Frequently Asked Questions

A home buying checklist is a systematic guide that helps buyers know what to look for when viewing properties. It covers all critical areas you should inspect during property viewings, including:

• Structural integrity (walls, foundations, roof)
• Plumbing and water systems
• Electrical systems and safety
• Windows, doors, and finishes
• Exterior features and drainage
• Legal and financial considerations

Home Buyers Guide SA app provides a digital home buying checklist with built-in guidance on what to look for at each step, making it perfect for first-time buyers who don't know what red flags to watch for.

Without a proper checklist, most buyers miss critical issues during property viewings that can cost R50,000 to R200,000+ in repairs. A home buying checklist helps you:

• Avoid costly mistakes: Identify hidden defects before you buy
• Compare properties objectively: Use consistent criteria for all viewings
• Negotiate better prices: Document issues to justify price reductions
• Know when to walk away: Recognize deal-breaker issues early
• Make informed decisions: Understand the true condition and cost of ownership

In South Africa's voetstoots property market, buyers purchase "as-is," so discovering issues before signing is critical to protect your investment.

Unlike paper checklists or generic PDFs, Home Buyers Guide SA is an interactive app designed specifically for South African buyers that:

• Provides built-in tooltips explaining what each item means and why it matters
• Lets you capture and organize photos during viewings
• Generates professional PDF reports with your findings
• Includes SA-specific items (body corporate, NHBRC, municipal compliance)
• Offers smart scoring that prioritizes critical issues
• Works offline - all data stays on your device
• Includes cost calculator for bond, transfer duties, and monthly expenses

It's like having an experienced property advisor guiding you through every viewing.

A professional property inspection is a detailed technical assessment conducted by qualified inspectors (often structural engineers or building professionals) who:

• Inspect roof cavities, crawl spaces, and structural elements
• Analyze foundation integrity and load-bearing structures
• Test electrical compliance and safety
• Assess plumbing and drainage systems thoroughly
• Check for damp, wood rot, and pest damage
• Identify building code violations
• Provide detailed technical reports with cost estimates

Professional inspections typically cost R3,000-R8,000 and take 2-4 hours, providing in-depth analysis beyond what buyers can see during normal viewings.

You should hire a professional property inspector when:

• Serious red flags identified: Large cracks, significant water damage, or structural concerns found during your viewing
• Older properties: Homes 20+ years old often have hidden issues
• Major renovations: Extensions or alterations that may affect structure
• High-value purchases: The R3,000-R8,000 inspection cost is worth it on properties over R1.5 million
• Investment properties: Rental properties need thorough assessment for maintenance budgeting
• Bank requirement: Some banks require inspections for certain bond applications
• Seller resistance: If seller refuses to answer questions about defects

Home Buyers Guide SA app tells you when identified issues warrant professional inspection, helping you decide when the expense is justified.

No, Home Buyers Guide SA does not replace professional property inspectors. Here's how they work together:

Home Buyers Guide SA app:

• Guides regular buyers during property viewings
• Helps identify visible red flags and warning signs
• Teaches you what questions to ask sellers
• Tells you WHEN to hire professional inspectors
• Documents issues for negotiation or professional review

Professional property inspectors:

• Conduct detailed technical assessments
• Access areas buyers can't (roof cavities, under floors)
• Use specialized equipment (moisture meters, thermal cameras)
• Provide legal liability and professional indemnity
• Give detailed cost estimates for repairs

Think of Home Buyers Guide SA as your first line of defense during viewings, helping you decide which properties warrant the expense of professional inspection.

During your first property viewing, focus on these key areas:

Exterior:

• Roof condition (missing tiles, sagging sections)
• Foundation cracks or settlement signs
• Water drainage and gutters
• Boundary walls and fencing
• Garden and exterior maintenance

Interior:

• Water stains on ceilings (roof leaks)
• Wall cracks (especially above doors/windows)
• Damp smells or visible mould
• Floor levelness (use marble test)
• Fresh paint covering suspicious areas

Systems:

• Test all taps for water pressure
• Check electrical panel and visible wiring
• Ask about geyser age and condition
• Inspect window and door operation

Home Buyers Guide SA app guides you through all these areas with detailed prompts and photo capture.

