A Look at the Lowest Fixed Rate Mortgages

By Gugu Martini

Considering whether you need a 30 or 15 year fixed mortgage rate is important for people looking to buy a home and concerned about their monthly payments. Many of us are buying homes later in life these days so it is not unreasonable to have the house paid off early. There are always things to take into account before signing documents. It is always a good idea to confirm that the interest rate does not alter during the term of the mortgage.

Steer clear of lenders that are offering unbelievable deals because they probably are. Loans agreed with a 15 year fixed mortgage keep the same interest rate throughout the entire life of the agreement. For those individuals that do not like hidden surprises, this is always a benefit. My wife and I looked into the loans available with 15 year fixed mortgage rates when we were searching for a home for sale.

Even though it was important for us to pay off our loan at the earliest possible opportunity, we did not want high, unrealistic monthly payments which we would have trouble maintaining. It became obvious that we had to look at fixed rate mortgages over a longer period and not just 15 year plans. We did not really like the prospect of having a mortgage as we approached retirement so were really hoping to get one of the loans with 15 year fixed mortgage rates. We were worried about the emphasis placed on early completion of the mortgage.

It took some time but we finally chose to go ahead with the 30 year mortgage plan. Although a number of things had to be pondered over, eventually the choice was made for us.Finding out my wife was having a baby made making the choice so much easier! The contribution my wife made to the monthly finances would be unreliable since she intended to raise our child at home. Our monthly payment would have been too high if we had committed ourselves to the 15 year fixed mortgage plan. For us it just was not feasible as we would just be in over our heads. Despite the trepidation of having a longer term loan, it did reduce the repayments considerably.

Being able to make additional lump sum payments during the year means the outstanding loan reduces faster. My making just a few of these payments each year we discovered that a number of years could be taken off the mortgage term. This is well worth it in the long term but it does require some discipline. Our first choice would have been to go for the short term 15 year fixed rate mortgage solution but this did not help with our more immediate situation. Despite all our worries, things turned out well for us and we do not regret the decision.

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Learn All You Need To Know About Cheap Loans

By Mary R Stewart

Getting bargain loans today can require a great deal of time and patience, as it can be a long and drawn out process. There are plenty of good deals. To find the best cheap loans, you just need to know how to find them. If you check out this cool website I found, it will eliminate a lot of the work for you.

You can take a quick look at the website, and it will be clear how beneficial it will be in your search for cheap loans. It tells you how to find the experts who know how to give you the best deals. And those people are your key to getting cheap loans now, without it costing you an arm and a leg.

I thought I knew a little about getting a cheap loan, but now I think that most of my information was either not correct, or it was stuff that I didn't understand as well as I should. I was so happy to find this site that is helpful and informative! I wish I had found something like years ago, and things could be so much simpler for me now.

Information about cheap loans covers a lot of territory. You need to know what kind of loan you want, of course, but that's only the beginning. You'll also need to be sure to learn about interest rates, and how to check the markets to get the best deal.

One cool thing I didn't know was that getting a cheap loan online is usually cheaper than going through a physical business. The process is automated, which saves a lot of time. The amount the companies charges is usually lower, as well, because there is a reduction in human intervention. The companies save money on overhead, and pass it the savings on to their clients.

Online, you will find a large number of helpful tools to help you find cheap loans. There are loan calculators, budget calculators, and many, many charts and diagrams that help you make sure you are getting the best cheap loans without paying outrageous costs. This website can help you understand what you need, and how to best work it into your financial future.

Those are just a few of the things I learned at this site I'm talking about. If you have been considering trying to find cheap loans, it is a great idea to take a look for yourself before you get too far along. The helpful advice and examples were a big help to me.

There's a lot to learn about getting cheap loans, and this site can really help out with that. From how to spot the best loans in a crowd of companies that are somewhat dubious, to calculating how much of a loan you are going to qualify for, there is information here that you shouldn't miss. Getting cheap loans is easy as long as you find out how to go about getting them the right way.

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Credit Card Merchants

By William Blake

There are lots of different credit card merchant services that can let you accept credit cards, bank transfers, debit cards, and so much more. This service will also help industries get paid even quicker and allow consumers to pay for things a lot easier and more secure. There is no need to worry about your privacy and your personal information being shared with anyone.

