Spring has arrived, bringing new energy, fresh opportunities and encouraging signs for the local property market!
At Seeff Secunda, we are starting to feel a noticeable pickup in activity across both our sales and rental departments. We are seeing renewed interest from buyers and tenants, creating positive momentum as we move towards the final months of the year.
For sellers, this is an excellent reminder of the importance of pricing your property correctly. Buyers have access to a range of options, and properties that are well presented, realistically priced and marketed professionally are better positioned to attract serious interest.
If you are considering selling, remember that the highest asking price is not always the price the market is willing to pay. A realistic, market-related valuation can help attract the right buyers and avoid unnecessary time on the market.
The rental market is also showing encouraging activity. With tenants looking for suitable homes and landlords wanting reliable occupants, a well-maintained property, competitive rental pricing and thorough tenant screening remain essential.
Whether you are buying, selling, letting or renting, our team is here to help you navigate the market with confidence.
Renting Smart: Protect Yourself Against Property Scams
As activity in the property market increases, it is important to remain alert to scammers who take advantage of people looking for a home or hoping to secure a tenant.
Rental scams can leave prospective tenants without their hard-earned money and landlords facing financial losses, property damage or fraudulent agreements. Scammers may advertise properties they do not own, copy legitimate listings, impersonate property practitioners or demand deposits before a proper viewing or verification process has taken place.
Here are a few important tips for both tenants and landlords:
For tenants:
- Verify the property and the person advertising it. Confirm that the individual or agency is authorised to market the property. Do not rely solely on social media profiles, photographs or messages.
- View before you pay. Whenever possible, physically view the property and confirm that the person you are dealing with has legitimate authority to let it.
- Be cautious of pressure tactics. Requests for immediate payment because “many people are interested” or offers that seem unusually cheap should raise concerns.
- Never skip the paperwork. Read and sign a written lease agreement before paying a deposit or rental. Make sure you understand the rental amount, deposit conditions, payment dates and responsibilities of both parties.
- Verify banking details independently. Confirm account details directly with the legitimate agency or landlord through a trusted contact method before transferring any money. Be particularly cautious if banking details suddenly change.
For landlords:
- Screen prospective tenants properly. Verify identity, employment and affordability information, and obtain references where appropriate. Handle personal information responsibly.
- Use a written lease. Clearly document the rental amount, deposit, payment arrangements, responsibilities and terms of occupation.
- Keep records of every payment. Use traceable payment methods and provide receipts or written confirmation where applicable.
- Document the property's condition. Conduct incoming and outgoing inspections with the tenant and retain photographs and signed inspection reports.
- Be careful with personal information. Do not share identity documents, banking information or property access details unnecessarily, and verify anyone claiming to represent you.
One of the biggest warning signs is being asked to pay money before you have verified the property, the person and the terms of the agreement. Never allow urgency to replace due diligence.
At Seeff Secunda, we believe that renting should be a positive experience built on transparency, professionalism and trust. If you are unsure about a rental opportunity, take the time to verify it before committing.
Interest Rates Are Up — Is It Still a Good Time to Buy?
The recent 0.25 percentage-point interest rate hike has added further pressure to household budgets, with the prime lending rate now at 10.75%. For many potential buyers, this may raise questions about whether now is the right time to invest in property.
While higher interest rates affect affordability, they don't necessarily mean you should put your property plans on hold.
What does this mean for buyers and homeowners?
- Higher monthly repayments: Buyers should carefully assess what they can comfortably afford before committing to a home loan.
- More room to negotiate: With buyers having more properties to choose from, well-priced homes and motivated sellers may create opportunities.
- Think long-term: Property remains a long-term investment, and short-term market changes should be considered alongside your future plans.
- Plan for affordability: Leave room in your budget for possible future interest rate changes and other rising living expenses.
Our advice: Do your homework, know your budget and make informed decisions. Whether you're buying your first home, upgrading or considering selling, the Seeff Secunda team is here to help you navigate the local market with confidence.
