Summer Seller’s Guide
“In the summertime, when the weather is high, you can stretch right up and touch the sky.” — Mungo Jerry
Summer’s here with its blue skies, happy holidaymakers from around the country and the world, and, as always, an upsurge in demand for houses. If you’re going to capitalise on this seasonal upswing, start planning your sales strategy now with our simple, practical Seller’s Checklist below.
Follow these 10 steps for a successful sale
1. Ask yourself “What’s my goal and how will I get there?”
The first step is to outline your strategy, starting with your end goal. Of course, all sellers want to get the best price and to get paid out as quickly as possible, but brainstorm the specifics. What price do you actually want to achieve? Define your perfect buyers and think about how you’ll find them. Which estate agent should you employ?
It pays to bring us in from the start. Not only can we help you find the right agent for the job, but we’ll also tell you what prices are being achieved in your area and share our thoughts on how to avoid the over-pricing trap — a common mistake which can taint a property for months, or even years.
We’ll also outline the whole sales and transfer process for you from a legal perspective, highlighting both the potential pitfalls to watch out for, and the many ways in which you can help make the whole process as smooth, quick and hassle-free as possible.
2. Give notice to your bondholder
If you have a home loan, remember that some banks will charge an early settlement penalty unless you give them 90 days’ written notice.
3. Prepare a cashflow projection
Get your finances ready to cover all your selling costs, including:
- Compliance certificates and any repair work needed to get them issued.
- Bond cancellation fees (if you have a home loan).
- Final municipal accounts (rates, refuse, sewerage, and water) and, if applicable, outstanding levies.
- Capital Gains Tax (CGT) if applicable.
- Estate agent’s commission (usually paid by the conveyancer on transfer).
4. Spruce up your property
Pretend you’re a house hunter seeing your property for the first time:
- Consider your home’s kerb appeal and first impression.
- Declutter and tidy up before viewings.
- Fix small issues like leaky taps, peeling paint, or musty corners.
- Deep clean and refresh — remove any odours or stains.
- Update old bathrooms or kitchens if needed; these are deal breakers.
5. Start getting your paperwork together
To speed up the transfer process, prepare these basics:
- Your original title deed (or copy from your bank if held as security).
- Your ID and your spouse’s ID (if jointly owned).
- Approved building plans and compliance certificates.
- Recent municipal rates account showing you’re up to date.
6. Make sure your property is compliant
Find out what compliance certificates you’ll need:
- Electrical compliance certificate.
- Plumbing/water installation certificate (required in Cape Town).
- Gas compliance certificate (if applicable).
- Electric fence certificate (if applicable).
- Beetle clearance certificate (where required).
7. Complete the disclosure form
You’ll need to sign a mandatory disclosure form listing all known defects or issues such as damp, leaks, structural concerns, or unapproved alterations.
8. Don’t sign blind
Before signing an offer, let us review it. Once you sign the sale agreement (“offer to purchase”), it becomes legally binding. Even standard clauses can create risks depending on your circumstances.
9. Nominate the conveyancer
It’s your right as the seller to choose the conveyancer. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.
10. Communication is key!
Stay in regular contact with your agent, the conveyancer, and the buyer. Quick responses to requests can save days or even weeks during transfer.
In closing…
Selling a property doesn’t have to be stressful. Work through this checklist step by step and keep us in the loop to avoid delays, disputes, and unwelcome surprises.