The Easy Way for Businesses

Businesses can start accepting payments now and there will be no more turning away customers because they do not have cash. You can accept more customers and be paid a lot faster. The best part about it is that there is no commitment required and you can start and stop whenever you want to. There are usually no start up fees and no cancellation fees associated with credit card merchant services.

Solves all Payment Problems

Businesses can rest easy with no worries of bounced checks of bank fees. Using a credit card merchant and accepting credit or debit payments is risk free. Your business increases because consumers are drawn to companies with which they do not have to use cash and can use their credit or debit cards. Also, by having the option of using their credit or debit card they can even make purchases over the phone.

Receive Money Fast

Once you get started with a credit card merchant service you will be able to bill customers and receive payments via the internet. It will surprise you how quickly your money is received from these transactions. This will help you operate your business more professionally and more efficiently and you will add to the security of your business.

Increased Sales

These days many people depend heavily on their credit cards for all their purchases. Having this payment option available will open your business to a huge market of new customers who would look elsewhere if they could not use credit. Also, the wider of range of payment options, including internet bill paying and purchasing will draw customers to your business. Your sales and your business are sure to grow.

On the Right Track

When you decide to go with credit card merchant services that are available to your business, you will find that you have made a smart and responsible decision when it comes to the financial security of your business.

About the Author:

Are you tired of struggling to keep up with your credit card payment? Get some simple methods of how to pay off credit cards faster on the Debtopedia website. Visit http://www.debtopedia.com for a free copy of my "Secrets Of Credit Card Debt" report.

Small Business Owners Feeling The Pinch Of The Economy

By JR Rooney

You would have to be living in a cave not to be aware that we're in the worst financial crisis in our lifetimes in the United States. If you find yourself worried about your business and what can happen next, you're certainly not alone.

As I write this, the next few days bring great uncertainty about what the government is going to do to try and help bail out the failed banking system in the US. While it's not clear what form the assistance will take, it appears almost certain that the US government will have to do something to fix the mess created in the financial system by rampant greed. "What's going to happen?" you ask, Who knows! What is obvious is that the vast majority of Americans are extremely unhappy with the current situation and quite angry about spending billions of dollars to bail out an industry known for greed.

The unfortunate truth is, a bailout is not the end of the troubles for those of us who run small businesses. The American economy is in deep trouble and is not likely to be fixed very quickly. All the major news outlets have commentaries about what's happening and what to expect. It seems the consensus is that it's unlikely we're going to experience a level of unemployment seen during the Great Depression. That's the good news. The bad news is that things are ugly and their likely get much worse before they get better. And if that wasn't enough, things are probably not to get better any time soon.

Small-business owners are unlikely to be able to get the credit that they need in order to expand their business in the near future. So what can you do? No one can tell you what you need to do in your particular business, but I've always been a strong supporter of the low-cost direct marketing style in my businesses. I suggest you start rethinking all the creative ways you can seek out more revenue at a minimum cost. This means not only getting new customers at minimum cost, but equally important, you need to try to sell more services to the customers you already have.

The situation is a lot more complicated than simply not being able to obtain additional credit, it is also going to be difficult for most business owners to even make it through the next several years. There has already been a huge drop in consumer spending in the US. Getting new customers as well as maintaining the ones you already have is going to get very difficult. That is why this is the time to get yourself back to the basic and most important task you have, "Get your business well marketed." There is nothing more important for your business in tough times such as these than your marketing efforts.

About the Author:

J.R. Rooney works for a full service debt Collection Agency. When your customers won't pay, hire his Collection Company

What is Earned Income Credit (EIC)?

By William Blake

Taxpayers are always very interested in the various tax credits that they can use to reduce their overall tax payments. The Earned Income Credit, commonly referred to as the EIC, is a tax credit which was established in an effort to help people who earn a low income to live as well as possible in their financial situation.

Set up in the year 1975, the concept behind the earned income credit was that since poor workers were having to pay so much in income taxes that they could never hope to move up the financial ladder they needed to be able to pay less taxes. By means of the EIC, low income families are given back a large amount of the money that has been deducted from their pay because of taxes throughout the year.

As time has passed, the amount that the earned income credit returns to individuals has gone up. Supporters of the EIC assert that the earned income credit does more for low income workers than simply increasing the minimum wage would. This is because people who are awarded the EIC use the money they get back to make purchases that boost their local economy.