Rising Petrol Prices — Small Changes Can Make a Difference
With petrol prices placing even more pressure on household budgets, many families are looking for ways to stretch their money further. Although we cannot control fuel prices, a few practical changes can help reduce everyday expenses.
Here are a few ways to ease the pressure:
- Plan your trips: Combine errands and shopping trips to avoid unnecessary driving.
- Share the journey: Where possible, consider carpooling with colleagues or other parents.
- Keep your vehicle maintained: Regular servicing and checking tyre pressure can help improve fuel efficiency.
- Review your monthly budget: Take a closer look at everyday expenses and identify where you can save.
- Consider location when buying a home: A property closer to work, schools, shops and essential services could help reduce commuting costs over time.
A property is more than just a purchase price. Your daily commute, access to amenities and overall cost of living all play a role in finding a home that suits your lifestyle and budget.
At Seeff Secunda, we understand that every family's needs are different. Let us help you find a property that makes sense not only for your budget today, but also for your future.
E4O Relay: Eight Hours, One Community, One Purpose
On Saturday, 10 October, Seeff Secunda hosted its Seeff Epic for Orphans (E4O) eight-hour cycling relay, bringing local businesses together for a fantastic day of teamwork, endurance and community spirit.
Twelve business teams took on the challenge, cycling laps of a 6.2 km route to raise funds for the children's home in Kriel. The event was about much more than cycling — it was about coming together to make a tangible difference in the lives of children who need our support.
And what an incredible effort it was!
The day's distance totals were truly impressive:
- 347 laps completed by the competing teams, covering 2,151.4 km.
- A stationary bike kept moving throughout the event, with supporters contributing an additional 135 km.
- A grand total of 2,286.4 km cycled in one day!
Congratulations to our top three teams:
🥇 First place: Streicher de Swardt – Winning Team, with 39 laps.
🥈 Second place: Grip and Rip, with 36 laps.
🥉 Third place: Proconics, with 33 laps.
A huge thank you to all twelve participating teams: Grip and Rip, Proconics, Perfektum, Multilink, SAT (CSG), Streicher de Swardt's Boerewors Team, Streicher de Swardt's Winning Team, Limitless (Goedehoop Moms and Children), Sasol Cycling, Laerskool Secunda Cyclists, ProGo and Seeff.
We would also like to thank the generous local businesses that donated prizes and supported the event: Symphony's, Pypenanzis, Redemptive, Streicher de Swardt, Grip and Rip, and Gracefully Gorgeous Beauty Salon.
Your support helped turn a sporting challenge into a meaningful community initiative.
Turning Every Kilometre into a Better Home
The real victory of E4O lies in what we can achieve together for the children at the Kriel children's home.
Seeff Secunda has already donated and installed two industrial washing machines to help meet the home's essential laundry needs. But there is still so much more we hope to accomplish.
Some of the projects requiring attention include:
- Installing lights on the children's home's porches.
- Improving and repainting the laundry area.
- Installing new washing lines.
- Replacing damaged or ageing ceilings in bathrooms and bedrooms.
- Attending to various maintenance and improvement projects throughout the property.
These may seem like ordinary household improvements, but for the children and caregivers who live there, they can make a meaningful difference to everyday comfort, safety and dignity.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed their time, energy, resources and enthusiasm to make this year's relay a success. Every lap, every donation and every act of support brings us one step closer to creating a better environment for these children.
And we are not stopping here!
We are already looking ahead to hosting our next E4O relay in early 2027. We would love to see even more local businesses join us, enjoy a day of friendly competition and help us continue this worthwhile initiative.
Together, we can go further — on the bike and beyond it.
Thinking of Making a Property Move?
Whether you are looking to buy your first home, sell your current property, invest in real estate or find the right rental, the Seeff Secunda team is ready to assist.
With encouraging movement in both the sales and rental markets, now is a good time to have a conversation about your property goals. Our local knowledge and hands-on experience can help you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary pitfalls.
Contact Seeff Secunda today. We would love to help you take your next step.
Seeff Secunda — Your property journey, our priority.
