The offer to purchase: a thread:
When you like a property and you consider buying it, you need to have bargained for a price lower than the asking price. Remember, people push up the price to be above market value.
Once accepted, you need to sign a legally binding contract. This is the offer to purchase (OTP). You need to make sure you're covered, as the OTP from the agents are biased towards the seller, you need to consider a few things
Firstly, try and negotiate that you appoint the electrician to do the COC - this is a certificate to prove that the property's electricity is compliant with electrical standards. I have historically reported an electrician who issued the COC illegally.
Make sure you get all the statements from the body corporate (for sectional title places). Make sure that you write in the OTP that you have 14 days to analyse them, and confirm that you will have the right to not proceed if they are not to your liking.
Don't buy into a bankrupt scheme!
Make sure you know what you're buying.
Maybe have someone check the structure and roof for any issues. add that to the OTP.
Have enough exit clauses, such as you need to approve the rate of the home loan as appropriate and to your liking. This is incase you realise halfway that there are issues.
Above all, buy Frugal a coffee or send software development work his way, as he is not getting paid to be frugal ;)
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BODY CORPORATE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - BEFORE YOU BUY! Let's look at what you need to look at.
First off - you don't just sign your OTP. You have an exit clause stating that the sale is dependent if the financial health of the BC is favourable to you. Please add a timeframe.
Let's go...
#1 Financial statements:
I'm very interested in the budget. I want to know what the levies are used for. 1.1 Check for significant levy increases
1.2. Any suspicious expenses
1.2.1 Special levies 🚩🚩🚩🚩 (Excluding normal levy and maintenance levy)
1.3. If the BC has other income such as mobile tower rental or advertising, BONUS!
#2 10 Year plan // Reserve fund
2.1. This should be included in the AGM pack. Check for big expenses coming up, then compare if the reserve fund is adequately stocked.
2.2. It needs to be current, not 6 years old and not reviewed.
2.3. Check maintenance records (of supplied). Look for recurring patterns.
2.4. Check for upcoming maintenance/renovations. Ask some questions here, if needs be.
Tip - Do a personal walk around. IS the place filthy? Is everything falling apart? Is the paint peeling off? It's a no from me
RIP Charlie Munger (1924-2023) - the Vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, and right hand man of Warren Buffet. In honour, I would like to give the 10 best quotes by Charlie.
1. "Spend each day trying to be a little wiser than you were when you woke up."
2. “The safest way to try and get what you want is to try and deserve what you want."
3. “In my whole life, I have known no wise people who didn't read all the time - none, zero."
4. “The big money is not in the buying and selling, but in the waiting."
5. “You don’t have to be brilliant, only a little bit wiser than the other guys, on average, for a long, long time."
So you want to buy into a sectional title scheme??
Well, let's talk what you should be looking for in the financials - and how to go about it. Oh, and the OTP.
So the OTP. Add a clause stating the sale is dependent on your review of the financial statements. And you have 2 weeks from it dropping in your lap to review and change your mind. Just reword it nicely ;)
Ask for the last AGM pack (if possible) - or just the annual financial statements (AFS).
Focus on the income and expenses, reserves, and outstanding debts.
6 things you should know about a tax free savings account in south Africa... We'll start with the easy ones and go to more complex things 😎
1. TFSAs a lifetime limit of R500,000, which means that an individual cannot contribute more than that amount over the lifetime of the account. There is also a R36,000 annual limit.
2. Contributions to TFSAs are not tax-deductible, but any interest, dividends, and capital gains earned in the account are tax-free.
Let's talk TAX AND RENTAL PROPERTIES!
How do you pay less tax on rental income?!
Thread below 👇👇👇
So, as you might know, rental income is taxed at your normal income tax rate. This means, if you're in the 36% bracket, you will be paying 36% income tax on all income made from property rentals.
But there has to be a way around it?
And that's what the rich and informed do ;)
You have a few choices in paying less tax in rental property: 1. More expenses and deductibles 1.1 Home loans 1.2 Betterment & Maintenance 2. less income 3. tax breaks. 4. do some funky entity dealings - not for the faint-hearted!
And a special section incl: 5. SELLING + taxes
DONT BUY PROPERTY FOR THESE 9 REASONS!! 1. Because you are prequalified/preapproved for an amount. Remember interest rates will climb and might make it unaffordable
2. Because levies are low. With bad management, these can increase. Check that the system and all finances are healthy too!
3. Because it's a beautiful home. It takes a lot of maintenance and MONEY to keep the grass greener on that side. And budget for insurance too...!