There are three types of EIC eligible incomes. The first is money that is earned at a job. This money would include any wages earned by means of tips. If you are given a bonus by your employer, it can also be counted towards the earned income credit.

Self-employed earnings are also eligible for the earned income credit. If you own your own business but the money you earn with it is not enough to sufficiently care for your family, you may be able to receive the EIC. Any and everything your business earns can be counted.

Any money earned by one of your dependents can also be used to obtain the EIC. For example, the money that your teenage son or daughter makes while working summers or before and after school can be counted by you in order to get the earned income credit. This is true even if they have not earned enough to have to file for taxes themselves. The combined total of your income and your children's will be used to determine your EIC.

The money that your investments earn for you is counted as income by the IRS, as is money you collect because of unemployment. These sources of income may reduce your chances of getting the earned income credit. For example, if your investments earn you more than $2,800 in one year, you are disqualified from the EIC.

Sadly, many tax filers are not even aware that they qualify for the earned income credit. Many people think they don't qualify or just are not aware of the EIC. Some people do not earn enough to have to file their taxes, but still qualify for the EIC. Be sure to check into the EIC so that you don't miss out on this opportunity.

About the Author:

Tire of struggling to keep up with your credit card debt? Get some simple credit card tips on the Debtopedia website. Get a free copy of my report "Secrets Of Credit Card Debt" at http://www.debtopedia.com

Will UK credit card customers see light at the end of the tunnel?

By Frank Armstrong

The Bank of England may have given UK PLC an economic boost with its recent interest rate cut of 1.5%, but the credit crunch isn't just affecting big business and the banking sector. The average person in the street is feeling the squeeze too. So will the reduction of the base rate to 3% offer any short-term relief to the customers holding a total of 72 million credit cards, beleaguered by interest charges far and above the base rate?

While mortgage borrowers will have to wait and see if the trickle-down effect reduces the cost of their mortgage repayments, credit card customers have been warned not to expect repayments to fall. Consumers look set to continue to pay an average of 17% APR on credit cards, and that percentage is unlikely to change as a result of the rate cut. The common opinion is that rates are only cut to attract customers, and in the current economic climate, lenders are reluctant to encourage even more credit into the system. Even though the lenders would like to pass on these savings to their customers, in the current economic climate those savings may have to wait a while until the market is more stable.

The lenders are more aware (and increasingly concerned) by the prospect of 'bad debt' eating into their profits, as some cardholders struggle to make repayments. Profit is intrinsically tied up in the amount of interest charged, and consequently lenders are fighting hard to make sure those profits aren't squeezed further by cutting interest rates, despite Government attempts to boost the economy at ground level. This reluctance to expose their companies to a worsening position has drawn the attention of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, prompting them to call for a "new, responsible approach" to lending. Card lenders in return have made it quite clear that they do have their customers interests at heart, and stabilising the market is their first priority, rather than making knee-jerk cuts that could cause more problems than they solve.

Store cards are amongst some of the worst culprits of inflated interest charges, but a few credit cards also charge above-rate interest charges. The trick for the consumer is to hunt through the acres of information and find a deal that suits them. The average APR charge on credit cards has risen from 16.8% a year ago to the current average of 17.6% today, despite the interest rate almost halving from 5.75% to 3% over the same time period. Store card rates have risen faster, up by 1% over a six-month period, with the most expensive now charging shoppers more than 30%. This reluctance to replicate the base rate cut has angered government officials, leading them to accuse credit card companies of behaving 'irresponsibly' in the face of mounting pressure to mirror the base rate cut with reductions of their own. Despite continued calls by both the public and the Government, credit card lenders are remaining steadfast, insisting that rates on cards will not be changed. In truth, the credit card lenders are caught between a rock and a hard place. Interest payments are what keep credit card companies in business. At this time, reducing your capital would be a suicidal move by the card companies.

