Offer to purchase question

[Snyper564]

Just my 2c from owning a home our first home for almost 5 years. Buying and making a house into your home is a marathon it's not a sprint you will see loads that needs to be done to make it perfect. Do not rush it. Do not go into unnecessary debt. Arrange the projects from most to least urgent. For example for us it was putting a motor on both entrance gates. Ensuring the garages were motorized. In short the first items of business for us was safety. After that any structural issues that need to be addressed if any. We modified the one stoep slightly to ensure it didn't rain in. Thereafter we tackled the cosmetics from tiles to paint to roof etc. Last year removed the pool and put in irrigation accross the entire property. It is our home. It's a place that is covered in our little touches here and there.

It may feel very overwhelming at first but take it easy. It is your home and don't let anyone tell you want to do.

As a word of parting advice and I know I mentioned it already don't go into unnecessary debt to make things work. Rather wait a year or two. It's your place after all not someone else's!

And most of all enjoy!

 

[APoc184]

Just my 2c from owning a home our first home for almost 5 years. Buying and making a house into your home is a marathon it's not a sprint you will see loads that needs to be done to make it perfect. Do not rush it. Do not go into unnecessary debt. Arrange the projects from most to least urgent. For example for us it was putting a motor on both entrance gates. Ensuring the garages were motorized. In short the first items of business for us was safety. After that any structural issues that need to be addressed if any. We modified the one stoep slightly to ensure it didn't rain in. Thereafter we tackled the cosmetics from tiles to paint to roof etc. Last year removed the pool and put in irrigation accross the entire property. It is our home. It's a place that is covered in our little touches here and there.

It may feel very overwhelming at first but take it easy. It is your home and don't let anyone tell you want to do.

As a word of parting advice and I know I mentioned it already don't go into unnecessary debt to make things work. Rather wait a year or two. It's your place after all not someone else's!

And most of all enjoy!

Thanks.

Yes that is exactly what I told the wife.

She wanted to make changes immediately like getting rid of the carpets in 3 of the rooms and replacing with laminate flooring.

I told her that we should wait. No doubt the carpets will go but at least live there a few months or a year and then decide. Laminate or tiles. Which colour, which style, size, etc....

No use rushing it and then you need to change it again in a few years when you make the rest of the house your home and then those drastic first changes don't fit into the style anymore.

Only things we are changing from the get go is 5 burner gas stove. And inverter with batteries for backup power because wife is permanently working from home now.

 

[maumau]

Make sure that it is a qualified installer, whilst DIY may work you will need a compliance cert when you sell.

More on that in home improvements thread.

 

[APoc184]

More on that in home improvements thread.

And I will be there soon.....

 

[maumau]

And I will be there soon.....

So you will

 

[SauRoNZA]

Thanks.

Yes that is exactly what I told the wife.

She wanted to make changes immediately like getting rid of the carpets in 3 of the rooms and replacing with laminate flooring.

I told her that we should wait. No doubt the carpets will go but at least live there a few months or a year and then decide. Laminate or tiles. Which colour, which style, size, etc....

No use rushing it and then you need to change it again in a few years when you make the rest of the house your home and then those drastic first changes don't fit into the style anymore.

Only things we are changing from the get go is 5 burner gas stove. And inverter with batteries for backup power because wife is permanently working from home now.

Personally I would do floors before moving in purely because it’s a ball ache later.

Also vinyl, instead of laminate.

All the benefits of tiles (can use in kitchen and bathrooms as well) without the drawbacks of laminate falling apart in time.

Tiles are just too cold.

****

Most importantly do security gates and burglar bars BEFORE you move in. Preferably also an alarm.

People get robbed within a month of moving into new places because everyone got a chance to scope it out and are well aware of fresh meat.

Please heed this advice strongly, don’t want to read the bad news three months from now.

 

[Barbarian Conan]

Thanks.

Yes that is exactly what I told the wife.

She wanted to make changes immediately like getting rid of the carpets in 3 of the rooms and replacing with laminate flooring.

I told her that we should wait. No doubt the carpets will go but at least live there a few months or a year and then decide. Laminate or tiles. Which colour, which style, size, etc....

No use rushing it and then you need to change it again in a few years when you make the rest of the house your home and then those drastic first changes don't fit into the style anymore.

Only things we are changing from the get go is 5 burner gas stove. And inverter with batteries for backup power because wife is permanently working from home now.

Wrt to laminate flooring, I think it might be worth doing before you move in, depending on where you put them in and the layout of the home. Or at least know what's waiting for you when you do.

They can only see if the floor underneath is uneven when they remove the carpet. Then they will have to lay down skreed to level it, and you can't walk over it for about 24 hours.
In my case, I could not get past the kitchen through the back door, or enter at all through the front door, so I had to quickly pack a bag and decide where to sleep the night before they lay it down.

 

[Barbarian Conan]

Personally I would do floors before moving in purely because it’s a ball ache later.

Also vinyl, instead of laminate.

All the benefits of tiles (can use in kitchen and bathrooms as well) without the drawbacks of laminate falling apart in time.

Tiles are just too cold.

****

Most importantly do security gates and burglar bars BEFORE you move in. Preferably also an alarm.

People get robbed within a month of moving into new places because everyone got a chance to scope it out and are well aware of fresh meat.

Please heed this advice strongly, don’t want to read the bad news three months from now.

Moved in with friends, within 3 months, burgled.
Moved out on my own 6 months later into a complex. Within 3 months, burgled.

 

[APoc184]

Personally I would do floors before moving in purely because it’s a ball ache later.

Also vinyl, instead of laminate.

