1.)   I can’t afford to pay my bond anymore – what should I do?

The thought of the bank foreclosing on you and losing your house can be a very emotionally traumatic issue. So traumatic, in fact, that many homeowners feel that they are doomed no matter what they do and so they just give up and do nothing; purposefully defaulting on their mortgage. However, this is the absolute worst thing that they could do as there are always proactive things that can be done to better the situation.

Leaving the situation to run its course is tantamount to financial suicide as it will not only result in losing your home, but it will also lead to a bad credit record and being black listed.  Consumers with bad credit records, or who are black-listed, are normally banned from the lending industry for five to 10 years which means that not only will they be declined for any type of credit application, but they will even find it difficult to rent a home as the majority of landlords run credit checks on their prospective clients.

The best thing to do in these circumstances is to take immediate action – accept responsibility, take control of the situation, consult broadly and act decisively.

2.)   Should I communicate my financial situation with my bank?

Yes – it is highly advisable to contact your bank and let them know your situation as they may be able to help you and will be more sympathetic with you when dealing with the problem.

Most banks have recognised the dire economic times we are living in and the majority of them are bending over backwards to reschedule debt and help homeowners keep their homes. For example, you might be able to negotiate what is called a “holiday period” which is normally a three to six month period where you don’t have to pay any instalments. This will offer you a short-term solution to your problem with the hope that you will be back on your feet once the holiday period is over.

Alternatively, you could perhaps negotiate a longer bond term – in other words, instead of paying your bond off in 20 years you can pay it off in 30 years, which should decrease your monthly repayments.

If you are not sure about how to approach your bank, or you would like to explore further options, you should contact a professional debt counsellor who should be able to help you “get your ducks in a row” so to speak.

3.)   What are the benefits of going under debt review and going under administration?

       Debt Review

A professional debt counsellor will review your situation with you, submit a proposed payment plan to all your creditors and apply to court to have this proposal granted. Once you have applied for this process, all creditors must cease legal proceedings against you and participate in the process and the bank cannot repossess your house.

       Administration

A process that is very similar to that of debt review, but it is viewed as a more permanent measure. Unlike debt review, which assumes that your debt is a temporary crisis, administration assumes that the situation will not be remedied in the short-term and hence longer-term settlements will be negotiated with your creditors.

Here, your property will be repossessed to help settle your debt.

4.)   Can I sell my property to cover my debt?

There are many cases where the debt burden is just too big for borrowers to manage and in these cases the best chance of recovery and keeping their credit rating intact is to sell their property and use the proceeds to cover their debt. That is to say, as long there is enough equity in your property to cover the outstanding bond amount. Such a sale would release you from any debt obligations and allow you to re-establish your credit faster and enter the market again much wiser.

If a homeowner continually fails to pay the home loan instalments to the point where the home loan is cancelled by the financial institution, the home will be repossessed. However, in an effort to assist homeowners who are no longer able to afford their bond repayments, the banks are now selling these distressed properties through reputable estate agents for a market-related price. RE/MAX of Southern Africa, for example, is currently working with First National Bank, Standard Bank and Nedbank to sell their distressed properties. There is a dedicated RE/MAX assisted sales department that manages approximately 200 distressed sale leads per month with an 80 percent success rate. These properties are sold, on average, within 30 to 45 days and, on average, also achieve more than 85 percent of the asking price, which could mean a quick solution for many homeowners to a stressful and complex problem.

5.)   When, if ever, should I consider sequestration?

When you are sequestrated, all debt is written off. If there is really no light at the end of the tunnel and there is no way you can possibly find your way past the debt, then you can consider sequestration. However, it should be seen as a last resort as it will leave you with seriously negative financial ramifications with regards to being blacklisted and not being able to start a new business for up to 10 years.

6.)   What are the dos and don’ts of handling such a crisis?

• Speak to your experienced property consultant or bank as soon as you can – don’t wait until you’ve built up a really big outstanding amount.
• Proactively discussing the situation with your experienced property consultant and working with them to find a resolution is always better than giving up and doing nothing at all.
• If you find you can’t make your payments, visit a debt counsellor and seek advice on how to tackle the problem.
• Don’t make false promises to catch up and never ignore the situation as it will lead to legal action.  Once a judgement is made against your name the bank is entitled to sell or auction your home without your permission.
• Do not take on more debt in order to finance your home loan.

7.)  Debt Consolidation Home Loan

A home loan is secured against your property and carries one of the lowest
interest rates. The aim of debt consolidation is to increase the amount of the
existing home loan and use this amount to settle your debts. This should
improve your monthly cash flow due to the lower interest rates and finance
charges offered on home loans.

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

Looking to buy your first house, flat, or other type of residential property?

Do your homework properly
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
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, Mortgage Plus home loans can recommend different types of Home Loan solution. These mortgage plans are specifically designed 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. 

Consult a home loan expert
If you’re looking for some straight answers on bonds, home loan interest rates, fixed rate loans or any other part of the home loan application process, why not talk to one of our qualified  home loan consultants on 011.327.4489? They are ready to help you make things happen today! Alternatively, you can also click here to apply for a home loan now. Alternatively, speak to Morne Prinsloo one of our expert bond consultants today?

Remember by choosing us for a loan, you will get professional advice 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