Passion for industry keeps burning high

VERITY Angus works for Pam Golding Properties in Port Elizabeth. How long have you been in the property market?

A total of 17 years. I started in the real estate industry in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal in 1997. What made you decide to become an estate agent and what did you do before entering the profession?

I matriculated at St Anne’s in Hilton. Thereafter I qualified as a professional nursing sister specialising in midwifery and community nursing in Durban. After nursing for eight years, I got married and moved to Mooi River where we ran our own business in the motor industry for 15 years.

My father, Ian Vermaak, had his own real estate company and I guess that is where the seed was planted. Once you have passion for this industry and the fire is ignited within you, then this profession will never leave you. What has been the most satisfying experience that you have had as an estate agent?

Being able to convene a successful transaction of a person’s biggest asset, namely their home – whe-

ther it is a seller or buyer. What advice would you give to first-time buyers with regard to affordability and what their best buy would be?

Buying a home is one of the single biggest investments most people will make and even more so for first-time buyers. It can be a very daunting exercise, so I always recommend that my clients go through the pre-qualification process with an Ooba expert, who will give them sound financial advice.

Also make sure that you have enough funds in your bank account to cover your monthly debit orders and make use of a budget to plan your obligations properly. These simple things will have a great impact on your credit worthiness.

If first-time buyers have managed to save funds for a deposit, it is a good idea to offer that deposit as the bank will give them a better rate and also be a little more lenient when assessing their credit ability.

If you are a first-time buyer then it would be advisable to purchase the “worst home in the best area” at a price aligned with your affordability.

What advice would you give to ensure that they don’t lose their property when the interest rates go up?

Ensure they get pre-qualified at Ooba for bond finance prior to purchasing their dream home. During the process the property finance expert will explain the effects of rate increases on their ability to continue to afford the bond repayments.

Clients are only at risk of losing their property in the event that they are no longer able to pay the bond instalment and therefore they must be sure to purchase within their means and to allow a little margin for possible increases. The other bit of advice is that during good times, bond holders must try to pay any extra funds available into their bond accounts as this will not only reduce the term of the loan but will also help to create equity in the property so during high-interest rate periods the repayment

can be better managed. Move or improve: what is the best option?

This depends on numerous factors. Family and personal long-term needs of the clients are important.

Before a home owner wants to renovate, it is advisable to contact us for a valuation. Taking the costs of improvements into consideration, the property owners should establish whether they will overcapitalise for that specific area.

If they decide to renovate, then it is imperative that renovations or additions are carefully planned by a professional, and good quality workmanship is delivered. This will definitely affect the market value of the property once completed. What is the average price for property in the suburbs that you specialise in?

I specialise in Summerstrand. Depending on what part the property is situated in, as well as whether it

is a house, townhouse or apartment, prices range dramatically, from between R400 000 to R3-million. In which areas can one find bargains when looking for options to buy?

You can find bargains in any area. Purchasers having the required capital could acquire property below its market value. Property remains a long-term wealth creator.

A bargain should be measured against the return on investment growing significantly. No matter what the price, a question to ask would be: is the home worth the price in today’s current market? Do you give advice on how to obtain a bond?

Ooba are experts in home finance, so they give free and expert advise on how home buyers and home owners can obtain a bond. Buying or renting: which is the better option at present and why?

This depends largely on your finances. Deposits, transfer and bond costs, bond instalments, property rates, utilities and maintenance all need to be taken into consideration when

weighing up the two options. It is also important to consider your return on investment when choosing whether to rent or buy. Do you feel that the property market has turned the corner?

It certainly has turned a corner from recent difficult economic times as can be seen by steady turnover and a moderate increase in year-on-year pricing. In Summerstrand the total value of sales annually was at its highest in 2007 and lowest in 2009. Last year’s annual sales are the highest since 2009.

What do you do to relax?

Our four children, their fiances and girlfriends give me an immense sense of accomplishment. I am able to relax the most in my own home surrounded by my four dogs and cat. My husband, Duncan, and I love to travel overland, especially going to game reserves, with a particular interest in wildlife photography. I used to play squash, however, I am now attending the gym in my spare time.

Verity can be contacted at (041) 373-9955, 082-775-7459 or verity.angus@pamgolding.co.za.