How the property transfer process works

How does the property transfer proces work

Selling your home and wondering how the property transfer process works?  Therefore, a top agent will help you navigate the process swiftly and with ease. Be sure to read “why work with a prominent Keller Williams Select estate agent.

How the property transfer process works

Fast Forward – selling your property

  • Your estate agent will bring interested buyers to view your home.
  • If a buyer is interested in buying your property, they will need to complete an Offer to Purchase (OTP).
  • If you accept the offer as the seller, your agent will send the OTP to a transferring attorney.
  • Your buyer will apply for bond finance.  Most importantly, your agent can assist with this.
  • The bank where your buyer has applied for finance will need to value your property.
  • The transferring attorney is responsible for registering the property in the new buyer’s name.
  • Your transferring attorney obtains the FICA documents (proof of address, ID documents).
  • As the seller, you need to cancel your bond to avoid cancellation costs.
  • Your transferring attorney will apply the transfer duty that’s payable.
  • They will also apply for a rates clearance certificate from your local municipality.
  • Finally, the bank where the buyer is applying for finance will select the bond attorney.

Signing the docs

  • The transferring attorney will contact you as the seller to sign the bond documents.
  • You may be required to sign an affidavit, a power of attorney, and a transfer duty receipt.

Moreover, the registration of the transfer and also the payment of the bond amount are linked.  Furthermore, both processes take place together in the Deeds Office.  Finally, remember the property is the bank’s security for approving the bond to the buyer.

How long will it take?

The process in the Deeds Office can take between 6 weeks and 3 months.  But, the process can take longer if there are problems like:

  • If there are rates and taxes outstanding.
  • Is there an outstanding invoice with Eskom?
  • Finally, are your levies up to date if you live in a complex, etc?

Occupational Rent

Occupational rent is payable a month in advance.  As a seller, you decide on the occupational amount.  This amount is also then pro-rated.  Your buyer will pay these monies directly into your bank account.

Bond Costs

The transfer duty is a tax that is payable to SARS or the SA Revenue Service.  In other words, this applies whenever ownership of a fixed property with a purchase price of more than R1,000,000 takes place.  Subsequently, there are also costs that apply to the buyer which include:

  • Registration fees are payable to the deeds office.
  • Rates clearance fees are payable to the municipality.
  • Professional fees are payable to the bond and transferring attorneys.

Fee calculation?

The calculation of the rates clearance and deeds registration fees are based on the purchase price. The attorney feeds are prescribed by the Registrar of Deeds.  Most importantly, attorneys must adhere to this pricing.

Actual registration

  1. Once all transfer and the bond documents are signed.
  2. And all the monies are paid over.

Then the transferring attorney will lodge all the required documents at the Deeds Office.  In conclusion, this process only takes 8 – 10 working days.  The Deeds Office examines all the documents before registration is finalised.  We recommend a best of breed transferring attorney.

Estate Agents – want to know more about KW?

Keller Williams (USA) is a top real estate brand to work for.  If you are an estate agent and want to know a little more drop me an e-mail.   If you would like to leverage world-class technology to the benefit of all our stakeholders across the value chain and end up with a win-win every time, then let’s touch base.  Also, read what makes Keller Williams the best!

Get in touch

So, if you need a valuation done on a property anywhere in Randburg or elsewhere in Jhb, we can help.  Give us a call on telephone number (064) 549-3123.  Alternatively, drop us an e-mail at kwselect@kwsa.co.za.  We have a vast network of almost 1,500 top Keller Williams agents at our fingertips who are all just dying for the opportunity to partner with you to sell and conclude your property transaction in record time.

If you want to view all the Keller Williams properties across the country, click on our website to start the search for your dream home.  Need help getting a pre-approved homeloan, it’s free and our strategic partners will find you the best rate over 20 years!  And finally, if you are thinking of putting your property on the market and need a free property valuation, click here!

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