The SA Handbook guide
Home buying
Deposits, home loans, transfer costs and ownership trade-offs.
How much deposit do you need for a home loan?
Understand how a deposit affects approval, monthly repayment, interest and upfront cash.
Read guide →Home-loan pre-approval explained
Use pre-approval as a budget check without treating it as a final guarantee.
Read guide →Home-buying transfer and bond costs
Budget for transfer duty, conveyancing, bond registration and practical move-in expenses.
Read guide →Renting versus buying in South Africa
Compare total unrecoverable costs, flexibility and time horizon instead of rent versus bond alone.
Read guide →Sectional-title costs and checks
Understand levies, special levies, rules and body-corporate finances before buying.
Read guide →