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Buying Your First Home Before 35? FNB’s New Loan Is Worth a Look

If you’re under 35, a few years into your career, owning a home in South Africa can feel like something for “later” - when the deposit is bigger, the salary is higher, life is less expensive. FNB launched a new home loan product at the end of April 2026 that’s designed to bring “later” closer. Here’s what’s on offer and who it’s likely to suit.

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The Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) and Home Loan Applications

A history of the permit, its repeated near-cancellations, its current legal status, and why ZEP holders deserve fair access to home finance.

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The Property Economy: What the Latest Economic Data Means for SA Property Buyers (June 2025)

SA's prime rate just rose to 10.5%, but Fitch and Moody’s upgraded the country’s credit rating. Here’s what both mean for home buyers and estate agents.

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What Is Task-Driven AI - And Why It’s the Only Kind That Actually Works for Estate Agents

Most agents try ChatGPT once and get mediocre results. Here’s why chatting with AI fails agents - and how task-driven AI, with the right prompts, actually delivers.

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Where to Buy (and Where Not to Buy) Property in Johannesburg for Capital Growth

A straight-talking guide for buyers and investors, particularly foreign investors who have never lived in South Africa.

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The Property Economy (May 2026): What the Latest Economic Data Means for Your Home Loan

Analysis by Dr Roelof Botha | Commentary by Phoenix Bonds

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First Home Finance: A Good Idea That Doesn’t Always Land on Time

First Home Finance - previously known as FLISP (the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme) - is a government subsidy administered by the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) on behalf of the Department of Human Settlements. It is a once-off subsidy aimed at first-time buyers whose household income falls in

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Mortgage Origination Referrals: Getting Section 58 Right (Without Overcomplicating It)

There's been a bit of noise lately around compliance, especially after the recent communications from the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and the Legal Practice Council (LPC). Most of that focus has been on conveyancing relationships… but it naturally spills over into how we handle mortgage or

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Why Your Home Loan Was Declined Before Anyone Even Saw It

Not every home loan decline is the result of a credit manager saying no. Many applications fail at the system level due to scorecard triggers, missing information, affordability issues, or simple administrative errors. Proper preparation, quality control, and an understanding of how bank assessment systems work can often mean the difference between an automatic decline and a successful approval.

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Your Bank Has a Conflict of Interest When You Apply for a Home Loan Directly - And They Don’t Have to Tell You

South Africa's home loan market is built on a quiet imbalance. When you walk into your bank and ask for a bond, you are asking a salesperson whether you should buy their product. Nobody is required to tell you that.

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Prequalified? Here’s What You Must Check Before Signing an Offer

Congratulations - getting prequalified is a big milestone in your property journey. It means you've taken the first real step toward owning your home. But here's something many buyers don't realise:

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