Selling Your Home in South Africa: A Step-by-Step Guide

While it can be an exciting journey, selling your property in South Africa includes plenty of paperwork, administrative steps which require legal oversight, and potential pitfalls which can be costly. 

We, are here to guide you through the entire process of selling (or even buying) your next property, privately.

In an effort to assist you we have taken the time to prepare a step-by-step Property Sale Guide which is specifically aimed at assisting you with the entire process, from start to finish. 

YOUR PROPERTY SALE GUIDE by EW Serfontein & Associates Inc.

Step 1 - GET PREPARED:

Get Your Property Ready to Sell

First impressions count!

Before listing your property for sale, we highly recommend taking time to make your property as attractive as possible to potential buyers. This includes providing a new coat of paint on the property, fixing any holes in walls (mostly from paintings and pictures taken down from the walls), repairing, replacing or upgrading any faulty equipment (i.e. faulty taps or door handles), and giving the property a good spring-clean, both inside and outside.

The neater your property looks when potential buyers view it, the higher the chances of you being able to get your asking-price for the property during the sale.

Important points to note:

• Do necessary repairs – Fix any broken fittings, touch up the paint, and ensure your property is in top condition.
• Declutter and stage your space – A tidy, well-presented home attracts more interest.
• Obtain compliance certificates, which are essential for the sale to go through:
  • Electrical Certificate of Compliance (COC)
  • Gas Certificate of Compliance (Gas COC) (if applicable)
  • Beetle Inspection Certificate (for coastal areas)
  • Plumbing and Water Installation Compliance Certificate (required in some municipalities)

Step 2 - PRICE: Price Your Home Correctly

Setting the right asking price as the seller is crucial, more-so for you than the buyer. Too high, and your home might sit on the market for too long; too low, and you could lose out financially.

In order to set the best price for your property we recommend the following:

• Get a professional valuation, which we can assist you to obtain.
• Compare your home’s price with recent sales in your area.
• Ensure the price is competitive to attract serious buyers, but not too low that you under-price your property and end up making less return on your investment.

Step 3 - MARKET: List Your Property

In order to get the best price for your property you want to “show” (market) it to as many potential buyers as possible.

How do you do this?

• List your property on Property Websites (e.g., Property24, Private Property, Gumtree)
• Post your property listing on your Social Media platforms (Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, LinkedIn, and property groups), not only allowing your followers to see your property is available for sale, but they can also share your post with their followers, expanding your property’s exposure.

Another highly important aspect to your property listing is promoting it as a quality investment to potential buyers.

Buyers want to get the best value for money, so show them in the best way possible that your property offers them a quality investment for their money.

Do this by:

• Using high-quality photos and videos to showcase your  property online.
• Highlight unique features that set your property apart from others (i.e. promote the swimming pool, or the four garages, the warm north-facing living room or the indoor fireplace).
• Schedule open houses and private viewings to give buyers a closer look at your property. Make your home available one day per week (i.e. Sunday afternoon between 2pm – 4pm). During the scheduled viewing time potential buyers can view the property, which gives you as the seller greater opportunity to highlight your property’s unique selling points,  as well as  giving you time to prepare the property for optimal viewing.

Step  4 - ACCEPT OFFER: Accepting an Offer and Signing the Agreement

One of the most important steps during the property sale process is the acceptance of an offer by a potential buyer. This process includes a very important document; the Offer To Purchase (OTP) document, which is a legally binding document, providing the buyer’s intent to purchase the property.

We are able to provide you with this document, which is carefully compiled by our Conveyancing Team and includes all of the necessary legal requirements involved as part of the sale process.

The OTP is shared with serious buyers, who will read through it, come back to you with any questions they may have, and finally sign the OTP as part of their intent to purchase the property.

Once you receive an offer:

• We will carefully review the Offer to Purchase document with you.
• Assist you to negotiate the terms, if necessary (e.g. deposit, occupation date, sale conditions).
• Once both parties agree (buyer and seller) then they will both sign the OTP contract, which then makes the document legally binding.

Step  5 - LEGALITIES: Work with a Conveyancing Attorney

South African law requires a Conveyancing Attorney to manage the transfer of property ownership. For this reason our expert team ensures the process is handled efficiently and correctly, ensuring that all the required legalities are in place for a smooth transaction process.

As the Conveyancing Attorneys to a property transaction we receive all  monies paid by the buyer during the transaction process (i.e. deposits, legal fees, etc.) which are placed into a Trust account (and later invested) for safe-keeping during the transaction. Upon completion of all of the required legalities the Conveyancing Attorney pays all the relevant monies over to the recipients (i.e. bank, seller, SARS etc.)).

During this process we will:

• Oversee all legal paperwork and requirements.
• Ensure your Deeds Office application is submitted and processed without delays.
• Keep you informed every step of the way.

Included in the responsibilities of the Conveyancing Attornies is the process of making sure that all financial liabilities linked to your property are attended to prior to completion of the sale and the handover to the new owners.

As the seller, your property is linked to the local Municipality for services such as water and electricity provided by the state. Although these services will continue with the next owner of your property, the accounts will need to be settled, allowing the new owners to start on a new (clean) account.

To provide clarity and avoid delays, we ensure the following is in place for the sale:

• Rates Clearance Certificate – This proves all municipal bills are paid up to date.
• Bond Cancellation – If you have a home loan, notify your bank to cancel it.
• Final Compliance Certificates – Your attorney will help ensure these are ready.

Step  6 - REGISTRATION: The Final Transfer and Registration

Once you reach this step in the property sale process you’re almost at the finish line.

This important step requires:

• Your conveyancing attorney (that’s us!) to submit all the necessary paperwork to the Deeds Office.

• Once the transfer is registered with the Deeds Office, ownership officially transfers to the buyer (new owner).
• The sale proceeds are paid to you (the seller), less  any outstanding costs or expenses  

Step  7 - HANDOVER: Handover & Final Steps

At this point all of the paperwork and legalities are concluded, and the property ownership is ready to be handed over to the new owners.

Your final duties as the seller would include:

• Hand over the keys, security codes, and any necessary documents to the new owner.
• Notify service providers (electricity, water, internet) to cancel or transfer accounts.
• Settle any remaining financial matters related to the sale.

As you can see, selling a property requires numerous steps and legalities for the final sale to go through. With our dedicated Conveyancing Team at hand, EW Serfontein & Associates Inc. are here to guide you through the entire process—from listing your property to finalising the sale—ensuring a seamless experience for both the seller and buyer.

With over 60 years of experience as expert conveyancing attorneys, you can rest assured that your property transaction is in safe hands with us.

Interested in selling your property? Contact us today at www.ewsattorneys.co.za. We look forward to assist you.

For more information on how our conveyancing services can benefit your real estate business, please visit www.ewsattorneys.co.za or contact us directly at +27 12 344 6353/4/5 or at reception@serfonteinatt.co.za. We look forward to helping you.

This article is not intended to constitute any form of legal advice.