Selling a house · Goodwood and the northern suburbs

Sell your house in Goodwood at the right price.

Freestanding homes here sell on the details: the size of the erf, the approved plans, the flatlet or double garage you added along the way. We price your house on what we see in person, put it in front of the buyers already asking us, and stay with you from the first call to transfer.

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Selling here since
1998
Valuation
Free, in person
Your contact
Lee, start to finish
Freestanding white house with a double garage and a jacaranda tree on a quiet street
Sold by Lee · Edgemead 3 bed family home Sold for R2 800 000
Erf 456 m²Sole mandateView listing

Selling your house fast

We can’t promise a date. We can tell you what holds sales up.

Most delays in a house sale are known in advance. Sort these out early and the weeks between offer and transfer get a lot calmer.

Speeds it up

  • Priced right from the first weekNew listings get the most attention. That’s when the price needs to be right.
  • Approved plans for every additionFlatlets, carports and enclosed stoeps included.
  • Certificates booked earlyFaults found now are cheaper and quicker to fix than faults found after an offer.
  • Bond cancellation notice sent on timeYour bank usually wants 90 days’ notice. We’ll tell you when to send it.

Slows it down

  • Starting high and dropping laterBuyers notice, and the price drop often lands below where it should have started.
  • Building work without plansBanks and attorneys can ask for them before transfer goes ahead.
  • A buyer who isn’t pre-qualifiedWe check how a buyer is paying before we put their offer in front of you.
  • No plan for moving outAgree the occupation date in the offer, not the week before transfer.

Before transfer

The certificates you need to sell a house in Cape Town.

Selling a freestanding house usually means more certificates than a flat, because you own the whole property. Here’s what to expect. We’ll tell you which apply to yours at the valuation.

  • Every sale

    Electrical certificate of compliance

    An electrician checks the wiring, distribution board and earthing.

    Registered electrician
  • City of Cape Town

    Plumbing (water installation) certificate

    Confirms the geyser, pipes and stormwater meet the City’s water by-law.

    Accredited plumber
  • If you have one

    Electric fence certificate

    Needed for any electric fence on the property, even if it’s switched off.

    Registered installer
  • If installed

    Gas certificate

    For a gas stove, geyser or fireplace plumbed into the house.

    Registered gas installer
  • Usually in the offer

    Beetle certificate

    Checks roof timbers for wood-boring beetles. Most Western Cape offers ask for one.

    Pest inspector

TipBook the inspections when you sign the mandate, not after the offer. Repairs are easier to plan with time on your side.

Costs of selling

What it costs to sell your house, and who pays what.

Most of the big costs in a South African property sale are paid by the buyer. As the seller, your costs come off the sale price on transfer, so there’s very little to pay upfront.

We’ll put real numbers to this at the valuation, based on your house and your bond.

House sale: who paysTypical, South Africa

You, the seller

  • Agent’s commissionA percentage of the selling price, agreed in the mandate and paid from the proceeds on transfer.
  • Compliance certificatesPlus any repairs the inspectors ask for.
  • Bond cancellation costsIf you have a bond. Attorney’s fees, and a penalty if notice is short.
  • Rates and leviesUp to the date of transfer.
  • Capital gains taxOnly in some cases, such as a second property. Check with your tax advisor.

The buyer

  • Transfer dutyPaid to SARS above the exemption threshold.
  • Transfer attorney’s feesEven though you choose the attorney.
  • Bond registration costsIf they’re buying with a home loan.
  • Deeds office feesFor registering the house in their name.
Agreed in the offerOccupation date, and occupational rent if either side moves in or stays on after transfer.

Keep reading

Selling a house

Questions about selling your house.

Your situation not covered here? Call Lee on 083 448 2508. He’s had most of these questions before.

Get my free valuation
How quickly can I sell my house in Goodwood?

It depends mostly on the asking price and the condition of the house. Once you accept an offer, transfer usually takes 8 to 12 weeks. We’ll give you a realistic timeline for your house at the valuation.

Can I sell my house if it still has a bond?

Yes, most sellers do. Your bond is settled from the sale proceeds on the day of transfer. Give your bank notice of cancellation, usually 90 days, to avoid a penalty. We’ll help you time it.

Do I need to renovate before I sell?

Usually not. Fix the small things buyers notice, like leaking taps, damp patches and broken fittings. Bigger projects rarely add as much to the price as they cost. We’ll tell you what’s worth doing when we see the house.

What if my flatlet or extension doesn’t have approved plans?

Tell us at the valuation. You can have plans drawn and submitted to the City, or disclose it and price for it. Either is better than a buyer’s bank finding it halfway through transfer.

What is a sole mandate?

An agreement that gives one agency the right to sell your house for a set period. It means one asking price, one set of photos and one person accountable. We’ll explain the terms before you sign, and nothing is signed at the valuation. The mandate period is agreed with you and written into the mandate.

Can I stay in my house after it’s sold?

Yes. The occupation date is agreed in the offer, so you can plan your move around it. If you stay on after transfer, you’d normally pay the buyer occupational rent for that time.

Free and no obligation

Thinking of selling your house? Start with the price.

Ask for a free valuation. Lee will phone you, see the house and give you a figure you can plan around.

Get my free valuation Talk to Lee: 083 448 2508