the property, work to resolve them before listing. Having your financial affairs in order can expedite the closing process.

5. Price Your Home Realistically:

Overpricing your home can lead to extended time on the market, resulting in frustration and potential financial losses.

Work with an experienced real estate agent to determine an accurate and competitive listing price based on market conditions, recent sales in your area, and the unique features of your home. A well-priced home is more likely to attract serious buyers quickly.

6. Declutter and Stage Your Home:

A cluttered or poorly presented home can deter potential buyers and prolong the selling process. Invest time in decluttering, depersonalizing, and staging your home to make it more appealing to a wide range of buyers. A well-presented home not only sells faster but may also command a higher price.

7. Be Flexible with Showings and Negotiations:

Being inflexible with showing schedules or negotiations can discourage potential buyers and lead to delays. Be open to accommodating reasonable showing requests and be willing to negotiate in good faith. A flexible approach can help maintain the momentum of the sale.

8. Secure a Qualified Real Estate Agent:

Selecting the right real estate agent is crucial in avoiding delays and frustrations. Choose an experienced agent with a strong track record and local market knowledge as they will guide you through the process, manage expectations, and proactively address any issues that arise.

9. Anticipate Buyer Contingencies:

Buyers often include contingencies in their offers, such as home inspections, appraisals, or financing approval. Be prepared for these contingencies and ensure that your home is in good condition to pass inspections and appraisals. Clear any potential roadblocks to financing approval, such as unresolved liens or disputes.

10. Be Ready to Negotiate Repairs:

After the home inspection, buyers may request repairs or concessions. Be open to negotiating these requests to keep the deal on track. Addressing concerns promptly and reasonably can prevent delays caused by disagreements.

A well-prepared and organized approach to selling your home is essential for avoiding frustrating and costly delays and by taking these proactive steps, you can increase the likelihood of a smooth sale.

27/06/2025

26/06/2025

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER BUYING YOUR FIRST HOME

There's a major sense of accomplishment that goes hand-in-hand with buying your first home but most of the advice for first-time buyers focuses on aspects like saving for a deposit and navigating the purchase process, with very little relating to what happens next and what to expect.

Once you’ve signed the contract, made your first repayment, and moved into your new home, the expectation is usually that now it’s finally time to relax and enjoy being in your very own home, but the reality is often very different.

Almost every new buyer feels excitement and pride at having achieved the dream of owning property, but the truth is that owning a home can be daunting for numerous reasons and many people also feel a slew of other emotions - not all of them positive.

If buyers know what to expect before they take the plunge, then moving and settling into their new home will be much more relaxing and the first year much more enjoyable.

1. Buyer’s remorse is inevitable

There’s almost no way for a new homeowner to completely avoid buyer’s remorse, even if it’s just briefly when the enormity and implications of home ownership dawn for the first time. The good news is that it’s all worth it because, for all of its challenges, home ownership can be very rewarding, both financially and emotionally.

2. Your home increases your time horizon

When you’re renting, although you have a lease, you aren’t really bound to that property and can move with relative ease. However, when you own a home, moving is considerably trickier as you have all the same work associated with moving but you also have to sell your home first and navigate the whole process from marketing to signing on the dotted line.

3. It might not feel like home straight away

You might feel pressure to love your home from day one, but give yourself some time to ease into it. Realistically, when has a new house ever felt like home as soon as you moved in? Allow yourself to miss your old home and neighbourhood because you’ll soon feel settled and begin to make new friends and memories.

4. You’ll probably start spending your money differently

Yes, you’ve paid out a chunk in deposits and transfer fees and finally moved into your house but there is a lot to do in a new home and things like random repairs, repainting the walls or furnishing an extra room, and they all cost money.

There are also the ongoing expenses that come from owning your own home, including council taxes and when things are broken, you have to take care of them yourself instead of calling a landlord. But most of these expenses are an investment in an asset that you own, which takes the sting out of most of them.

5. Home repairs are costly

Even if you’ve bought a brand-new home, there are always things to fix and some repairs are very costly. The best way to deal with this is to set up a maintenance check list so that issues can be fixed before they get worse (and more expensive) and also to set aside some money each month so that you aren’t caught off guard by the unexpected. And, again, the outlay isn’t frittered away, it’s for a good cause.

6. You won't be able to do everything at once

You’ll have plans for your new home, especially if you bought an older property as a fixer-upper but you need to be prepared to live with the house as is for a while – or longer. Creating your dream home is a costly business and it can even take years until you’ve completed what you planned.

7. You’ll have to spend time doing things you may not enjoy

Unfortunately (or fortunately), you’re now responsible to for everything in your home and will have to perform tasks that were previously taken care of by the landlord. For instance, gutters need cleaning and it should be done at least four times a year to avoid clogging which can lead to serious – and costly - damage.

8. Keep accurate records of home improvements

When you make improvements to the house, they increase your cost basis and when it comes time to sell, all of these costs can be included to offset your tax burden which can be considerable if you’ve owned your property for more than a few years.

9. You are in control of your living situation

No one will raise your rent or decide to sell the property or take it off the rental market. And if you want to paint the walls bright purple, no-one can complain and force you to paint them white. In fact, you don’t need to ask a landlord for approval on for anything anymore and the sooner you embrace this new-found freedom, the sooner your new house will look and feel like home.

Homeownership is an exciting experience and one that should be enjoyed thoroughly, but it also involves a lot of responsibility, more than a little stress and worry over money so the better prepared you are financially and mentally, the sooner you will get to grips with your new status as home owner.

18/01/2025

🤣

Once upon a time, there lived an elderly lawyer who was known for his sharp wit and unwavering honesty. He had a loving wife and a bustling household of 12 lively children. Though his days were filled with chaos and laughter, he found himself in a predicament—his rental agreement was ending, and he needed to find a new home for his big family.

But there was a problem.

Whenever he mentioned having 12 children, landlords would politely decline, fearing the wear and tear such a large brood might bring to their property. The lawyer, true to his profession, refused to lie about his situation. After all, lawyers don’t lie—they find creative solutions.

One day, inspiration struck.

The lawyer asked his wife to take 11 of their children on an outing to the cemetery for a peaceful stroll. Meanwhile, he took the youngest child with him to meet a real estate agent.

At one of the viewings, the lawyer was impressed by a charming home with a beautiful garden. The agent, eager to finalize the deal, asked, “How many children do you have, sir?”

The lawyer replied truthfully, “I have 12 children.”

The agent, raising an eyebrow, followed up, “And where are the others?”

With a solemn expression and a dramatic pause, the lawyer answered, “They are in the cemetery…with their mother.”

The agent, moved by what he assumed was a tragic story, didn’t press further and quickly handed over the keys.

The family soon moved into their new home, where laughter and joy filled the rooms once again.

MORAL: Honesty doesn’t mean revealing everything at once. Sometimes, it’s all about choosing the right words. Lawyers don’t lie—they strategize!

03/11/2024

🏆 We Did It Again! 🏆

We are beyond excited to announce that Wakefields has been awarded the Daily News Readers’ Choice Award for Best Real Estate Agency in KwaZulu-Natal for the 21st time! 🎉

A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful residents of KZN for your continued support and trust in us. This achievement is a reflection of our commitment to providing exceptional service and helping you find your perfect home.

We couldn’t have done it without our amazing team and the incredible community we serve. Here’s to many more years of success together!

Thank you, KZN! 💙

24/07/2024

🤣

19/09/2023

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