Getting Started: Buy Your First Home in South Africa
Buying your first home in South Africa follows a set sequence: work out what you can afford, get bond pre-approval, find a home, sign an offer to purchase and register the transfer. The guides below explain each step in plain English — what happens, what it costs, and the clauses to read before you sign.
The full South African buying journey, deposits vs 100% bonds, transfer costs, FLISP, documents and approval timelines.
Updated 25 Aug 20269 min read
How much deposit you need for a home loan in South Africa, when 100% bonds are available, and how a deposit affects your rate and upfront cash.
Updated 13 Sept 20268 min read
What the OTP means for your bond application: the bond clause, suspensive conditions, validity dates and the clauses to read before you sign.
Updated 04 Sept 20267 min read
What happens to your deposit if your bond is declined: when you get it back, when you do not, and the clause that protects you.
Updated 04 Sept 20266 min read