The credit card lenders, concerned by the potential of exposure to 'bad debt', are tightening up on their approach to business, making sure that customers take full responsibility for their loans. It can take only a couple of missed payments for a customer to be at the receiving end of strict enforcement of payment orders, but card companies do understand that everyone is being hit by this crisis, and will do everything they can to help people out. This isn't some good-natured, altruistic approach - it's good business sense. Minimum monthly repayments barely cover interest charges and administration fees. The Citizen's Advice Bureau has said that 20% of all new debt inquiries in 2007-08 have concerned credit card, store card and charge card debts. The Consumer Credit Counselling Service agrees; they have seen a surge in 'charging orders' enforced by card firms in the same period. Card lenders in return have made changes to their customer support policies, being much more proactive in helping those who do get into difficulties tackle the problems much earlier, reducing the overall burden.

The US has responded to the credit crisis by ensuring that interest charges to credit cards have been mirroring the base rate cut, but the UK has yet to follow suit, despite only a 2% difference in base rates between the two countries. Card lenders put the blame squarely on the Government?s shoulders, claiming that regulation such as the Office of Fair Trading?s 2006 decision to put a ?12 cap on penalty fees, as well as their own falling profits on payment protection insurance, is responsible for increasing the cost of credit. They claim that this leaves them unable to reflect changes in the base rate by cutting the APR rate on credit cards. With this in mind, reductions in credit card interest rates look unlikely any time soon. However, with a little bit of legwork and a pocket calculator, a clever consumer can still find some good credit card bargains, with some card lenders bucking the trend and continuing to offer incentives to new and existing customers.

About the Author:

Frank Armstrong writes articles about credit and money saving for websites. Get further information on low interest credit card and compare credit cards here.

Bad Credit Student Loans Actually Exist

By Dave Davis

The first few years I was away from home, I ruined my credit. Spending money that I didn't have was my big vice and there were times when I couldn't make my credit card payments. This obviously made life quite difficult when I tried to get loans. Banks saw me as a huge risk and wouldn't loan me money.

Since my credit score was in the 450 range, getting loans was also really tough. I couldn't even get a cell phone without putting down a deposit of over $400. Since I had been denied for other types of loans, I honestly believed that getting student loans was outside the realm of possibility for me.

My undergraduate studies were honestly quite a challenge for me. Mostly this was the case because I didn't think I could get loans. I would work for a while and then go to school for a while. Doing school this way takes a really long time. Now I know that I could have taken out student loans even though my credit was terrible.

Stafford loans are provided by a lending institution and secured by the federal government. This takes away the risk for the bank. If you default on your loan, the federal government will repay your loan to the bank. They will of course then come after you for the money.

Economically, it makes perfect sense for the government to loan money to students. Even students that have bad credit will increase their lifetime earnings significantly if they graduate from college. The government knows they will get more in taxes if they can get more people to finish school.

Getting Stafford loans is pretty easy if you're a citizen of the United States. All you need to do is go into the financial aid office at your school to fill out a FAFSA. You will then be judged based on your need. If the school determines that you have need, you should be approved quite easily.

Stafford loans are almost always available to people as long as they haven't defaulted on a student loan in the past. Once you have a default, you are required to repay your previous loan before you can take out another.

Student loans would have helped me immensely while I was in college. I wasted tons of times trying to pay for school and in the end, it cost me a few years. Getting loans could have really sped up my process.

About the Author:

Dave helps educate people about guaranteed online personal loans and cheap bad credit student loans.

Be Sure To Get The Right Debt Consolidation

By Bob Hobson

To consolidate debt or not to consolidate debt, that is truly the question, if you will forgive the Shakespearean reference! When you are in debt up to your ears, when your creditors are hounding you day and night, and when you feel like your very life's blood is being wrung out of you in effort to squeeze more money out of you, sometimes the only option you have open to you is to consolidate your debts and loans.

If however, you really are up to your neck in debt and need a way out, rushing into something half cocked is liable to result in more problems instead of fewer. A clear understanding of the best way to consolidate your debt is needed.

And although it is quite simple really, and takes only a little bit of your time to find out how to consolidate debt, and about the firms that will consolidate debt, some people give in to the pressures surrounding them and make one bad decision after another regarding their debt problems.

It is at this poing that you need to stop, take a deep breath, sit back and look at your problems head on. If you have gotten to the point where you are considering consolidate your debt, then you need take a good hard look at what you are facing.

Debt consolidation can help consolidate all your bills into one and reduce monthly payments. This can offer help to those who have too many monthly credit card bills to pay, or who cannot afford their current payments.

