After one of the wettest and coldest winters South Africa has experienced, the hot summer months are now well on their way. To help homeowners survive the coming heat waves, there are a few home alterations that can be undertaken to prepare for the coming summer months....
Rising electricity costs and increased loadshedding have seen many of us turn to gas for more cost-effective heating or cooking solutions. But it’s important to remember that there are specific conditions when it comes to gas and insurance. Whether you’re using a gas stove (which is deemed to be part of the fixed machinery on a property) or mobile gas appliances (such as gas heaters), you need to keep...
As ongoing loadshedding starts to bite deeper and electricity tariffs rise inexorably, interest among home buyers in properties with energy-saving features is picking up considerably. This is according to a survey (with 384 respondents) recently conducted among its agents by national real estate agency, Pam Golding Properties....
Temperatures may not often drop below zero in South Africa, but it can still get very cold - we take a look at a few cost-effective ways to keep the winter chill at bay. While most South Africans will agree that its never too cold for a braai, we still tend to stay in more often during the colder months. So it makes sense to winterise our homes to ensure we enjoy them just as much as we do during the...
Due to load-shedding as well as the soaring cost of electricity, thousands of South Africans are investigating their options with regard to solar power. Understandably, they have a lot of questions. Solar energy experts Versofy SOLAR received more than 5 000 enquiries around home subscriptions since January, and they keep coming....
Although you may not currently be considering the chilly days of winter, the colder months are fast approaching. Therefore, it's crucial to proactively address your home's winter maintenance to prepare for the cold ahead....
The recently announced solar panel incentive programme by Enoch Godongwana, Minister of Finance, will allow tax-paying South Africans to claim rebates on their solar panels in the coming financial year. We take a look at what you need to know. The rebate is 25% of the cost of new and unused solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, up to a maximum of R15 000 per individual....
South Africa's National Budget has been welcomed by property experts, who say it will offer a range of benefits for homeowners and those looking to enter the market. From a residential property perspective, the announcement that the brackets of the transfer duty table will be increased by 10 percent, allowing properties below R1.1 million to avoid any transfer duty payments, is welcome news for aspirant...
The increase in loadshedding stages for longer periods has caused many buyers to add ‘load-shedding friendly’ to their property wish list. Adrian Goslett says that upgrading some features in the home could minimise frustrations and add resale value to the property....
Adrian Goslett, says that going solar can lower the cost of running your home and also has the potential to increase the resale value of the property. “In South Africa, green features are becoming increasingly popular among buyers, especially as a result of the ongoing load shedding and the prevalence of droughts in our country,” he explains....