Home sellers expecting too much?

Limited access to finance and the affordability of homes are hampering property sales according to South African estate agents who claim that the extensive number of available properties are making buyers more discerning.

Samuel Seeff, chairman of Seeff Properties says that buyers are currently “in the pound seats” although many sellers are still trying the get prices that were last seen in 2007 when the property market was buoyant.

He says that if sellers are still expecting to achieve the 2007 price levels then the house is likely to be on the market for a long time and the number of offers will be limited and certainly below the 2007 levels.

Berry Everitt, chief executive of Chas Everitt International Properties says the average drop in price required to achieve a sale is around 12 percent, indicating that most sellers are expecting too much for the property they have on the market.

Everitt says that because there are so many properties on the market at this point, many buyers will not even consider making an offer on a property that is over-priced and will move on to something that is more realistic.

Homes that do not attract any interest after several weeks on the market are, according to Everitt, possibly over-priced and the seller should consider dropping the price to increase interest in the property and attract offers on it.

In a newsletter produced by Pam Golding Properties, the company points out that the property market has show a 30% improvement in sales volumes for the year to date but the limited access to credit is preventing even more sales from being finalised.

“This means that, in the present market, correct pricing of properties is more critical than ever as buyers are faced with affordability issues and have a good selection of properties from which to choose,” says the newsletter.

Everitt concedes that many sellers have the view that buyers are at liberty to make any offer on a property but he says that sellers must now appreciate that most buyers are well informed when it comes to property prices and know what homes in a particular area are selling for.

Mortgage Plus will find the right deal for you. Guaranteed!

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

Mortgage Plus have created a series of Questions and Answers about Originating, Home Loan Products, finance and more!

What Is Bond Origination?

Bond originators give you independent advice on choosing a home loan and help you obtain it without the hassle of doing all the legwork yourself – we answer some commonly asked questions.

What is mortgage origination?

Basically, it is the business of negotiating on the behalf of a prospective property owner, a home loan with a bank.

Why do I need a mortgage originator?

Because your home purchase is probably the most expensive one you’ll make in your life, the home loan itself is an im portant financial decision and the benefit to be gained from making a correct choice can amount to savings of hundreds of thousands of rands over the life of the loan.

Is choosing a home loan really that difficult?

All home loans differ from one another and each bank may evaluate your worth differently, so it is not as simple as shopping around for what appears to be the best interest rate in the market. Each bank has varying credit policies that cater for different claim circumstances. Mortgage Plus has knowledge of all banks’ products and will advise you on the type of loan that best suits you. They will negotiate with the banks on your behalf to get the best rate for that product.

I’ve heard that this service is free – how so?

Indeed, the service is free for the home buyer. Mortgage Plus receives a fee from the bank for doing the groundwork on the loan and thereby reducing the bank’s costs. The bank is, by law, not allowed to add this cost to the amount of the loan, so you won’t pay more than if you approached the bank yourself.

Isn’t it easier to just get my home loan from my regular bank?

Your bank will encourage you to keep all your finances under one roof, so to speak – but at what cost? Because Mortgage Plus originates loans for all major banks, this offers you, the buyer choice and by being able to compare various products and rate offers, you get the best home loan deal in the end.

How do I know if I’m getting good advice?

The professionalism of the originator will quickly become evident, so make sure you are dealing with someone who can explain their recommendation clearly and are credible. Check their track record and only deal with an originator that is a member of the National Association of Mortgage Originators (NAMO).

Must I accept any of the packages they offer?

No – you have not entered into an agreement with the originator, other than to give them the information they need to get quotations from the banks. You still make the final decision whether or not to accept their offer.
Once I’ve accepted their recommendation, what happens?
Mortgage Plus will submit your applications together with the relevant documentation, such as copies of your ID and salary advice, to the bank agreed on and advise you once your loan has been approved. A good originator should also keep you informed all the way through to registration and liaise with the conveyancing attorney on the loan’s progress.

Types of Home Loans

The leading banks usually offer the types of home loans listed below. These types of home loans are also used in the case when you have an existing home loan and need additional funds. Read more about Further Loans.
Your Mortgage Plus consultant will help you choose the option that best suits your needs and help you through the application process.

Variable Rate Home Loan

With a variable rate home loan, your interest rate is linked to the base home loan rate which moves up and down depending on market conditions. If the base rate decreases by one percent, so will your interest rate, and of course if the base rate increases so does your home loan rate.

Fixed Rate Home Loan

Here your interest rate is fixed for a specified period, normally between one and two years. Generally the fixed interest rate will be slightly higher than the base home loan rate when the loan is taken out. A fixed rate loan protects you from rising interest rates and gives you the certainty of knowing exactly what your payments will be. However it does not allow you to benefit from any decreases in the interest rate over the fixed period.

Capped Rate Home Loan

This type of home loan allows you to benefit from any decrease in interest rates, but has a maximum rate built in so you never pay more than the capped rate. These loans are not always available from banks, and generally the qualifying criteria are more stringent.

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