Plain-English on the numbers that matter, before you list and before you buy.
Written by the Zettl team using primary data from FNB Property Research, SARS, and industry sources. All figures reflect current legislation and market conditions. Content is for information only and is not financial or legal advice.
Capital gains tax on property in South Africa has one very important exemption: if you're selling the home you live in and your capital gain is under R3 million, you likely owe nothing. The complication arrives with investment properties, holiday homes, and partial rentals — where CGT applies at an effective rate of up to 18% on the gain. Here's exactly how the calculation works, using the current 2026/2027 figures.
Estate agent commission is the single largest cost in a South African property sale, usually 5% to 7.5% of the sale price plus 15% VAT. That is R172,500 on a R2.5 million home at 6%. The rate is negotiable, and the mandate type you sign largely decides how much leverage you have.
Most South African sellers need at least an electrical compliance certificate. Depending on the property and municipality, you may also need plumbing, gas, electric fence, and beetle certificates. Each has a different legal basis, validity period, and cost to pass.
Analysis of South African property sale cost structures shows sellers on a typical R2.5 million transaction incur over R195,000 in selling costs alone — separate from their outstanding bond. Three specific line items account for 90% of the surprise.
Your sale price and your net proceeds are two completely different numbers. This guide explains every deduction between them — and gives you a free calculator to see your real figure before you commit to selling.
Selling a house in South Africa costs more than most people expect. Here is a full breakdown of every fee — with worked examples on a R2.5 million property — so you know exactly what you will walk away with.
Buying your first home in South Africa? Learn about the essential costs involved and how to budget smartly.
The '30% of salary' rule of thumb is just a starting point. Here's how banks actually calculate what they'll lend you — and why two people on the same salary often get very different offers.
Rates are falling, banks are approving more bonds, and first-time buyer activity is at a multi-year high. But 'good time to buy' depends entirely on your circumstances, not the headline numbers. Here is how to think it through.
Sell up, rent it out, or refinance and unlock some equity? Each option is genuinely valid and genuinely different. Here is how to compare them properly before anyone else gets involved in the conversation.
Properties are sitting on the market longer than they have in years. Getting your price right on day one is more important and more financially consequential than most sellers realise.
The transfer duty exemption threshold rose to R1,210,000 from 1 April 2025. Here is the full 2026 rate table with worked examples so you know exactly what you will pay before you sign an offer.
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