'Most households can't get a property mortgage'

About 83% of the nearly 14 million households in the country do not earn enough to qualify for bank housing loans, according to the latest SA Survey, published by the South African Institute of Race Relations (SAIRR) last week.

Posted at 08:45AM Feb 03, 2012 by Editor in Home Loans  |  Comments[1]

Absa: Real property prices fall

House prices, in real terms, i.e. after adjustment for the effect of inflation, are set to deflate further in 2012, based on expected low nominal price growth and headline consumer price inflation to remain above the 6% level according to Absa Home Loans.

Posted at 08:41AM Feb 03, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[2]

Brakes placed on KZN roads as funds dry up

We've run out of cash, is the message from the Kwazulu-Natal Transport Department to consultants and contractors as it called an immediate halt to major road infrastructure projects in the province.

Posted at 08:12AM Feb 03, 2012 by Editor in Cities and Towns  |  Comments[0]

Durban heritage property in illegal alteration row

A listed heritage building on Durban's Berea is under threat of losing its historic status as neighbours accuse the city of dragging its feet in enforcing municipal bylaws to prevent illegal renovations and business operations at the premises.

Posted at 09:17AM Feb 02, 2012 by Editor in Cities and Towns  |  Comments[6]

FNB: Real house prices to fall

Despite mild improvement in year-on-year growth for January, FNB still expects further real house price decline.

Posted at 08:39AM Feb 02, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[1]

'Title deeds can unlock bank loans for business'

In 2001 Hernando De Soto estimated that the worldwide value of the property of the poor was about $93 trillion (R723 trillion at yesterday's exchange rate). The main characteristic of this property is that those who live on it, or anyone else for that matter, has claim to the title deeds of ownership of this land.

Posted at 08:36AM Feb 02, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[0]

Chappies toll plaza won't harm environment, says Carlisle

The new toll plaza on Chapman's Peak Drive would have little or no major effect on the environment, Transport and Public Works MEC Robin Carlisle said yesterday.

Posted at 08:35AM Feb 02, 2012 by Editor in Cities and Towns  |  Comments[8]

Cape Town offers citizens a ticket to ride

The National Department of Transport has described Cape Town's electronic fare collection system as "groundbreaking" and urged other cities to follow the metro's lead.

Posted at 08:30AM Feb 02, 2012 by Editor in Cities and Towns  |  Comments[2]

'Commercial property nears recovery'

The South African commercial property market was entering the early stages of the recovery phase despite the ongoing global economic turmoil, the Broll Property Group said yesterday.

Posted at 08:25AM Feb 02, 2012 by Editor in Commercial  |  Comments[0]

Property price remarks misleading - agents

Residential property agencies this week scorned comments by economist Erwin Rode that house prices were still 25 percent overvalued and a downward adjustment in real house prices was inevitable.

Posted at 09:49AM Feb 01, 2012 by Editor in Market  |  Comments[10]