Home owners

Constantly evolving regulations, a fluctuating market, ever-changing neighbourhoods… the property market is a constantly-moving industry that requires expert insight and knowledge. Private Property provides the latest news and advice on everything property related for all sides of the spectrum. In our one-stop Property Advice portal, you can find:

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Beware the “buyer” who arrives alone
Property Advice

Beware the “buyer” who arrives alone

It's not unusual for a buyer to view a home more than once before making a decision. However, sellers need to be aware that there are “buyers” who are far more interested in pinching the family ...

Property Advice

Painting ‘aint special at all

When it comes to special levies, residents in Sectional Title schemes can end up feeling confused and even resentful. In a bid to clarify the issue, Whitfields Residential and Commercial Property Administrators recently issued ...

Agent Advice

Municipal debt: will the lights stay on?

The issue of “old municipal debt” has actually not been completely resolved yet, and is probably headed for the Constitutional Court.

Moving right along
Property Advice

Moving right along

It came as rather a rude awakening, at the wake of our much missed uncle-with-large-property-portfolio, when whisperings had it that he hadn’t made precise plans for the passing on of the portfolio. Nieces and nephews from all ...

Trustee troubles? Keep paying your levies!
Property Advice

Trustee troubles? Keep paying your levies!

Are the finances of your sectional title scheme healthy? And should you withhold your levy payments to force the trustees to behave if you think things aren’t what they ought to be? Your answers, of course, should be “Yes” and ...

Sectional title: make your managing agent pay
Property Advice

Sectional title: make your managing agent pay

Can you imagine handing over your salary every month to a virtual stranger in order for them to manage your finances and pay your bills? In essence this is what body corporates do when they entrust the affairs of their sectional ...

Property Advice

Buying? Investigate urban crime!

You would think, given the high levels of crime in this country, that those in power would do everything possible to get their facts straight first-time around. However, the annual crime statistics released last week indicate ...

Lifestyle and Decor

Love thy neighbour

Love thy neighbor may be a theory we’ve all grown up with, but sometimes when spaces are small, boundaries are shared and neighbours are diverse, the ins and outs become rather a challenge. And sometimes impossible. Case in ...

Serious about security
Lifestyle and Decor

Serious about security

Judging by a number of recent reports, securing your home using hi-tech devices may not necessarily be the way to go. Forget alarm systems, turn off your CCTV cameras and infra-red beams and buy a coffin. Yes, it does seem a ...