South African Land - What to Know When Buying Land (SA LAND)

South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere and as such the sun traverses our properties East to West from the North.

Architects design buildings to face approximately 17 degrees East of North or True North, to maximize the suns heat, whereas the Europeans in the Northern Hemisphere desire South facing properties for maximum sun and heat.

Price is probably more important than location, to most buyers. You can pay too much in affluent Waterkloof and Clifton just as you can pay too much in Pretoria Noord and Milnerton.

Bargains can be found in less expensive suburbs as well as in expensive suburbs but generally you will enjoy maximum capital growth by buying the cheapest stand in the most expensive suburb.

Properties will always have a North (hot) side and a South (cold) side whether you are on the North-side or South-side of a hill-side. South entry, North facing stands are the most popular for residential buildings. Buildings constructed on clay, sand or rock can add as much as 5% to the total building cost.

Expect to pay 3-4 times the stand price for your finished building for a balanced investment ratio(1:4 Ratio).