If you rush into things, without looking to see what you are getting yourself into, you could find yourself in a lot more trouble than you bargained for, on the other hand, if you do your homework well and you know exactly what you are doing, you could find that you are better off than before you thought to consolidate debt and loan problems.

It is important that you don't find yourself obligated to a loan that is higher in interest from a debt consolidation company and you also should not obtain a secured loan to pay off an unsecured loan.

You should always find out about all your available options before making a crucial decision. Especially when it comes to getting out of debts and if you are not sure if you should consolidate it or not.

About the Author:

If you are looking forfree debt help you can find it on the web at LivingOutOfDebt.com. Before you consolidate loans or credit card debt it is important to get reliable information about your options, so visit today.

The IRS and Foreclosures

By Dave Pierce John Higginbotham

If you think that the bank taking your house back gives you a free ride, think again. You did not escape the money you owed, guess what, it is now taxable by the federal government, otherwise known as the Internal Revenue Service. You still owe some money, so be careful.

We will discuss the different ways you will owe the IRS in detail later on. Many homeowners bought their house under liberal financing terms such as interest and variable rate loans. These loans have become a liablity for many banks as the rates adjust and people cannot make the new payment.

The difference between what you owe on your mortgage and what the bank has to sell it for is called a short sale. Short sales are becoming widespread as many people are losing their homes to foreclosure. The difference in the two numbers is usually taxable.

A homeowner can owe taxes on a short sale when the bank forgives part of the balance or the debt is discharged. Homeowners should not think for a minute that cancelled debt is forgiven without tax consequences.

Tax rates can be from 10 to 35%, but it depends on the tax bracket of the indebted homeowner. It can vary greatly but tax law mandates that the owner actually sell back the house with the proceeds going back to the bank to cover their debt.

Any debt that was owed beyond what had been paid is considered to be cancellation of debt, and is always taxable by the Internal Revenue Service. Many homeowners have been given bad advice and think that discharge or cancellation of debt by the bank entitles them to a free gift that is not taxable, this is not the case and discharged debt is taxable.

The tax consquences should always be considered when turning your keys back into the bank, it is never as easy as it seems, and homeowners could potentially get a huge tax bill at the end of the year if they are not careful.

About the Author:

Are you worried about losing your house and how it will effect your life? Visit our webiste losing your house Process to find out more information.

Getting Payday Loans In The UK

By Rashel Dan

Payday loans in the UK are common and are actually easy to apply for. The most common way to do it, in fact, is to simply log online, apply, and have your application approved through the internet.

A lot of companies actually offer this service to people who need money as quickly as possible. Although it may seem like a non-traditional way of getting financial help, it is one that many people have found to be quite helpful.

The Need

It's a reality. There are sometime when you really need payday loans in the UK to pay off bills that came in too early, or utilities that you need to pay off because you forgot all about them. A payday loan is the solution for problems like these, and as long as you have a stable job with a steady income, chances are that you are eligible to get a payday loan.

What Is It?

A payday loan is basically a short-term loan that is given to you by a loaning institution such as the bank. You can then use this money to pay off whatever it is that you need to. But you have to pay back the loan in about two weeks and it's easy if you have a steady paycheck because that can automatically pay it off for you with the right arrangements.

Why Use One?

One advantage of payday loans in the UK is that you get the money as soon as possible. The transaction is quick and the processing can be confidential.

The next good thing about it is that the amount that you need can be deposited into your account the second that it is approved. The approval is actually instant once a lending institution sees just how qualified you are. Online, the process is even quicker and more convenient because you don't need to line up to apply and you can take your time filling out all the forms and fulfilling all the requirements.

Payday loans are fast becoming popular in an age where nothing seems free. Everything from products to services carries some kind of bill that you need to pay at regular intervals. This is where payday loans can become very useful especially when you are a little short on cash when you need it most. Try a payday loan in the UK today and see what all the fuss is about.

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Try a quick payday loan UK. Know more about processing your payday loans in the UK now.

What Is a Good Credit Score

By Gugu Martini

You might need to do a little research until you get the idea of how to amend your credit score. A credit rating may be one of the most important aspects of your financial position that would need your continuous monitoring, particularly if you always have the need to borrow money from lenders. Having a low credit score will ensure you have trouble getting your credit application approved as you would have wanted.