Most buyers should view a property 2-3 times before making an offer:

First viewing (30-45 minutes):

• Get overall feel for the property
• Complete quick assessment checklist
• Identify obvious red flags
• Take photos of all rooms

Second viewing (60-90 minutes):

• Conduct detailed assessment with checklist
• Test all systems thoroughly
• Ask detailed questions to seller/agent
• View at different time of day (traffic, noise)
• Bring family member or trusted advisor

Third viewing (optional):

• Bring professional inspector if issues found
• Verify specific concerns
• Final decision confirmation

In competitive markets, you may need to make faster decisions, which is why having Home Buyers Guide SA on your first viewing helps you assess quickly and thoroughly.

Essential questions to ask sellers or estate agents:

Property History:

• Why are you selling?
• How long have you lived here?
• Any major repairs or renovations done?
• Any known defects or past insurance claims?

Systems & Maintenance:

• How old is the geyser? When last serviced?
• When was the roof last repaired?
• Age of electrical wiring and plumbing?
• Any issues with damp or water leaks?

Legal & Financial:

• Are all alterations approved by municipality?
• Any building plan approvals available?
• For sectional title: what are levies? Any special levies pending?
• Average monthly utility costs?

Neighborhood:

• Any issues with neighbors?
• Crime or security concerns?
• Municipal service delivery issues?

Home Buyers Guide SA app includes these critical questions in the assessment checklist, ensuring you don't forget to ask.

Critical red flags that should make you reconsider or negotiate hard:

Structural Issues:

• Wide cracks (coin-width or larger) in walls or foundations
• Sloping or uneven floors
• Doors and windows that won't close properly
• Visible sagging in roof structure

Water & Damp:

• Musty smells or visible mould
• Fresh paint on ceilings (covering water stains)
• Damp patches on walls, especially after rain
• Poor drainage around foundations

Legal & Compliance:

• Extensions/alterations without municipal approval
• Missing building plan approvals
• High body corporate debt or pending special levies
• Seller reluctance to provide documentation

Electrical & Plumbing:

• Old electrical panels or exposed wiring
• Low water pressure throughout property
• Geyser over 10-15 years old with no maintenance
• Evidence of DIY electrical work

Seller Behavior:

• Rushed viewings or pressure to make quick offers
• Reluctance to answer basic questions
• Fresh cosmetic improvements hiding issues
• Property on market for extended period (6+ months)

Buyers commonly overlook these expensive issues:

• Hidden water damage: Fresh paint covering ceiling stains from roof leaks
• Foundation settlement: Small cracks that indicate ongoing movement
• Geyser age: Not asking when it was installed or last maintained
• Electrical capacity: Old panels insufficient for modern appliances
• Body corporate debt: Not checking financial statements for sectional title
• Unpermitted work: Extensions or alterations without municipal approval
• Boundary disputes: Unclear property lines or encroachments
• Drainage issues: Water pooling that causes foundation problems
• Pest damage: Termites or wood borer in roof structures
• True monthly costs: Not calculating total ownership expenses beyond bond

These issues typically cost R30,000 to R150,000+ to fix. Home Buyers Guide SA's guided checklist ensures you check for all of them.

Home Buyers Guide SA is FREE to download and try.

Free version includes:

• Assess up to 2 properties
• Full guided checklist access
• Photo documentation
• Scoring and results
• Cost calculator

Premium subscription (with 3-day free trial):

• Monthly: R86/month
• 6 Months: R335 (R56/month)
• Annual: R520/year (R43/month) - Best value

Premium features:

• Unlimited property assessments
• PDF report generation and sharing
• No advertisements

Try the free version to ensure it meets your needs, then choose the subscription that works best for you.

Yes, your data is completely private. Home Buyers Guide SA stores all information locally on your device:

• No cloud storage or backups
• No data shared with third parties
• No account or login required
• No tracking or analytics on your property data
• You control all photos and reports

Your property viewing information, photos, and assessments remain on your phone. When you share PDF reports, you choose who receives them.

Yes, Home Buyers Guide SA is perfect for estate agents who want to provide professional service:

Benefits for estate agents:

• Generate instant professional reports during viewings
• Standardize property assessments across all listings
• Provide clients with objective condition reports
• Justify pricing with documented property conditions
• Build trust through transparency
• Save time on manual report creation
• Stand out from competitors with professional tools

Estate agents can use Home Buyers Guide SA to assess properties before listing and provide buyers with detailed viewing reports, closing deals faster by preventing late-stage surprises.