What Every First Time Homeowner Should Know About Home Loans in South Africa

For many first time homeowners, finding a property that meets your needs is something that may take months to achieve. Whether you are searching for a compact family home that offers the perfect place for your children to grow up in, or a new apartment in the city, the search for a property that is in the right area, at the right price, with the right

features is no easy task. In the same way, finding the right partner for home loans in South Africa should also not be something that is done in haste.

Choosing a home financing provider without understanding exactly how the process works can cost you a fortune in hidden fees, high interest rate and unrealistic payment terms. Instead, take the time to find a financing partner who understands your specific needs, who will be able to work with you each step of the way as your financing needs change.

Some of the factors regarding home loans within South Africa include:

• Interest rates – these will change over time, but to begin with you should be getting a competitive interest rate that will not break the bank. Fixed interest rates are set at the same amount over time, while variable interest rates change as your financial needs change.
• Payment terms – depending on your budget and needs, payment terms can be selected over anything from ten to 20 years. This will allow you to afford your new home without falling into serious debt, with payment plans spread out over time to ensure that you can easily make your monthly payments.
• Loan qualification – you will qualify for different sized home loans depending on your income. Couples are able to combine income, while singles have a sole income that may affect whether they qualify for a larger loan. In this way, your financial needs are carefully considered to ensure that you do not risk serious debt.
• Additional costs – it is always a good idea to find out exactly what costs you may incur for your home loan. Some providers charge an early payment penalty for homeowners who pay off their loans before the prescribed date. Others may charge late payment penalties too. Don’t be afraid to ask about all potential costs before choosing your home financing partner.

Best Tips for First Time Buyer Home Loans

While it can be a hugely stressful step to purchase your first home, do not let the daunting process deter you from achieving your dreams of home ownership. To be prepared, make sure that you have all documentation ready so that you will be able to begin the process as soon as you have found your ideal homeloan partner. Set a budget, and do not be tempted to purchase property that is not within your budget – the most effective way to ensure that you are able to finance your home is to choose property that you can realistically afford to purchase. – affordability-calculator

Mortgage Plus Home Loans makes the process as pain-free and simple, with a wide range of loan plans that suit every budget and specific needs. This allows you to focus on the excitement of finding your dream home, along with all the plans that you have to make it your own.

Please contact us if you require any further information or would like to apply for finance:

Complete this short form online

011.327.4489 / 0861 1111 93

morne@mortgagepluscc.co.za

www.mortgagepluscc.co.za

Home loan advice for first-time buyers

Looking to buy your first house, flat, or other type of residential property? Be sure to read on for some critical advice on buying a house and applying for your first home loan…

Do your homework properly – www.propertymax.co.za
Informed buyers get better bargains. If you familiarise yourself with the property market and get a feel for what properties cost in a certain area, you will recognise a good deal immediately, while simultaneously ensuring that you don’t end up paying too much for a property that isn’t worth it.

Be realistic about what you can afford – Affordability Calculator
A good property doesn’t come cheap, and a good property buy is more than just a house – it’s also the location that counts. Yet everything comes at a price, and you may find that you have to sacrifice on space or an extra bedroom in order to buy a property in a more sought-after area. Don’t be disheartened – the challenge is to get into the property market and buy wisely. The last few years’ rapid growth in the property market seems set to continue, which should help you to afford a bigger, more valuable property as time progresses and property growth continues. But first, you have to make inroads into the market as a buyer!

Location is everything
If you wish to buy a property with good investment potential, the neighbourhood you buy in will be a key consideration. If you are looking to buy a family home, it may also be worth your while buying a house close to schools, crèches, etc.

Also attempt to find a home that is situated relatively close to your place of work, as traffic congestion and increasing commuting times can also influence a residential property’s price.

Read – and understand! – the fine print
Buying any property comes with a fair amount of administration. As a first-time homebuyer, you’ll need to familiarise yourself with the mortgage application process, so be sure to ask questions if you don’t understand something. Also have your mortgage contract documents and application forms explained to you in detail, and keep copies of all signed documents in a safe place.

Choose a home loan that best suits your needs
Unsure of which bond solution to choose? If you’re a first-time buyer, why not talk to one of our qualified home loan consultants. Who can advice you on how to meet the home loan requirements of first-time homebuyers.

Allow for interest rate increases
When calculating your budget, it is important to bear in mind that the prime interest rate will influence your monthly home loan instalments if your bond features a variable home loan rate. Unless you opt for a fixed rate home loan solution, any adjustments to the prime rate will directly affect your home loan interest rate.

If prime is lowered, your monthly instalments will in turn be lower, and visa versa. If it increases, however, your monthly instalments will increase by substantial amounts. As such, it is advisable to allow for potential interest rate hikes when calculating your budget – even before buying a house! Be sure to use our
bond calculators to see how big a loan you could qualify for, and also to assess how much you’ll need to allow for potential interest rate increases.

By choosing Mortgage Plus for a loan, you will get that continual service to make sure you are getting the best deal possible.

CONTACT US

Speak to a home loan consultant about financing your new property or reviewing your existing mortgage. We are able to assist in lowering your bond repayments and securing attorney discounts.

Complete this short form online
Call us on 011.327.4489
Email: morne@mortgagepluscc.co.za

www.mortgagepluscc.co.za