R165 000 cash, and three days later house is yours

AT LEAST seven RDP houses are listed “For Sale” on popular online advertising websites.

Yesterday a Cape Argus reporter, posing as a potential home buyer, met a man claiming to be a property developer who promised to have “the perfect house to sell”.

The man works for a company which advertises property on OLX and Gumtree.

He said he had properties in Khayelitsha, Eerste River, two in Happy Valley in Blackheath, two in Wesbank and one in Kuils River. The houses in Khayelitsha, Eerste River, Wesbank and Blackheath were RDP houses.

In an arranged house viewing visit to the house in Happy Valley, which was listed on sale for R165 000 cash, he warned about the condition of the house. “It’s not an ideal house unless you are looking into developing it and selling it later or renting it out.”

He attempted to persuade us to view the house in Eerste River, which he said was worth R400 000. “We are selling it for R200 000,” he quickly assured us.

The house in Happy Valley was semi-attached with barbed-wire fencing and two big trees in the front.

He told us: “I am a property developer. Normally a client approaches us to develop and then sell the property. But this particular client did not have money to develop the house – she just wants to sell it.”

He said the owner had a title deed and the company had received a document from the Human Settlements Department approving the sale of the house.

After viewing the house from the outside, we found that the home owner was in. The woman, who appeared to be in her fifties, said she was no longer living in the house and was renting it out.

She said she was tired of living in the area and wanted to get rid of it.

The house had one bedroom. It was empty inside except for a council rubbish bin. The ceiling needed a touch-up and the house needed repainting.

The owner left us with agent and did not take part in our talks. “The house is R165 000 – cash not subsidy,” he said. “That amount includes our transfer fees and client fees. Our lawyer takes care of the transfer.”

Once the amount was deposited into their account, the lawyer began processing the sale. “Our client moves out immediately the money is in her account and we give you a proof of transfer while the council is still processing it.

“Our lawyers and the department work very fast, it could be up to three days – but the council delays the process.”

He assured us that this was not the first time he had sold a house.

“If you guys sort your finances out I assure you, you can have the house, no hassles.” – Staff Reporter