11 Steps to Take when Buying Property

11 Steps to Take when Buying Property

If you have been thinking of purchasing a property, this is the right time for you to shop around and utilise the buyers' market to your advantage. Do not be discouraged by the COVID19 pandemic, banks have reported that they are processing successful mortgage applications.

Seeff Properties Botswana have drawn up these 11 steps to guide you with ensuring that your purchasing process goes as smoothly as possible, especially during the current buyers' market.

VsVisit the Bank

Do not procrastinate with this as you will experience delays later in your process. The first step to finding the right property is knowing how much you can afford to pay for your new home. Your local bank will assist you with calculating an amount by looking at your pay slip so that you ascertain exactly how much you qualify for and at what payment rate. Should you have other existing loans, most major banks can consolidate your loans enabling you to improve your financial plan into the property market and becoming a homeowner.

2. Have the Deposit Ready

It is advisable to have deposit ready as it shows commitment towards purchase of a home and ultimately reduces your monthly repayment instalments. By reducing the amount, you need in a loan you are also reducing the amount of home loan interest you pay overtime. Many first-time home buyers make the mistake of not finding out how much the bank will lend them. Most banks give loans looking at the market price of the valuation between 75% to 90%. Make sure to have the difference ready.

3. Transfer Duty and Legal Fees

With the new transfer duty, you will need an extra 5% transfer duty for citizens. 30% of the sale price if you are a foreigner or Conveyancing attorneys have a standard fee structure as per the Law Society requirement; they will give you the amount to pay as your legal fees. At times buyers fail to proceed to purchase a home because they did not prepare for these costs. It is always advisable to do a bit of research on other charges involved. All the Seeff agents can advise you on these matters.

4. Decide on Property Specs

Location, location, location. At this stage decide where you want to live or invest and what sort of property you are looking for. If it is a residential house decide on how many bedrooms and bathrooms, do you require a swimming pool etc. Do some research on different locations within areas of preference. Visit the Seeff website and familiarize yourself with the property prices and the different types of homes available.

5. Get KYC ready

The Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) in Botswana requires all parties involved in property transactions to complete customer due diligence known as "Know Your Customer" forms( KYC). This is a standard practice which you will be requested to comply with either at the beginning of your property hunt, during or even after. Both the estate and the conveyancer will independently require these from you.

6. Contact your Agent

The Seeff website shows on average between 80 and 90 residential properties on the market for sale. There is a wide range of commercial, residential, and agricultural properties depending on your budget and requirements. Pick a few you would like to view depending on your preferred location and budget. Your agent will take you to view the selected properties. Your agent will also be able to advise you of any new listings as and when they become available.

7. Make an Offer

One property should stand out from the rest, so put a written offer on it. Your agent will be with you every step of the way, guide you to make the best offer which the seller might consider. You need to have thoroughly inspected the property as 99% of properties are sold "voetstoots" or as is.Read the offer letter carefully and if you need clarification on some of the clauses, approach your agent and ask relevant questions. 

8. Seller Accepts your Offer

Now that your offer has been accepted by signing of the offer letter, you will now need to get all your documents ready required by the bank if you haven't done so already e.g. pay slip, bank statements, financial reports if business etc. Be sure to know exactly what the bank requires to make sure your loan application process is as smooth as possible.

9. Hand in your Loan Application

submit your loan application. In some cases, you may need to be ready to prepare for a structural report as some banks require one, check with your financier. A valuation report is mandatory with all banks so get the money ready for a valuation and a structural report, if required. Remember, most banks finance 75% to 90% of the market value, this is where the deposit comes in handy.

10. Loan Approved... Congratulations!

At this stage you are on your way to acquiring a property. The bank will engage a conveyancer to register a bond against the property and transfer the title deed into your name. The seller has the first option to pick the conveyancer of their choice who can do both the bond and title transfer or just the transfer if they are not on the bank panel of conveyancers. They will proceed to ensure that the seller pays all costs attached to the property such as council rates and municipal bills. The conveyancer will get a tax clearance certificate from BURS so make sure you are in the good books with the tax man.

11. Property Handover

After the title transfer, your agent together with the seller will hand over the property to you in the same condition you saw it at the beginning. Double check that no fixtures have been ripped off, no lose cables, air-conditioners and lights are still there, unless stated on the offer letter that certain items are not part of the sale. Common questions buyers ask is "how long will the transaction take" the whole process can take up to 3 months or even more. Keep communication flowing between yourself, the bank, and your agent.