Starting your 2022 house hunt

If you're planning to become a homeowner or take your next step on the property ladder in 2022, it's never too early to start planning. Jawitz Properties takes a look at the steps in the house-hunting process, from setting your budget and browsing the available listings to finding the right #RealPartner to work with and taking a thorough look at the area you are considering calling home.

Step 1: Set your budget

Before you even pick up your phone to start scrolling through properties, you need to know what you can afford and how much the banks are likely to offer you as a home loan. South Africa's home finance expert, ooba, has your back in this regard and their simple calculators will show you how much you can afford to buy based on your income, what your monthly home loan repayments will be and how much you will need for registration and transfer costs. If you've been saving up a deposit, there's also a calculator that will show you how far your savings will go towards bringing the home of your dreams into reach.

Step 2: Make a shortlist of properties that you like

Gone are the days when you have to leave the couch to start looking at properties that might be just right for you and your family. Start by simply browsing the listings and taking note of things that appeal to you. As you scroll through the properties currently on the market, make a shortlist of ones that you like. Take the time to think about what you and your family value in your home. If you have small children, would they enjoy having a swimming pool in years to come? If you'd like to supplement your income, is a rentable flat a must for you? Other factors you should be thinking about include the property's security, whether or not it is pet-friendly and if it offers enough parking to meet your needs.

Step 3: Enlist the help of a #RealPartner

Every stage of the process of finding and buying your dream home comes with questions. Knowing that you have a Jawitz #RealPartner in your corner will give you the peace of mind to know that you are chatting to an area expert who can answer all these questions for you. Your #RealPartner will also save you time by pointing out properties - both listed and soon-to-be listed - that could meet your needs. He or she will put their years of experience and negotiating skills to use to ensure that you make the right offer once you have found your dream home.

Step 4: Go on a reconnaissance mission

Reading about a neighbourhood online is one thing, but exploring it - if you're close by enough to do so - is the best way to get the lay of the land and a feel for the area. If you've found a property that you're interested in, drive around the area at different times of day and get a feel for what's going on. Is there traffic congestion or a busy road nearby that you won't like? How close are the nearest shops? Checking out the neighbourhood at different times of the day and on different days of the week will give you a detailed idea of what the area is like.

If you're looking to invest in property in 2022, we would love to help make your dream a reality. Jawitz has properties for sale in many areas of South Africa. Contact us today - we're here to help.