Your credit rating is an indicator of your financial stability and dependability. From this lenders and credit institutions may be able to guess your standing as a borrower. The reason for this is that credit evaluation is done by using some mathematical convention after taking into consideration a persons borrowing and repaying habits as well as several other factors. The credit rating is also called the FICO score after the credit scoring formula developing company, the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO).

When the credit evaluation low, your potential lender starts to presume that you may not be a dependable borrower. This may be based on your past credit accounts from which you may have defaulted on, late payments of debts, bankruptcy or foreclosure issues that you may have in the past and other similar factors. A high ranking instantly puts you in a positive light to the lender and your credit application might be approved.

While there are several ways to amend your credit rating, one of the first things to do is to review your existing credit rating. If you do have outstanding credit to take care of, it would be great to pay your accounts on time because delinquent payment of your outstanding debts has a major negative affect on your credit rating. The quicker you clear your dues the better your credit history.

In case some older payments have been missed, bring the position up-to-date by paying up the old dues. When you are up-to-date with your credit situation, you would have a healthy credit rating. What's more, your credit record, along with the missed or delinquent payments, may reflect on your credit report and will stay there for a period of 7 years. It will be looked upon as a smudge on your report even after you have paid off any debts.

If you find that you are unable to handle the outstanding situation anymore, it makes sense to contact either the creditors or take professional advice from a credit counselor. This cannot dramatically amend your credit score, but the sooner you start clearing your past dues, it starts getting reflected on your improved credit rating.

Learning how to improve your credit would increase your chances to acquire that loan or mortgage, when you desperately need it. It is nothing but distressing to find that an application for a loan or credit gets rejected just because the credit rating is low. Improving your credit score can also assure you that you have better credit options especially during times that you might need it most.

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Expert Articles On Online Business supplies more reviews, check out this link: Effective Online Advertising.

Home Loans In South Africa

By Susan Renolds

Avoid the stress and mistakes most homeowners must endure when they buy a home by educating yourself about the options and fees associated with home loans.

First-time buyer home loans: Designed for people who have never financed the purchase of property before, this option allows qualified borrowers to finance more than 100% of the property value. The goal is to make it easier for new buyers to enter the market by wrapping some of the costs of a loan into the loan amount. In addition, there is no deposit requirement for first-time buyer home loans.

Fixed home loans have their own advantages and disadvantages. They have a fixed interest rate, generally for a period of one to two years. Though the fixed loan's interest rate is marginally higher than the current prime lending rate, it proves to be beneficial by protecting the home owners from the rising interest rates. On the other side, if the interest rates decline, the rate and payment will not be adjusted.

Variable home loans are the best choice when prime interest rates are on the decline. Initially, you start off with one rate rate you and the lender set together. And when the prime rate goes up or down, the rate of your loan follows.

Capped home loans: Buyers will only be able to receive the benefits of both the variable and fixed home loans, who meet the required qualification. Use this option caps to negotiate rate for a fixed period of time. you can also take advantage of decreasing interest rates which also safeguards you against raising interest rates. confirm if you can avail this option from your bank.

The cost that a person needs to pay for getting a home loan is as important as the home loan and it should be considered when one enter the market. But for most buyers who are not familiar about this, will ended up in a surprise.

A minimum deposit amount should be paid to the lender if you are not a first-time buyer to apply for a home loan. The deposit amount is generally 20%, but it can also vary depending on the value of the property for which you are applying a home loan.

Registration and transfer fees: Can be also called conveyancing fees. These types of fees go toward attorneys that register the real estate in your personal name and those inclcuded in the mortgage of your property. Fees are assessed by the Law Society and strive on a sliding scale. The more the purchase fees, the higher the fee.

Deeds office levies and fees:the registration of possessions and other civil rights regarding immovable property are accountability of The Deeds office.The department of Land affairs is the main jurisdiction held by the government office

Rates and taxes: Before property can be transferred to your name, the rates due on the property must be paid in full for the financial year. As a buyer you will be responsible for a pro rated amount for the part of the year you will occupy the property. You will also be charged for a rates clearance fee certificate.

Be sure to calculate your moving costs, water, electrical and other household costs as you budget for your installments. And don't forget the costs of property and life insurance that also add to the overall costs of owning a home.

About the Author:

Tom Martens is the marketing director for Homeloans-southafrica.co.za. South Arica's leading Home-loans portal