rawson

Not many of us can afford the home or investment property of our dreams on one income, which is why more and more people are choosing to apply for joint bonds. Whether you’re one half of a couple, or part of a group of financially-savvy friends, joint bonds can be the key to some great investment opportunities. Of course, just because there are more of you doesn’t mean you can slack off when it comes to bond application time. According to Ria Venter, Regional Manager for Rawson Finance, … [Read more...] about How to boost your chances of getting a joint bond

It’s just a few days to go before a National Budget speech that has been described as the most important in the past 20 years, and Finance Minister Tito Mboweni is expected to have to make some tough calls to raise revenue and cut public sector expenditure. However, prospects for the real estate sector in 2020 are currently positive, says Tony Clarke, Managing Director of the Rawson Property Group. “Housing demand has definitely increased over the past year, especially at the lower end of the … [Read more...] about Action on jobs needed to sustain property sales momentum

In contrast to the consensus among economists, the Reserve Bank has elected to slash interest rates by 25 basis points, this means that the repo rate is now 6.25% and prime lending rate 9.75%. With subdued growth and muted inflationary pressures, the Reserve Bank’s decision is welcomed. This decision brings about good news for consumers and property owners for now, as it offers a bit of relief after having to experience extreme pressure on their household budgets, especially since fuel … [Read more...] about Great news for prospective property buyers and homeowners alike

Traditionally, the holiday season can be a tough time to put your home on the market. Most people’s focus shifts to friends and family and getting away for a well-deserved break, so buyer activity isn’t usually particularly high. According to David Jacobs, Gauteng Regional Manager for the Rawson Property Group, however, there are ways to make selling during the festive season work in your favour. Make the most of digital media “The advance of digital media like online property … [Read more...] about Tips to get your home sold this festive season

Multi-generational living (or multiple generations living under the same roof) is standard procedure in many cultures, but today’s living challenges are seeing families of all cultures and creeds embracing a co-living environment. “In South Africa, it has become common-place to see families of three or more generations sharing a home,” says Craig Mott, Cape Town Regional Sales Manager for the Rawson Property Group. “From a financial perspective, it makes perfect sense to combine resources and … [Read more...] about How to survive – and thrive – in a multi-generational home

Last week Thursday’s decision from the South African Reserve Bank to leave interest rates unchanged was met with disappointment from several sectors. However, Tony Clarke, Managing Director of the Rawson Property Group, says the property market outlook remains positive leading up to the summer season, despite the lack of direct financial relief for bondholders. “While high CPI and hopefully temporary fuel price increases after the attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities are going to keep … [Read more...] about Property outlook positive despite static interest rates

After 18 months of minimal growth, South African landlords may not be feeling particularly optimistic about their rental investments at present. However, the latest PayProp Rental Index (Q2 2019) shows trends may finally have ceased their downward trajectory. According to Jacqui Savage, National Rentals Manager for the Rawson Property Group, this is good news for landlords, but not necessarily a sign of a market turnaround quite yet. “Rental growth over the last six months has been virtually … [Read more...] about Rental market reaches equilibrium

Gearing is one of the major contributors to property’s popularity and success as an investment, enabling investors to access the benefits of assets far more valuable than their initial cash outlay. When it comes to commercial property, however, gearing involves some significant additional complexities that have deterred many an investor from leveraging this useful financial tool. Common deterrents to gearing “There are three, main factors that tend to hold commercial property investors … [Read more...] about Is gearing commercial property worth the cost and complexity?

Buying and renovating a fixer-upper property – one that’s a little dated or run-down – is a time-honoured tradition for bargain-hunting buyers looking to maximise their return on investment. Of course, finding the right property is integral to the success of this strategy – a poorly chosen project could easily cost far more to renovate than it could ever recoup in a sale. Before purchasing a property spend time looking at what is available in your desired area and study the market thoroughly, … [Read more...] about How to spot a fixer-upper that’s worth the investment

The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged for at least the next two months, was in line with most analysts’ expectations, but raised a few eyebrows after a slight drop in inflation triggered hopes for a potential interest rate decrease from some. With the repo rate now pegged at 6.75%, the prime lending rate at 10.25% and minimum repayments on all forms of credit remaining unchanged, the Reserve Bank’s decision offers consumers … [Read more...] about Reduce debt while interest rates remain stable

Property owners across South Africa will be pleased to hear that industry experts are predicting a strong chance of a post-election market upswing. This could signal the end of the multi-year market contraction that has seen property price growth averages stagnating nationwide. “The current market has been strongly influenced by factors like economic and political uncertainty, compounded by high unemployment rates and concern over things like land policy,” says Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson … [Read more...] about Property Experts Optimistic for a Post-Election Upswing

The South African rental market is going through a bit of a tough time right now, with both rental growth and tenant payment performance experiencing a multi-year decline. According to experts, this can make it more difficult than usual to secure reliable, trustworthy, and financially responsible tenants to avoid potential rental defaults and loss of income. “Properly vetting tenants is always a vital part of any rental property’s success, but it’s even more important when the market is slow … [Read more...] about The A – Z of vetting tenants in a slow rental market

Property has always been considered a good investment because whether the market falls or trends change, values will always recover again in time. “When first embarking on investment in commercial property, one should be cognisant of certain factors before making a final commitment,” says Leon Breytenbach, National Manager of the Rawson Property Group’s commercial division. Before you start, however, it would be wise to look at the market trends and to exercise a little patience until the right … [Read more...] about Helpful tips for investing in commercial property