All the benefits of tiles (can use in kitchen and bathrooms as well) without the drawbacks of laminate falling apart in time.

Tiles are just too cold.

****

Most importantly do security gates and burglar bars BEFORE you move in. Preferably also an alarm.

People get robbed within a month of moving into new places because everyone got a chance to scope it out and are well aware of fresh meat.

Please heed this advice strongly, don’t want to read the bad news three months from now.

The carpets are really in pristine condition which is why I won't bother doing it right away. Old couple with no pets or kids.
But with our kids and pets it won't stay that way forever.

We quite like tiles but will definitely consider the laminate or vinyl route when we get there.

Security is sorted. Again old couple all on their own so they took all the precautions. From burglar bars, electric fencing cameras, alarms system with outside beams and security gate splitting rooms from living room. Will just link up to our own armed response when we move in.

 

[Lupus]

The carpets are really in pristine condition which is why I won't bother doing it right away. Old couple with no pets or kids.
But with our kids and pets it won't stay that way forever.

We quite like tiles but will definitely consider the laminate or vinyl route when we get there.

Security is sorted. Again old couple all on their own so they took all the precautions. From burglar bars, electric fencing cameras, alarms system with outside beams and security gate splitting rooms from living room. Will just link up to our own armed response when we move in.

Tiles can look really nice now, specially with the wood and stone look ones, but vinyl is nice, but pricey.
Laminate can also look nice but it's not hardy unless you get the pricey one which than you may as well go for vinyl.

 

[APoc184]

Banks are taking their bloody time.

Long weekend excuses and all that.

Still waiting for ABSA and we asked bond originator last week to ask for a 105% loan from Standard Bank just to see what deal they come back with and also try his luck with FNB for a straight prime rate.

Meanwhile our OTP expires Friday if we do not get a bond in place.

Hoping tomorrow is the final moments.

 

[Steamy Tom]

Banks are taking their bloody time.

Long weekend excuses and all that.

Still waiting for ABSA and we asked bond originator last week to ask for a 105% loan from Standard Bank just to see what deal they come back with and also try his luck with FNB for a straight prime rate.

Meanwhile our OTP expires Friday if we do not get a bond in place.

Hoping tomorrow is the final moments.

it will all come together, if you qualify i wouldnt stress

 

[APoc184]

it will all come together, if you qualify i wouldnt stress

Thanks. We also believe so but can't help worry a bit about deadlines and all that given our track record. Haha.

Meanwhile we have not told any family or friends yet until things are final.

 

[bokka1]

Thanks. We also believe so but can't help worry a bit about deadlines and all that given our track record. Haha.

Meanwhile we have not told any family or friends yet until things are final.

There should be a clause in the Deed of Sale that allows for an extension, just do it before Friday if you are still waiting. Dead contracts can not be revived.

Vinyl all the way for flooring, my whole house except the bathrooms and braai room are vinyl. Best decision ever.

 

[McGuywer]

Thanks. We also believe so but can't help worry a bit about deadlines and all that given our track record. Haha.

Meanwhile we have not told any family or friends yet until things are final.

Aren't we family and friends?

There should be a clause in the Deed of Sale that allows for an extension, just do it before Friday if you are still waiting. Dead contracts can not be revived.

Vinyl all the way for flooring, my whole house except the bathrooms and braai room are vinyl. Best decision ever.

Yip, wanted to come say this. I have seen that they will extend the offer with two weeks.

 

[APoc184]

Asked for the extension to be safe.

Bond Originator says banks are overwhelmed at the moment and short staffed so it is taking longer than usual.

Waiting for final answer from FNB any moment now. Not too fussed about the others. Just asked for those quotes out of interest.

 

[McGuywer]

Asked for the extension to be safe.

Bond Originator says banks are overwhelmed at the moment and short staffed so it is taking longer than usual.

Waiting for final answer from FNB any moment now. Not too fussed about the others. Just asked for those quotes out of interest.

I can imagine.

 

[APoc184]

Turns out extension wasn't needed. But better safe than sorry.

Literally signed the approval for new FNB quote 45min ago. They came back with a prime rate. Which saves us only a few hundred per month from the original quote. Seems like nothing but over 20years it adds up.

Transferring attorneys also just confirmed they received everything and is going ahead with the transfer and registration.

 

[APoc184]

I'm going to keep this thread running and update it as things happen.

Think there is an abundance of knowledge here already for first time buyers. But the process is far from over.

By updating this thread with each and every step we go through, not only will we receive more great advice ourselves from the replies. But other potential buyers can also see the whole process from beginning till end, and like us, don't have to wonder about what happens next, how long stuff takes or which tips they can follow to avoid any unnecessary delays or stressful moments.

I thank each every one of you for the advice, tips and just holding thumbs for us in the whole process so far. Real rollercoaster ride for us so far.

 

[MidnightZA]

I'm going to keep this thread running and update it as things happen.

Think there is an abundance of knowledge here already for first time buyers. But the process is far from over.

By updating this thread with each and every step we go through, not only will we receive more great advice ourselves from the replies. But other potential buyers can also see the whole process from beginning till end, and like us, don't have to wonder about what happens next, how long stuff takes or which tips they can follow to avoid any unnecessary delays or stressful moments.

I thank each every one of you for the advice, tips and just holding thumbs for us in the whole process so far. Real rollercoaster ride for us so far.

I have been following this thread for a while now and there is some great info.

I want to start the process myself, so far I've just been browsing property sites and getting a feel of what to expect.

What would be the next step? Viewing properties/ bond originator/ speak to agents or private sellers??

I have zero knowledge of the property purchasing process besides the info in this thread